The trip down the Midland highway provided an interesting contrast of nature. We started out with lush green fields and timbered roadways and then drove into more stark hillsides that were brown from drought. Dam levels were down in some of the paddocks that could be seen as we drove south.
This highway is called the Heritage Highway and at various spots along the roadside there are iron cut outs painted black, depicting an aspect of this heritage. We saw 4 soldiers with their muskets, a drover with his dogs, a surveyor and his assistant, a horseman being held up by a bushranger and also a horse pulled wagon. These silouettes stand out clearly and make the drive a little more interesting. I could see them providing a source to keep the children occupied on a trip along this road.
Auto Gas was not freely available at the service stations we passed and there had only been one with gas in Deloraine (which we went past) and it wasn’t until midway down the highway that we again came across gas.
Bothwell is a small town with a permanent population of around 350. The area was settled back in the 1820’s by pastoralists and graziers. Our charming hostess Barbara, in who’s gardens we have our van set up, has been here all her life other than when attending boarding school in Hobart. She is 85. She is the patron of Spin In and was responsible for creating the concept in the first place and is still very active in the local community.
Spin In was held in the grounds of the school which caters for approx. 350 children from grade 1 to 10. A lot of the children travel from the many outlying areas up in the highlands. Small villages around the many lakes where trout fishing is the great attraction.
For someone interested in spinning, or working with fibre this festival is heaven. Displays by talented craftspeople, traders of all varieties, workshops and a fashion parade of garments created by some of the talented people present are just some of the attractions. On the Saturday there was even a round of the National Sheep Dog Trials held so certainly something for everyone. I was able to spend a great weekend checking out all that was on offer. That of course was after thawing out from a temperature of -6 degrees and frost everywhere on the Saturday morning. We had to scrape the frost off the car’s windscreen so that I could see to drive to the school. Brrrrrrr there had been no electric blankets last night as we were not on electricity in the garden. I was able to do a workshop on ‘spinning art yarn’ and then a few hours later take part in the ‘creative yarn’ competition. Given a bag of a variety of fibres and a core yarn we were able to improvise to our hearts content for just 20 minutes. There were 10 of us taking part representing many parts of Australia and even one Kiwi. Everyone of course was a winner and could select their prize from a selection on offer. I now am the proud owner of my very own ‘black sheep’. On the Saturday night there was a barbeque tea in the school grounds followed by a concert in the Town Hall. We were entertained by a choir from Hobart that comprised 12 female singers along with a female conductor and pianist. What magic voices.
Held every two years Bothwell International Highland Spin In is an event for everyone and I am so pleased that I attended.
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