Grandma's Visit - Bungendore Train

On Thursday we went on a train trip with our friends Grace and Jodi Cooper to the town of Bungendore, which is about 35 minutes outside of Canberra on the way to the coast. The Australian Railway Historical Society (ACT Division) operates this heritage train, which uses retored passenger cars from the early 1900's. The train operates for special events such as school holidays, Mother's day, Father's day, etc. We had to get our tickets two months early - it sells out very quickly! It was a great trip and a great day!

Here we are just starting the trip, with fresh coffee and hot-chocolate.














Bungendore is a great little village. When it was established in the early 1800's, it was an important crossroads between a number of towns in New South Wales (our neighboring state). Like many Australian towns, it started with a "lock-up", then grew over the years to include a flour mill, schools, railway, horse racing, etc. Now it is still a very small village that has smartly capitalized on its proximity to cities such as Canberra and Queanbeyan, attracting people (and money) to its art and hand-craft galleries, tea rooms and restaurants. Ian and I were just remarking today, while in Bungendore, that we have gone to Bungendore more frequently than any other place in our time here in Australia. The Bungendore Woodworking Gallery is a favorite place of ours. When we get back to Canada, some of you will get to see the Jarrah hallway table that we bought there!.

Here are Grace and William at the Bungendore station...















Jodi and Grace....















William and Grace dropped into the local "Lolly Shop" before we headed back to Canberra. Here they are, silly and blue-toothed in Grace's case!