Some places seem to be a magnet for artistic and creative people. What is it that attracts them? I’m sure you have found these charming havens of beauty. The craft shops are over-flowing with creative nick-nacks, paintings, sculptures, pottery and hand-crafts all made by local artists. Delightful cafes and restaurants use local produce and interesting menus to lure you inside. The streets are lined with large pots of flowers and old trees grace the landscape. Stumbling across them in your travels is what makes memories.
Yungaburra is one such place.
I have very fond memories of previous visits, especially a hair cut I had there 2 years ago at a small hairdressers salon called “Joolz”. Finding a hairdresser when travelling can be a drama, either too expensive or they leave you looking like you have had a pudding basin cut. Jane was a magician with my hair 2 years ago, so feeling shaggy and daggy in the hair department I was so relieved to find her still in business.
Our new home is only a short drive from Yungaburra and I looked forward to rediscovering its unique village atmosphere. I was not disappointed. Coming out after the haircut I felt like a renewed woman and went looking for Jack who had gone walk-about.
I found him at the Red Shed…
Ian Reece has recently taken over the running of this outlet for the art of local people. Though he needs the aid of a motorised wheelchair to get around and is battling Parkinson’s disease he is an inspirational person, passing on his knowledge. The present display is the work of local school children and he plans to have a new exhibition each month. He told us part of his life story, from being a facilitator for children’s art around the country, to working in the circus as the bottom strong man in a pyramid of 4 acrobats. We will be calling in regularly to check out the displays.
Ummm… drawing of an elderly person, now I wonder, I have 4 weeks before the submission date…
Across from the Red Shed is another artistic outlet “The Art Garage”. Partners Debbie Doidge and Jo-Ellen Bouttell are working on a mural along the side of the building.
It is a work in progress and we will be calling back to see how it comes along. What talented people these two women are. They run art classes and have a range of quality art material for sale.
Did you notice the beautiful roses and carnations in the vase? There is a rose farm just outside Yungaburra and it is a place I will be calling in to see on another day.
It must be lunch time I’m feeling hungry. We remember a small café we visited 2 years ago it left a happy memory of the delicious meal we ate there. So we walk past the pub to the Whistle Stop Cafe and find it is still open. We order zucchini slice and salad with a side dish of devilled duck eggs followed by scones and cream and coffee. Yummy…
All the meals and cakes are baked, with love, on the premises and the produce is all local. 5 minutes after we were served the power went off, how lucky we had our lunch, but how frustrating for the owners who had to turn away a number of customers.
It was another memorable meal.
refueled and refreshed we explore more of the interesting shops.
Miss Meg’s place (Meg has more photos on her Facebook page) draws us in with its bright red façade. Many of the items have been created by Meg, local artists and craft people. The clothes are recycled and carefully sourced by Meg. The shop is an Aladdin’s Cave of delight. I peeped into the changing rooms, not your usual stark bare square with a mirror these were spacious, decorated with lace and chandeliers and painted luscious pinks, lavender and purples with a small comfy chair and pictures on the walls.
Further along the street we find the “Book Burra” second-hand book utopia. Aisles of books crammed to the ceiling, interesting artefacts dotted around, lots to look at. We browse around for a while and Jack finds some interesting books about cats and other things he is interested in, $18 for 5 books, what a bargain.
Most of the buildings are heritage listed and though it is only a population of approx. 1000 people this charming village is a mecca for tourists. We wander on past the butcher shop and pharmacy.
There is still more to see of this lovely little village but it will have to wait for another day. I have to do grocery shopping at Atherton, 20 kilometre along the road, and a few other things on my to-do list for today. Before going home to see if the cats have missed us.
This is the beauty of house sitting you do not have to cram every thing in to a short time. Instead you can savour the experience and take time to talk to local people.
The local market is on the 4th Saturday of the month and we will definitely pencil this date on the calendar.
What a place! It’s bursting with life and vitality. 🙂 Excellent post!
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It is a lovely friendly village.
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Hi Pommepal, I am from Circus Oz, and I would like to use the photo of the stained glass window for a facebook post about Ian Reece. Is this okay? Whom should be credited as the photographer?
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You are welcome to use the stained glass window. I took the photo, you could link it to the post. What an interesting life you lead I will go back and explore more of your post.
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what a great fun spot!
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Thanks Lisa I appreciate your comments
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Pingback: Lingering look at windows : Another visit to Yungaburra | gypsy life
Lovely to catch up with you. Always doing something interesting. House sitting ! Good for you, what adventures you and Jack do have!!
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Thanks Sue, and the weather is what we travel north for each winter and it is perfect here
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Oh what a wonderful town!! So happy! Love your posts~
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Thanks Cindy it is a very friendly area
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Oh how beautiful it all is, never been there, just so love the old villages, looking forward to your adventure’s on this one.
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Yes it is beautiful up here and the weather is good, warm sunny days, a bit cooler at night but we have a wood fire to keep us and the cats warm… 🙂
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Love the bar, and the window, of course; oh and the tire too. 🙂
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I thought that tyre was a great idea I am going to copy it when we get back home.
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Be sure to take a picture 😉
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I certainly will.
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🙂
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Thank you very much for the lovely words you shared about our town Yungaburra. It was very nice to meet you. Jo-Ellen Bouttell @ the art garage
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Thank you Jo for the comment we will certainly be back to see how the mural progresses, and take some more photos.
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Turkish hairdressers are worse, I have the pictures to prove it!
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Oh dear, I always leave my hair till it is at the disaster stage before searching for a hairdresser. I can imagine language would be a challenge in Turkey… 😦
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You have done great posts showing our adventures perfectly.
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Thanks Jack we do have some great adventures
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What a gorgeous little town, thanks for the tour, pommepal 🙂
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G’day Ailsa, I love this area around here it is very photogenic and I am looking forward to being back in your challenge each week.
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Glad to see you and Jack settling into your next house sitting gig. It looks like a wonderful place to spend some time exploring. xxx
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