Busy, Bustling Bungendore.

This time we take the scenic route to Goulburn. Leaving the Federal Highway we slow to the heartbeat of the country and have the road almost to ourselves. At a steady 80 to 90 kilometres and no traffic to worry about I have time to gaze around. This is sheep farming country and it is spring.

Half an hour and suddenly up ahead there are men in orange vests waving banners and cars parked with flag waving bystanders. Of course we have to see what is going on.

Intrepid cyclists

We grab the cameras and watch. A van flashes past, I think it said 1000 kilometre ride, but it was gone to fast for me to read it all. Well now where are we? This small village we have stumbled across is VERY busy, cars parked bumper to bumper right along the main street.

We squeeze into a parking spot and wander along Gibraltar Street Bungendore. This is a friendly, relaxed country town. Locals greet each other, and us, with a smile and take time to stand around talking.

Then there are the cottages, houses, heritage buildings, hotels and churches that look as though they have been around for ever. I LOVE them, a photographers ideal place. Let me share some of them with you.

Trellis fences tick my box

Picket fences and dormer windows another favourite

This one was my favourite

I fell in love with this cottage and took so many photos from all angles. Here are some of the details.

What does that notice say? I have to take a closer look.

Now that seems to say it all about this town’s attitude to life. Not too sure about the WWW at the bottom, it is a UK website. Oh well it is certainly relevant.

“Smile for the camera” says Jack

 

Then a local farmers wife stops for a chat when she sees us taking photos and tells us of more interesting buildings and also another town to go to. Braidwood she tells us is a heritage town on the way to the coast. Sounds a real must-see, but that will be another days outing. Today we are entranced with this town.

This was on the door, it was Saturday but the shop was shut.

Jack loves talking to locals and when he saw these two hoeing into yummy looking pies he had to ask them where they bought them. They directed us to Gunna Doo, the local bakery. Then he took their photos and told them they may be in a blog…

Jack on the search for the pie shop

This is it “Gunna Doo”

These are seriously delicious pies and Jack talks to, then takes a photo of Grandad and his cute Granddaughter.

It is always time for a home-baked pie in a country town, so in we go.

Jack chats to more locals while I order 2 steak and kidney pies with coffee.

The pies were meaty, dripping with gravy and yummy.

Royal Hotel getting ready for business

After driving along Gibraltar Street we went round the back to find the church we had been told about.

Next to the church I peered over the fence at this very impressive house.

Looks a bit like a castle

The grounds are impressive and park-like. What is that object?

Take a closer look. It reminds me of the Dreamer’s gate architecture/building in Collect. I think it is a bench.

For sale…

Another local walks by with his dog and we ask him if he knows how much this house would be.

“About $500000” he said, “but it has half an acre of land”

Any one out there wanting a “tree change”?

There was more to see, but we were on a mission to get back to Goulburn to see the brewery and heritage homes and galleries that are only open on the weekend. So reluctantly we left this charming little village hoping we get the chance to come back for another visit.

Next stop Goulburn, again…

(to be continued)