Goulburn, Crookwell and Laggan, NSW Visit July 22-25 2019

On Monday morning July 22 2019, a friend and I set off for a 3 day mini break in Goulburn.   Warm clothes were needed, as Goulburn is known to be very cold in the winter!  

We enjoyed attending a country race meeting at Goulburn. A number of Sydney jockeys had rides that day, and many Sydney trainers had runners. We recognised a few trainers; in most cases the foreman would have attended the course on the day. I backed the winner and third place getter in race two.  After the races, we went to afternoon tea at The Roses Café in Goulburn. Dinner was at the Workers Club.

Tuesday, we visited the Big Merino, drove to Gunning to see the countryside (we passed by wind farms) and later that afternoon  visited the Goulburn Art Gallery  and admired the view over  Goulburn from the  War Memorial . Then to afternoon tea at The Park Café, and dinner at The Soldiers Club.

Wednesday morning, (and well rugged up) at 9am we visited an alpaca farmer in Crookwell.  The farmer had almost 70 alpacas and ran the place by herself. In her previous life she was an IT person in Sydney, who decided  to change direction in her career.

Then after feeding alpacas, off to a welcome morning tea- scones with jam and cream and a warm fire.  Next, we visited the Information Centre in   Crookwell and chatted to the helpful staff.  There are many lovely farm stays and self – contained accommodation springing up in the area.  I have decided that Crookwell is the perfect place to edit a book – a country town with lovely cafes, good shops and things to do in an unhurried environment. Time to think ……..   

The sock factory in Crookwell was next on the tourist trail .We travelled on to Laggan and had a drink in the pub. Food is only available on Friday night and on the weekend, so we had late lunch in a pub in Crookwell.

My last visit to Laggan Pub was in approximately September 1986. I visited with an English Tafe Exchange teacher, Freda.  Freda and I were spending the weekend on a sheep farm in the local area, and we decided to visit the Laggan pub on the Saturday night. Freda played darts with the shearers, and I watched!   I have fond memories of our visit.

On the first Wednesday in the month, readings of Australian bush poetry are held in the Laggan Pub. It is well attended by the locals. I must return for this – our bush poets told the story of country life, its many hardships along with its uniqueness. 

We returned to Goulburn and had afternoon tea at the Paragon Café.  Dinner was again at the Workers Club.

Yes, we ate a lot , but it was cold ……… On Thursday morning, we bade farewell to Goulburn as we returned to Sydney and city life.