| FATHERS' DAY AT STRATHALBYN |
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| There was a big Heritage Festival on at Strathalbyn on Fathers' Day, with lots of people in period costumes walking the streets, picnicing, riding penny-farthing bicyles, or catching an ancient (but beautifully restored) Diamond T bus around the town. The town band was playing in the bandstand in the central park (at least until the footy started) and there was plenty happening.. SteamRanger was running tours along the old line to Sandergrove too, and this was a bit of a highlight for us boys. They had intended running the Highlander down from Mount Barker under steam, but unfortunately one of the passenger cars de-railed on the way, so they were limited to one of the old (restored) RedHen railcars for the trips to Sandergrove. |
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| We shared Fathers' Day with Helen's Dad Bill, and her brother Lawrence's family, although Lawrence himself had to work and wasn't there. All us boys are railfans, and so we went off for a train ride to Sandergrove while the women went looking at the myriad antique shops Strathalbyn has to offer. |
| Picnic lunch by the Angas River at Strathalbyn. Cooper fell over and pretended to sleep as soon as the camera came out. Notice how he's not even on the mat! |
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| Bill, Brady, Sam, Cooper, Steven and Hayden on the way to Sandergrove in the restored RedHen railcar 328 |
| Restored RedHen railcar 328, sporting SteamRanger's colourful livery, at the station platform at Strathalbyn. |
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| I love this picture. The boys spent ages playing on these steps. It's great to see kids improvising like this, and also great to see the special bond that exists between cousins. |
| After the train ride we went around to the town oval, where a model train exhibition was on in the hall. There were several interesting layouts to keep us happy until the girls had had enough of the antique shops. |
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