Well today was the day we took him off to Hawkesbury District Council so he could be sent off to Australian Reptile Park and milked for venom. The venom is then used to make anti-venom.
The council's building is in a quaint little town called Windsor, which was settled in the late 1700s during the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie's. Hence it is known as a Macquarie town.
On the banks of the Hawkesbury River, it was a vital settlement in the early days providing much needed locally produced food because food supplies from the mother country could not be relied on to arrive on time, or at all.
Architecturally it is important too, many of the buildings were designed by Francis Greenway. (A significant early architect who was an ex-convict).
Windsor also boasts Australia's oldest hotel, The Macquarie Arms.
After dropping off the spider, (where council staff ensured the spider was well secured. Mr Honey Pie had to place a damp cotton ball into the jar and I'm sure some of the staff thought it would LEAP out of the jar but it didn't) we did a bit of sight-seeing and had a light lunch in the mall.
Then we visited Mr Honey Pie's sister who works in Windsor.
Australia's oldest hotel, the Macquarie Arms
Shops on the main street.
Loder House.
This little pier, on the Hawkesbury River at Windsor, was under water last week.
Back in the sixties this river used to flood regularly with most of the houses along The Terrace becoming inundated.
Then it started rain!
Bucket loads.
So we drove home.
Great post and great photos!
ReplyDeleteI thought the river looked like it was up.
You're right Robyn, it was up, but it had actually been much higher earlier so that the pontoon was completely under water and the water was on the road.
DeleteLove the pictures!!!! Ekkkkkkkkkkk on that spider!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tango. Yes...hope we don't find its partner!
DeleteI had to stop by to tell you how much I've been enjoying your posts as of late. Thanks for sharing so much of your world with us.
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie, thanks so much for staying in touch! It's nice of you to drop by. I hope all is well in your part of the world. xxx
DeleteDid you know that the Queen's surname is Windsor? My stepmother's maiden name was also Windsor, but she never claimed to be related to royalty.
ReplyDeleteThe history of town and city names can be interesting. It would be interesting to know where they got the name Windsor for the town SP?- Dave
Dave - Windsor NSW was originally called Green Hills but it was changed to Windsor after the Windsor in the UK (As are many towns and cities in Australia). I'm aware that the Queen's surname is Windsor - but I think the story goes that the House of Windsor should have been succeeded by the House Mountbatten but Queen Mary created a bit of a whoo haa over this and The House of Windsor prevailed. Apparently some descendants of Prince Philip and the Queen carry the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. Interesting, and complicated.
DeleteYou may have to do your stepmother's family tree - that might prove interesting too.
Those old buildings are so beautiful, thank you for sharing the photos with us. I think we have had enough rain for a while! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks SP. Your reply to my comment was interesting. Yes, looking into my stepmother's family tree could be interesting - Dave
ReplyDelete