Amiens revisited

As I mentioned in August 2011 I was hoping to take a trip up to Amiens for a look-around. In November I contacted the school and made an appointment to have a look over the school. At the same time I made a booking to stay at a B&B farmstay in Amiens and noted that its position seemed close to where I remembered our house and orchard being.

I had a lovely time at the school. the Principal gave us an hour of her time and showed us over the whole complex. It has certainly grown since my time though as you can see in the photos the oiginal building is still there though with some alteration.

Hilary goes back to school November,2011

After inspecting the campus we were taken into someof the classrooms, where we were introduced and the children had the opportunity to ask me questions about school in 1942. This was a great experience and one I enjoyed and appreciated.

When I asked the Principal if she could tell me where some of the buildings I remembered  might be  including the old railway station she rang a local man and arranged for us to call on him. He was a very pleasant and helpful young man and took us in his truck for a ride along the track where the railway lines used to be. The line was closed in 1974, and the rail lines removed as was the station building. He also pointed out where the bakery, saddlery and other buildings I remembered had once been. So sad to find no trace of most of them.

remains of railway bridge on Nuncio's property 

remains of railway sheds



old bakery

Teachers residence ( now the Principal's residence) This much the same as in 1942.

Bush nurses building, now a private residence 2011

Rural (Bush) nurses building in earlier times

After our tour of the area we headed off and had lunch at a winery before going  to the farmstay. When I saw the general position I felt it was all very familiar and became very hopeful that I had found the position of our orchard. After unpacking , I was browsing through a folder the owners had left in the cottage and found a written reference which stated that Mrs Tarbit and her children had stayed on the property in 1942-43. This was very encouraging and quite exciting. There was also mention of a family who came later and the name of someone who could perhaps give more information I have since contacted her and she confirmed that an earlier house had been in front of the present one. This house  was the one she had lived in and her brother has confirmed would have been the  one in which we lived . It was burnt down around 1970. My nephew has since found confirmation in the State Archives that my mother took over the lease in 1943 and relinquished it in 1948. This suggests that it was still Government land ( they were originally part of the post-WW1 soldier settlement) and not freehold.  Alan and Steven are still researching the area in the Archives.

Shadowbox farmstay 2011

Cottage b&b at Shadowbox farmstay

cottage ...and rocks on which I believe Lois and I used to play.

Behind those trees is a very large granite outcrop I wasn't about to walk through that long grass without boots but I am sure this was one of our play areas .

The owners of the property are a very friendly and pleasant couple . They provided us with dinner in their homestead and we found we had a number of things in common so it was an evening of interesting conversation. When I have more information concerning our time on the property I will again visit them.