A couple of days of Family HISTORY

3rd October 2013
Michelle lived on the same side of town as Flo, and arrived while we were eating our packed lunches. A quick shopping stop allowed Mum to acquire some Weiss bars.

The drive up to Michelle's home

Michelle's mother June soon joined us for our escapade to find the home in which Mum's paternal grandparents, Carl and Elizabeth Freier, and their family had lived - their 'new' house had been built in the 1920s. Michelle, expecting us to have far more luggage than we did, had wisely borrowed her husband John's ute; it was an ideal vehicle for the unsealed roads. We stopped first at what had been the Linthorpe cheese factory where June's father worked when she was a small child. Here an 'encounter' with a local was a little unsettling, but nothing was going to spoil June's excitement for our outing.

The now derelict cheese factory at Linthorpe

I could see why Mum did not think she would find her way around the maze of country roads... During the time we lurked on the dead end road outside what had been the Freier home two vehicles had pulled into the yard. We must have looked more than a little suspicious! June decided to introduce herself; Lintonvale's new owners were friendly and interested in the history of their recently acquired farm, even showing us inside their home. June was able to explain changes that had been made; Mum later sent photos that had been taken over the years.

Letterboxes at the start of the road to Lintonvale

Lintonvale - nearing the Freier farm. Many of the neighbouring homes have now disappeared.

View from the road of the back of the house

The front of the house

Hallway (with high ceilings) looking to front of house

The Freier home still needs front steps, but the verandahs were left without railings

Building work completed

New paintwork and replacing some of the original wooden stumps are amongst the work presently being carried out

On our return journey we saw some kangaroos, and must have stopped at every signpost (for photos!) until we again reached the sealed road, passing near Sue's home at Westbrook and the new airport which was being built by local family Wagners.

Too much information?

June could not be convinced to stay the night, preferring to return briefly next morning. We enjoyed chatting with Michelle's husband John over the lovely roast pork dinner, and he introduced us to vacuum packed boiled peanuts which Mum said tasted just like the ones her folk used to boil in the corned beef (silverside) water. June had thoughtfully brought old albums and a family history book which Mum stayed up hours looking through. Next morning June arrived early as promised - so early that the rest of us were still in bed!

Mum's father used to grow peanuts, and much else, in their garden

Breakfast time with Michelle and June

Welcome sunshine in the front garden on a cool morning

Making friends in the paddock next to Michelle's front garden

Disappointingly for Mum, June celebrated her 80th birthday with a family get together shortly after Mum left Queensland; I had kindly been invited but was unable to attend. June's brother Wilfred and sister Norma were there from Melbourne. June's brother Stanley died a couple of weeks before and Michelle and her daughter Jacqui had travelled to Townsville for his funeral.