Birthday Party in Moonan Flat

We travelled over the mountain to Moonan Flats for our friend Mandy's special birthday. The road over the pass was in bad condition, so we had to bump slowly along, trying to avoid the potholes. Eventually we arrived at the Victoria Hotel, where a surprise party had been arranged.

Mandy, centre, was surprised as people gradually arrived at, 

what she thought was, a quiet family lunch

Mandy's mother, sisters and brother-in-law

People gathered on the back terrace of the Victoria Hotel

Guests entering into the festive spirit

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed catching up with old friends.

I love the old-world feel of the pub

It definitely has that country feel!

We were shocked to see how very dry the Upper Hunter Valley was. Not a blade of green grass to be seen. We drove past dry and dusty pastures, and creeks reduced to a trickle, or even just piles of dry rocks. In places, the once "Mighty Hunter River" had become a series of muddy puddles. The farmers here were desperate for rain.

Fortunately, since our visit, the rains have arrived and the pastures are becoming green again. Maybe, when the land fully recovers, the farmers will be able to survive the dreadful effects of the drought, and recover their livelihoods.

Santa comes to Moonan Flat, NSW, Australia

 

Father Christmas at Moonan Flat

On Sunday, Suzi, Katelyn and I, went to Moonan Flat for a children's Christmas party in the village hall. This village is one of the smallest in the Upper Hunter Valley, and the nearest habitation to Ellerston. Despite its small size, the Moonan Flat Pub, the Victoria Hotel, has a song dedicated to it. The music is country-style, and it goes:

For food and refreshments it’s the last stop on the road
Where mums and mates stop for a break to split the long trip home
Where kids and dogs sit on the logs, beneath the famous tree
Here’s where it’s at, in Moonan Flat, the pub’s the place to be.

There’s Smiley, John and Pinko, to decorate the bar
There’s oldies singing goldies and some guy with a guitar
A kelpie in the corner, just waiting for the bell.
Come hang your hat at Moonan Flat’s Victoria Hotel.

A possum up the chimney and a tree frog in the loo
The locals think its normal and the ghost is welcome too
A bullet hole where Thunderbolt, stopped and signed the door
The grooves where boots did jigs for years, across the barroom floor.

There’s Smiley, John and Pinko, to decorate the bar
There’s oldies singing goldies and some guy with a guitar
A kelpie in the corner, just waiting for the bell.
Come hang your hat at Moonan Flat’s Victoria Hotel.

While we waited for Father Christmas to arrive, we snacked on the

food people had brought. This was just for starters!

Katelyn was really excited to receive her gift

...and was happy to pose for photos

All the children together with Father Christmas

Father Christmas arrived in this logging truck

One of Santa's helpers!