Long Plain Hut Painting Workparty was a trip that started with Breakfast Lies and Coffee in Cooma on Sunday 21st February.
Our attendees were:
Margaret and Bob Anderson
Russell Speldewinde
Mary Bergstrom (Mary Mountainstream)
Michael and Lynne Thomson
Chris Hopkin
Andrew and Jan Lockley
David Darke
Graeme Williams
After BLC at Cooma we continued to Long Plain Hut, meeting Michael and Lynne in Adaminaby along the way. We arrived in time for a late lunch. Our aim was to repaint the western wall after some boards had been replaced. As with all repairs we found more work needing to be done. The window sills on the eastern side needed repainting along with some of the southern wall. Jake from National Parks in Tumut arrived with the paint, we then started sanding and scraping the flaky paint, then a first coat in the late afternoon sun. We had a lovely camp fire that evening and then heavy rain overnight preceded by a very loud clap of thunder. Some were woken by the munching of the brumbies at the campsite.
On Monday David, Mary and Margaret went for an early morning walk to the river. We all then started on our second coat after being joined by Graeme Williams, a member from the coast on a day trip. After painting was completed for the day, we went along The Port Phillip Fire Trail to Currango Homestead, a National Park property on the other side of Tantangara Dam. The dam level was very low and we were able to cross the causeway. There were a large number of brumby groups all with multiple foals and yearlings, the most I’ve seen in a long time. Russell had to leave to go back to work, and Graeme left us at that point too. A few of us then went for a swim at Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool. It was noted on Jan and Andrew’s last trip here you could actually drive all the way to the pool! I think they said this was over 35 years ago, they need to get out more often.
After completing some further painting Mary had to leave on Tuesday to return to Canberra. The group then went for a drive to Cooinbil Hut, Coolamine Homestead and Blue Waterholes for lunch. I must be showing my age as we decided not to cross the creek to continue the walk to the waterfall. Michael and Lynne departed for home in the afternoon as well and that left David, Chris, Bob and myself for a quiet evening round the campfire.
Trip report by Margaret Anderson
