Some places leave a lasting impression- The Diggings-our sanctuary home near Uralla was destined to be a very special place . I wrote & composed most of my most significant songs-music right here amongst this wonderful garden. These photos all taken before anything grew - the garden was amazing and totally private & protected from weather- and it was our sanctuary for years. I'll add more photos as I find them- so many memories. You will be asking? why did you leave? well simple answer- climate too cold for me- all our family up in Qld, and looking back! now from 2021- thinking how hard it was to leave- our mates-our lifestyle there- but it is a fact-you cannot look back- look forward- I treasure those times- but lost so many special friends! who have passed away? so this was then? and this is now? how quickly the years roll away! But we love where we are- it is a whole new chapter- new projects- love the weather! After all this Covid, we are very lucky we live in Qld ,and very grateful our kids, grandkids, are all around us! This pandemic has been soul destroying for so many people- I am very glad we moved when we did! 

THE DIGGINGS- we spent over twenty unforgettable years in Uralla- or Rocky River to be precise. We called our place (The Diggings) because thats what the locals referred to the area as.  We had about 20 acres of rolling hillside- a wonderful bore-beautiful water- an old Chinese Handmade Bridge- lots of mine shafts- after all this whole area was called (The Diggings) because it was literally dug over-mined- and a Gold mining area . A bustling Gold field- with several Pubs-Inns- a Brothel- Butchery- you name it- there was a Gold Rush & Rocky River was at the heart of it- with Chinese & men from all over-looking for Gold. So much history there-no wonder I loved it and always found so much inspiration there for my Songwriting- We renovated the gorgeous old Cottage- and I created approx 5 acres of Garden- trees- Shrubs- it was our very own piece of heaven- our excape from the modern world. I have been back to visit recently -to find it all pretty much destroyed- pretty sad-but doesn't diminish my memory. On this page you will see parts of the garden- some of the projects -and I wish I'd taken more photos- it was a picture postcard little place & many happy years spent there. I loved my combustion stove- we had geese- a dam- fabulous old Apricot trees-very old- beautiful fruit. And many wonderful Dinner Parties & gatherings there over the years- two of our Dearest doggies are buried there! We moved north to Qld because of my family- but also because of the severe winters! You move on & sell up -but we will treasure all the happy times we spent there.

We renovated the old house- and replaced all Aluminium windows- with lovely Timber casement windows- it made such a difference!  The house really came back to life - it was pretty derelict when I bought it! It was gorgeous when we got it all finished! Always sad to leave something you have created- but I don't miss the cold New England winters! 

We stood our beautiful stallion (Roc Again) at The Diggings- until we left in 2004 -here is Roc with thebloke who bred him- Robert Balwyn from Tamworth. He imported Rocs Mum-from the USA in foal to the Legendary sire- Roc O 'Lena -in the cutting Hall of Fame. But in amongst all this I spent a lot of time in my Garden- and during our years- it was transformed into an amazing sanctuary -for Bird Life- plants and trees. 

Brings back some memories! many happy times- many special friends -lovely family gatherings! We chose the door ourselves- quite spectacular looking back! suited the house so well! 

We had several Willows in the backyard plus a lovely Stable/Studio- one mare who broke her leg- used to medicate herself on the Willow!  Apparently it contains a similar ingedient to Aspirin! Horses will self medicate whenever they can- the seem to have great instincts!