This month's ornament used the same pattern as January's ornament, but in different color thread and beads. It is a 1995 design by Patricia Timpanaro, called Christmas Cross. I used Watercolors thread and seed beads on 18 count canvas. The twisted cording is made from #5 perle cotton.
I'm linking up with Heather, at Stitching Lotus, the hostess of this stitch a long.
I bought a package ticket for the day which included being picked up at my hotel at 7:30 am and driven to the Freshwater Station, the scenic train trip to Kuranda, bus transportation to RainForeStation Nature Park (visiting the Koala and Wildlife Park and the Amphibious Army Duck Tour through the rainforest), bus transportation to the SkyRail, the SkyRail to the Smithfield Station, and transportation back to my hotel. It was a full, fun day!
The station was very charming and old fashioned looking. I thought it was well done for a tourist site.
The two hour train trip was through the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park, ending in the mountain village of Kuranda. The train travels through 15 hand-made tunnels and 21 bridges. The railway originally opened in 1891. Up to 1500 men at a time carved the mountain with hand picks, shovels, and dynamite to construct the 37 kilometers of track.
I was excited to see these kangaroos from the train window as we traveled along. (The train was moving and far away, so it's hard to see).
There was a horseshoe curve and I could see the front of the train from my window in car 10.
This is a glimpse of going into one of the tunnels.
Here is another view of the front of the train, this time crossing the bridge. The train slowed down as we passed this waterfall so everyone could take pictures.
The train stopped at Barron Falls Station (not really a station, but a look out place) so everyone could get off to see the falls and the gorge.
The end of our train ride was the Kuranda Station, which was just as charming as the Freshwater Station.
From here, I was off to explore the village of Kuranda. I'll be back another day with more of the story.
I haven't had time to do much in the way of stitching this week, but I did do a little. I made up two more butterfly kimono bags, but they still need the casing for the drawstring and the drawstring.
This is an interesting history museum, telling the stories of people and showing some of the things that made up their lives. The entrance fee is 10 AUD and it is located very close to the Esplanade. The museum is arranged so that you start at the top floor and follow the timeline down to the ground floor. I think this museum would be as interesting for locals as for tourists.
The next three photos are actually one long school girl's sampler dated 1913.
