The Clare Garden Club is a very active group with 35 keen gardeners who enjoy monthly meetings with interesting speakers, “hands on” workshops and bus trips.

The last event was a Mystery Bus Trip organised by Maureen and Brian Cornish. It was all aboard and the first mystery was that the bus was going north, setting off in light drizzle and fog.

There was much chin wagging on the bus: “How much rain did you get?” “We had two inches.” “Really!” “Some of us didn’t have as much, but we didn’t care”. Travelling along: “Where are we?”, soon Spalding appeared, but instead of turning left for Jamestown the bus went straight on “What’s ahead to see?” First stop: “What a nice garden, but what’s in the huge shed?”

Members met Peg and Jeff O’Fee. Jeff makes wonderful wooden toys and keeps a well-oiled garden with Peg.

After looking around we were off again. Rain was still drizzling so the countryside was getting a nice drink. We passed Bundaleer Homestead then called into Bundaleer Forest for our cuppa. It was too wet to walk. We continued onto Jamestown and had a drive around the new industrial area where we stopped to look at the huge half of a propeller belonging to the Hallet Wind Farm. It was damaged so couldn’t be used.

Back down to the main street—and would you believe, a shop with plants (local hardware) so we had to visit. Off again, we visited Chris and Robert Bruce’s garden, which was only six years old. It had a hedge of Flinders Range Wattle all out in colour and lots of colour in the garden, water feature and was well presented.

Next stop, Penn Cottage, where lunch was served after a very interesting look around in eight rooms of glassware. It was a very interesting collection, though the lunch was a bit of a mystery.

Off again, to another garden, owned by Val Campbell. It was a lovely garden, small but neat as a pin and lots of nooks and crannies to see and plenty of colours.

Once again onto the bus. Next stop Judy and Michael Walkington’s new garden. The back garden was only 10 months old and wow it really has taken off. The front garden was well laid out and colourful.

The last stop was Audrey and John Hunt’s garden. Audrey gave us a walk and talk about her garden. Much admired was the weeping mulberry tree and the Cat Thyme. They are taking some of the back garden out and a new one is started. Through to the back shed and wow — John’s hobby, four beautiful vintage cars and well kept workshop. After a scrumptious afternoon tea and hot cuppa then it was time to go home.

Jamestown has lots of things to see, a tidy well-kept town. Thank you to Brian and Maureen Cornish for a well-organized and interesting trip.

The next meeting for the club was a shared tea (pasty/casserole/mornay) on Monday June 2, with speaker Rob Lyons from Jefferies Soils who talked about problems with soils and how to improve them.

The Clare Garden Club welcomes any one interested in gardening in becoming a new member. Please contact Beryl Crabb on 08 88422436.

- Beryl Crabb, club secretary