We think we're busy?

If you think the term “busy” is a relatively new thing, brought about by multi-tasking, social media, efficient transport and the like ... think again! An 1890 diary entry of Brigadier Andrew Gray, who was appointed with Lieutenant Joe Murray to Port Macquarie, records the following schedule: 

Sunday – meetings at Port Macquarie (these included early morning “knee-drills” (prayer meetings), open-air meetings and services at the hall)

Monday – meetings at Port Macquarie

Tuesday – travel 23 miles to Kendell; conduct meetings there

Wednesday – travel 10 miles to Radon Island, conduct meetings there

Thursday – travel 5 miles to Laurieton, conduct meetings then travel back to Kendell

Friday – travel 5 miles to Blackmans Point and then back to Port Macquarie after the meetings.

 For the six months we were there, Andrew Gray records, we easily travelled one hundred miles per week. And when you consider that all transport was on horse, that’s a major feat!