UAINE Candles is surviving its second historic 'once in 25 year' flood. During the last one, in 2015, we were unable to get in or out for over a week - mainly due to fallen trees and power lines. We feel for the farmers and residents of the Lower Hunter (and all around the country) who have lost property, crops and homes and our thoughts go out to them.
This time Morpeth is accessible and could be a great place to visit if you are in the area or are a local. Floods mean that you can walk across the bridge and get to see the flood waters safely and at close hand as they stretch for kilometres in almost every direction. We are opening our Candle Cellar Door with skeleton staff and I understand that every shop in Morpeth will be open. I don't need to tell you that Morpeth's retail centre has been doing it tough with bushfires, COVID and now storms and floods, so I know that they will appreciate your business. There's some great shopping and bargains to be had.
We boast that UAINE's offices, pouring rooms and Candle Cellar Door are on the banks of the Hunter River. While Morpeth has never flooded in its history, we do get water lapping close to the buildings so we are keeping our fingers crossed that we stay on the banks of the Hunter rather than in it!! I think the river would need to rise a further 3-4 metres before we were truly threatened. Most of NSW would be under water if that happened!
Views aplenty, great shopping, coffee and food. What more could you want? Can't get here? We are still open 24x7 online with free delivery anywhere in Australia and complimentary gift wrapping for those special gifts.
How to get here? Google Map's interpretation of road closures is sporadic (it can be quite a moving feast), so rather than trusting in Google, here's some ideas:
Heading from Sydney, Central Coast or Newcastle: use the New England Highway from Weakleys Drive. To avoid Metford Road closures best go past Greenhills Shopping Centre and then turn right at the lights onto High Street at the Endeavour Hotel and Restaurant. Go all the way to the end of High Street and at Hinder Street turn right and immediately left onto Kenneth Street. At the T-intersection turn left onto Sinclair Street and 50 metres later turn right (at the Tenambit shops) onto Maize Street. At the end of Maize Street turn left onto Metford Road and keep going until you get to Morpeth.
Heading from the Upper Hunter: I'm advised that the best way is to avoid Singleton and use Golden Highway and get onto the M15 just north of Belford. And from the Hunter Wine Country: be aware that Main Road and Cessnock Road is cut at Gillieston Heights so best get into East Maitland from the George Booth Intersection and follow instructions from High Street (above).
From Port Stephen: go to Raymond Terrace, over the Hexham Bridge and onto New England Highway (then follow instructions to get to Morpeth via High Street East Maitland (above).
Wherever you are, however you get here, please drive safely, don't drive through any floodwaters and watch your stopping distances in the wet.
Andrew
UAINE Candles
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