Michael The WWOOFer cont:

Michael laying the bricks for a Turkey Mound

Filling the Turkey Mound using Lasagne style

Honey Dew Melon Planted

We have put together 3 more garden beds.  A 2 x 1 mt established using the lasagne style.  It has been planted with peas and silverbeet with room still left over for another variety of plant.  Then we put together 2 small Turkey Mounds surrounded with bricks to plant honey dew melons and QLD Blue Pumpins.  We are planning to put 2 more Turkey Mounds together for Rockmelons and Watermelons.  When they are built, it will mean that the plans for the 2011 season will have been reached.  We are off to town after lunch today to pick up Michael's travel ticket for Wednesday.  He is leaving then for his next WWOOF adventure closer to Melbourne.  I am really pleased his journey is continuing, but have enjoyed him being here so much it will be a difficult goodbye we will share.  Here is cheers to a wonderful spirit that came into my home and brightened life so much.. Journey well Michael.

Hosting Michael the WWOOFer

Michael at the local bakery

Michael feeding chickens

Michael's lovely yoghurt cake

Michael cooking crepes

Michael's crepes (delicious)

I feel I have been very blessed as a WWOOF host over the last few weeks.  I have hosted the most wonderful young man, who by all rights is a great credit to his parents.  Michael came to me the week before the Elmore Field Days and stayed until the day before I had to set up.  I already had Leanne booked in to help with that and in order to make sure Michael was in a good place, I arranged with another local host for him to go there.  The plan was for Michael to return to me when I had finished at Elmore.  Funny how life loves to throw us curve balls though, as soon as Elmore was done I had to make a trip to the Peninsula for my Uncle's funeral.  So instead of Michael returning as per planned, he stayed on with Richard until I returned from my trip.  We had decided that Michael would arrive at my place before me and feed the animals.  Imagine how pleasantly I was surprised, arriving home to the wonderous smell of a cake baking in the oven, he had also put away all the dishes I had left in the drainer before leaving, and done a few other small jobs as well.  This young man is so easy to share time with and he always makes working a pleasant time.  During Michael's time here, I have not stopped laughing or smiling and I will admit that my face constantly hurts from it.  Such a good hurt it is.  When Michael leaves here to return to France, it will be a very sad day for me.  He will be greatly missed and my only hope is that he achieves all he sets out to do in life. 

Elmore Field Days, October 2011

Annette (left)  Leanne (right)

Early Monday 3rd October,2011 saw me on my way to Echuca to pick up Leanne in order for us to go to the Elmore Field Days site and set up the WWOOF stand.  Got there around 9.30, pulling the car right up in front of the marquise.  All up it only took us 2 and a half hours to unload the car and set up the interior of the stand.  After this we jumped in the car and headed back to Kyabram to stock up on supplies and relax for the night in readiness for the 3 very busy days to follow.  Tuesday morning we rose to light cloud and news that we were due for some rain while the field days were on.  Not amused at all, but as it happened the weather held for us and we avoided getting wet feet.  The crowds rolled in and we were kept busy, chatting and sharing information about the guidelines and methods of joining WWOOF, both as hosts and WWOOFers.  We had a great deal of interest shown over the next 3 days and found that we also had a number of folk drop by who had already heard of WWOOF but would love more information.  During each day we also had a number of other hosts from a variety of places pop in to say hello and ask a question or two.  So good to see them there and share what they do on their properties.  By the end of day 3, both Leanne and I were totally exhausted, had very sore legs and feet but came away with a sense of achievement in regard to getting the word out there.  I am hoping to set up another stand at the Kyabram show in just over a week. Will see how it pans out as I am still waiting on word back from the organisers if a site is available.  Watch this space for updates.