Chance Meetings

It is amazing how connections can come about.  Today I was driving to a nearby town to deal with a phone issue.  Along the way I chanced upon a gentleman walking along in the heat,  so I stopped to offer him a lift.  Once in the car, Michael and I shared some interesting conversation and stories.  I learned that he was walking from his hometown to Canberra to make a submission to Parliament.  A long journey to undertake on foot and one to be admired.  I hope the rest of Michael's journey goes well and that people who may see him, hold out a hand and offer him a ride.

In regard to my goings on here at the property.  Due to illness, treatment and constant rainfall during this winter, most of the property became a little wild and overgrown.  I am lucky that two dear friends and my younger son came by with whipper snippers in hand to help tame the wild weeds.  I am now able to walk around safely, without the fear of falling over or encountering snakes in long grass.  Time and lovely sunshine has come around and I am now working on a planting programme that will encompass a lot of trees, shrubs and plants to feed the bees year round.  Yes folks, I am going to get bees.  Can't wait for this new phase in my little permaculture system.  All the safety gear and equipment are on the way and I am now in the process of purchasing my first Top Bar Hive to put in the upper half acre.  I have come to know a gentleman from a near by town who is an apiarist.  What a stroke of luck,  he has offered to teach me all there is to know about bee keeping.   Such a good person and a great journey to come.

Today while walking in the main street here in town, I stopped to photograph a lovely tree that I hope to plant in my house yard very very soon.  I love the colour, shape of the foliage and the fact it is a deciduous tree means an added bonus of compost from the leaf fall.  I found out later it is a Smoke Bush,  unusual name for such an attractive plant.

As my female meat rabbit passed away a while back, I am now searching for a new girl to introduce to the breeding programme here.  My male is a very gentle buck and just loves people time, even if he is a heavy weight.   I haven't had any kits for a while and there is no meat left from the last lot, so definitely need to get this back up and running again.

I am also very close to getting the much needed ute back on the road.  She has been sitting up the top paddock waiting for a new motor for some time and I have finally found one.  It will be a good day when it is running once again.  I will be able to collect firewood, produce and so many things I need for the property. BRING IT ON.

Spring 2016

This year has been an interesting time in my world.
I have continued hosting WWOOFers, although the number available has fallen due to government changes to the WHV requirements and threats to tax WWOOFers at a rediculous rate.  I am hoping this will all change now the tax threat has been taken away.   WWOOFers play an integral role in my journey here and it would be devastating if I were unable to continue hosting.
Recently I had the opportunity to host a young lady from the Netherlands, Tessa.  I found Tessa to be a very lovely person and her time here taught me a lot about myself.  At the end of her stay with me she moved to one of my friend's homes and continued to stay in Rushworth for about 8 months.  I was so pleased she did so, it gave me more opportunities to spend time with her and to learn more about her and the journey of life she was walking.  Tessa made a big impression on myself and all the people she came to know while in the area and will always be treasured as a dear friend.  During her time with me, Tessa met my friend Meshelle, her son Vali and got up close and personal with Willy, the goat.  A very animal friendly young lady, she also won the hearts of my big meat rabbit, Charming,  my two cats and so many other critters around the place.

We have had a very wet winter here in North Central Victoria and it has led to a massive growth of weeds and grasses around the place.  With ill health I found it hard to get out and work, so now with the onset of spring I am in a panice to get things back in order.  I NEED A GOOD WWOOFER. Yep would love a WWOOFer to come along and help out.  

This year I have to refine the rabbit enclosures to make them more bunny friendly and easy to use.  I love the rabbits,  they have unique personalities and can become so friendly and cuddly.

Summer promises to be a mix of hot weather, filled plenty of time spent outdoors tweaking the permaculture system and preparing for the introduction of a beehive or two.  Planting a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers that will feed the bees year round.  I am very excited to be doing this as it is another step on the ladder of self sufficiency and in improving the land here.

My youngest son has returned to work after all the dramas surrounding his car accident and subsequent mini strokes.  He has been given permanent casual status, which is a little more secure than just casual.  Hoping this is the beginning of something wonderful for him.

My eldest son and his lovely dog, Ra, are doing really well and my son is working hard toward funding his own home.  I can't wait for that to happen.  The both deserve so much in life after all their struggles so far.

This is Ra as a little boy.  He sure has grown and become a character.