Yes, well I am back again. We've been to Sydney with me endeavouring to procure some kind of work and Megsie working very hard. Good to see.
We have been back at the farm for a week, with Jen, Jim and Layla joining us for the first 3 days. That was fabulous, although we did encounter small creatures of the local kind, who had of course decided to party and stay warm whilst we were off doing our Sydney thing. Let's just say that surprises were bountiful and the smell not very appealing.
Of course Jen and Jim were good humoured, thankfully. So Megsie and I got back into a routine, first by having a regeneration guy come for the day so we can see how trashed the place really is, ie how many native trees have actually survived clearing over the last 20 or so years and second by going to have a look at a tractor and actually drive one. Wow, now I am hooked and hopefully on Monday we will crunch some numbers.
Lovely orange, so you can't lose it in the paddock when tools are downed for the day. It comes with a bucket on front and a slasher on the back and oodles of nobs and levers for me to play with.
Otherwise the Lewis factor played a big role in the whole Lewis family and starting with little Hugo all came down with a lovely 24 hour bug that sent it out both ways. Of course me being the strong ox for goed that one and promptly picked up a lovely flu, which I am still recovering and moaning about at this very moment. Boring boring and boring.
The lovely ladies (heifers) look like they are due any moment so it will be interesting to see if we have some happy calves when we come home. Not sure how long we are to be in Sydney, but will be seeing you (some) sometime next week or beyond.
I've organised a family reunion for the Sunday of the long weekend, it should be an interesting afternoon, given its been a very long while.
thanks again for listening.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Back on the Road Again
Hi All
Yes its that time again when after a lovely uninterrupted 8 days at the farm we are back on the road again.
Megsie has jumped on the train and is speedily heading (as one can only do on State Rail) to Sydney for work. I on the otherhand met with the Tractor guy today for a second discussion. No I did not wear short skirts and low tops, Megsie will do that when we are really going go crunch numbers. My dream of driving big machinery is looking like coming to fruition.
Tomorrow (Wednesday 9th May) I am heading to Kempsey for another 2 days of trees and all things green. The course thus far has been great and I think that this time next year we will feel better on the direction of replanting natives and garden design around the house, I dare say you will even see a distinct difference.
On Friday I am driving to Sydney for 8 days. I will be happy to get out of the car by then I should think.
Sidd stays with Dot whilst I am driving around the countryside. Yes he doesn't mind but with Rusty at his mouth the whole time, he does get a little tiresome. Unfortunatley for Sidd he has been biting his bum above his tail and so gets to wear a box around his head whilst the cream does its thing. I remember Billie needing to wear a bucket, hence the term 'bucket head' is now back in the vocubulary. A very dejected boy to be sure.
At the farm we did what we end up doing most days, Megsie working on the computer, me mowing the lawns, us spraying those damn blackberries. Had our neighbour come and help us round up the cattle as 2 of then were limping. The vet bill was a screamer and so we peppered him with heaps of questions, its not something we need to repeat in a hurry. We were looking to buy our other neighbours heifers, but they were too $$ and not great quality. Yes we can now with some authority tell the differernce between a good and bad cow.
PS I did work also, and made calls re all sorts of things that I wont bore you with.
We also went to our first party just outside of Elands on Saturday night. Met some lovely people and re acquainted ourselves with others. We did meet the vets brother and his wife. I love a very small community, you just really never know. Thankfully no faux pas form our end. It pays to find out who is related to who when up there before you launch into a discussion on sensitive issues.
The weather has been just spectacular, who would have thought May could be so lovely at the farm. Finished season 2 of the West Wing, in suspense for season 3 and 4, which is coming when we visit Sydney.
So hope all are well, I am off to Sydney to tart myself to potential employers, sell the dream of working remotely and being paid hugely. I know it can be done, I just need to convince others of it.
See you soon.
Rosi
Yes its that time again when after a lovely uninterrupted 8 days at the farm we are back on the road again.
Megsie has jumped on the train and is speedily heading (as one can only do on State Rail) to Sydney for work. I on the otherhand met with the Tractor guy today for a second discussion. No I did not wear short skirts and low tops, Megsie will do that when we are really going go crunch numbers. My dream of driving big machinery is looking like coming to fruition.
Tomorrow (Wednesday 9th May) I am heading to Kempsey for another 2 days of trees and all things green. The course thus far has been great and I think that this time next year we will feel better on the direction of replanting natives and garden design around the house, I dare say you will even see a distinct difference.
On Friday I am driving to Sydney for 8 days. I will be happy to get out of the car by then I should think.
Sidd stays with Dot whilst I am driving around the countryside. Yes he doesn't mind but with Rusty at his mouth the whole time, he does get a little tiresome. Unfortunatley for Sidd he has been biting his bum above his tail and so gets to wear a box around his head whilst the cream does its thing. I remember Billie needing to wear a bucket, hence the term 'bucket head' is now back in the vocubulary. A very dejected boy to be sure.
At the farm we did what we end up doing most days, Megsie working on the computer, me mowing the lawns, us spraying those damn blackberries. Had our neighbour come and help us round up the cattle as 2 of then were limping. The vet bill was a screamer and so we peppered him with heaps of questions, its not something we need to repeat in a hurry. We were looking to buy our other neighbours heifers, but they were too $$ and not great quality. Yes we can now with some authority tell the differernce between a good and bad cow.
PS I did work also, and made calls re all sorts of things that I wont bore you with.
We also went to our first party just outside of Elands on Saturday night. Met some lovely people and re acquainted ourselves with others. We did meet the vets brother and his wife. I love a very small community, you just really never know. Thankfully no faux pas form our end. It pays to find out who is related to who when up there before you launch into a discussion on sensitive issues.
The weather has been just spectacular, who would have thought May could be so lovely at the farm. Finished season 2 of the West Wing, in suspense for season 3 and 4, which is coming when we visit Sydney.
So hope all are well, I am off to Sydney to tart myself to potential employers, sell the dream of working remotely and being paid hugely. I know it can be done, I just need to convince others of it.
See you soon.
Rosi
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
What we have been doing
Hi All
Here is an update on our activities of late. Megsie is finally back but working, as usual, furiously, tapping away at the computer murmuring to herself.
Since I left here on Thursday last I met up with Megs and Dot (Megsie Mum for those that don't know) at Old Bar. It certainly was lovely to see Megs again and not in Sydney (sorry). Our usual day when off the mountain is shopping in Taree, which consists of visiting at some point, Bunnings, Taree Tools, Taree Produce, Spotlight, the ATM and any number of retail stores for food and provisions.
We left Old Bar for Wendouree Park, which is the Mt White turn off on the P/Hway, about 8km north of the Brooklyn turnoff. Megs brother Gavin and his wife, Chantal live there so we arrived early evening for a lovely roast lamb dinner with all the Lewis trimmings.
We awoke to a lovely day and had breakfast on their balcony overlooking the hawkesbury. Can't get much better than that, apart from our place.
We then proceeded to Ann Blackwell's birthday (no age allowed). Ann is Brians Mum and we were lucky enough to be invited. She lives at Laguna, not far from Wollombi (dr jurds jungle juice). Arriving at 1.00 ish we had a fab time leaving at 10.00 ish. A sign of a very good party. We stayed at a kooky place called the diary with Sammi and Rhys. Its a horse stud for warmbloods. For the unitiated (like us) that actually means olympic horses.
As always when we catch up with the gang it was bliss and then we leave. So a lovely day spent working our way back to Old Bar.
As noted above shopping was in order on Monday, with most of the above places visited. We now have a first aid kit for the car and house which should give Thom a smile. Back up here early evening Monday. Of course you will no doubt know that we are off to Kempsey on Thursday for our ongoing tree course. So driving up and down the coast is becoming a regular event. We are hoping after July we can settle a bit. Don't hold your breath. I know that some of you think we haven't left Sydney, Gary and Thom included, but we are trying.
So, when you think we are sitting back relaxing on the deck, it maybe that we are no where near the deck, and like you are only having memories of where we live.
Once I can get onto Megs computer I'll start adding on before and after photos of the farm. Its a good memory for me how far we have come, especially when I look around and look at how much we have to do. Those blackberries know who they are.
Fire going, pork and salad to be had and west wing to watch, now this is bliss (did I mention wine) so cherio for now.
Rosi
Here is an update on our activities of late. Megsie is finally back but working, as usual, furiously, tapping away at the computer murmuring to herself.
Since I left here on Thursday last I met up with Megs and Dot (Megsie Mum for those that don't know) at Old Bar. It certainly was lovely to see Megs again and not in Sydney (sorry). Our usual day when off the mountain is shopping in Taree, which consists of visiting at some point, Bunnings, Taree Tools, Taree Produce, Spotlight, the ATM and any number of retail stores for food and provisions.
We left Old Bar for Wendouree Park, which is the Mt White turn off on the P/Hway, about 8km north of the Brooklyn turnoff. Megs brother Gavin and his wife, Chantal live there so we arrived early evening for a lovely roast lamb dinner with all the Lewis trimmings.
We awoke to a lovely day and had breakfast on their balcony overlooking the hawkesbury. Can't get much better than that, apart from our place.
We then proceeded to Ann Blackwell's birthday (no age allowed). Ann is Brians Mum and we were lucky enough to be invited. She lives at Laguna, not far from Wollombi (dr jurds jungle juice). Arriving at 1.00 ish we had a fab time leaving at 10.00 ish. A sign of a very good party. We stayed at a kooky place called the diary with Sammi and Rhys. Its a horse stud for warmbloods. For the unitiated (like us) that actually means olympic horses.
As always when we catch up with the gang it was bliss and then we leave. So a lovely day spent working our way back to Old Bar.
As noted above shopping was in order on Monday, with most of the above places visited. We now have a first aid kit for the car and house which should give Thom a smile. Back up here early evening Monday. Of course you will no doubt know that we are off to Kempsey on Thursday for our ongoing tree course. So driving up and down the coast is becoming a regular event. We are hoping after July we can settle a bit. Don't hold your breath. I know that some of you think we haven't left Sydney, Gary and Thom included, but we are trying.
So, when you think we are sitting back relaxing on the deck, it maybe that we are no where near the deck, and like you are only having memories of where we live.
Once I can get onto Megs computer I'll start adding on before and after photos of the farm. Its a good memory for me how far we have come, especially when I look around and look at how much we have to do. Those blackberries know who they are.
Fire going, pork and salad to be had and west wing to watch, now this is bliss (did I mention wine) so cherio for now.
Rosi
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Second attempt - first one works
Hi All. Well given my success on the first one, I am now in love with the blog. So I can actually bore you all to death with details of what I am doing day to day. Sounds good to me.
Well my claim to fame today was a call to Simon and the 2 Woodies on 702 who happened to be at the Easter Show. I rang in and yes, was on the radio. Unfortunately for me we were close to the news so I was wrapped up pretty quickly, no nice chit chat. Anyway, nothing like getting your 2 minutes worth. For those that don't know, I love the woodies every saturday when I can between 10-11 a.m. They have been on deck for about 25 years.
For those that don't really know, Megs and I are now true ABC radio heads. Who would have thought after all those early years looking at 7.00 news and then the 7.30 report bored to death and reminiscing about the young doctors show for the night and what exciting event was to happen next night. Swooning over Mark Holden (yes I did do that back then, probably swooned over the girl nurses as well) and wondering if your favourite nurse was ever doing to get the guy, or just noticed by the hospital for the good job she was doing. Well, what can I say, throw in skippy, aunty jack and the sullivans and I think you get the jist.
Off track a bit there. I am going to attempt to insert some photos that the adorable Rhys took for Easter. Sorry if it doesn't work. But if it does hopefully those that have yet to enjoy the bulga plateau delights will surely make the journey. It is so worth it. A bit like Hotel California, once you arrive you never want to leave.
Signing off now. Cheerio.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Rosi's first blog attempt
Hi All
Rosi here. Thought I should write something so that it looks like we are actually here and Rhys hasn't just thrown something together that no one uses.
So since the gang has left the place has felt a little empty. Sidd and I do the usual things, argue, laugh, debate world politics and then drink ourselves stupid. Not much different to Sydney, only he was always busy visiting his doggie girlfriends friends whilst Megs and I sat at home looking across at each other with nothing to say. For those of you who don't know we have no TV connected here (love it) so I watch loads of DVD's which is a god send for me. Thanks to Chantal for West Wing series 2.
Don and I did some burning off yesterday and I got back onto spraying those dreaded blackberries. We will also be burning off next week at Morris Oval, so next time, once we treat all the noxious nasties, we might just be able to play the inaugral cricket match. Beer and BBQ will be in order I dare say to follow.
Will go and take a photo of the current cricket pitch status, no doubt Tony Grieg will have something to say about it, none of it good I am afraid. Lucky if he could find a place to stick his keys. If he doesn't watch it a snake might get him.
Speaking of which, I had another close encounter with the slithery kind yesterday, again making me jump and getting the heart started. Of course Don was on his tractor with ear muffs on and oblivious to my personal dilemma. He (well of course all snakes are he) slithered off to his hole, between my feet and I thanked the lord that there was no brown to be seen and I was bigger than he was for the day. Needless to say, I contined on my spraying as the need to kill blackberries far outweights the desire to stay alive. Of course for those of you concerned we have completed our first aid course, and always carry the first aid kit in Carol when out and about. Additional immobilisation bandages will be carried on person. The first aid kit is not much use if Carol is parked somewhere else.
So thats it for now. Hope you have gotten a little detail of life on the farm. Danger all around, but the birds make up for it. Will try next time to insert photos, I have one of Mum on the quad, she is a dangerous woman for sure.
Rosi
Rosi here. Thought I should write something so that it looks like we are actually here and Rhys hasn't just thrown something together that no one uses.
So since the gang has left the place has felt a little empty. Sidd and I do the usual things, argue, laugh, debate world politics and then drink ourselves stupid. Not much different to Sydney, only he was always busy visiting his doggie girlfriends friends whilst Megs and I sat at home looking across at each other with nothing to say. For those of you who don't know we have no TV connected here (love it) so I watch loads of DVD's which is a god send for me. Thanks to Chantal for West Wing series 2.
Don and I did some burning off yesterday and I got back onto spraying those dreaded blackberries. We will also be burning off next week at Morris Oval, so next time, once we treat all the noxious nasties, we might just be able to play the inaugral cricket match. Beer and BBQ will be in order I dare say to follow.
Will go and take a photo of the current cricket pitch status, no doubt Tony Grieg will have something to say about it, none of it good I am afraid. Lucky if he could find a place to stick his keys. If he doesn't watch it a snake might get him.
Speaking of which, I had another close encounter with the slithery kind yesterday, again making me jump and getting the heart started. Of course Don was on his tractor with ear muffs on and oblivious to my personal dilemma. He (well of course all snakes are he) slithered off to his hole, between my feet and I thanked the lord that there was no brown to be seen and I was bigger than he was for the day. Needless to say, I contined on my spraying as the need to kill blackberries far outweights the desire to stay alive. Of course for those of you concerned we have completed our first aid course, and always carry the first aid kit in Carol when out and about. Additional immobilisation bandages will be carried on person. The first aid kit is not much use if Carol is parked somewhere else.
So thats it for now. Hope you have gotten a little detail of life on the farm. Danger all around, but the birds make up for it. Will try next time to insert photos, I have one of Mum on the quad, she is a dangerous woman for sure.
Rosi
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