Farm Sitting

It doesn’t seem like two weeks ago that I set off in the red jellybean with three chooks in the back, heading towards our farm sit in Mount Barker.  The chooks were relocating to their new home and making the acquaintance of the other four already in residence.

 

  It is so peaceful here with lovely green undulating hills and the presence of the sheep gathered in the paddocks nearby, surrounding the house. 

  Mount Barker is located 359klms south of Perth via Albany Highway or else approaching from Bunbury via Manjimup and the Muir Highway.  Framed by the spectacular Porongorup and Stirling Ranges, it is just 30 minutes from Denmark and historic Albany and is the gateway to the great Southern. 

Colin and Beryl and their friends Norm & June (also our friends) joined us for a few days and we spent a day enjoying the delights of Denmark and another day in Albany and many daily walks with the animals.

Blaze

Jack

 After enjoying a little retail therapy and a lunch at the Denmark Bakery we meandered out on to the Scotsdale Road to taste some of the lovely wines and produce in the area.  I can highly recommend Denmark’s Farmhouse Cheese and  Ducketts Mill Winery, a true gourmet delight with fudges, frozen yoghurts, salamis, Pates and of course some delicious cheeses.  Topped off with a white port, muscat and red port, truffle pate, deep river blue cheese and some yummy fudges all somehow managed to make the journey back with us.  The owners are lovely and friendly and I can assure you your visit will be very enjoyable.  We visited a couple of little wineries but was most impressed by the Madfish Moscato that was available at the Howard Park & Madfish Wines.  Again, a few bottles slipped into the seat beside us.  West Cape Howe Winery and Galafrey Winery  was on our list on another  day, also the Kendenup General Store do an awesome coffee. 

 

We availed ourselves of the beautiful Mount Barker Bakery and enjoyed the lambs fry and also “the works” pies and especially the Blueberry Sponge Roll.  This year there is a new face in town….well she is not a new face being a local..but Dot, the new proprietor of Lilly May’s Café in the   IGA complex is proud to have opened up in town.  Again I highly recommend a visit, she bakes her own pies and cakes and her daily specials are to die for..I have it on good authority that the coffee is top notch and I rather enjoy the hot chocolates too.  She has promised us a special of Lambs Fry and Bacon tomorrow so we are looking forward to it.  I also enjoyed the company of some of the ladies in the Plantagenet Patches Group a couple of times.  Such lovely quilting ladies. 

 

  A quick one day visit back to Perth for our great grandson Chase’s 1^st birthday here he is enjoying his “Smash Cake” 

 

apparently the cake is purchased purely for him to smash up and enjoy, which he certainly did.

  He is a lovely little boy always laughing and happy, he has indeed brought a great pleasure to our lives along with his cousin Ben.  Only a week and a bit and we will have to head back into the big smoke, away from this pleasant interlude and plan again for our next visit.

Christmas 2012 an New Year 2013

 

 Christmas 2012 is now officially over and we have welcomed in the New Year 2013.  We arrived in Brisbane on the 16th December to share Christmas with our family and it has been wonderful and full of memorable moments.  The kids have grown considerably since we last visited and I must say their manners are impeccable.  Xmas Day was very organised each child sitting patiently waiting to receive their presents handed out by their dad.  Unfortunately Dad had to go to work on Xmas Day but we managed to all share Xmas dinner.  What a feast!  I thought I would share some of those memories with these photos of our stay with you all.

Smiling faces as the kids received their presents

The boxing bag was a big hit

A kiss for the statue for the pool (Fee's present)

A happy Fee unveils her present

A Gingerbread house made by a family friend

Many a releif from the heat was spent here

A Christmas Feast

Our beautiful Queensland Family

The two bundles of mischief (very much loved members of the family)

Our own precious water baby

Our days have been spent swimming in the pool, visits to Baskin and Robins and the Movies with the kids.  We have enjoyed every moment.  Thank you very much Fee and Trent for having us.  We did manage to catch up with a couple of friends also.  Our visit ends on Sunday when we start our journey back to Perth.  We are driving a coach back estimating to take about 5-6 days.  Hopefully the heatwave in WA will be well and truly over by then

Life Events a quick catch up

I must apologise I did intend to update more frequently but unfortunately life got in the way.  So much has happened that I don't know where to start so this blog will give brief updates on the happenings of the last few weeks.  Firstly there  was the trip to Carnarvon to catch up with friends and my first photo is of the fish that was caught when they went out fishing.

A Cod caught near Carnarvon WA

We also celebrated my beautiful grand daughter's 18th birthday........

Very proud grandparents and the star of the day

 I would also like to show you my new aquisition.....

Nicknamed the "Jelly Bean" by courtesy of my brother Colin....probably because it is red or as it is a diesel it sounds like jelly beans rattling in a jar......Anyway I drove it behind the bus down to Mt Barker where we are farm sitting at the moment.  I nearly missed Mt Barker and started heading back to Perth but that is another story....Now for the best news of all...Drum Roll Please...
We are now the proud great grandparents of Chase Mark K....born early on the 18th July, weighing 9 pounds and a very long 55cm at 2.25pm...I did a trip up to Perth to see him and he is of course very gorgeous as you would expect...

Already an eagles fan!!!!

and very cheeky!!!

I promise I will be back very soon with more updates.

Wild Wild Weather in the West

What utter bedlam!  Just came back from the shops and most of the shopping centres are closed and the queue for petrol at the few outlets with power is huge.  In case you were unaware WA has been hit with vast storms and ferocious winds especially along the coast and the South West.  The shops that are open are absolutely packed.  Some areas will be without power for up to a week as the electricity Company tries to deal with the enormity of the problems it has to deal with.  Trees and electricity poles are down and in Mandurah along the foreshore the water is covering the walkways along the estuaries.  The Canal Tour boats have also cancelled all trips today.

Mandurah Foreshore walk way

We spent last week in Carnarvon with friends and Bill managed to get in one day’s fishing.  I will tell you all about it later. 

The new Carnarvon boat ramp underwater

About 3am yesterday the storm hit Carnarvon and we left about 7am.  There was water awash over the road in several places but one benefit was that the wind was behind us all the way pushing us home.  Geraldton was feeling the brunt of the storm as we passed through.  Listening to the radio we heard that the storm had swept through Bunbury and power lines and trees were down and a lot of storm damage was reported.  I think some off the worst spots were Rockingham, Port Kennedy, Baldivis, Mandurah and Bunbury and North of Perth.  Family fared OK with one grandson with damage to his ute.  The wind lifted the tray cover off its hinges and smashed into his back window.  Trees and debris was everywhere on their property and the horses were going wild.  The family were most concerned as one is in the late stages of pregnancy.  Our other son had branches down and a broken window on his house.  We also lost a huge aerial on our property in Bunbury.  Here in our apartment only the outdoor chairs had blown about, I had expected to see them floating in the canal below but we were very lucky indeed.  Luckily no major damage and no injuries were reported.  The winds were reported to be up to 140klms an hour when the worst of it hit.  I predict a major cleanup will be the go for the next few weeks here.  It is still very wild outside but a lot calmer than yesterday.  Our hearts go out to the people with damaged properties and our thanks to the SES, Western Power workers and others who worked tirelessly trying to secure properties and make everything safe again.  You could probably check out more pictures on the West Australian newspaper facebook site  www.thewest.com.au or at  www.mandurahmail.com.au

Our New Year

By the way as you can see by my countdown widget on my side bar we are again being blessed with the anticipated arrival of another Great Grand child.  Corey and Ashleigh are expecting their first child which is due in July.  We are so excited!! Congratulations to both of you, we can't wait.  We managed to survive Christmas with the family.  An enjoyable day with about 19 of us.  We were entertained by viewing old old photos on the TV screen, having the odd giggle and with great grandson Ben whizzing around the lounge in his walker, almost doing burnouts as he rounded the coffee table to add to our amusement. We managed to keep him out of the kitchen with an obstacle barring his entrance, which I promptly responded to by nearly tripping over and falling flat on my face. lol.  Boxing day had us doing a sojourn to Bunbury City Speedway to watch Grandson Corey burn around the track in his street stock car no 68.

I now know why everyone wears sunglasses even though it is in the night.  The dirt and dust that the sprint cars throw up can be quite a health hazard, I'd forgotten about this aspect of the speedway although I can still recall the street sedans state titles in Collie when both sons competed, arriving home with the only part of me not covered in dirt was where I had my glasses on.lol.  Corey did well even though the track was wet and slippery, I think the sprint cars use the street stocks and juniors to mop up the track following the water truck leaving the track in perfect condition for them to race on.

  New Year was spent at Wandi with our fellow Motor Home Family, a beautiful meal was prepared on NYE followed by games of "a minute to win it", then to cap it off we participated in "laughter Yoga" directed by Claire, a visitor from the eastern states.

  I think if our kids looked in the hall we would all have been committed, but lots of joy and laughter prevailed.

  The weather was unpredictable with hot steamy days alternated with cool overcast days.

Disc Bowls added to the frivolity with competition close but with no one winning the sheep station.  We were also joined on Friday by #1 son on Friday showing us his new acquisition.  We spent the night before leaving for Wandi at #2 son's country property and were surrounded by lovely trees and birdsong.  

Our nearest neighbours were Pixie,
my granddaughter's miniature pony and Lulu, one of the family's adored pets.

 The family has purchased an acreage in a beautiful rural spot where they can unwind after a busy day and enjoy more of an outdoor life.  I agree with them it is a lovely retreat.  So have a Happy New Year everyone.  I hope 2012 is a very prosperous and healthy year for you all and all your dreams and desires come to fruition.  bless you all.

The Wedding

Lots of things have happened since I last visited bloggerland.  We have arrived home to the home paddock and have derigged the bus and have temporary put it out to pasture.  Now I only have to find room in the apartment for all the extras I accumulated over the past few years whilst travelling.  The weather blessed my granddaughter as she tied the knot with her partner on Saturday.  It was a beautiful sunny day, a wonderful ceremony and a really nice reception.  I hope that their little family unit will be very happy in the future.  Here are some happy snaps to share with you.

Here we all are before the wedding, Grandparents, parents and siblings.  Yes I am the parrot in the corner.

The Official Wedding Party.

The Bride's siblings and cousins with their partners

Here I am with Benjamin (He loves my hair) when he is not chewing on my necklace!!

Here we are no longer spring chickens (He is not so sure of my hair but he can find me in a crowd)

It was also grandson Shanes birthday he shared his day with his sister!!!

I also better mention that granddaughter graduated from Senior College with distinctions and a few awards.  Good on ya Claire!!

Merredin & Bruce Rock

It didn't take long before the oval was full of RV vehicles

Another week has slipped by and our time here at Bruce rock is nearly at an end.  I told you earlier to watch this space and by Saturday the grounds were nearly full regardless of the inclement weather.  Our beautiful sunny skies very quickly turned black on Thursday afternoon and the rain came down, it was stated by an old timer as being the heaviest he had seen in the area for over 60 years.  The oval soon became waterlogged and boggy but along the edge of the oval we were high and dry.  The drive in to the oval (in front of us) soon became churned up and a couple of buses ferrying cadets and the band managed to get themselves in a predicament.  The family arrived on Friday and everyone was settle in before the big day on Saturday.  The markets didn't disappoint and it was a very friendly atmosphere in the town especially with a backdrop of the Challenge brass Band and the Kalgoorlie Brass Band performing in the Amphitheatre.  The March went on schedule and it was fascinating to watch the representatives of the various forces and cadets proudly marching through the town accompanied by the pre-vintage jeeps, tanks and army vehicles.  They all  looked very distinguished with all their medals proudly adorned on their chests.  The free BBQ went off without a hitch followed by the evening's entertainment.  The breakfast this morning started a brisk exodus from the grounds and only a few of us stayers remain for the night where we will all congregate around the campfire in the Bard Pit for more great entertainment and camaraderie.  Hang on a moment I almost forgot to tell you- that on Wednesday we drove over to Merredin to my old hometown for a trip down memory lane.  We drove out to our old farm, near Koonadgin to discover that some of our land and surrounding properties have been taken over by great big wind turbines for the Collgar Wind Farm.

 I did manage to take a photo of our old house in town although it has been rather dwarfed by the trees.  We did a tour of the revamped Cummins Theatre and it looks very regal.

  I have fond memories of going to the pictures and rolling the Jaffas down the aisles. I also used to be employed by the owner of the drive-in and the theatre and would have to bank the takings every Monday after the weekend.

  This is a photo of the school where I spent most of my misspent youth, it still looks the same after all this time.

This old water tower has been here for as long as I can remember.



The Prospector had pulled in to give the passengers a break on their way to Perth From Kalgoorlie

The Merredin Railway Station well preserved is now a museum.