19 July 2009

Another trip to the farm was planned on 19 July. We were trying to make some progress on the shed, which might be our temporary accommodation while we build the main cabin and finish the other projects. At one stage, we actually had 2 walls of the shed connected and they seemed to fit OK. However, there was a slight breeze and this caused the walls to buckle and flex. We would have to wait for a wind-free day before assembling the shed (or bring lots of material to brace the shed into place).


With plenty of time up our sleeves, we marked out the site for the shed and began to level the block. The photograph makes the block steeper than it really is, but there is still a bit of a slope (about 3/4 foot). We didn't come prepared with a shovel or mattock (!?!), so the work was back-breaking. But it was still cold enough to require a jacket!

Here's the site for the shed marked out and dug up. Pity we don't have a shovel to get the dirt out!

After a couple hours of honest hard work, we wandered over to the tent site to prepare some lunch. While sitting back enjoying some hot soup (so good on a cold day!), Kath noticed a brown blob move across one of the distant fields. It turned out to be a echnidna, which was a bit camera shy.

We then went for a bit of a drive to have a look around the property and visited one of our favorite lookouts. No sign of pigs anywhere now - maybe they have moved on? You can see that it was a lovely day but a top temp just into double-digits.

While driving to the south-west corner of the property, we saw the stray sheep on the property which we first noticed a couple of weeks earlier. Their numbers were a bit down (I promise I didn't eat any!), but they seemed as happy (and stupid) as sheep can be.

The last job for the day was to plant some trees along the driveway to the cabin site. Kath took some cuttings from a Crepe Myrtle from our backyard and put them into the ground. She assures me that they should grow. Her reputation as a gardener is on the line!! Like most things on the farm, we'll have to wait and see.

On the way out of the property (heading back to Sydney), we were greeted by the neighbour's cattle who thought we were going to feed them. They ran down the paddock bucking and kicking each other to get first in line for a feed. They were disappointed. Keep an eye out for them at your local McDonalds!