West Gippsland

Hello everyone, how are you?  This past Friday my good friend Jan and I went on a little excursion to a couple of towns in west Gippsland just over one hours drive from the Dandenong Ranges where we live.  We were both in search of family history and visited the West Gippsland Genealogical Society in the town of Warragul in the hope that we would find answers to our questions.  The genealogical society is housed in this lovely old building which use to be the shire offices.  A museum is in another part of the building so that might be a reason to visit again soon.

Although we didn't find answers to our questions, we had a lovely day driving through beautiful dairy country and visited a couple of old cemeteries where we have relatives buried.  Although they are in unmarked graves, it was still nice to visit.

Drouin cemetery.

Neerim cemetery.

Neerim cemetery.

Dairy country.

I love the combination of old and new road signs.

Along the valley runs the Tarago river and the photo below shows the Tarago reservoir which holds drinking water for a number of communities.  The water quality has in the past been unreliable but due to sustained efforts and improved practices, it is now drinkable again.  You can find a map and information about the Tarago river here.

Tarago river.

The Tarago river on the opposite side of the road only just visible beyond the reeds.

Hoping to visit this part of Victoria again soon.

Anne xx

Weekend mini holiday

Hello everyone.  Today hubby and I went out for the day as we both needed a break away from the usual weekend routine.  Hubby has been hard at work on remodeling our pergola and as it is half way to completion, I thought it would be a good time for us to have a little weekend holiday.

We had two possible destinations in mind either the Yarra Valley which is full of wineries and is beautiful in the autumn or the Mornington Peninsula which means we could drive through beautiful country, visit the sea and a mariner.  The Peninsula won our vote.

We had a leisurely start to the day not leaving super early as it is only a bit over an hours drive to the Peninsula from our home.  Our first stop was Yaringa Marina where we had coffee and a look at the boats.

This part of the coast is very swampy with mangroves growing and at low tide, the mud crabs come out to feed.  As it was low tide while we were visiting, we saw a number of crabs like the one below.  I lent over the rail from where we were having coffee to take this photo.  There were many crabs out and about but as soon as they sense movement, they run back into their holes for protection.

After coffee we headed for Flinders, a lovely town on the coast.  We decided to take some of the back roads which are far more interesting than the main roads.  When I saw this handsome fella, I asked hubby to stop the car so I could go and say hello.

We communed for about 5 minutes.  He had a super soft velvety mouth and face and was quite happy to let me pet him.  For an animal lover, this was truly one of the highlights of my day.  Further down the road we came across this quirky display of road side mail boxes.  Do you think someone was having a party by any chance with those balloons on display?

I particularly like the old green plastic toolbox being used as a mailbox.

These ducks were having a wonderful time in the water with a good deal of squabbling going on.  As soon as I came closer they all headed away out of the water so I was unable to get a closer photo of them.

This is Stumpy Gully Road where the above three photos were taken.

We passed a couple of people bike riding along the road, it was a beautiful day for it.

We had lunch in Flinders at this little place which was extremely busy although I managed to take this photo without anyone entering or exiting.  We sat outside in a little nook just behind the shrubbery on the left of the photo.  How could hubby and I resist the "Boozy Beef Pie" with salad?  It was delicious.  Hic!

 From the Flinders coast you can see a view of Phillip Island which is just 5 miles away across the water.  Unfortunately the "Boozy Beef Pie" rendered it impossible for me to take a photo with a level horizon.   Sorry.  Hic!

A pretty coastal view. 

The pier and houses belonging to some wealthy folk.

After visiting Flinders I asked hubby if we could visit Cannons Creek on the way home.  Cannons Creek is  another community on a coastal mangrove swampy area which we have visited many times over the years.  It was low tide while we were there today.  The shore is muddy and sticky rather than sandy but I love it as it's such a peaceful place.  The first time I saw this yellow house I fell in love with it and have always wanted to live in it, it's right on the water front.

Low tide.
.

This board walk on the foreshore takes you to the (my) yellow house and an old boat launching area.

This photo is an overgrown resting area on the board walk and the view seen when you are sitting on the seat.  :)  Hubby took the photo of me sitting on the seat and I'm sorry it's blurry.  I included it because I think I look ridiculous, you can't even see my head for overgrown foliage.  :)

The old boat launching area.

Look at this tired old boat.  I love the anchor.

After our return walk along the board walk, it was time to head home.  We had one more stop on the way home but you'll see what that was all about when I post the March scavenger photo hunt photos.  Stay tuned!

Now it's time to iron school uniforms and business shirts for the week ahead.  Our little break away for the day was lovely and I think I'll be planning another one soon.

Have a fantastic week,

Anne  xx

I've been tagged

New to the blogging world I was not aware of tagging until a few days ago.  It seems that Cheryl

at the lovely blog "Time to Craft" has indeed tagged me.  So here goes with answering the questions.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1.  If you could spend time with a historical figure, who would it be?

It would have to be Michelangelo.  I read a fictional book when I was 14 about his life and the time he was working on his famous sculpture of David. 

2.  What kitchen appliance could you not do without?

That would have to be the bread making machine.  I make bread in it everyday using wholemeal flour and yummy seeds.  My family just loves the bread.

3.  Is your heart in the town or the country?

Definitely the country.  I grew up on a farm and I miss the wide open spaces.  I'm especially sensitive to the fact that many people living in the city (not all), are totally ignorant to how and where their food is grown, and how incredibly hard people work to produce it.

4.  Your three favourite books.

"These old Shades" by Georgette Heyer.  This was the first adult book I read at age 14 and I just fell in love with reading all over again.  The next one would be the fictional book I read about Michelangelo when I was also 14.  Unfortunately I can't remember the title or the author although I have tried to looking for it.  Third favourite would be "Hidden Treasures" by Nora Roberts.  I just love the story and the characters.

5.  Favourite childhood place?

This is so easy to answer, the hay shed.  I use to climb up into the hay with a hessian sack to sit on, a good book and an apple and  would read for hours.  I'd usually be accompanied by a cat or two.  Our hay shed was not like a barn.  It had a roof and one wall made from corrugated iron, so three sides were open to the fresh air.

6.  Are you superstitious?

My first answer would be no, but then I remember I say "touch wood".  I don't know if that is considered being superstitious.

7.  Tea or coffee?

Both.  I love my tea and coffee.

8.  What is your favourite pudding?

My Grandma's trifle and bombe alaska.  Unfortunately my Grandma has passed away so I only have sweet lingering memories.

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Now I have to tag a few other people and think of some questions for you.  OK, here goes with the questions.

1.  What is your favourite hobby?

2.  Do you like to drink your tea or coffee out of a stoneware or fine china?

3.  Favourite holiday destination to date?

4.  Do you have a favourite specialist stop, i.e. bookstore, craft/wool shop, delicatessen (food) etc.

5.  What is your favourite flower?

6.  Your favourite item of clothing?

7.  Where do you like to swim, beach, swimming pool, river, or lake?

8.  What colour eyes do you have?

The people I've tagged are:

Danae at Nae Chic.  Danae makes the most beautiful bags.

Louise of Ramblings of a Roachling.  Louise loves walking in the countryside and takes the most gorgeous  photos to show us where she has been.

Aubrey from Rambling with Me.  Aubrey is an Aussie too and lives in the country on a farm.  I'm envious.  She is also Mum to Kate of "Greedy for Colour" fame.  Hi Aubrey.  :-)

Diana of "Creating Balance: My Rich Life".  Diana is such a sweetie and makes me think.

Chantal of "Chantal Vincent Art"  I recently discovered Chantal and she INSPIRES me.  Thank you Chantal for sharing your creative world with us.

Just because I've tagged you lovely ladies above doesn't mean you have to participate.  It does take time, but I would love to know a little more about you and I'd love other people to visit your blogs 'cos I love them!!!

Have a lovely day everyone.

Anne xx

The lamb bar

As I proclaim to be a country girl living on the edge of the city, it's time for you to see where a huge part of my heart lies and that's on the farm where I grew up.  My farming family grow grain and raise sheep which is becoming more difficult every year due to things like unreliable weather patterns, variable prices for grain, lamb meat and wool. Not to mention the costs outweighing income.

I was fortunate enough to visit the farm in July which was in the height of lambing season.  This photo was taken early one frosty morning.  The lambs would congregate at the fence and run up and down racing each other, jumping and leaping sideways.  Very entertaining.

Due to my brother's brilliant management and breeding programme, the sheep have beautiful wool with minimal skin wrinkling which assists in stopping problems like them being fly blown.  They have a high fertility rate and giving birth to twins is common with some triplets occurring.  They are also a good meat sheep.  My apologies to any vegetarians who are sensitive about this subject.

 

Due to a lack of rain this year, there was limited feed in the paddocks which meant the ewes of newly born lambs would move away looking for food a short time after giving birth.  This meant that for some lambs a strong bond was not formed with their mother and some did not survive.  This is especially the case if the weather is severe with cold temperatures, rain and wind.  A few lucky ones found in time get to become pet lambs as we call them and this is where they get their tucker.

The lamb bar.

The lamb bar is a galvanised bucket with up to ten teats on the outside and straws that are fed through a hole down into the bucket.  Special lamb formula is mixed providing excellent nourishment for these little darlings.  As can be seen in the photo above, some lambs need to be fed individually especially if they don't have a strong sucking reflex.  As the lambs get bigger it is quite tricky getting into their pen without tripping over them as they are all very anxious to get sucking.  It's quite funny to watch the level of milk go down rapidly as the meal progresses.  Little tails wag  furiously and a good strong hand or hands are needed to hold the bucket securely to stop little bunting heads knocking it over.  The above photo was taken several years ago.

These little lambs below were the pets I helped feed this July when visiting the farm.

If the days weren't too cold or windy, they were let out into this little yard with some green feed to nibble, some special lamb pellets and water.  When I was taking this photo they were baaing away for me to come and feed them.  It wasn't feed time so they were very disappointed.  I gave a couple of them my fingers to suck and they were quite disgusted they were sucking for no reward.  :-)

My brother also keeps a small herd of Dexter cows.  While I was visiting a little heifer calf was born.  Her name is Fifi and here she is with mum.

Mum was not too happy with me and thought I was just a bit too close to her day old baby and began pawing the ground in a show of defense.

Isn't she gorgeous?

 My brother keeps the Dexters for milking and (sorry vegetarians) beef.  There is usually enough milk for three households and a good friend of my brother's makes cheese and yogurt from the milk.

I hope you've enjoyed this little journey to where I grew up.  I love looking at these photos, I have so many great memories from my visits.  Hopefully another visit will be taking place in January 2011.

Anne