New Norcia

I started my day early with Pauline going to drench a bull. Pauline is a big and small animal vet who services a 230 km radius. She also has started a vet hospital on her farm. This is in addition to helping manage her own 14 thousand acre spread and being a mother to two teenagers. Before going the horses got a hug and fed. Then it was onto meet the bull. We were greeted by Dilly, Diesel, and wombat the farm dogs. The bull was directed into a crusher that held him securely and his head came through the bars of the crusher. Drenching just means dosing with medicine, in this case anti liver fluke stuff, white and sticky. First attempt the bull won by keeping his head down and out the stuff came. Round two went to Pauline after she made a rope halter and pulled his head up.

Give me a recalcitrant toddler any day. We picked up supplies for the vet clinic.


Then it was back to The House of 5 chimneys for breakfast before setting off to New


Norcia.
This is a town settled in 1864 by 3 Spanish Benedictine monks as an Aboriginal mission. They reached out to the land and people, learning the language and as a result it flourished where other missions failed. They based their approach on self sufficiency. The architecture is Spanish influenced and stands out from the surrounding towns and buildings. It started with the residences progressing to chapel after chapel. In it's evolution, it began with a boys school expanding to women and Aborigines and an agricultural college. The schools have all disbanded and the complex exists with tourism and produce to support themselves. There are only 8 monks left. There is a hotel, with restaurant and bar. They produce wines, port, olive oils and nut and chocolate biscotti. Big bread baking supplies the local markets. Of course we had to fortify ourselves before braving the two hour tour with an Abbey Ale. It was breast cancer awareness day, so the staff were wearing a lot of pink and tiaras.





We borrowed the New Norcia wheel chair which meant that all of us had a chance of tipping Michael onto the ground. The left hand break could not be undone, which made for muscle making exercise. As the complex evolved, so did the number of chapels...








So feeling religiously fortified it was onto Morra for a long black and flat white at The Kumquat Mayand then back to our farm base.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Kayanaba road western ausrtralia

To the coast

First day we drove to the coast. The landscape is incredibly expansive. 40 percent is parkland and consists of scrub. The soil varies but is quite sandy in parts? The Grass Trees punctuate this. An ancient plant that has a column from which a fountain of green erupts. If they have any height i.e. 3 to 4 ft, they are ancient.


The flower is long thin column that erupts from the middle that has small white flowers on it.





Eucalyptus (gums) is the predominate tree. Though there are others: banksia, bottle brushes, malaleuca etc.


It is wild flower season. I am in heaven. They are every where,
- All colors and shapes,on bushes, on the ground.








I would say the landscape is undulating flat and it feels like you can see the curve of the globe. Expansive farms of thousands of acres. We arrived at the coast and there was the blue of the Indian ocean. Traffic is one other car and a crowded beach has 3 people on it. The beaches are fine white sand.



We started at Jurien Bay with coffee and then a swim





Walking back to the car, I stepped on a Goana. Startling both of us. Scaly and what was a surprise, had ticks on him.



Then it was on to Cervantes for fish and chips for lunch at The Sea Breeze Cafe. Twas very fresh and delicious, because,



Lovely coastal views








We stopped at a look out and braved the flies. That is why we were given our head nets on arrival. They are ever present. Can have 30 or 40 on you. Luckily, they are not the bitey kind.


Finally we went to The Pinnacles. They are calcified trunks of the ancient grass trees that stick up from the sandy soil. We had brought chairs, wine, nibbles for a picnic as the sun set creating amazing shadows with the pinnacles.















Then it was back to kayanaba with Rob at the wheel and Pauline sensing the kangaroos and guiding Rob back home.

Location:Cervantes, western Australia

We drive north

16 hrs of airtime, and we finally arrived in Perth. We have hit the ground running. We reunited with our Dutch friends, Rob and Cora, at the Comfort Inn, closest to the airport. We closed out the Palm Restaurant at 9:30.



Apparently after we had left, the dining room was broken into. The staff graciously cobbled together a breakfast. Then it was on to a mall to fit the iPads with Australian sim cards. 3 gb of data for 30$. Att, should be ashamed, selling 250mb for 15$!
Then we hit the road driving 2 hours north of Perth. We were directed by our Dutch TomTom and iPad google maps. We stopped at a lovely lunch spot in Gingin, CU@Park. I of course had to stop and smell the roses.






Approaching our friends station, the countryside became more remote with expansive fields. The terrain is quite flat but at the moment thanks to the rain, the vegetation is lush and green. Various Gums (eucalyptus) red, white, and black. You can tell what the quality of the soil is by which Gum grows. For the most fertile growth, look for the Black gum. Wild lillies and wild flowers abound. The bottle brush trees are in bloom.





Dandaragan is about 20 small buildings the post general store being it's hub. And of course there were more roses to smell.





We arrived at Andrew and pauline's station, a small 13,000 acre spread. Galahs, and vivid green little parrots called 28s ( their squawk sounds like they are saying 28) flew around. Ibis were in the fields along with sheep and cows.












Andrew and pauline's house is amazing. Built in the 1800s,the rooms have 13 1/2 ft ceilings. It is all one floor but a sprawling layout. Their dining room table can sit 23 comfortably. Historical photos and farming pictures are on the walls. Stain glass panels are at the entry. Hard to capture by image. I had the sense that i had stepped back in time. Several dogs and cats greet the visitors. We were made welcome by receiving. Mosquito netting for our heads and our own individual tubes of vegimite a yeasty spread full of vitamin bs.



Then it was off to tour the spread, including some of the biggest farm equiptment ihave ever seen. Spreaders and harvesters with sophisticated gps software. We stopped to pick some of the wild lilies. Pauline led the way after telling us to walk loudly to scare away the snakes (tiger or brown, both venomous). We are not in Kansas any more.





We had an scrumptious dinner a roast leg of lamb from the farm with roasted root vegetables. Wine and song and a Victorian sponge cake ended the evening.






Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Dandaragan western australia

Visiting Pete and Caroline

As we departed rainy Virginia, we ate a delicious Vietnamese dinner, pho for all. At the airport we were treated to the British Air lounge...more food, though we resisted. Then into our pods. Michael had the aisle and I had one of two center pods. This meant Michael and I got to look at each other. He took great delight in bringing up the privacy barrier between us. My neighbor to to the left faced my direction and it was like sharing a double bed. Quite strange when we were both reclined. The flight seemed quite short.
Our friends picked us up, so traveling has been a breeze.



We have had lovely food and company as well as sunny blue skies. We went on a river walk where the trees were carved into different animals.
















We went to a gallery and drove the country side. Caroline and I went on a bike ride. There is a converted rail line that is a bike/walking path that is wonderful. Caroline master biker was patient and even got a picture of me astride. Apparently I rode 10 miles. Wow!!



we have gotten introduced to great music. I have introduced Caroline to fruit ninja. Below a particularly a beautiful flower.



So tomorrow, we are back to the airport and trying out Thai Air. An 11 hour ride to Bangkok where we change planes and go for 6 more hours and arrive in Perth.

Till then
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Surrey england

At 8:45 am, Kosmo was cleared for take off. He quickly packed his bed and bowl and we were off by 10:45 am. Was Michael really in the back seat?



Kosmo has been reunited with his pals. The day has been rainy with fog and great for recovery from the long drive. He goes in and out of the pet door, hunting for squirrels that he will never catch and is orange from the red Virginia mud. We have one more night and tomorrow night we leave for London.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Flint hill, Va

Countdown to departue

T minus two days and counting. Have not packed but have our Australian dollars, camera, mac air, passports out, and iPad in working order. The suitcases are at least upstairs. Kosmo who developed a cough is waiting for his lab test to see whether he gets to pack his bags. If not I have a sitter who will move in with him. Yikes!



So everyone who I have asked if they have retrieved this blog, says thet have not so that is why you are getting boring news about us and the cute dog picture. Please email me at avnl@cox.net that you received it. If you respond to the google group you will send your email to 40 people. If you want to access the blog directly go to Oz-anna-mike.blogspot.com. I am a bit frustrated but practice makes perfect.
Anna
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Shore Dr,Warren,United States