Archive for April, 2009

Autumn in Tasmania

I love this time of year on our farm when the season starts to turn.

We’ve been stocking up the wood heap and praying for a good autumn break. Up until a few nights ago the dams and creeks were still pretty dry — and even though the grass was green, the pasture is very short.

We’ve now had 22ml of rain in the past two days and while we know winter will be tough — we are going into it well understocked, and with cattle still away on agistment we’re confident the stock we do have will stay in top condition.

Hello Fabio!

It’s tradition in our district to put our rams out on ANZAC day.

Our ovine girls were treated to a visit from a very elegant Border Leicester ram for breakfast. What a stud-muffin he is!

It was such a lovely morning to move a mob with my Kelpie, Rousie, and I was given plenty of time to reflect on our Aussie and New Zealand soldiers who fought for our country.

While my new novel The Cattleman’s Daughter is away with my editor, Belinda, at Penguin Books, I’m making the most of daydreaming behind a mob of sheep — allowing ideas for a fifth novel to come.

I’m on the home straight now with number four novel and my book will be out in October — around the time Fabio’s lambs will be arriving!

Anzac legend

It felt extra special last Saturday to watch two young steely-grey Walers in our front paddock galloping about in the morning light.

Whipcrack and his little brother Smoko seemed to know their forebears were being celebrated and remembered today during ANZAC day.

Whipcrack is now a rising three year old and has enough experience as a ridden horse for us to offer him for sale.

We are asking $2,000. Cheap considering the iconic heritage that runs through his veins and the fact he was educated by Luella Goggin – one of Australia’s most talented horse masters.

For expressions of interest email John.

Biker fun!

ANZAC day was busy, but a blast!

Our Woodsdale-Levendale History group hosted a crew of over 60 bikers on their annual Anzac Day poker run.

When members of the Ulysses and God’s Squad clubs rolled into our museum the sound of their engines got the Woodsdale women revved!

Suddenly the farm utes looked a bit plain next to the shiny beasts. Our King Gee-clad farm men also looked slightly tame alongside those big blokes in black leather!

But the bikers were too fast for us country gals and as they revved away an hour later, we settled for billy tea by the fire, ahead of a Jim Beam.

French Fizz for Celebrations!

The day before the next draft of my new novel was due into my editor, I was seriously considering giving away this writing caper! It can be so dang hard!

But then out of the blue came a bottle of fine French Champagne from my UK publishers, Preface, to celebrate the launch of The Rouseabout in England. (Renamed The Dare for their market.)

Also in the mail was a letter from a writer friend who has also juggled kids with a writing career.

So I’m back on track now! Amazing what a bit of grog does for my morale and a kind word from a friend!

City kids to country

This week I helped our Woodsdale/Levendale Museum give a group of city children a taste of our country life.

We dress the little ones up in old style school clothes and treat them to old games, damper and ink wells!

My job was to teach them about the wool industry, past and present. My sheep dogs were a hit and it was great to teach the next generation about the beauty of wool!

She’s my (old farm) ute

While I’ve got my new big throbber townie ute, I can’t go past still loving my first farm ute.

My good old Holden Rodeo has never let me down. Not once! She might feature plenty of dust, dog poo, spiders and dead ewe blood but combine all that with an Allan Jackson tape playing full blare and I really feel I’m traveling over the paddocks in style!

Country Learning

We are all happy chickens today at Levendale! Premier Bartlett has announced he won’t be closing out school this year!

I’m ecstatic as I know a country upbringing is a gift to children. Who needs Playstations and portable DVD players when you can have a chook to be your mate.

If you would like to move your family to an area that is strong in old style country values and community support, contact Su at Falls Real Estate on (03) 62347 038.

We only have 15 children in our school and we need to grow that number to 25 so come on down and give your kids a country start in life!