Exchange to Oz: Out in the Countryside

School and life has been keeping us very busy. A typical week includes, of course school, footie twice a week, sports program twice a week and volleyball for Dan and I on Thursday nights. The kids like their extra curricular activities and Dan and I enjoy the volleyball. It is played on outdoor grass courts and our team is playing it's second game of the final 4 week round robin in the "A" division tonight - fingers crossed. Dan and I have been named the "imports" and the "internationals" for our team as we joined with two thirds of the season completed. It is a fun league and rules are ?"loosely" followed. If you hang on the net it's okay, if you carry the ball it's okay - pretty much anything is okay so we look rather pro with our T.A. high school volleyball training (Thanks Mr. Robertson and Mr. Duggan!) In fact, I often hear Mr. Robertson's voice haunting me on the court - even now! Anyhow, it's great fun and we are guaranteed a money prize for our team so we will have a great team windup when it is all over!

The last two weekends we have gone out into the countryside around Narrandera. First we were invited out to Tom Dawson's. Tom is Priscilla's father and he lives in sprawling countryside farmland. He cares for a large estate and the land that surrounds it. It is not a working farm but he maintains the land and enjoys the quiet country life. He has a magnificent view of the river as he is elevated. He toured us about and we looked inside of an old sheep shearing shed and saw how they used to sheer, collect and press the wool. We played a little boccie ball and footy in the yard and looked at the beautiful gardens. Tom told us about the kangaroos that have been around the yard but we didn't see any. The boys had a taste of home by riding around the quad that Tom has. That was a highlight and Sam insists he saw a brown snake crossing the lane way of the paddock. UGH - we had walked there earlier! We had a very tasty dinner of roast chicken, potato bake (yum) and salad. We left too late for a school night but truly enjoyed ourselves. Thanks Tom!

Last Saturday, we went out to explore Galore Hill, which is about a half hour car ride from home. Unlike at the Rock, you can drive to the top of Galore Hill and then explore from there so that is what we did. We saw some BIG spiders once again (see the picture Jake took in the slide show) - YUCK and then we hit the cliff to find the caves.

As soon as we had stepped down onto the narrow trail, Dan commented that we should watch out for snakes - well, that was the end of my fun and excitement on this adventure. Instant paranoia crept in and I could feel it like ice in my body. I could no longer enjoy the views. I focused straight ahead, staring at the ground for fear that I would look to the left or the right and see a snake curled on a rock waiting to strike. There was thick grass and sun soaked rocks and I thought there was a snake at every turn. I was beyond scared. At last we found the caves and after I insisted on several rocks being thrown in and flashlights shone, I let the boys go to the doorway to have a picture taken. Jake of course would have dove right in - eek! I must say that I was very relieved that we once again survived an adventure intact!

Last Sunday, we went to Marie O'Brien's parent's home (Helen and Alan) to experience farm life. We received the grand tour and were amazed at the size and amount of animals they care for! There were cows (3 moms in waiting due to give birth any day), sheep, goats, chooks, horses, geese, guinea fowls and I am sure several I have forgotten. They even have about 6 dogs (that's less than normal) and a cockatoo. They also have avocado trees, mandarin orange trees, oranges and grapefruits, lemons and limes. It is like paradise. There farm is situated along the creek which they use for irrigation and for water for the animals. We walked along and noticed carp and in the traps yabbies and freshwater shrimp. As you can imagine, the boys were in 7th heaven.

We stayed for "afternoon tea" where we tried Anzac biscuits and other treats that Helen made - they were very tasty - and then Jacob and Jack had the chance to ride the horses (Sam opted out) along the paddock. It was so fun and Jack had to be coaxed off of the horse quite some time later! Thanks Marie and Lauren for the horse rides. Thanks also to Alan, Helen, Brigitte, James and Jarrod for sharing the family farm with us.

There was a little drama when one of the cows escaped the paddock and had to be brought back in. The horses went out as well as the ute and some of the dogs to help. The cow was brought back in and all was well at the farm once again.

We have been invited back to see the sheep shearing in winter and the new babies in spring (remember it is Fall here right now)! WE can't wait!

Glossary:

paddock - a field

ute - a truck

chooks - chickens

footy - AFL football

yabbies - giant crayfish or small lobsters

Enjoy the photos of our experiences and Happy March Break all!