A Hay Shed and Gardening at Longford Station

 Week 1:  We parked Keith outside the WOOFERS Shed, with a view of the Sturt Desert Peas.  We spent our first night sitting on the homestead verandah, getting to know our hosts, Lindsay and Sally Allan.  The property had once been owned by poet and writer Dame Mary Gilmour  and consists of 22 000acres, now with 2000 head of cattle.
Next dy we got stuck into work around 7:30am - Danny helping Lindsay with the new hay shed which he had been waiting 3 years to complete; and  I did a clean of the Woofers amenities and then got started in the gardens. 
Over the course of the week, Danny got a handle on stick welding and spent long days out at the new hay shed.  I watered the gardens, cooked and learnt how to retain water for the vegies and trees using cow dung and hay.

We went for a walk on Tuesday into the dry river bed.  We were looking for fossils...and we found two.  A small shell and a larger imprint of a mollusc in the round moon rocks. 
Our hosts and the food was great - and there was lots of it.  Sally and Lindsay were doing Dry July, but we had a couple of beers / wines at the end of each day.

Some friends of theirs came to visit in their 2 caravans with their 2 dogs.  Indigo wasn't that interested in the bounding exuberance of "Rocky"...
I got inspired while working in the garden on Thursday and started to compose a song.  Danny helped out with some lyrics and some of the chords and put some harp to it. 
On Friday night, we performed for the Allans and friends with our listeners joining in singing some of the tunes.

What a great week 1 at Longford Station.

Keith's 1st Swap Meet & WWOOF at Malanda

 Saturday June 16-Monday 25:  After a free camp o/night in Malanda opp the Lion's Park and dinner at the RSL, we went to Atherton for a Car Show & Swap Meet. 
Got a good park and sold some stuff we had brought and stuff we had bought along the way.

In the arvo, as arranged, we went back to Malanda for our first W.W.O.O.F.I.N.G (Willing Workers on Organic Farms)  with the Watkin Family. 
Well, right from the start, we felt at home and despite the fact that I know they will read this, I must say they were the most laid back, friendly hosts with 2 very agreeable children!  During the week, we  learnt many knew things:  Aaron showed Danny how to drive the tractor, bob cat and slasher and Austin gave me some pointers on the 4-wheeler which I took up to the corn mulch with trailer on.  Sue and I spent some quality time weeding the Irises and I gave Cloe some pointers on the hula hoop.  

 The farm consisted of chickens, 2 geese, quails, parrots & a pidgen, 2 dogs, a geriatric cat & horse and some cattle.
Did I mention the food?  Very good and lots of it AND dessert!
Indigo also had a rippin' time, playing with their large Labrador, Fudge (Minnie the Cattle x wasn't so interested...)

We finished the week with a trip to the Yungaburra Markets (thanks Sue's mum, Glen for the best orange cake ever) and a celebratory dinner at the 101 yr old Malanda Pub. 
Monday, Danny received a part from Melbourne to fix Keith's speedometer which hasn't worked since 
Hull Heads a couple of months ago.  Then we said our goodbyes and once again, hit the (back) road...



Thanks again Watkin Family for a wonderful WWOOFING experience.  
We will be back!