Upon Our Selection - Dave and Mabel Live On

Benwerrin

After  a lovely sedate 10 weeks at Serpentine, it was time to move on to our next adventure, which sees us caretaking a 3000 acre, sheep/wheat farm. A new challenge to be sure, but one that we were really looking forward to.  This one is a five week stint, whilst our wonderful hosts, enjoy a well earned break, after a busy harvest season.

Our drive up in the bus was uneventful, and took us about 3 hours.  Driving through endless miles of wheat fields, many harvested and some still in the process, it was a stark change from the hills of Serpentine.  Lovely to be out in the wide open spaces again - and the colors of the wheatfields and contrasting hills, magnificent gum trees, and the soil which changes color every few miles.



Harvest Time



The Magnificence of The Gum Trees

Along the way, we came through many a little twn, such as Dowerin, Wyalkatchem, Goomaling, Cadoux - some just grain holding sidings, others with more facilities, but all very friendly communities.



The Dowerin Dog



Arriving mid afternoon, we parked the bus, in a big shed, giving us a fair bit of protection from the wind, which it has been our experience, that Western Australia is one of the windiest places we have come across.  The end result is the inevitable dust storm and rising dust.

Rising Dust

Storm Front

The farm is some 44 kms out of Koorda, a small, but vital little community, set in amongst the wheatbelt of Western Australia.  More of Koorda to come in a future blog - deserves it's own title.


The house is an oasis, with lovely green lawns, all on a reticulated watering system, and a beautiful pool, which we take care of, and try to keep looking good.  So far, the weather has been so 'spring like' that we haven't tried the pool out, but sure that will happen before too long.  We are actually staying in the house this time, and for the first time in a couple of years we have slept in a 'real' house. Quite strange really!

Have had a couple of very long blackouts since we have been here, and have had to bring the generator out, to keep the fridges and freezers going. All adds to the experience, and keeps our hand in.

The Pool

The Backyard

The House

Seems that no matter where we go these days, there is a shearing shed, and the almost compulsory FJ Holden.  This one, was once a panel van, but has had one or two modifications done to it over the years. lol

The Converted FJ

3 Stand shearing Shed

Many paddocks to drive around, and always with out trusty little dog - Sherry in tow - just in case there is a rabbit or two, to sniff out, or maybe even that little bit of sheep work to do, or...even fit in a swim.

Sherry

Working Dog

Hanging Out

Ahhhhhh!!!





There's Big Red

Doing The Rubbish Run

Old Leyland - In The Car Grave Yard



Old Relics



Car Yard

Just a few photos from around the farm - love all the old cars and trucks scattered around the place, and so very typical of so many farms.  Never throw anything away, just in case you need it and believe us - this is a scrap metal collectors dream.


Each week we have to move the sheep to other paddocks, and managed our first move today, without any dramas.
Finished off with checking the yabby nets in one of the dams.  We might have a feed by the time we leave.

Blimey - What Are We In For???



Doing The Hard Yards




Kicking Dust

  After being here for just over a week, it wouldn't be hard to get used to this lifestyle. We are enjoying it so much, although we are yet to see another human being...not sure where the nearest neighbour is, but that's ok..we don't have any trouble filling in our time.  Always that good book to finish, or that movie to watch, that blog to do - not much in the way of TV, with only 3 stations, which comes via satellite, and of course the internet.



Checking The Yabby Pots



Not Quite A Feed



The Main Dam



Whale Rock Paddock

 Yesterday, we took a day off, and went and visited the town of  New Norcia.  What an amazing place, and that is what we will be sharing with you in our next blog.

Hope you have enjoyed your visit to Benwerrin - driving past, drop in and have a cuppa.

So very grateful to our wonderful hosts - such gnerous and wonderful people. Hope they are catching lots of fish and having a great break away.