Jannes Journies: Nymphea

July 8th to 10th 2012

So we headed to Darnum from Pakenham and arrived in the afternoon on Saturday ... driving off the freeway and along the Little Moe River Road is just like coming home. Things look like they always have, until you have the time to notice the little things .. new cattle, more rain .. flooded landscapes, full dams, so different to the Drought years. No longer are Rhoda and Braddles a part of the farm, however they live in our memories, Harry, Cass, Diva are all there to give a little whine. They are all so different. Cass will sit at your feet and lift a paw on to you to ask for more loving, Diva will make little sounds and wiggle ... Harry just looks at you with those wide eyes not blinking especially if you are eating and might send some his way. Dianne and Peter will be getting more puppies after their September trip to breed from. The girls took the front bedroom and I was lucky enough to use Samantha's old room the double bed was exceptionally comfy. This trip marked me buying my very own first pair of gumboots. Wonderful for tramping around in, they fit very well and kept the cold at bay as I helped out with the mundane daily chores (however for me they were not mundane but fun, and interesting) ... I helped feed out hay, drench cattle, look after a rejected calf, walked and walked, travelled the four properties, see where Jackelenes house will be built, looked at the Strezlecki's ... spent time with James and Wendy at dinner, visited Fairview and watched how hard Wendy continues to work. Samantha came out and spent time with us the last day, so good to see her and Jackelene ... and Dianne and Peter ... my family always. Amazing how close you can be to 2nd cousins ... and great for my girls to connect with their family. I managed to fit in a milking, fell over in deep deep mud, cleaned out the kennels, saw a Wombat meander slowly across the road one night in front of the car. I helped out with the Under 18's Interleague Presentation night at the Darnum Football Club, washed dishes helped serve 50 entrees and 50 mains. I met people that are in Diannes life of Service, listened to some of her stories of our family that I didn't know, drank in the beauty. All in all just what every trip to Melbourne requires, time on the farm. Some of my fondest memories in my life are made there, been a teenager and sleeping with Dianne in her Sandman out the front of Fairview House .. with Boom Boom her cat, my Aunty Alma always making me a birthday cake because we were in Melbourne for my birthday, Family reunions with all of Dads siblings and their children, being kicked in the eye by a cow in Harry's old cow shed with leg ropes the only thing between you and safety. I am so very lucky to have such generous cousins, with both their time and accommodation!