Sunrise 1

Where did it all begin.
On a dance floor.
A Waltz, Fox Trot, Cha Cha and then a Rumba.

We (Wiesia and I) ended up in Robertson, NSW.
What a place.
Mum says that even the cows look contented here.

Fruit trees down to house

Getting down and dirty

My toy - beats pushing - lots of grass

My Wiesia has worms - a metre long

 Robertson has really really large earthworms. Up to 1.5 metres long.
Great for the garden? Only downside is they leave little worm castings (poo) on the ground surface.
A sign of a healthy soil. Lots of standard worms too.
The soil is super volcanic and grows everything. (they say)

We moved here December, 2010. The block of land is about 3000m2 (about 3/4 acre)
with a very standard brick and tile house. With four small bedrooms, a dining area and kitchen through to a L shaped lounge. All rooms various colours (purple and pink appear to be popular) and all needing a little TLC.
Our plans for the inside include a room to be built in the corner of the triple garage (losing on garage space),
A new kitchen, new bathroom and possibly change one of the bedrooms to a robe/ensuite.
Outside needs a rear pergola/awning and a 25000 litre water tank.

New driveway with hedging

The block had originally 7 large pine trees. Now removed.

Original pine trees - 2 more to the right

timmmberrrr

How the mighty can fall.

This left an almost bare block of land.

Over the past few months Wiesia and I have had such fun planting lots and lots of trees, hedges and plants.
Spreading what feels like acres of mulch.
The front of the block has a new driveway with Camellia hedging all along the front and partly down one side.
This involved about 130 camellia shrubs and a few Pittosporums.
The sides and rear have about 140 pittosporums for hedging.
Within the block we have planted over 55 fruit/berrry trees along with maples, Rowan, plane, horse chestnut, Rhododendron, pin oak, Poplars and dogwoods.

We have in the last few days built 4 raised garden beds. (400mm high *1.2m * 4.8m)
Now have to fill them with over 10 tons of vege soil mix. (my back has been surprisingly well)

Also built a curved bridge from the back door area into the garden area.
Some compare it to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, some say even the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Even others suggest the Golden Gate bridge. This last one is unbelievable.

The Bridge - too far?

As you can imagine we have been fairly absorbed in establishing our garden and have had little inclination to venture out and about too much.
Our current plans for the rest of this year include a trip to Wellington (to visit James & Jane) to see the Wearable Arts Show (Alice also attending). Will hang around and soak up the delights of Wellington (genuinely like Wellington and its surrounds) then fly up to see Mum and stay a few days there.

Also on the list is Ballet at the Opera House, Opera at the Opera House and dinner at Secret Creek.
Secret Creek is a delightful small wildlife park just outside Lithgow with lots of nocturnal animals scurrying about whilst eating dinner on the verandha.

At Secret Creek - Lunch - Wiesia and a Kangaroo

The list has quite a few things to do and its fun crossing them off.
Possibly next year we will do a few big ones.... like see Poland, Northern Lights, Alaska and a Cruise.
(maybe roll them all into one)

Recently we went to Brigadoon. A wee village that transforms into a mystical town called Brigadoon.
This is the largest Highland Gathering in the southern hemisphere
We had a ball.
You can even buy "Haggis on a Roll".

Searching out my roots

Bundanoon turns into Brigadoon

Massed pipe bands

Tossing sticks

Right now I have just set a roaring fire (in our new fire place), anticipating a favourite meal of roasted veges
and a little meat (for taste) then collapse into a chair to see re-runs of the Royal Wedding. Hmmmm.