Monday, October 19, 2009

Garlic girls...



On Saturday Michelle & I left Daylesford at the crack of dawn for a day of weeding our garlic, up at Callawadda. We drove through the usual towns, winding our way to Avoca where we stopped at the amazing Parkview Cafe for provisions.




We arrived at Terry's farm just as John from Biodynamic Growing magazine was leaving. Bummer, we missed out on a photo opportunity! And we had our matching gumboots on too! John was there to do a piece on Terry and his farm and apparently he was also very interested in our garlic. Hopefully he will mention it in the December edition. There was no time to dilly dally though so we hightailed it up to the paddocks and got down to business. The gods were kind and gave us a beautiful day, no wind, no rain and some lovely soft sunshine.


Crawling along the ground pulling out monster weeds isn't everyone's idea of fun but we always make the most of it and have a great time. Chat, chat, laugh, laugh, cackle, cackle, the time goes quickly.



It's a wonderful feeling being out in the fields, under a big blue sky with the birds tweeting and the garlic growing big & strong.




After a break for lunch we finished off the beds and the garlic was free to grow without the annoying weeds cramping it's style. There has been so much rain this year that the weeds have gone crazy. So different to last year when we had much less weed and had to water more often. We came across alot more daisy this year too, which is pretty, but very deep rooted & quite hard to pull out!




I love going to Callawadda, the country is so different to where we live. I really admire Terry who runs his farm all on his own, with the help of his 10 year old son, William. He has sheep, cattle and grows a variety of crops. He works long, long hours and often doesn't see anyone else for days.


He is such a lovely, warm man who always has a smile for us and makes us so welcome. Michelle grew up with Terry & it's thanks to him we have this opportunity to grow our garlic in his rich, fertile, bio dynamic soil. What a guy.



Driving home I was so exhausted, but the good exhausted you feel after a hard days work. Having been sick last week and dealing with all that asthma, I did feel pretty wrecked. The drive home was lovely though, with the late afternoon sun & the colours of spring making everything seem larger than life.



Sunday was a tough day, I didn't have much patience and I really just wanted to lie in bed with a hot water bottle! But I hung in there and kept my grumpy comments to myself (mostly..!) I did fall into bed about nine o'clock and today I feel alot better. The sun is shining and it's the start of a brand new week. What are you up to? Can't wait to hear, see you soon xo

15 comments:

Sue said...

What a lot of weeds you need to pull out. It reminds me that I should finish off the other half of the vegie patch too! Hope your feeling better and full of energy soon, the weather has been absolutely gorgeous today.

beachvintage.com said...

Cute photo of your doggy. Sounds like you really got a lot of work done. Have a great week, I am not doing much, just the usual, blogging, junking around and lunch with the girls!

Bek said...

Sounds like quite the Saturday!

I hope you continue to heal this week. Sounds like life has been tough lately!

Mookah Studio said...

That sounds like a day in heaven to me! The great outdoors, sunshine, fresh air, dirty hands, and good company.

Pipany said...

So strange to think we are just about to plant our garlic ready for a cold patch in winter to get it going and are eating this year's, while you are sitting in sunshine weeding yours! Lovely photos x

Jenny said...

Hi, I found your blog by following a link on my stats. I love the rabbits you make , they are just lovely.

Hayley Egan said...

Thanks for stopping by, and Hey, nice photos! I can nearly smell the country air... and there is nothing funnier than a dog wearing clothes (or sunglasses) I don't know what it is but it really cracks me up. XX

Bird Bath said...

well I agree - the drop into bed tired from working outside all day- is quite a good feeling! I spent Sunday in our vegie patch weeding, watering and enjoying the sunshine.

Tania said...

Sorry, but I reckon you deserve a hot water bottle moment or seven after weeding like a trojan! Bet it was a good, honest, physically-exhausted, sleep-like-a-rock scenario Saturday night...

Julie said...

Thanks for looking at my blog. Yes, the lavender nearly killed me but I had been breathing in about 3 gallons or so of straight flower scent. Whew! Now I've got to put it into the pouches and I'm getting help. I LOVE your rainbow colored bunny! Your blog has such a comforting feeling.....such a success!

claudia said...

Thank you for passing to my blog;
Thus and have a nice day from Tenerife
Claudia

Unknown said...

What a nice day out, the photos look gorgeous! I wish I could join you.

Emily said...

That looks like a lovely time. I've been lacking in the blogging department lately. I've missed some nice posts of yours too. You've taken some really good photos lately also.

Dana said...

Hi! Thanks for visiting me. Isn't the Lark store amazing? I will be at the Daylesford makers market with my wares if you're around to say hi!
Dana x

Leanne said...

Ah I had been wondering about your garlic as I've been looking at my not so great looking bunch here. Great days work!