Goin' up country

During the recent school holidays we took a break at Willaura, near the Grampians, staying at the farm of MasterF's and LittleMissF's grandparents ('Pa' and 'Grandma'). The plans were put in place earlier this year when we bumped into The Librarian and The SchoolMaster at a local cafe, popular with parents of small-fry due to it's baby- and toddler-friendliness. They arranged with the SchoolMaster's parents for us to stay in a house that they also own, located 7.5 km up the road from their farmhouse. In the country, 7.5 km is 'just down the road', but to put it into perspective, it's about the same distance that DeepSpice travels to work each day. (Although travelling at 100 kph does make the journey go a little quicker!)

Departure (Thursday)

In a re-enactment of the preparations for our last holiday at Ocean Grove, it took us all morning to get packed and ready to go. Sigh. We finally left at 1.30 pm, about 3 hours after I had planned to leave. We had a few stops along the way and arrived in Ararat at about 3.30 pm. After a short exchange of text messages with The Librarian we worked out they were nearly in Ararat too, so we waited at the tourism information centre for them to meet us. BallFiend and MasterF went completely silly upon first sight and started running laps around the centre, distracting Thumper and LittleMissF from their synchronised-breastfeeding. We all piled back into our cars and drove in convoy to our accommodation: Turascai.

The driveway of Turascai

The house was a cute little 3 bedroom place, originally a soldier-settlement house probably built sometime in the 1950s or 1960s, but sadly had not been shown much love ever since. So the accommodation was very basic, which we didn't mind at all since we were only paying $10 a night, but the bed was rather uncomfortable and Thumper decided to resume 4.00 am wakings while we were away, so I didn't really feel at all well-rested throughout. Nevertheless, the holiday was lots of fun. We spent almost every day with our friends, so that BallFiend and MasterF could keep each other company, thus relieving us adults of the task of keeping four-year olds entertained. This alone made the holiday more restful than it would have been otherwise. However the days were busy, as is dictated by the company of children... 


Sheep (Friday)

On our first morning, I took BallFiend and Thumper (in the Ergo carrier) for a wander around the property where we met MasterF's great-uncle John, who was crutching some sheep. He showed us through the shearing shed, where a recently slaughtered sheep carcass was hanging up - thankfully covered in a bag, but it's skin (hide?) was draped over the rails in plain view. Luckily BallFiend didn't notice this so I didn't have to explain that one. He has been obsessed with death and dying recently so I'm sure it would have been of interest if I had pointed it out to him. 

John dragged out a lamb and a ewe for us to pat. Unfortunately though, BallFiend wasn't particularly enamoured of farm life. BallFiend wouldn't go near the sheep - he stood off to the side cringing. Thumper showed a lot more interest and even touched the sheep. John talked about the ewe, expressed some milk from her teat and then pointed out where she was missing an eye. I asked how that had happened and soon wished I hadn't! Apparently it was pecked out by a crow whilst the ewe 'was down'. I later found out 'down' referred to the time when a ewe is birthing a lamb. As if birth isn't enough to deal with, without being attacked by a crow! John then proceeded to go into detail about all the other things that happen to sheep, including foxes attacking them and eating their tongues or udders, then leaving them alive. Then BallFiend announced that "It's too smelly in here. I want to go out!". I thought this was probably a good idea. Farming is not at all like the sanitised picture that is shown in children's storybooks! 

Next John took BallFiend for a ride on a tractor. Next we went into another shed so John could get us some merino fleece to take home. While we were in the shed, BallFiend spotted a tub of filthy, old golf balls. He immediately turns on his ball-charm. "What are those for?" he asks in a sweet little voice to reinforce the deeper meaning behind his question. "Oh you can have one." says John, falling under BallFiend's ball-magnetism spell. Apparently a neighbour practices his golf in the next paddock and then crows pick up the lost balls and drop them in John's paddock. John hands over a white ball but BallFiend has his eye on the one and only orange one. A swap is quickly transacted. Then I drag BallFiend out of there before we end up leaving with the entire tub. 

We go back to the house, collect DeepSpice (who has finally got dressed!), then drive into Ararat to stock up on some groceries for the week. As it turns out, this was almost completely unnecessary because we ended up having dinner each night with MasterF's family at the farmhouse. 

The Draw (Saturday)

The next day was grand final day. I had sneakily timed this holiday to ensure we were away from all the footy fever, but it followed us. However, on a much smaller scale - just the family and us watching the game with a hot dog in one hand and a beverage of choice in the other. Before the final started, The SchoolMaster led us on a nature walk, down to the dam where we collected some frogs' eggs in a jar, then past the windmill that pumps water back up to the house (BallFiend was fascinated by this, and by all the old broken tyres lying around the place). The boys each picked up a stick and started to whack at everything in sight. Then it started to rain and they were told to put down their sticks so we could all run for shelter. BallFiend fell over and got gravel rash and cried and cried, but mainly about losing his stick. 


When we got back the football had started. I chatted to The Librarian, not really paying it much attention and by halfway through the final quarter The Librarian and I had completely lost interest, so we took the boys outside for a play. 

MasterF and BallFiend play on Pa's bridge
during the last quarter of the grand final.

Moments after the game finished, DeepSpice came out to tell us that it was a draw. When I came back inside all I saw on the TV was forlorn-looking footy players with their hands clasped behind their heads.

Obligatory Minigolf (Sunday)

On Sunday, we drove into Halls Gap, via Pomonal where the monthly Sunday market was on. Of course we had to stop and sample the devonshire tea. I also picked up some homemade beetroot chutney, lemon slice, white chocolate cheesecake, and an everlasting daisy to plant in my garden at home. DeepSpice found a book about aeroplanes, of course. At Halls Gap, we enjoyed a picnic lunch at the park, carefully positioning our picnic rugs to avoid sitting on any kangaroo poo. Then it was time for the highlight of BallFiend's holiday - mini golf! 18 holes proved too much for MasterF and LittleMissF. So they headed back to Willaura early, while we stayed on and finished the course. Then we set off back to Willaura for dinner. Unfortunately we took a wrong turn out of Halls Gap and ended up in Stawell. Oops. The scenic route! 

Volcanoes (Monday)

Our last day was spent touring other country towns in the area, on route to Penshurst where there is a Volcano Discovery Centre (ie. museum). Ever since that volcano in Iceland blew up earlier this year, BallFiend has been fascinated with volcanoes; MasterF is equally fascinated, but from a 'dinosaurs' perspective. We had lunch first, in a little tea room and antiques shop next door. The boys were warned not to touch ANYTHING before we went in, and amazingly they behaved beautifully. BallFiend was very interested in all the 'old-fashioned things'. Next we went into the Volcano discovery centre. Thumper and LittleMissF gave it their seal of approval as a great crawling venue - nice carpet and a few interesting nooks and crannies to explore. Then we went to see the actual real live - extinct - volcano, Mt Rouse, that over-shadows Penshurst. 

Approaching Mt Rouse

Thumper and me on Mt Rouse

BallFiend running amok on top of windy Mt Rouse.
The Grampians can be seen in the background.

The SchoolMaster took us on the scenic drive back to the farm, and it was spectacular. Unfortunately I drifted off to sleep in the car and missed a lot of it. Then the SchoolMaster took us for a drive around the farm in the 4WD. The boys climbed up into the cabin of combine harvester and we drove down to the paddock to look at some sheep. 

Homeward bound (Tuesday)

The next morning, we headed back to Melbourne, leaving early so we would have time to stop in Ballarat to visit Great Gran Billy. (We had planned to stop on the way up as well, but ran out of time.) I also took the opportunity to stop and visit the church where my mum's ashes are buried. Then we grabbed some pies at a local bakery and drove to the nursing home. Great Gran Billy was in fine spirits and happy to see us, although she didn't seem quite sure who we were. Still she is doing well for 94 years of age. 

Great Gran Billy tries to get Thumper
to look at the camera.

Most of the other residents enjoyed seeing some children, but when BallFiend nearly knocked one over with his ball, we decided it was time to go. 

Thumper slept most of the journey home and BallFiend nearly slept, so we had a nice quiet drive. After a quick dinner - spaghetti bolognese, of course! - we put the kids to bed and I couldn't wait to follow. After a week on a lumpy mattress, my own bed has never seemed so good. I was asleep by 9.45 pm. 

It really was a nice holiday - being with another family made it much more enjoyable than when we go away on our own. Now to catch up on all the washing! 

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