Shearing, hot weather and a BBQ

Our little camp at the farm has expanded this week, with the arrival of the Queensland family. Two tents are acting as spare rooms for our son, daughter in law and four grandsons. We have split our time between the farm property and the family house in town.



This weekend has brought us the hottest weather we have had since we got here. A busy Saturday was planned shearing a friend's massive pet sheep, followed by a BBQ in the shearing shed. We at the block needed to find a cool place for the morning.

The coolest place on the block is under a massive tree, where the rams like to spend the day. The poor things had to find another place to laze the day away on Saturday because grandparents, mum and dad and four boys invaded their space. The kids set up a makeshift mini golf course under the tree, with little holes and sticks making obstacles. Tarp spread out, portable cot containing the crawler and chairs strategically placed in the deepest shade the tree became Ferg Central well into the afternoon until the shearing started.  Unexpectedly there was intermittent phone signal..... so I texted this amazing fact (that there was phone signal under the ram's tree I mean)  to our daughter who was still in town. "Do you hang out with the rams often" she asked me.  Well no,but 34 degrees will make a person try anything. 

I didn't get a photo of us under the tree, but here are the usual inhabitants in residence.

Shearing started mid afternoon. The grandsons packed the fleeces into the bales  imitating a wool press by climbing into the bale and stomping. There were only a few sheep to deal with and soon it was time to fire up the  BBQ and feed the hoards. Family... all the grandkids... old friends and new ....including the closest neighbours who came to meet the baby and were persuaded to stay for the meal.

The Crookwell girls had cooked up a storm,  a cheese platter,  cheesecake slice and killer brownies and of course our granddaughter's chocolate balls with sprinkles. She entertained at desert time by taking the plate around to be sure everyone had one. A variety of meat on the BBQ, fresh bread and potato bake in our lidded BBQ. Big bowl of salad.

The children ran all over the place, jumped on the trampoline and explored under the watchful eyes of an adult or two.

Conversation raged over dinner covering life stories, weather, the wool industry, the state of the world and cooking. The newest friend is an expert baker of gluten and lactose free goods that she sells at the local market once a month. Got a few tips.

The day made me reflect on the old fashioned art of hospitality. All this entertaining in a shearing shed!!   And including a couple not planned for just because they had come over to visit.

Simple cooking, a bit of planning, great company. True county hospitality.


And left overs for dinner tonight.

Cheers Sue

A Ferg on the Move