“Now the shearing is all over and the wool is coming down …”

It’s that time of year again when master shearer, Bernie McInerney, turns our plump pacas into svelte greyhounds. In fact, it all happened yesterday. Always a pleasure to watch a true tradesman at work, but also good to have the day behind us.

This year we were also ably assisted by author Laurie Salzler who proved, one again, that her talents are not confined to the literary field, and when she writes about working with animals, she speaks from experience. A big thanks for all your help, Laurie!

It was also good to meet Bernie’s lovely wife, and erstwhile “secretary”, Enid.

The work was hard, but the company was great.

 

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Big groups

We’ve been delighted to welcome some sizable groups recently:

On July 10, Simes Tours organised a visit by seniors from the Lismore area. Their massive 48-seater coach is the biggest vehicle we have ever had on the property, and some extensive alterations to our entrance and driveway were required to accommodate it.

On July 31, 24 members of the Yamba Probus club joined us for a lunch tour and a jolly time was had by all.

On August 4, a group of 26 Clarence Valley Ramblers rolled in for morning tea with the Pacas and a mini car display (a small display of Mini cars!).

It was great to meet all these interesting people and we’re pleased they enjoyed their time with us.

Enjoyable day with CWA ladies

Thirteen ladies from Lower Clarence CWA groups joined us for a lunch tour today. It was good to catch up with some old acquaintances and meet some new ones.

This was the first group to be able to use our driveway since we reopened it following the most recent deluge. It is now almost dry enough to recommence farm work but, unfortunately, more rain is predicted for tomorrow.

Another deluge

Twelve inches of rain in three days has left us cancelling tour groups again. We look forward to Woolgoolga Seniors and Yamba Probus rescheduling for a later date.

Fortunately drainage and earthworks to allow larger tour buses to negotiate our driveway were completed just before the rain started. All we need now is for Clarence Valley Council to do something about the disgraceful state of Nicholson’s Lane. Fat chance!

Our first Singaporean visitors

Yesterday we welcomed the Lau family from Singapore, who are currently holidaying in Australia.

What a delightful and talented family, and so interesting to chat with! We are pleased they enjoyed their visit.

Thank you for the excellent review on our Facebook page, Kenny.

From one extreme to the other

From severe drought conditions in the first half of the month, March 2017 has proved to be one of the wettest on record, with 23 inches (more than half our average annual total) of rain falling in the space of a fortnight. We are incredibly lucky not to be experiencing the severe floods that are affecting all points north of us.

The pacas have been washed so white they’re almost unrecognisable. Unfortunately, however, there’s no one to admire their snowy fleece – we’ve now had to cancel four group visits as a result of the wet conditions. Not good for business, but hopefully they’ll all reschedule.

Here’s hoping that we can now look forward to some pleasant autumn weather.

End of the drought, Part 2

Rainfall now totals 14 inches in four days. What a way to end a drought!

Unfortunately, Yamba Probus Club have had to cancel their visit tomorrow due to the wet weather.

We are hoping that conditions will have improved by Wednesday, when we have a large group of Seniors coming for morning tea and lunch.

Forced indoors by the rain, we have completed another Paca Duvet (Queen size) for our farm shop. Just the thing for those cold winter nights ahead!