One of the nice things about WWOOFing is that you don’t work a full day and the afternoons are free to do as you wish. More often than not, Beth wished to spend it sleeping. Dennis seemed to have about everything in his house, and we were pleased when he pulled out this hammock. This is the view from his balcony where we spent many of our afternoons reading and relaxing.
His “pole frame house” was quite interesting, built on a frame of 15 poles like the one on the right side of the photo. After getting the initial frame of 15 poles in, this construction method allowed him to work on building rooms in any order he pleased. The house was also constructed with permaculture and self sufficiency in mind. It was oriented and designed to allow in lots more sun light in the winter (and less in the summer), with stone floors to soak up the heat. There were composting toilets, solar panels (which rarely provided us with any electricity… strangely enough it never seemed like we were missing out on much), and water tanks to catch Australia’s most precious resource – rain water.
The work with Dennis was a lot easier than with our previous host. We generally got up around 8am and consumed breakfast and coffee. We would then go out and do some weeding. We spent a good deal of time trying to rid the property of onion weed and thistles. We would break around 11 for a coffee break and then do some other odd jobs from 11:30 until about 1, when work was over and lunch was on. Dennis always worked and ate with us. After dinner we would play cards by gas light.
Dennis attempting to rid the world of onion weed
Farmer Josh looking good in his overalls
For some reason I don’t have any Farmer Beth photos.
I didn’t spend every afternoon sleeping! A lot of times we went on hikes or to the beach. The hammock was really nice though.
Josh forgot to mention that Dennis also had a small enclosed organic garden and chickens! The garden was in trouble because although it was completely enclosed (fenced roof and everything), somehow a possum would get in almost every night and eat everything he could find. Dennis set up traps but somehow in the morning the bait would be gone, trap sprung, but no possum. We thought it might have been Peter but Dennis was convinced it wasn’t.
Everyday I also fed the chickens then collected their eggs. Very nice to have fresh eggs all the time. I think Josh and I should get some chickens!
I laughed at “Dennis attempting to rid the world of onion weed”. Great caption. Enjoying seeing what you do on each farm you visit.
Comment by Peg Moore — November 17, 2007 @ 8:58 am
***LOVE*** hearing and seeing it all (this post and last!)!!! From both you and Beth! Especially the pic of Farmer Josh. XOXOX Would love to give him a hug! I even had a dream about him (circa 1990) last night. XOXOX
Comment by Peg Moore — November 17, 2007 @ 9:00 am
Fascinating about the no-electricity and all. What a different life style to be experiencing. Just so rich.
Comment by Peg Moore — November 17, 2007 @ 9:04 am
I’m getting *more* hooked on electricity (I even turned on the U of M vs Ohio State game a bit ago . . . when Dad wasn’t even here!) while you’re soaking in the simplicities of life without it. I’m happy for you! Again, just such an awesome experience.
Josh, did you just happen to have those overalls? You like like a natural!
Beth, there’s nothing wrong with sleep. I like the kangaroo pics, and I have to say I’m surprised Bethany ate kangaroo meat (I actually didn’t know anyone did).
Apparently kangaroo meat is very good for you- it is all muscle thus virtually fat-free. The meat we had was good, although I did feel a bit bad eating it.. I’m not sure why. I guess because the roos are so cute! But there are a lot of roos, and as we learned in my wildlife management class, it would be loads better for the environment if people ate roos here instead of all the cows and sheep they have. Cow and sheep hooves are apparently detrimental to the soil and plants (roos have soft feet). But I guess there’s not a lot they can do now eh?
Roo meat used to be really cheap because no one used to eat it.. they used to feed it to dogs! But now I think because of more tourism, and just that it is a good, lean meat, the price has gone up because more and more people are eating it.
10 Comments »
Comment by josh — November 16, 2007 @ 7:43 pm
One of the nice things about WWOOFing is that you don’t work a full day and the afternoons are free to do as you wish. More often than not, Beth wished to spend it sleeping. Dennis seemed to have about everything in his house, and we were pleased when he pulled out this hammock. This is the view from his balcony where we spent many of our afternoons reading and relaxing.
His “pole frame house” was quite interesting, built on a frame of 15 poles like the one on the right side of the photo. After getting the initial frame of 15 poles in, this construction method allowed him to work on building rooms in any order he pleased. The house was also constructed with permaculture and self sufficiency in mind. It was oriented and designed to allow in lots more sun light in the winter (and less in the summer), with stone floors to soak up the heat. There were composting toilets, solar panels (which rarely provided us with any electricity… strangely enough it never seemed like we were missing out on much), and water tanks to catch Australia’s most precious resource – rain water.
The work with Dennis was a lot easier than with our previous host. We generally got up around 8am and consumed breakfast and coffee. We would then go out and do some weeding. We spent a good deal of time trying to rid the property of onion weed and thistles. We would break around 11 for a coffee break and then do some other odd jobs from 11:30 until about 1, when work was over and lunch was on. Dennis always worked and ate with us. After dinner we would play cards by gas light.
Dennis attempting to rid the world of onion weed
Farmer Josh looking good in his overalls
For some reason I don’t have any Farmer Beth photos.
Comment by beth — November 16, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
I didn’t spend every afternoon sleeping! A lot of times we went on hikes or to the beach. The hammock was really nice though.
Josh forgot to mention that Dennis also had a small enclosed organic garden and chickens! The garden was in trouble because although it was completely enclosed (fenced roof and everything), somehow a possum would get in almost every night and eat everything he could find. Dennis set up traps but somehow in the morning the bait would be gone, trap sprung, but no possum. We thought it might have been Peter but Dennis was convinced it wasn’t.
Everyday I also fed the chickens then collected their eggs. Very nice to have fresh eggs all the time. I think Josh and I should get some chickens!
Comment by Kriz — November 17, 2007 @ 6:31 am
I laughed at “Dennis attempting to rid the world of onion weed”. Great caption. Enjoying seeing what you do on each farm you visit.
Comment by Peg Moore — November 17, 2007 @ 8:58 am
***LOVE*** hearing and seeing it all (this post and last!)!!! From both you and Beth! Especially the pic of Farmer Josh. XOXOX Would love to give him a hug! I even had a dream about him (circa 1990) last night. XOXOX
Comment by Peg Moore — November 17, 2007 @ 9:00 am
Fascinating about the no-electricity and all. What a different life style to be experiencing. Just so rich.
Comment by Peg Moore — November 17, 2007 @ 9:04 am
I’m getting *more* hooked on electricity (I even turned on the U of M vs Ohio State game a bit ago . . . when Dad wasn’t even here!) while you’re soaking in the simplicities of life without it. I’m happy for you! Again, just such an awesome experience.
Comment by dadman — November 17, 2007 @ 9:13 am
Ha Ha!!! I love farmer josh in overalls with a wheelbarrow! You are beginning to take after me! fun!
Comment by Robin — November 17, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
Josh, did you just happen to have those overalls? You like like a natural!
Beth, there’s nothing wrong with sleep. I like the kangaroo pics, and I have to say I’m surprised Bethany ate kangaroo meat (I actually didn’t know anyone did).
Miss you guys! Are you coming back soon?
Comment by josh — November 17, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
There was a big bag full of overalls for us to choose from. haha no I don’t have any of my own. Not sure when we are coming home!
Comment by beth — November 21, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
Apparently kangaroo meat is very good for you- it is all muscle thus virtually fat-free. The meat we had was good, although I did feel a bit bad eating it.. I’m not sure why. I guess because the roos are so cute! But there are a lot of roos, and as we learned in my wildlife management class, it would be loads better for the environment if people ate roos here instead of all the cows and sheep they have. Cow and sheep hooves are apparently detrimental to the soil and plants (roos have soft feet). But I guess there’s not a lot they can do now eh?
Roo meat used to be really cheap because no one used to eat it.. they used to feed it to dogs! But now I think because of more tourism, and just that it is a good, lean meat, the price has gone up because more and more people are eating it.
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