Catch Up Friday

During the week we finally went to see the Lal Lal Falls. We often go to the falls for a BBQ/Picnic but this is the first time for ages there has been such a waterfall.  I packed a picnic as it was David's birthday.

The sky has been putting on quite a display.  Cloud formations and colours have been magical.

Within a few minutes the colours and cloud formations change.



Our last group for the year of Farmstay students has been to stay with us.  This time the girls really wanted to send postcards home.  I didn't dare say that they would be home before the postcards would arrive as these farmstays are only for a few days.   The weather was kind to us with the only rain falling on the last morning.

I'll be back later to show you new tea cosies ready for the weekend markets at Buninyong and Arts Centre Melbourne.

Markets Ahead

Next Saturday I'll be at the Daylesford Makers Market.  This is going to be a big market with lots of stall holders.  I have some new tea cosies on the go.

A very busy week here with Japanese farm stay students arriving tomorrow.  I have been madly baking today.  Will be back with some photos.

And next Sunday I'll be back at Arts Centre Market in Melbourne.  Let me know if you are interested in particular items and I will include them when packing.

Farmstay

The weather was challenging during the days we shared with 3 Japanese Farm stay students.  As soon as the rained ceased for a few minutes it was on with the the coats and gumboots and outside to experience some farm life.  The sheep are very friendly and always arrive when there is an offer of food.  In fact all the animals were fed extra well and are now back on normal feeding routine

The girls were able to follow the process of wool from start to finish with wool washing, drying on racks, dyeing, felting, spinning and even knitting a scarf.  The girls made a small piece of felt each.  As well they made a felt brooch.  I found some koala buttons at the Buninyong Button Shop.

Cooking was of interest to the girls.  Here we are making lamingtons.  I spent some time writing out recipes for the girls to try at home.  We also made sausage rolls, hamburgers and cooked a roast dinner.
After a 4.30am start this morning the girls are on their way to Sydney for the afternoon and then home to Japan.  We had to meet at the local racecourse this morning.  The race horses were training in the morning mist.

At the early morning send off the girls proudly wore their scarves.  I have blurred the faces as I feel it isn't OK to identify the girls without permission - and that was too difficult with our limited English/Japanese translation.

All the washing is finished and now to the studio to catch up on some spinning.  We really enjoyed the company of our visitors

Next weekend I will be at Daylesford Makers Market on Saturday and at the Abbotsford Convent Market on Sunday.  Some serious spinning and knitting this week.

Goose with Attitude

This plump goose and I don't have have the best relationship.  I feel goosie has attitude problems.

This week I had one night when I was out in the cold for half an hour trying to get this goose to go to bed.  Foxes are always ready for an easy meal and as much as I have not too loving feelings towards this animal I would be very upset if we lost him to the foxes. 
Our son, who has long left home, was given this goose when he was in primary school - so add secondary school, uni years and now working.  That all adds up to a number of years we have had goosie.

Next week we have 3 Farm stay students coming to stay with us for 3 days.  I have been cleaning and planning.  As the weather has been rather wet I am planning farm and inside activities.  This time I have girls so if the weather is wet I plan to show them what happens with the wool - from washing fleece and dyeing to spinning, knitting and felting.  Hope we get at least one pleasant day.  Food has been planned also.  We will have a BBQ if weather is kind.  Always I plan for time in the kitchen making lamingtons - this I would say is the favourite activity.  Think it must be about 20 years we have had students coming to stay and by now I have the menu sorted.

The Electric Car a Year On

This is the electric car in action again at Victoria University in Werribee. T and fellow students built the car at RMIT last year. T was invited to drive the car again this year so David and I packed lunch and went to Werribee for the day.

T seemed very pleased to meet up with the green machine again. The car is very quiet on the track. I took photos of the car on the track but my camera isn't quite up to such action.

These are the Lal Lal Falls not far from Ballarat. Last week we enjoyed the company of 2 Japanese students for a farmstay. This is a very small farm but we can always find plenty to do. As well as doing farm things we went to Lal Lal Falls for a walk and a BBQ. The students seemed to have a good time and loved the food I cooked - and that really pleased me.

I will be working late tonight. I have 8 ply yarn to wind into hanks as I have to dye the yarn tomorrow. All day I have found other work to do. Haven't been wasting time as I have been making tea cosies and egg cosies for the market. Also went and signed up for the local gym at the Community Health Centre.

So off to the hanking machine.