Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The sound of 4000 cows

This morning I woke up to a cacophony of cow calls. well, actually cow MOOOOOs.

the funny thing is that leaving my house to make a 5 am breaky, a feat that could only be achieved by getting up at precisely 4 :16 am, meant that I couldn't actually SEE the 4000 cows in the yards in front of me because it was still dark....but I could sure hear them!

For me, a city girl, my face to face interaction with cows never surpassed one, maybe two at a time, and only country road drive by's (where you wouldn't hear'em any way), this means that I never actually realized just how loud their moos really are. or at least the collective volume of 4000, 300kg pieces of meat are....the on the theme of animal noises, the toads don't make a sound, they just hobble around, afraid of all humans....the frogs could deafen a small child with their deep burping-sound calls. The ghekops are just cute. We had a whole mama, papa and baby gheko family living in our bathroom a couple of night ago! oh, and the chickens are just funny. they run around in pairs squawking at one another, looking like they are playing tag (or better yet, because of the arc of their necks, it looks more like one is peppy la pew trying to give the other one a big kiss, while the other one extends their neck so far the mr. la pew cannot get his kiss...).

Back to the cows. Normally there are not 4000 cows in my front yard. Normally (well according to the baseline normalcy from the 2 weeks I've been here), only the baby calf's (called Potty's or Potties), and the cows who need a little extra TLC live in the paddocks and yards in front of me. But because our station has a too many cows at the moment, they've decided to muster a few thousand to sell before the rain comes. We are technically in the rain season now, but it (the rain) hasn't started yet. The spent the first day mustering using two helicopters and 6 cowboys on motorbikes, yesterday they went old school and used horses. I walked by the lot of them as they were leaving after breakfast. It was such a sight to see six wide-brimmed hatted cowboys ride off into the sunrise on their horses.......if I'd had my camera with me I would have taken a picture, it was THAT cool.

On the menu yesterday was meatballs and pasta. Of course, as there were 12 of them, I made enough to feed 500 and am now drowning in left overs......I also made a swirly white and chocolate cake which was divine. Most of the cowboys seem to live savory things though (which is a problem because I don't, and don't know how to bake 'savory' things). But, experimentation is the key to success, right? Move it along is a mantra here so for smoko I made sausage rolls with left overs from breaky and puff pastry (the only thing that comes ready made here). I also made muffins (which were not savory so were not gobbled up).

Monday, December 27, 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sooooo... as most know, I am currently in the middle of the Australian Outback, about 900 km away from any sort of town bigger than 10 000. (the closest town is 360km away and it has a population of 9000).

I have been writing about my epic 4000km adventure to my currently outback abode, but slow internet and lack of technical expertise means that it's taking longer to get the posts here. on this blog.

BUT rest assured, the adventure from Sydney to Camfield will be told!

Anyway, so Christmas in the Outback. right. First of all, it didn't really feel like Christmas because it was 37 degrees. Secondly, 'Christmas' morning everyone gathered in the outside covered veranda and drank ice cold juice, sparkling wine and beer (yes, beer) for breaky. Third, everyone was wearing shorts and t-shirts, and were too hot for a hot meal. Fourth, because we are no where near commercial anything, there were limited decorations, carols and well the typical commercialized holiday cheer that I soak up every December.

But, there was still a little christmas magic here, Santa arrived with prezzies for everyone (I got some nice european soap (which my poor cooky hands appreciate very much), a bright pink tooth brush (with a timer!), and a present addressed to 'cooky' containing yummy Christmas delights. A pretty low key Christmas, but nice just the same! Boxing day was a sleep and movie day, followed by a driving lesson. then more napping, making up for the 10 day work weeks ahead.

Boxing day night 7 visitors arrived, meaning 7 extra mouths to feed. They're here mustering cattle to be sold in the next few weeks. This morning I saw them ride off into the sunrise on horses. It was pretty picturesque for a city girl tickled pink to be living it up on a 6-week cooking stint.

Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas wherever they are!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jess (m.A).