Tally Ho Farm - Dec 17

Well you know the old saying "Be careful what you wish for"? It's true. We were driving to Roxburgh on Monday and got sleet/snow that was enough to cover the streets. It melted quick enough but it was white for a bit. Megan liked it because it made for cool sleeping that night in the tent.

We've arrived in Roxburgh at Tally Ho farms. The hosts, Barb and Stuart, are extremely laid back and apparently they enjoy having WWOOFers for the company more than the work. I was feeling guilty about not earning my keep so I put in a day's work even though I'd been told I could do as I pleased. Payed for it with blisters on both hands too. Friday is "Pub Night" since Barb doesn't cook tea (aka dinner) that night so we'll all go down and have fish and chips or whatever we like. I think there is also bowls (lawn bowling) on Friday since Don (Stuart's father) sets up the local club and likes to have people to play with.

They have a bigger carding machine here than the one at Rotocard and Megan got to help with that today. Apparently she's good luck and gets rid of the static. With some fibers, alpaca especially, there can be a lot of static and it gets difficult to keep it going the way it is supposed to. Megan's been spinning here as well and has picked up a new technique called the "long draw". I'd try to describe what it is but I think I'd even confuse myself.

There are ducks, chickens, miniature horses, pigs, and sheep. Morning and afternoon chores involve feeding them and moving them around (in and out of pens). There is another WWOOFer staying here as well, Mariko, from Japan. She's a nurse and is here to improve her English.

We went on a hike yesterday and walked across an old suspension bridge that used to be the only way across the large Clutha river (~ 70 m wide). Originally all crossings were done by boat but the childrens attendance at the school was spotty so they put in a chair on a cable. You had to haul yourself across hand over hand and it was 60m above the river and had a slant to it (one way was uphill). After more complaining, they finally put in a bridge but only one person could walk across it at a time. More complaining and the one we walked on was built so that you could walk sheep across and even lead a horse. Interesting to learn the history behind the little mining town and the troubles they had.