Back to Brisbane ...
It was with some regret that we left the Huon to head back to Brisbane last weekend. Cath had popped down for a lightening 4 day visit prior to us all departing for Queensland. Although her visit was a short one, she injected a sense of urgency which ensured that we put in some good work around Cracroft Farm. In addition, we also managed to pop up to Devonport to see Cath's mum for an early Christmas lunch. We stayed overnight at The Truffledore, a truffle farm that is set in about 10 acres of gorgeous farmland near Sheffield in northern Tasmania. The Truffledore offers bed and breakfast accommodation in a couple of cottages, as well as truffle hunting and tasting adventures. It is another excellent example of small, passionate producers contributing to Tasmania's burgeoning reputation for paddock-to-plate experiences.
It is certainly my experience that you become so wrapped up in fighting a constant war against grass, thistles and other weeds that it becomes very easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Consequently, you tend to dwell more on what needs to be done than taking the time to celebrate what has already been achieved. It was awesome, therefore, to come across two old photos taken before we moved in to the cottage at Cracroft Farm. The bleak desolation of the surrounds is clear, as is the dire overgrazing of the front garden by a succession of horses, sheep and pet goats favoured by previous owners and tenants, respectively. You can also clearly see the problems with the exposed topsoil which was then simply washed away in heavy rain.
Contrast these photos with two similar ones taken from more-or-less the same angles, but a year and half later. Even though the camera in my iPhone 8 was on its last legs and the photos were taken on a late December evening, the difference is appreciable. Not only have the improved driveway and the garden beds stopped the runoff of water and hence the washing away of topsoil, but the grass has started to make a comeback on the front lawn. We are particularly happy with the growth of the ornamental pear trees and the crab apple tree (in the middle of the four pear trees). These have survived and thrived despite being attacked by possums during the blossom season. Unfortunately we missed much of the iris flowering season, but what we did see was fantastic. New year they should put on a spectacular show. It is good to see that we are making a little progress, if only slowly.
Alternating bright sunshine and heavy rain in Brisbane has meant the the grass and the hedges are growing wildly, so it is not only in Tasmania that maintenance is required. The big difference of course is the temperature in which said maintenance has to be performed! The balmy warmth and cooling breezes of our Huon Valley hillside are in strong contrast to the relentless, pressure-cooker type climate in Brisbane. I have been rather recalcitrant in performing any maintenance at all over the last few days, but I can see that the longer I leave it the more difficult it is going to be to get myself out there.
Luckily the white wine is still suitably chilled and consequently the Christmas rituals have been properly observed as we enjoy Christmas in the house we have lived in for going on 23 years. Despite the travails of the last two Covid-ravaged years and separation from family, Christmas in Queensland is pretty damn good. Merry Christmas to all and may 2022 bring renewal and energy to match that of Pepper in full flight ...
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