The 2015 Australian Kelpie Muster

This is one of the little woofers the celebration was all about. Casterton is the home of the Kelpie a very special breed of Aussie sheep dog originally from a couple of Scottish Border Collies.

The 1 hour and a half journey across the border into Victoria to visit the town of Casterton was really worth the effort. Bearing in mind 'they' are half an hour ahead of us time wise we needed to make a really early start to be able to catch the Poets Breakfast.

Poets corner

Bush poetry has always been a part of the Aussie culture since settlers first started to arrive in the new land. It is rhymed poetry about Australia, Australians or the Aussie way of life and more often than not side splitting funny. Having only seen the best on video and read some of the poems I really wanted to experience it first hand and today was the day. We were not disappointed and got there in time to hear at least four poems being recited two of which had us all in tears roaring with laughter. A great way to start a dull winters day.

Sleepy Casterton, main street closed to traffic, towns folk dashing here there and every where, Kelpies and their excited owners starting to arrive......

By the time the poetry had finished the street was set up, one part for the fun events the other for the Kelpie Triathlon and other more 'serious' skill testing events. We found our places just in time for the Kelpie Country Street Parade. It seemed like every man, woman, child and their dogs took part.

The Programme promised a full day of activities

We were a little confused and concerned as to why the children were wearing beards all was made clear when they got closer.... they were all sheep! Must remember to have our eyes tested soon....

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Every group was represented, the Gardening one was one of my favourites, all flowers were locally grown!

A pack of the all important competing Kelpies,... The one on this chaps shoulders was from Working Dog Rescue and, much to our amusement, 'sung ' all the way through the procession

The Novelty Events offered prizes for the best 6 legs; 11 Legged Race; Sack Race and many more events like

The Keplie Idol which was made funnier when the dogs realised they were being made to roll over where the horses had not long been through! It was a hard job getting the to stop rolling over then....

They were all very clever and a credit to their trainers.

The working skills were put to test with Indian Runner ducks which apparently is how the dogs train in real life before being let loose on the sheep.

No one thought to train the ducks though they were having none of it so this Kelpie decided to show them how it was done.

Clancy was very grey of muzzle and so quiet and calm with the ducks, almost willing them through the obstacle course. 

There was a Stockmans Trial this chap worked so smoothly with horse and dog, the sheep were through the various obstacles and back in the pen in no time. Very impressive.

Throughout the day the Kelpie Triathlon was taking place starting with a 50 m dash, then the wall climb. The record being an incredible 2.91 meters! Then onto the hill climb which was the funniest of all. You may have spotted the hill with the Casterton name on it at the back of the street photo. For those who know Denne Hill it's a wee bit like the steep side of that before the fire break was put through it. The dogs at the bottom of the hill couldn't see their owners at the very top of the hill but could hear them. Some dogs got very confused and headed off in the opposite direction especially when the owner at the top got a tad hysterical with the arm waving and shouting. Dog was possible a little embarrassed! Some of the dogs incredibly sprinted up the hill a few in less than half a minute.

Such a peaceful magical setting.

A pile up of happy Kelpies having had a grand day out

There must have been dogs of all makes in their hundreds most very polite, happy and waggy, all really well behaved we only found one grumpy one. There were also owners of all back grounds, very similar to their dogs without the wags.... it was a perfect place to people and dog watch.

All the shops were open for business the kerb sides were littered with trestle tables offering all manner of home made items.  

I never cease to be surprised and slightly humbled by the amount of talented people there are around.

There were evening meals being offered at the club house followed by a Country Dance for those who still had the energy.... It really was a brilliant day out and according to the report in the paper at least 10,000 other people agreed with us!

Its official Winter has arrived

Winter here started like clockwork, 1st June and we awoke to a really frosty morning. Proper frost too which crunched under foot and looked like a coating of icing sugar. It was beautiful.

And even nicer for us our house was fairly warm even though the fire had burnt out quite a few hours before. Even on the really cold days the house seems to stay between 13 and 17c.

Hanging out the washing is a real pleasure on these beautiful days.You can imagine how fresh the washing smells by the end of the day but here it's not stiff when you get it in off the line.

The plants still amaze me, the courgettes or zucchinis, depending on which side of the plant you're on, didn't like it very much and have had a fit of the vapours and finally given up the ghost. But the narcissi (the ones Rick hasn't beheaded with the lawn mower or slasher) are just coming into flower. Our lovely Big Red pelargonium is still going strong with new flowers on the way and there is tons of new veggies coming up in the patch. Incredible 

We have a gorgeous new orange grevillea called Loopy Lou in flower and we only planted it a month ago. It's only a junior but already attracting the honeyeaters and other native birds.

The start of winter was remarked upon in the local paper with the headlines in the declaring:

'The first week of winter in Naracoorte has tested the mettle of locals, with morning temperatures dipping below freezing and causing heavy frosts across the district'

So there you have it our mettle has been tested and I think we weren't found wanting!

It is a tad on the chilly side and when the wind blows from the south it really isn't a good time to be in the carport stripping..... doors that is.

And then last night we had the most beautiful golden full moon, sadly the photo doesn't do it justice.

The Penola Arts Festival

The Penola Show was yet again a brilliant show case of the many talented local people of all ages, a real celebration all designed it seemed to make you smile. It seemed very mean to not support them! Deb and I set off early on a very chilly but sunny Sunday morning our first port of call to be the market only to find they were still setting up. So we popped into one of the gorgeous cafes there for a delicious cup of coffee and homemade cakes... tough I know but someone had to do it.... delish. As tradition goes at this time of year in Penola we passed many beautifully bombed objects along the way... these are a few and we found some more awaiting us in the cafe...

  

Wall art with a difference

And the beautifully bombed cafe, almost anything not moving seemed to be bombed it was so jolly and colourful

We did eventually make it to the market to be tempted by lots and lots of delicious local produce and beautifully handmade items. And for the kids some huge games to play with, everyone was smiling and having fun.

From there we visited Petticoat Lane

Unassumingly tucked in the back streets it is one of the oldest parts of Penola, most of the properties there are now owned by the National Trust.

 This dear old Chrysler (I only know that cos of the badge on the radiator) was parked outside of the very first homestead to be built there. Known as Sharam's Cottage it was built in 1850 by Christopher Sharam who became quite famous for his boot and shoe making skills.

Deb not realising she was in shot,modelling her beautiful hand spun totally home made alpaca jacket, such talented lady.

Before I digress anymore the next lot of photos are of the inside of the two cottages. As was the tradition way back then one cottage was for the food  and the other for living in, in case of a fire.

The kitchen where the family of 17 had there meals

Timber wall separating the larder and preparation area from the cooking area

The second cottage was where the family slept and the all important parlour room for entertaining  visitors, children were banned from this room.

The fire place in the parlour was never used for a warming fire! Instead they used to keep the butter there so the cooling breeze would keep the butter from going off.

Whats left of the various wall papers, including a layer of newspaper and a layer of fabric. And the pictures of the original owners

The cot in which 15 babies spent their first few months. All made it into childhood but sadly three of them died before reaching adulthood.

The beautiful wood original shingle roof

A huge amount of energy and work went into the buildings with all the timbers being hand felled local trees and all the shingles for the roofs hand cut. The walls were filled with a wattle and daub mix to keep out the drafts. Everything then would have been handmade from the furniture to the rugs and blankets.

The National Trust have made an inspiring organic herb and veggie garden in the backyard and offer the produce for sale in an honesty box. They also provide scissors and bags so you can help yourself to the herbs. The resident cat slowly wandered over to say G'day, and have it's ears tickled. far to hard to resist.

After visiting the little shops down there, local blacksmith included we decided to wend our way towards home. Via one of the winerys... to view the art there..... why else!

They were holding a sculpture competition and this little fella made out of old vines got my vote.

And then onto a very old shearing shed, which for some reason I have no photos of, where there was an amazing display of eccentric tea cosys and sculptures of believe it or not sheeps poo!! The items were for sale and the sheeps poo pyramid was up for $45.... the mind boggles....