Water, Oh what a beautiful sight!

We have been blessed with rain. Over the past few weeks in Aug & Sept it has been raining and we now have lots of water about. It was something to see in the Desert and even more exciting to come home to see lots of water. It has filled or filling the local swamps and dams that haven't had water in them for many years. It is a real pleasure to go out side and hear the Frogs during the day and at night. Wonder where they have been during the dry years.

Green Swamp - another rain will have it overflowing.

The little dam just east of the house - filled & overflowing into the table drains

The table drain opposite the little dam on Spotty's side of the road.

The Dam in the corner of paddock at Wallis' bus stop & mail box

Water in Grosser's paddock & swamp at the same corner (sth servi & sth lillimur rd)

Down at the Boat lake, Jack still found time to play with Bella

Don't dawdle Dad! take me for a spin.
Can always find a use for everything - shovels become oars!

Birdsville Trip

We were off again up North this time with the Maidments, Nortons, Tinks & Merretts. The Birdsville Races was the place to be. We didn't get to the Races due to some very wet weather coming in. So we departed & went off down the Track to see the Cooper Creek punt working.

Pa's birthday was celebrated with the group at Birdsville. He got his Tim Tam cake in the shape of his actual birthday numbers.

The Desert in bloom & with lots of water!
It is amazing just the amount of water out there.

Just some of the water at the Cooper Creek Crossing.

We took a Helicopter flight over the Cooper Creek

The Cooper Creek Punt at work.

Jack & Pa Heinrich's early Birthday Celebrations

Three special people celebrate their birthday on the same day 1st Sept Nano Marg Olsen, Jack & Pa. Because Ma ma & Pa were off on another 'little jaunt', it was decided to have an early birthday tea for the two young men. We hope that Nano Marg had a great day & Happy Birthday!

The Birthday Boys! Love the bogged tractor cake!
Has been known to happen to the bigger lad!

Time to try out Jack's new chalk & magnetic board
Jack & his partner in crime, young Toby

Mitchell & Nathan's Special Day

We had a wonderful weekend in Echuca with the Heinrich & Smith Families to celebrate little Mitchell's Dedication & Nathan becoming a Baptized member of their Church. Lots of laughter, fun & fellowship was enjoyed by all. Thanks Julz & Nathan for the wonderful weekend.

Ma ma & Pa with the' two men of the moment'

Mitchell and Nathan

'Feed time at the Zoo'
Ryan, Zac, Jack, Toby & Lexie

Shearing Time

Didn't take long for us to get back into the swing of things. Crutching, watching the weather, shedding the sheep & then into a couple of days of shearing.

Jack being the 'overseer' for the afternoon shift.

After all that hard work it was time for smoko & his cuppa tea (milo)

Will enjoyed having mum to himself but did miss his big brother.
Where have you been Jack, lets go play!

Central Oz Pics

On the 4th July we left to venture up to the Alice for a break. We went with 24 other fellow travellers from our local church. The reason for the trip was to visit the Titjikala Aboriginal Community to hopefully establish a connection with them & to support Pastor Phillip & his congregation. We were able to achieve this by being able to repair & make their little church more comfortable for them. After our few days with the people of Titjikala, we then went on to do some sight seeing & tourist stuff. All in all we had a wonderful time away with excellent company.

Our 1st night out was at Appilla. A real frosty & icy morning greeted us. Ma ma & Pa soaking up some heat while having our morning cuppa.

When we got to Alice Springs it was raining & this is the 1st time we have seen the Todd River flowing. (the locals reckon it is just a trickle!)

We had a spare avo so we ventured out to Trephina Gorge with 3 other families. (Waggies, Krause' & Pietsch's) Water was flowing in the gorge & it was freezing!

Our piece of real estate out at Titjikala

The younger generation found a good use for the wonderful mound of dirt.

All hands on deck. Work to be done. Insulating the ceiling of the church, shading the windows, putting in 2 new windows, fixing the large doors, putting up protection on the windows outside & a general tidy up.

Pastor Phillip & his congregation plus us visitors.

On our way back to Alice Springs we had a lot of water to negotiate after a thunder storm

After a lot of soul searching, Pa decided it was time to say goodbye to his OLD hat. His mourning period was very short lived. Had his new hat on in a matter of minutes.

We visited Hermannsburg & the Finke River was flowing. The cause way was damaged during the Jan '10 floods.

We visited Kings Canyon again. Such a beautiful place. Here is Pa doing a corroboree on the top of a rock

I remember Pa telling some of his kids that a piece of rock had just fallen from here about 15 years ago. AND he is still telling the same story!

Ma ma, Pa & Trevor Pietsch at Lambert's Centre of Australia

One of the most beautiful places in Oz. Dalhousie Springs. Had a couple of lazy hours soaking in the thermal pool.

Too hard to resist. Up early to have another soak & watch the sun come up. Fantastic!

Another lovely water hole we camped near.

The Sturt Desert Pea were out in flower. Spectacular

A group shot under the Curdimurka sign on the Old Ghan Railway Line.
(Ma ma, Kate, Leeane, Amy, Lauren, Kym, Hollee, Kath, Nathan & Trevor)

Family Time

In the last weeks of June, Relle & Alara came home to the Farm for a visit. On the way they picked up Lexie so we had the wonderful pleasure of having our 2 little princesses to stay. Nathan, Julz & Mitchell came for a visit & to collect Lexie as well. We had many family get together's during these couple of weeks. Morning Tea with Aunty Carolyn, Lunch with Kerrie & Thomas, Dinner with Aunty Merry & Uncle Glen & visits with Old Pa Altus. Thanks to all for the wonderful & fun times. Lots more photos on the other family blogs.

Ma ma & Pa with our littlies. Toby, Will, Jack, La la, Lexie & Mitchell.