Monday 27 June 2016

May July...2016 Waroona house sitting


Having spent 3 months working with BlazeAid after the Waroona fire I am still in the area. Spent a month on a farm then moved into a big modern farm house for 3 weeks while the owners are away. A couple of dogs to feed. Loving a big comfortable bed and all the mod-cons. The kitchen is longer than the caravan so getting lots of exercise! I have the caravan in for a service, been to a dentist, done some shopping, had my back fixed...... am enjoying the time to do these things. Go out for dinner most weeks with friends, have stayed at a Beach cottage, and been to several 'fire recovery' breakfasts. These are great for getting to chat to farmers I had only spoken to on the phone.



I have another house sit to do and possibly a longer term one after that so will really get to know this area. Such lovely generous people who have become friends. When on the road we drive through these small towns and often wonder what makes them tick so it has been a wonderful experience getting involved in the community - all be it as a result of a tragic fire.
Visited a lovely old gentleman who has a 'museum' of things he has collected. Built a slab cabin to house them in, and has old street lamps planted in the garden. Great use of old tree roots for a gnome garden for children. I know every road on the wall after so much time in the area! The Bandicoots are thriving here after the fire devastated their block of bush nearby.

 Went for a drive up Scarp Road to see how the bush is recovering and saw Grass Trees sprouting the most unusual knobbly growth. It doesn't appear on all of them either. Very strange. No doubt I will find someone who can explain it for me:)
After some research got a reply from an expert who tells me this is NOT a grass tree - rather is:
 Kinga australis
Outstanding slow-growing plant, the only species in the Genus. Although it resembles the Xanthorrhoea it is NOT related to the Grass Tree. Grows naturally all over the south west in Western Australia. Woody perennial with narrow grass-like leaves, clumping and arching as they mature. A trunk develops after many years. Flowers are white and appear in winter through summer.
Well - glad I sorted that out!