Day 103 & 104 – Saturday & Sunday 30th & 31^st October 2021 – 0 Km

A slow start this morning, we slept in after the big day yesterday. We were shown around the house garden & all the additions since we were last here. They have been very busy with making new garden beds & planting lots of flowers. Julie & Tereza went to a garage sale & were admiring the beautiful flowering gardens in Orange. Chris then took me on a tour of the farm on the Kubota side by side, a very versatile small farm 4×4. We first had a drive around the Angus cows with their calves & checked that they all looked OK, as well as the two Wagyu bulls. They are certainly a magnificent looking herd of cattle & all feeding in lots of vigorous green grass. The creek is flowing nicely & the farm looks a picture. We then drove right out to the back of the farm & had a look at the pregnant heifers & checked they were all OK. Julie made us a delicious lunch & in the afternoon Tereza & Julie had a drive around the farm & looked at the cattle & the cutest little calves. Julie made a delicious dinner & afterwards we played a board game until late.

Sunday morning Chris & I went down to a creek fence crossing to retrieve some swing logs & drag them back up to the house. This small job took all morning before it was off into Orange for lunch at a garden centre café. On with the face masks, something we have not had to do when we have been in the Northern Territory & Queensland. The lunch was good, then next stop was the gelataria for the necessary ice cream. Chris then took us out to a vineyard on the slopes of Mount Canobolas that looked a treat & has function areas for wine tastings, meals & weddings. They are very diversified & the view is great, looking down over the vineyards & farmlands. Next we went to the summit of Mount Canobolas, 1,395 metres high with 360 degree views of Orange & the surrounding district. There is lots of evidence of the heavy snowfalls experienced during winter with lots of broken branches & fallen trees from the weight of the snow. There are lots of beautiful old houses in Orange with well cared for gardens & big trees & very tidy streetscapes. The city is booming with lots of houses being built in new subdivisions.

That afternoon Chris lights the firepit & we sit outside watching the sun slowly fade while eating cheese & bikkies & enjoying a glass or two of red. The cattle come up to the fence to check us out, they are a curious lot. The farm is as pretty as a picture. Another great meal from Julie, some more wine & port & early to bed. A great weekend.