THE MARK OF A MILESTONE...
As I sit watching the sun go down, and the storm gather in the valley before me- it occurs to me that 1 year ago today, Kerry and I embarked on the desire of a life time...to travel around and experience Australia!!!
Whilst we have enjoyed the opportunity to traverse the vast terrain Australia has to offer, our hearts and minds have been opened considerably as we faced the truth and reality of how the human Soul, particularly the emotions and beliefs held within it, impact on the entire environment- even down to the smallest insect or fungi! Seeing this first hand, we have begun to feel how OUR Soul's addictions, demands and expectations of the planet and its inhabitants, have contributed to what we see play out before us. It has been a huge learning curve- one that has us wanting to take responsibility for such damage, and ultimately take action to regenerate, educate and repair where we can. The 'Big Picture' and its intricate web of connection, cause and effect, is becoming clearer.
Since we last blogged we have been house sitting in Bonshaw. One week morphed into five- it was difficult to drag ourselves away from the extra space and the quality time with the Elysee Family. Thanks again guys for your generosity!!
Whilst we were there young Teal had her 8th Birthday- so the bigger kids (Aka us) decided to create a double feature Outdoor Cinema experience. We rigged up our projector with the laptop and ipod speakers. Along with the help of the other kids, we made movie tickets, a Candy Bar with official tokens for 'choc tops' ( ice cream in cone dripping with ice magic); mixed lollie bags; fizzy drink; and popcorn! Needless to say there was more than one intermission with so many items to choose from- it was SO MUCH FUN!!
We met some lovely people during our stay in bonshaw, discovered the finer art to woodfire ovens, plus bread and pizza base making. ( There in the kgs piled on again- we are suckers for fresh woodfire baked crusty bread).
We met a guy near Mingoola, who was a wealth of knowledge, who showed us around his property- willingly educating us and sharing his passion for sustainable living.
Then we made a quick trip back to NE Victoria, to catch up with Nadene, an awesome friend who was visiting from the UK.
Along the way we stopped in at Junee Green Groves Organic Licorice Factory. Mmmm...organic spelt licorice, made onsight. Its the largest licorice factory in the Southern Hemisphere. Yummo! We did the tour and learnt all about its history and production. The family run business have been into organics since the 60's well before it became the new fad. Happy enough to grab my few boxes of licorice, I was blown away by the number of other delicacies they produced- like freeze dried strawberries covered in dark belgian chocolate. Oh my gosh- these were superb!!!
Did you know licorice is not naturally black?? In this case they use charred capsicum as the colouring. How cool is that! During the tour we got to taste many a morsel, not so good as breakfast let me say, the sugar high was a little intense- didn't bode so well with my aim in Vertical Licorice Bowling either! Although Kerry managed to walked away with runner up, nice of her to share her box of winnings, being chocolate coated licorice bits. Not even a taste!!!
Licorice, referred to as the elixir of life, has many healing properties, brilliant for coughs and chest complaints, anti inflammatory, great for building stamina, vitality and longevity...it's just a shame about the sugar content from molasses! Oh well, minimum to moderation may make the 2kg box last longer!!!
Meanwhile, back in Wangaratta we picnicked in the park, and caught up with good friends in the prelude to spending a fabulously chillaxed arvo and evening with Nadene, talking non stop about anything and everything that we were all passionate about. It was hard to say goodbye- so much to share and discover in such a short time. But it was totally worth the drive back- love ya Denie!!!
We are now enroute to Kyabra Station, Kentucky, as assistant leaders for the week of SummerFest. Creating Loving Eco-Systems here we come!! I'm so excited!!!