Farm Experience: Sunday, 5th December, 2004

"Yet another uneventful day. I know I should have been appreciative of the rest I am getting in the weekends, but I get bored when there isn't much to do. In the morning, after chopping up the kangaroo carcasses into chunks to be stored as dog food to last for the next couple of weeks, I followed Len up to the paddocks to fix some rickety fences, then came back to the house to sow his beans for the summer. There really wasn't much I could help him with, except lurk around like his shadow and watch his every movement. Now I understand that there's so much work involved in growing your own vegetables in your own garden. Had it been me I would have simply chucked the seeds in some soil and water every day to see if it grows. But it's different here. First, he had to plough through the piece of land he wants to grow seeds in a couple of times to make sure that the soil is properly turned over. That took 20 minutes. Then, he gingerly put the seeds individually into the soil at a fixed distance from one another. From the way he handles the seeds, you would think that the slightest amount of pressure would kill them. This process alone took 15 minutes. Following which, he then applied a gentle water spray over up and down the land area to make sure the soil is properly soaked. I've got to hand it to him... the plants he grows really received his Tender Loving Care.

Belinda came back from the city for the weekend at noontime along with her friends and the unwed father of her child. From gists of conversations between Gail and Len, it wasn't difficult to detect their dislike of Belinda's 'mate', Brad, but they didn't have much of a say in the matter since the child was already born. It appears that they were unable to support themselves, and instead, have to be supported by their parents still. I didn't ask any questions for I didn't want to pry into their family problems but unfortunately it became quite interesting to me. Over lunch time, Brad was directing respectful comments at Len, who simply threw caustic remarks back at him. It was quite shocking behavior for the old man whom I had come to admire and respect over the last couple of days. I was quite relieved when Len and I had to leave the table early to bring some neighbours' cows to Midland to be sold.

We delivered the 19 black Angus cows packed into the back of his vehicle (argh I could never remember the names of machinery still) to Midland over an hour long's drive, during which I kept nodding off. I had wanted to have a conversation with Len but it was quite impossible because he was deaf in his left ear and his whole head turns in order to hear what I'm saying. Just too dangerous in a big vehicle full of animals. It was actually pretty fun to sit so high up and looking down at all the tiny cars whizzing by and overtaking us. For the ows on the other hand, it must have been pretty stressful. They started their diarrheoa spurts even before we started on journey. Len had to clean out the back of his vehicle each time with a huge water hose after delivering animals for people.

We came home just in time to freshen up and get ready to go to their social event of the week - sending off of a neighbour who is moving to the suburbs. I had initially looked forward to a nice relaxing time alone at home, but then it seemed like they didn't ask me if I wanted to go... they just assumed I had to come along. It was a big potluck gathering where everyone knew each other (but of course, the town of Brookton is so small), and I spent the time staring at people because I was so bored. Everyone was busy catching up with one another, not to mention attacking the abundant food. Most of them were in their 50s, so I guessed that their kids could already have left to pursue a non-farmer lifestyle, or they were just not interested in such events. Honestly 80% of the people there had white hairs. The only conversation I managed to have over the evening was that with Carole, a co-owner of the farm I went to previously. Sad. But such gatherings reminded me of home, as I told Len and Gail later on. It reminded me of gathering of relatives at my house over Christmas and New Year. After such a dismal evening of not having anyone to talk to, I have decided to become a better host the next time round, and not let anyone feel left out. "