Cockatoo Downs Farm Stay

Saturday, 26 May 2018

A frosty and misty sunrise

Where's the fire?

Just us and the birds

and the horse

A paddock and some scrub

Disused rice paddies, now a sheep paddock

We were brought back to earth this morning with the outside temperature hovering around 2 degrees and the inside temperature a balmy 5 degrees!  Frost and mist – nearly twelve months since our last experience.  Hitching up was done quite briskly and we were on our way by 8.30 am, still wearing my down jacket until the car heated up enough to remove the outer layers.  The cold didn’t seem to worry the kangaroos or emus, and we even had a fox lazily cross the road in front of us.  Back on the Western Highway, we continued through Horsham and Nhill on our way to South Australia with short stops to change drivers a couple of times.  We stopped for fuel at Bordertown and after filling up, discovered that the BP computer network was down and we were unable to pay by card and didn’t have enough cash between us.  There was an ATM available but because the cash registers weren’t working, we had to get as near to the correct amount as possible – we ended up with a five cent discount!  Driving was quite easy today, with little traffic and very few trucks – all headed in the opposite direction.

We arrived at Cockatoo Downs Farm Stay shortly after noon, we greeted by the very friendly owner and instructed to select a site anywhere – we are the only caravan here.  There is also a group of about 20 lady quilters, complete with sewing machines, staying in on-site accommodation and enjoying a two day quilting workshop.  Hopefully, they wont party until the small hours.  It is nice and peaceful (obviously) but is also designed for families to spend time on the farm and mix with the farm animals.  There are plenty of campfire areas and we could have had a fire supplied for us tonight if we wished.  Cat has finally been allowed outside and is looking forward to a bit of bunny bashing tonight.