Ficken's Farm

I have arrived in Kerang, my home for the next two weeks. Here I am visiting Mandy & Peter and Janice. Janice and Mandy visited our family in Canada in 2008 so it is great to see them again.

So far I have had a few firsts...saw my first kangaroo and kookaburra, ate my first lamb roast, and had my first taste of damper (cake cooked in an Auzzie version of a dutch oven) and bush tea. I am hugely relieved that I like lamb roast - did not want to have to spend the rest of my trip explaining that I didn't like it!

Today we went to Ficken's farm and had a 'barbie' at their 'shack' on the river. John and Judy were very kind and went out of their way to make me feel welcome. John also chased down kangaroos in the Landrover so I could get a good picture. Then we went for a punt ride down the river, which was a beautiful experience, especially since only a year ago the river had almost dried up from the 15 years of drought.

The weather has been really great here, even though they are preparing for winter, shutting down air conditioners and bracing for the 'cold', I am cooking from the heat - suppose it is all relative :-)