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Gingin Part 2: So our first week of work began at Hardings Horticulture farm, aka 'Gingin Organics'! Arriving that morning we was introduced to the farmer Noel and the four very long line of carrots that was suffocating within the weeds. Straight to it we soon discovered it wasn't too bad as the earth was a sandy soil, hence the weeds came out fairly quickly and easily. However as there was quite a few weeds and lots of grass coming through it took us a solid 2 days to do just 1 carrot line (100 metres long x 1 metre wide). By the end of the first day we was definitely feeling the pain from bending over for 6 hours solid, and not only did our backs and knees ache, my wrist had swollen up and I couldn't bend my knuckles! The second day and an earlier start of 7am we was joined by a French couple, although as they were fairly slow at weeding we ended up doing the majority of it ourselves. However the weeding amazingly made the days go very speedy, and because we was weeding in pairs we could chat to each other all day, so 1:30pm came around fairly quickly. It was also highly amusing listening to Jonathan shriek and jump as he discovered plant roots that looked like mini snakes! Chille the farm dog was also great company as he bounded down the rows of vegetables, all dainty on his paws, as he tried to edge through the carrots to see us. I would dognap Chille in an instant!
Battling on through the storms, sunshine and many rainbows, five days on we was coming to an end and we started to wonder if this would be the end of our weeding work. Finally 2½ rows of carrots later we was toughened up and nice and strong again and told to come back after the weekend. Over the weekend we rested up and arrived back at work on the Monday to weed the Spring Onion, Beetroot and Celery. Due to them being quite busy that week I also helped pack the vegetables ready for delivery, and also picked the millions of Snow-peas. By the Friday we was really starting to wonder again if this would be our last day. 1pm came and the farmer approached us in the field and asked us to stay on for the following week, letting the French couple go. Fairly happy that we was chosen we returned for more farming activities, this time doing abit of everything including more picking, packing and planting thousands of lettuce! Jonathan was also asked to stop full time as the Citrus trees were coming to the time that they required thinning.
Two weeks on we are still at the farm and coming to our remaining three days of work. Considering the ad stated up to 8 days of work max, we have both had 4½ weeks on the farm and he has even asked us if we would like to return in November ready for the stone fruit season; However I think the time we have spent In Gingin has been long enough! We our now experts on the farm and have had a great time working outside. Even though it has been hard work it has made a nice change to be doing something again and I think that we have been extremely lucky to have found this work whilst staying in Gingin.
On the way to the farm you are also guaranteed to spot the Kangaroos. Gathering in the fields they hop in front of the car so you have to be very careful not to run them over. Unfortunately my camera is not fast enough and I've only managed to get the odd few shots of them until they hop off into the sunset!
Apart from working on the farm the rest of our time in Gingin has been fairly quiet. Our weekends off have involved walking the dogs and cooking and relaxing with DVD's and Wine. Gathering 12 eggs a day from the hens, I have also been preoccupied in finding as many different ways to cook an egg as possible, resorting mainly to baking cakes every other day, which in turn helps feed Marks 'Munchie' cravings! We have also sometimes had the pleasure of the company Val (Carolyns friend) who brings her adorable puppy Jack (Sutres Pup) and also bottles of wine for us. A lovely lady who has made us feel extremely welcome.
On one day out we headed back into Perth to meet the next lady Kerry for the house sit that follows on from this one, and also whilst we was close to Fremantle we visited our friend Rob and went for a spot of lunch and a 10$ beer!!
Wednesday we move on to Perth to a house in a small neighbourhood with a couple of small dogs. Although we will miss the countryside and the beautiful views we are ready to get back to some hustle and bustle! G'day Mate Hayls and Jonathans x
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