Laura Seabrook's Ramblings

I've just got back from a visit to Kali's property at Lorne. I took Pegasus with me.

Left early morning. I should have packed the previous night but didn't, and it didn't make much different. We drove up there via the Pacific Highway, and only stopped at Bulahdelah before arriving at Kali's parent's place at Taree (about 160 km north of Newcastle). Pegasus had water from a bucket, and we re-packed stuff for the final leg of the trip. That was another 75 km and involved driving clockwise around Hannamvale Rd (which seems to be a big look - see map below) which was only half sealed.

We arrived there about 10:30am. It was a cloudy day and the property was in a valley, and it was often cloudy. After unpacking my car, and moving Kali's car out of the shed, we had shelter and the raw comforts of home. Kali has rigged several batteries up to a solar cell, and an inverter can run most things needed (computer, radio, et cetera).

After unpacking (during which a couple of horses checked out Pegasus) we went for a walk up nd around the North boundary of the place. Lot 286 has been in Kali's family for over 60 years and is the only remnant of a once much larger holding. Originally the property was used to grow corn and much of the land was cleared to meet government regulations early last century. Twenty years ago Kali planted a number of trees, including: Hoop Pine; Red Cedars; Silky Oak; and mixed cabinet timber trees. Already existing were: Red Ash; Tea Tree; Green Wattle; Tellawood; Grey and White Gum; Blackbutt; White Beach; Water Gum; and Camphor Laurel. She's created a number of roads and tracks through the property using the tractor, and uses those to access it (only the most used ones are shown below).

The morning's walk involved "weeding" using cutters -- Mostly Kali cut back Lantana, Privet, Camphor Laurel and Lawyers Vine. The very extreme north was overgrown with Lantana and black weeds. The Lantana grows well in wet conditions and this area has twice the wetness of the Hunter Valley. It was interesting to walk through the forest and follow the tracks (animal or otherwise) because that's what Peggy and I do back home. We found a location where Kali might make a dam, to encourage the local wildlife.

After a bit of lunch, we drove in Kali's car off to the Oxsprings'. The route took us up and down a bush track. I had on to Peggy in the front seat, and as the seat belts didn't work it was an exciting trip. The scenery here (when I noticed it) is spectacular! Some cattle and horses had wandered onto Kali's block, and she was seeing if they came from the Oxsprings property, but they hadn't. After another exciting ride back and we all took a bit of a rest for a while. The horses and cows were gone when we got back.

Kali was playing around on her laptop, running an MP3 player under DOS, and trying to compile one under LINUX. Part of the problem is that she's been "self taught" on both, and while this serves her well, there's a lot about LINUX that isn't obvious and frustrates her. My own expertise with LINUX is fairly basic, so I wasn't much help to her.

Finally that day, we went with Kali while she chain sawed down a tree. It was in the way of a tractor road, and would also go into the building of a carport next to the shed. After a wash in the creek it was time for dinner and tea. We listened to some Philip Adams on Radio National and then it was an early night.

I woke up about 7am maybe - it was hard to tell because neither of us had any clocks other than the one in my car. The valley was shrouded in mist and it looked wonderful! This cleared and the day was mostly cloudless and much warmer than yesterday. Because of this, we did much less than before. In the morning we went for another "weed cutting walk", this time down to the South-West corner of the lot. It was beautiful underneath the trees near the creek.

We also went down along the creek near the falls and pond. Kali has the framework for a turbo generator there (she's a qualified engineer specialising in wind power) and was removing rocks from the creek, which would eventually be incorporated to support an exhaust pipe for that. Combined with the solar power, batteries and inverters, there'd be enough electrical power for her needs, which are fairly basic.

Like Tuntable Falls, where Kali also lives (and runs Flowtrack), the area around Lorne was formed through volcanic action, and many of the stones just lying around on the lot are black with flecks of crystal all through them. It was fun mucking around in the creek, and Peggy tried to help clear a path next to it. When it floods however, the creek level rises about 5 metres. Wouldn't want to be down there then.

We had a rest while listening to Radio National again - some programme about the jazz from New Orleans (and reclaiming the city) and a repeat of the Philip Adams show from yesterday. Soon though, we started packing up. Once that was done, we drove up near the tractor shed and had a barbecue for dinner, before leaving for Taree. Instead of returning the same way, we drove further clockwise along a gravel track until returning to the Pacific Highway and then Taree.

It was dark by the time we arrived there, and Kali suggested that Peggy and I stay overnight instead of driving down to Newcastle. I was strongly tempted, but the day after was a Thursday and I should be at Second Life to do tarot readings (as it happened I didn't have any clients that day). Also, I really did want to sleep in my own bed.

After a false start I got lost in Taree trying to find the road back to the Pacific Highway. I pulled into the RSL and it happened that I was already on the road that would take me to it!

I took my time driving back down to Barnsley, and once again we stopped at Bulahdelah. The worst aspect of this was being overtaken by semi-trailers at night. It's a dual carriage road, but only for about half the distance. Other times it's "wait until the overtaking lane" and when I had five semis overtake me in a row, I thought the last would force us off the road. It didn't though, and we got home just after 1am. I fed the cats, who were waiting, and went straight to bed.

It was a good visit, and the first time I've really been able to get away since I gave the last of the drakes away. Mind you, I've had a bit of a rash since then (I think also I got sunburnt), so maybe I'll leave the next trip until winter.