BootsnAll Travel Community

I host the occasional visitor where they theoretically do some work in return for their keep.Here they experience a full dose of what I call rustic australiana and if they like, they can camp in a remote hut or even in a rainforest cave.

I write the occasional short story for the Australian Radio National and I recorded this recently and it should be broadcast shortly.

It is called, "A Visit to Bob’s Farm"

I host the occasional visitor where visitors do some work in return for keep but a visit to my farm isn’t like a visit to a more ordinary farm. The reason is that I plant and grow these trees for timber, a very long term project where the returns are in the theoretical and distant future as opposed to normal farming where the returns are more immediate. Although the physical work is important, the biggest challenge is in fact, psychological. The work of site preparation, planting, weed control, pruning and then eventual growth takes many, many, years before a possible income is generated. So far my wait is now over 30 years and all with the risk of cyclones, droughts, fires, market fluctuations, and changing government regulations. It is a strain which no normal outlook can endure. A different approach is required. Work here has to be done like a hobby or better still a meditation. The enjoyment is not to be thought of as a reward in the future but in the present moment itself. The pleasure of growing trees as something of beauty, the pleasure of repairing the environment and the work becomes yoga in nature.

I am not a workaholic. Work has to be seen in its true perspective. The rules for work here are one, only work when one hears “the call”. Two, work always as slowly as possible. While there is movement there is still hope, and three, if you wish sit and daydream and enjoy a heat induced rustic reverie, it is okay since it must be for a reason. Just one inspirational thought may by pass a life of drudgery. It is the philosophical recompence that is out goal and the chance to reflect on life and its meaning. The good news is that while we sit and think and devote ourselves to the Religion of Good Ideas, my trees are all out there growing all day, every day, year in and year out. Time may weary me but my trees are getting better day by day.

Some time in the future, I’ll have my sawmill and hopefully all will be well but in the mean while, I’m left with my thoughts and sending off a contribution to Country Viewpoint!