Pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins!

Highlights	Less of a highlight
Feeling warm all the way through - both	Needing to dig out the winter woollies for a few days – Kate, Will hasn’t bothered
Lookouts - Kate	Another lookout - Will
Waterfalls – both, especially Kate	Lack of internet - both
Bike riding in Warwick – ya’ bike fixed - both
Will flicking over to being a PPP – paid pumpkin picker – both
Learning about the pumpkin growing industry - both
Helping others - both
Time to take photographs - Kate
Getting back to writing - Kate
Staying still for a few weeks - both
Sitting with my back in the sum blogging - Kate
Seeing such a different part of the country -both
Seeing so many old tractors and trucks in the paddocks - Will

 

Our rural adventure has been both rewarding and challenging. We’ve been with an appreciative couple for the last three and a half weeks. In that time Will has fixed gates and hen houses, driven tractors, picked pumpkins, graded pumpkins, picked more pumpkins, graded more pumpkins and eaten pumpkins. I think he occasionally dreams about pumpkins!! He’s also learnt some Taiwanese words from his 4 backpacker co-workers and has taught them a phrase or two. Kitty (all the backpackers pick an English name to make life easier for their bosses) is now fluent with ‘Good on ya’ mate. There is no doubt that Will is finding this trip to Queensland more up his alley than last years. He is feeling physically fit, like he does during hay season, and is enjoying the banter and mateship out in the paddock.

While Will has been outdoors, I have spent most of my time indoors being a companion, cook and cleaner. I am reminded of the time when I was a shearers’ cook – there is a hot main meal ready for the workers when they come in at lunch time and another cooked meal in the evening. I’m glad they have a dish washer! I have found adjusting to this holiday a little more difficult as last year there was always a new place to ride to, or a new place to walk and explore. We are about twenty minutes out of town and while I do wander up the track in the afternoons, or explore the creek where I spotted a dingo the other day, I have missed walking on a beach.  When I’m not being a domestic goddess, I carve out time to write or take photos, often of the birds in the backyard. Both small and large varieties. As the weather has been quite windy, but not as cold as down south no doubt, I often pack up and head to the closest town, Gatton, where I write away the hours in their library. I was also brave and drove up the ‘Toowoomba Range’ - a very steep road up The Great Dividing Range. My ears popped twice!! And on the downhill run there are major, massive truck run off ramps for when the truck brakes fail – those always fill me with confidence!!

After our two and a half weeks of volunteering the farmers were looking for another picker, so we struck a deal. We stayed on and Will became a PPP – paid pumpkin picker. My time helping the lady of the house is now in lieu of rent. We have learnt much about pumpkin farming and let me tell you, neither of us are keen to buy a pumpkin farm. The farmer began preparing the ground in October, planted in January, weeded and then hoped for the right amount of rain at the right time. Along came June and they start watching the pumpkins carefully but the weather even more carefully, and the pumpkin market more carefully still!

The pumpkins are priced per kilogram, but different sizes can be in demand at different times so sometimes medium pumpkins are worth more per kilo than those graded large. The price at the three markets can also vary – New Castle, Sydney or Brisbane. Of course, there are different costs for transport to each market, so this also has to be taken into account. Yep – I’m happy to never be a pumpkin farmer.

When Will’s not working, we are making the most of exploring the region. We’ve had some lovely Sunday drives. At the beginning of our time here Betty would say, “It’s just in the next valley.” That really didn’t make much sense until the last two Sundays when we drove over a few hills (in different directions but neither very far away) and quickly dropped down into 'the next valley', also filled with massive produce farms. 

Probably my favourite places to visit so far have been the waterfalls and the Wivenhoe Dam. Beautiful peaceful places, real bush and water to boot – right up my alley.  I’ve also appreciated the old buildings in Toowoomba, as well as the art all around Toowoomba and the gorgeous town library.

The Dagg Falls

Queen Mary Falls

Toowoomba is full of artwork

Selfie - Will style

One view of Wivenhoe Dam

Just some extra photos to enjoy!

Peacocks have such an variety of colours in their feathers

The Little Finches (not their technical name) are gorgeous to watch

Returning from the paddock with four bins of pumpkins

We visited Glen Rock National Park 

Lola and Lily are always excited to see the moon during the day - this photos for them

This striking flower caught my eye - Batswing Coral Tree