A visit to the " Australian Homestead " of Jennyo45, and Bushranger country.
Jennyo45 invited me to visit her home and horse stud some three and a half
hours drive from my home in Melbourne Australia , I had previously met Jennyo
and her husband when they came to Melbourne recently ,but a trip up the bush
was very exciting. We had arranged to meet at the "Yarck pub " , Jenny would
then escort me the 30 minute drive to her property , the surrounding land was
flat sheep country which soon gave way to cattle country as we started climbing
rolling hills covered in Eucalyptus trees and open pasture , I followed Jenny and
her husband in their speeding 4x4 until turning into their property "Lauriston Park ".
A long winding drive led to her homestead , there were horses everywhere one looked
and a zillion squawking screeching Cockatoos wheeled overhead constantly.
Jenny wasted no time in ushering me into a fantastic kitchen to die for which
had a large table laden with Roast Turkey and delicious vegetables , she had even
made a cake covered in Kiwi fruit and strawberries , it was humongous , one could
have put wheels on it and driven away.We had a lot of family talk to catch up on
well sprinkled with goings on at SD , how to pronounce which what and why.
After lunch I was given a tour of the farm and introduced to 3 fab dogs and lots
of Mares with foals. There will be more to come for this was an exciting fun filled
day.
The Yarck Hotel , turn left here and drive for 30 minutes.A slight delay while cattle were driven into a paddock.
At last we enter the homestead.
And so to lunch fit for a King - and Queen .
22 Answers
Hi everyone,it feels a little strange to see my home posted on Spanish dict. Ray has done a good job portraying the history of the place and his photos have captured the look and feel of the surrounding countryside . Ray was the perfect guest ,full of interest and enthusiasm for what we have accomplished so far,I am glad he enjoyed his visit to Lauriston Park and is able to share it with all our Spanish dict. friends. Thank you all for your kind comments,I do not take the privilege of living here lightly ,we have undertaken some positive steps to care for our environment i.e .tree planting ,land care ,and creek management all go toward helping to conserve a healthy ecological system. If you are ever down under drop in and say g'day I'll keep the Billy boiling and we'll have a nice cuppa.
Australia is just so ... B I G!!! I'm sure you could fit all of Pommieland into Jen's kitchen - let alone her ranch! Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for the photos 
I find "The Bush" a very spiritual place - I often go for a walk in "The Bush" near my home just to "recharge my batteries" it works every time.
And so to me Lauriston Park looks like a little piece of heaven - great post
What a lovely spot Jenny, and a nice write up Ray.
I came to Spanishdict to learn Spanish but I find myself feeling so fond of everyone and the experiences they share with me.
It sounds so lovely!
OZ oh OZ!
Thanks Ray
Wow, Thank you for sharing, Ray. I can't wait for more pictures. It sounds like a fantastic place.
Wonderful view of a land I can only dream about! Thank you Ray, and Jenny, for giving us this breathtaking tour. It looks like such beautiful countryside.
The country around where Jenny has her property is where the famous bushranger
Ned Kelly and his gang ranged , just close by is the town of " Euroa " where Ned
and his bushrangers bailed up the population and robbed the Bank. "Mansfield "
only 50 K away is the town where a Sargent and 3 constables set out to hunt down
the Kelly gang , but were ambushed at "Stringy bark creek " and constable Lonegan
was shot and killed. These are all in riding distance of Jennyo , it is a very
romantic and exciting place , Ned Kelly probably rode all over the property of Jennyo.
This is a hill on Lauriston Park looking down on the Homestead.
Typical Victorian bush scene.
The afternoon was spent touring the farm , Jenny and I sat in a trailer attached to a
three wheel bike which her husband drove , we went up to the top of that hill in the
photo and surveyed their property and the country stretching forever. After another
country style meal Jenny and I got on line and played around with SD and just
shot the breeze until 11PM when Jenny retired telling me she had to be up early
to put her horse through its paces . Next morning I followed Jenny to the stables
and she showed me the elaborate procedures which have to be done before she
can ride the horse to practice dressage , to see that little lady taking charge of
such a massive beast was truly amazing , she is awesome. The stud has many
brood mares and quite a few cute foals , also three of the finest dogs that I have
seen in a long while , I would liked to have "borrowed " the black and white cattle dog. Below are some of the stables , the end one housed Jennys horse.
The main homestead.
My new friend "Mr personality " The other dog is watching Jenny ride her horse ,
typical cattle dog stance.
I love reading about aspects of SD members' lives! Australia is so far away from here, that it's like getting to know a "new world".
these are scenes of Jennyo working her horse and some of her horses.
Anyone who does not like horses has to be from another planet.
The "Cockatoos" were everywhere in their thousands , they make a loud
screeching cry constantly but strangely the noise is not annoying and after
a while one forgets about it . Cockatoos are Parrots there are a number of
varieties this one is common to this part of Victoria , it is the "Sulphur crested ".
they lift the crest up and you can see the beautiful yellow crest.I am aware of
our resident ornithologist " pesta " so I hope my memory serves me well.
they are a protected species and just as well because they are quite prized
on the open market as pets , one reason being that they live to a very ripe age .
Eucalyptus , or Gum trees are also a very distinctive sight in Australia and
"Lauriston Park " has some of the finest stands of native Gums that i have seen .
For bush lovers and naturists the home of our Jenny is a treasure trove of
Flora and Fauna , I could happily spend the rest of my days just soaking up
the atmosphere and beauty of "Lauriston Park "
I can only echo Pesta's sentiments:
Wonderful view of a land I can only dream about!
Since Pesta and I live in the same city and the view outside of our windows is probably quite similar, seeing the beauty of Australia takes your breath away. It looks like something straight from a movie!!
Thanks so much Ray and Jennyo....and of course your wonderful husband. Everyday I am amazed again by the the fact that the love of the Spanish language unites so many people from so many beautiful places together. Thank you for sharing your corner of the world!!!
