Essential Oils

Is what tempted me here. A new experience linked to horticulture and the opportunity to learn about plant oil extraction but unfortunately it is the wrong time of year. The winter cold has slowed the plants and they won't be processing for another 3 months.

The rows of euclayptus, tea tree, bamboo and bananas surround the farm in neat rows, grass neatly trimmed and an occasional view of the river mary at the end of the property. Don't swim in the river, there have been shark sightings fairly recently!! Its tidal and only a few km from the sea which is good for the afternoons off after the seemingly never ending task of clearing the 1/4 acre veggie plot by hand. The weeds have been burned off and now the root stubs and remaining runners dug out in preparation for a thorough dig.

I do, however, have the most plush accomodation i have stayed in yet, a newly refurbished and completely private apartment, until other helpers arrive. Polished wood floors throughout, a new kitchen and bathroom, everything clean and shining, views out down the jetty to the river and sugarcane fields beyond. TV to watch the Olympics, how is Britain doing by the way? We only get to hear how wonderfully the home Oz teams are faring here, all those gold medals..... and interviews with proud parents, its quite different from the coverage i remember back home.

Have come into maryborough this afternoon to see the old buildings, quite wonderful and very well preserved. Unlike other places where they are often gathered together miles from the original place they were built, here they remain where they were constructed, lining wide open streets just of the river where ships used to moor, bring produce from elsewhere in the country and around the world. Even more interestingly, this is the town where Mary Poppins was born!!

Quite enough history, you'll think i've gone a bit mad........and no pictures again. THey dont have usb ports in this library!!