What a week it’s been. Saturday brought a steady flow of people through the barn, with a lovely group of women especially interested in a Wellness and Detox workshop. It’s always encouraging to see that curiosity — people wanting to learn, to reconnect, to take something practical home with them. Sunday we held our very first sourdough class, and what a start it was. An unexpected 20 participants gathered, filling the space with questions, curiosity, and that shared appreciat

Full Barns & Fast Seasons Easter Monday was spent doing what we love — hosting another brunch at the barn. Bookings had been slow leading up to it, but as it so often happens, the space filled and the room settled into that familiar hum of people gathering, eating, and being. Out in the garden, the season is showing itself in its own way. Late planting has led to late harvesting, and now it’s all coming at once. Tomatoes are rolling in by the crate, another flush of strawberr

It may have been a shorter week for some, but out here it felt very much like business as usual. Our regular Monday trip into Warrnambool turned into a bit of a mission this week — a few extra errands added in to make the most of the drive. Living out in the country, the kilometres add up quickly, and with fuel prices sitting where they are, it pays to be mindful and make each trip count. The rest of the week unfolded at home, in that steady rhythm we know well. There’s been

There’s been a definite shift in the air this week. It began with that lingering warmth we’ve been holding onto, but as of today, the wood fire is crackling away in the big kitchen again — a gentle reminder that the seasons are turning. Out in the patch, the tomatoes have had a good bit of attention. This time of year, it’s less about growth and more about focus — pulling back the excess greenery so the fruit can soak up every bit of sun available. It’s a simple task, but one

After a few days away, it was straight back to work this week — and the beautiful weather made it easy to step outside and get moving again. We got stuck into the patch, clearing and cleaning up beds, making space and setting things right for what’s next. There’s something satisfying about restoring order after a busy season, and with the sun out, it didn’t feel like a chore at all. At long last, a good amount of sauce tomatoes are coming through. With that, the kitchen has c

We started the week with a full house at the Barn for our Labour Day Brunch. Our Swiss-inspired buffet once again brought together a lovely mix of locals and visitors from further afield, all gathering for a slow morning around good food and conversation. It’s always wonderful to see the Barn buzzing with people enjoying themselves. For those who missed out, the next brunch is already pencilled in for Easter Monday. Very early on Tuesday morning the girls and I headed off on

Last weekend turned out to be a lively one here at the Barn. Our garage sale might not have cleared out as many treasures as we had hoped, but what it did bring was something just as valuable — a wonderful flow of new faces through the gate. With several neighbours taking part in the trail as well, visitors came from far and wide, wandering from property to property and discovering little corners of our community along the way. Sunday then brought the next highlight. As the c

Reflecting on last weekend’s Patch to Plate BBQ — once again we were fully booked, and our hungry crowd was treated to a generous buffet dinner. There is something incredibly satisfying about seeing long tables filled and plates coming back empty. On a personal note, I was slightly challenged by grilling close to 15kg of meat. Managing timing, heat and volume is one thing — having both BBQs run out of gas mid-cook definitely added an extra layer of excitement! But as always,

This week brought with it news that stopped us in our tracks. We had to come to terms with the unexpected loss of our good friend, Brad. Brad and his parents played a major role in shaping our life here in Australia. In many ways, our path into the dairy industry is tied closely to their support, guidance and friendship over the years. Their impact on our family runs deep. Our son Timothy, who is currently working on their farm, has felt this loss especially hard. As a family