Since arriving in Australia in July 1999 we have experienced a
momentous change in our lives. The most “traumatic” has been getting
used to not seeing our family and friends at the drop of a hat. It
requires a lot more planning and dollars!
There are wonderful places to see here and we have hardly scratched
the tip of this continent of contrasts. From endless kilometers of
beaches to rolling green hills further inland and in the centre, the
“big dry” - desert area that spans several thousand kilometers.
Being of country and farming background we have been amazed at the
size of farms and the volume of sheep and cattle per farm. Wynand
had a wonderful experience in South Australia early 2006 when he did
“work experience” as part of his agriculture studies. The farm was
one million hectares in size, grazing 55 000 sheep. Most of the work
is done by “jackeroos” and “jilleroos” on motorbikes with aerial
support from a light plane using two way radios. It takes several
days to round up the different flocks, then the sorting and shearing
starts. Many more stories can be told but they are best left around
a campfire with a bottomless cuppa.
We have all settled into work, church and play and have made many
wonderful friends, both Australian and South African. Any and every
excuse is good enough for a braai and loads of traditional foods,
melktert, koeksisters, putu, stywepap, potjiekos ….
This is an introduction to our website. We will keep you updated
with stories, trips, sightseeing and lots more.
The Pheiffers in Oz
