NUMURKAH - The middle of nowhere?

Brodie seems to be the one with all the insightful questions. We were driving back to Numurkah from my Dad's farm (they grow oats for hay there, but live in town), and he asked, "Is this the middle of nowhere?" I told him that it probably depends where you come from. Compared to the Gold Coast, it does seem a bit like the middle of nowhere. But when I was growing up, this was the centre of the universe.

We went to the local primary school fete. Just over 200 kids go to school there, so it was pretty small compared to the school fetes my kids have been to. It didn't matter though. They had a great time. The first thing they did was go on the train. As you can see from the photo, they thought it would be a bit boring when they first got on. This is the country though! The driver took them way up the back of the school and around the sports ovals, and faster than I've ever seen a kids' train go!! They were bouncing along in the back carriage - I thought Tara might be freaking out, but when they got back their eyes were popping from excitement! The boys favourite thing at the fete was the sumo wrestling. No fancy sumo outfits here. They loved it so much, they did it twice.

The kids also had their first go at fishing with the new rods they got for Christmas. The boys caught a couple of sticks, but they had fun. They have collected a container full of snails from Gran's garden, and have fed the magpies and possums that are regular visitors to the van next door - Bronwyn is a permanent resident here. We had a bbq with Bronwyn, Steve and Jim - all permanent residents who have become good friends. We called it 'turkey night' because we got some turkey pieces from a local turkey farm to cook on the barbie. The kids had sparklers and thought it was all a lot of fun. Steve helps out around the gardens, and took the kids for a ride on the ride-on mower with the trailer on behind.

A couple who have been here for a few weeks bought a washing machine for their van and gave the kids the cardboard box it came in. They painted it and turned it into a cubby. Somehow they manage to all get in there!

Darren probably has one or two more weeks of work. We're feeling ready to move on and see some new sights, although it really has been fun living in Numurkah.