Panning for sapphires and gold

Rainbow over the Farm

Craig and the kids on a wombat hunt 

Tess and her best friend Olivia

We're just back from an excellent weekend at the farm.  It's been a while since we were all up there and it was odd not having the Jamos there but it was also nice having a little more room.  We put the 5 oldest kids in the bunk room (Olivia was with us too) and after Tess had gone into complete meltdown at having to sleep on the bottom bunk they all snuggled down and eventually got some sleep.  

Panning for sapphires and gold

Craig's father is a member of a lapidary club and he told Craig that the area is particularly known for having sapphires and gold.  He explained that the sapphires can often be found where there are mini waterfalls within a creek - apparently the sapphires get transported by the water but then get buried into the sand at the bottom of the waterfalls.  We bought the children tea strainers and took them to a couple of creek beds to try some panning.  It was all very exciting but unfortunately we weren't lucky this time!  

Tom with a dead lizard

The Mennie Family

Whilst we were out feeding the cows Craig found a dead lizard which Tom was fascinated by and kept stroking - yuck!  Talking of lizards we discovered 2 goannas living in the roof - we heard them shuffling around at night and were quite amazed to also hear lots of mice in the roof - surely they'd be eaten by the goannas?  


The other exciting news this week is that I've finally taken the plunge and resigned.  I'm a little nervous about giving up work but I do think it's best for the children and I'm pretty sure that Pearson will always have projects for me to get involved in on a casual basis if I want.  Tess and Tom are delighted and immediately started talking about when we'd get a dog which we've always said we'd do if I stopped working.  However, for the moment I'd like a bit of time to myself and to get used to not working so I don't think we'll do anything until next winter at the earliest.