Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts

Sunday, August 5, 2012

An Australian icon in our farmyard

We have a new addition to our farmhouse that further consolidates our 
American and Australian cross cultural exchange.

For non-Australians, this is a rotary clothesline invented in 1945 by an Australian. 
This iconic Australian symbol of suburbia is available in the US.  We bought ours on line.

Growing up in the 60s in Sydney everyone had a Hill Hoist in their backyard.



It was not just used for drying laundry.
These photos could have been my brother, sister and I  - except ours spun partway over our steeply terraced backyard - making hanging from it very exciting for us kids and guaranteed to make our mother wild...

Our new version, unlike the old sturdy steel model - is made of heavy duty plastic and comes in a range of decorator colours.
And sadly, I found out during my search that all Hills Hoists are now manufactured in China.

New Hills Hoist at the farm - notice the brown grass - it could be in Australia!
Glimpsing it outside my kitchen window, full of washing and swirling in the breeze, makes me feel nostalgic for my childhood.

  Helping Mum hang the washing out, the kookaburra that perched on it,  our backyard near the bush, the adrenalin rush as we swung over the rocks, knowing we could get into trouble if she spotted us.  

But God it was worth it. 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

City vs Country

I grew up in a city (or at least a suburb of a city), three of my favourite places are cities - New York, Paris and Sydney -  and until I met my husband I had never considered living on a farm!


I have been totally surprised how I have adapted to my country life.  
To be truthful, I haven't spent longer than six weeks at a time at our farmhouse - but over the years it has crept gently into my heart and soul.

Today I can say I have two places that I call home.  

I love them both.

I look forward to going to the farm and I am happy when I am coming back to Sydney.

I enjoy the buzz of Sydney and the serenity of the farm.

They reflect two parts of my personality that make me feel complete.
  
Sunset on the farm

Tomorrow at this time I will be winging my way to this.

Combing my two trips into one for a longer stay- will I survive?

Can't wait to share it with you!