Homesteading with Racheal Pasco
At times I expected Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timothy the dog to come bounding around the corner. The foreshore promised adventure. Pathways between great trees just behind the dunes, opening out onto dear little beaches. Sunlit afternoons, strolling along, enjoying the fresh crisp air. Tasmania is certainly a beautiful place to visit. I am certain the Famous Five would have loved exploring this little seaside village.
I was lucky enough to visit my sister and her husband this past week at their seaside home in the Huon Valley. What a sensational area it is! Tasmania as we know is a beautiful mix of the cooler climate, with architecture featuring grand buildings and houses from yesteryear. It also has a rich history of pioneers, colonial and convict stories from our brutal past. It is however the climate which attracts many people to live in our southernmost state. And those who are gardeners are blessed to enjoy all the cooler climate offers.
Stand out Blooms
Being mid-summer, all the gardens are bursting with colour. Every corner there are more plants and flowers to marvel at. Roses feature heavily at this time of year in the garden. Almost every garden has rose bushes cascading over the fence and into next doors garden. I really did stop and smell the roses.
While the roses were beautiful, it was the hydrangeas that stole the show. So many gardens seemed to have several hydrangeas growing effortlessly. Massive flower heads, so many that the branches are forced to hang low. Bumble bees crowding the blooms, their hum was loud as they visited each flower. It was a chorus from Mother Nature. I know we can grow hydrangeas here in Southeast Qld, but they really seemed to be more abundant and larger in Tasmania. We battle with the humidity and heat in Queensland, which can make growing them tricky.
Produce Pride
During my visits to Tasmania, I have always noticed their pride in showcasing the local produce. Their own locally grown foods are featured on menus so proudly. Menus are altered seasonally to adapt to what is available at the time. From berries and stone fruit to salmon and abalone. I really like how the beautiful food is an extension of their ability to show you how fabulous their state is. My favourite were the blueberries from roadside stalls. Fresh, sweet and without the transport kilometres. Makes them taste all the better.
Gardener’s Delight
My sister and her hubby have an incredible variety of plants in their garden. We spent much time identifying so many of them. From Malaysian Honeysuckle, Easter Lillies, Silver Birch, waratahs, common plums and apples and everything in between. (I certainly came home with Garden Envy.)
A very healthy quince tree features in my sister’s garden. Last year Sarah made the most delicious quince jam from her very own fruit. We were most impressed.
A wander around her garden found me discovering sensational sweet peas… the scent took me right back to Grandad’s vegie garden in Bundaberg in 1985. It really is a wonderful scent.
From their garden you can see the tiny island in the bay, just like Kirrin Island in the Famous Five series. I wonder if there is a tunnel from the island to the mainland? Maybe next time I will explore a little more.
This year I have promised myself to slow down a little and appreciate what joy I find around me. I certainly found joy in Tasmania.
Happy Homesteading everyone!
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