Grass Patch Farmsit Adventures

From a smallholding close to Perth, we progressed to tending a 5000 hectare wheat farm for 10 days in a remote spot outside Grass Patch, 85kms north of Esperance.

The farm owners, Aneka and Elliott, and their four kids, little Deni, teens Luca, Neila, and Alby, were bringing us in to caretake whilst they took a short seaside break during the summer pause after full tilt harvesting. We had the run of the farm, their utmost trust, and stayed in a comfy little cottage as a change from the motorhome.



The fabulous cast of zany animals in our care included 5 constantly curious alpacas; three cows, Bindi, Latte and son Bob who mooed and mooed until Mum gave him milk; zillions of chickens, a turkey, a flock of guinea fowl, and escapee guinea pigs amongst the hens. 

Two cats were also in attendance: Ginger Nuts who seemed only to lounge at home; and Noodles, a quirky black cat originally caught as a feral kitten, then domesticated. 

Two gorgeous dogs were our constant companions and continuous source of delight and entertainment. Ditti, a big-hearted Great Dane x Mastiff, always herded us on walks, brushing past to guide. Darby, a frisky cockapoo (Spaniel x Poodle), was full of mischievous bounce and fun.

The day started with licks and cuddles from the dogs, then a trip to the chicken coops and enclosure. Our record egg haul was 12 in one day, achieved with gloved hand in valiant defence against a furiously pecking, broody hen. Secreted in maternity coops were five broody hens which hatched lovely, fluffy young. Sadly a couple of the hens took a violent dislike to each others' chicks and killed three.

The dogs would be eyeing us expectantly because they knew they were next to go down in the Ute to the dam where Ditti swam enthusiastically and Darby dipped and chased interesting smells in the surrounding stubble. Both dogs had a tendency to bail up roos, so I was very careful when I saw a giant Old Man Roo as we drove down. Ditti had previously been ripped open by a roo and incurred 1000s of dollars in vet fees, so we all hoped she had learnt respect, while Darby seemed as feisty and unfazed as only a cocky cockapoo can be!



We tried our luck at yabbying, catching freshwater crustaceans with nets in the dam, but only caught one large one in one net, whilst the crafty yabbies made off with the dogfood bait from the other.

Returning from the dam, we checked the alpacas and cows, keeping the water topped up and offering handfuls of dried beans as a treat.



Lots of pot plants needed watering as did ingenious shaded fruit (peach) and veg (tomatoes, basil, aubergines, cucumber, watermelon, and bell pepper) plots, the latter raised in beds with single watering pipes.



At happy hour, after feeding the dogs, what an enjoyable moment to sit out on the camp chairs with a glass of chilled wine, flies kept away by the breeze, dogs at our feet, and a view before us of rolling fields with parrots flying. Noodles and Darby had us in hysterics as they play fought and rugger tackled each other. The cat gave as good as she got, but all in jest.

Last, but not least, we closed the chooks' enclosure after they had spent half the day foraging in the fields. One curious incident had us stumped on our second day when we found a dead chook in front of the cottage. We checked with Aneka and she thought it might have been the dogs rebelling, so we kept the chooks in for a few days, then let them out just for a few hours each day, and that seemed to do the trick.



This farmsit has been a highlight of our time in WA, gorgeous dogs, endless landscapes to survey, all manner of creatures to entertain, and time to take away useful thoughts for next adventures.

==========================================================================

Esperance, Grass Patch, Farmsit, Farm Sit, Farm Sitting, Western Australia, Chickens, Dog, Cat, Chicks; Alpacas; Alpaca