BUNYIP SPRINGS NEWSLETTER
Welcome to Bunyip Springs Farmstay’s news for the New Year of 2008.
As we prepared for Christmas followed by the New Year of 2008, Bunyip Springs Farmstay celebrated nature’s magical gift of rain. The property was tinged with green from minor falls in the cooler weather of winter and spring but the necessary “run off” water never eventuated. This left us in that commonly described state of a “Green Drought”. However on Friday 23 November, 07 the slopes and foothills of the Bunya Mountains including Bunyip Springs received a deluge of 135mm – 180mm of rain in 3 hours. The creeks roared with bankers. The property dams overflowed. While this rainfall was over a relatively narrow area in the South Burnett, the run off water crashed its way down streams into Barkers Creek and on past Nanango. People were waiting at creek crossings to witness the water thundering through like a freight train.
Over the next 2 days we cheerfully repaired creek crossings, secured wandering stock and shook our heads in disbelief at brimming waterholes and streams that just oozed from the hills. Summer has progressed with wonderful follow-up rain and as the year 2008 marches on, the wider areas of the South Burnett rejoice as the larger irrigation and town water supply dams are beginning to fill.
The farmstay animals and stars of the farm yard are still enjoying lots of attention from visitors. The surprising news is that the old Braford cow, called Butterfly, in her declining years and retirement produced a calf! A sturdy little chap called Mothball. He soon needed more milk than Butterfly could produce so he has been fostered onto Milly the dairy cow. Mothball shares all that good creamy milk with Milly’s calf Smudge.
Billy & Hector the dogs would come close to being voted “Most popular farmyard personalities” by our younger guests. The doggie duo always manage to overturn a child’s uncertainly into adoring puppy love which of course is quite a rewarding experience for a dog, lots of cuddles, grooming, walks and invitations to BBQs!!
Most adorable farmyard animal for 2007 was QT. QT is a beautiful doe-eyed Jersey calf who easily charmed everyone with his good looks and sweet nature. He is now being weaned and is soon to venture into the wide world of the outer grazing paddocks with his best farmyard friend Cocoa, the cheeky black Droughtmaster. As QT & Cocoa move on, half brothers, calves named Mothball and Smudge have taken farmyard entertaining in their stride. Both enjoy a good rub down, especially Mothball, as his foster mother might provide good tucker but she’s only interested in grooming her own calf, Smudge.
New comer to the Farmstay is a very handsome bay gelding called Morgan. He is gradually taking over lead horse riding duties from Danny who is now in semi-retirement. Morgan cannot believe his four horsy hooves have landed him in the tourism industry, where carrots are a plenty and humans just love him to bits!
These are just a few of the animals who love to impress guests during their farm holiday at Bunyip Springs. These farmyard characters and more are part of our twice daily routine with visitors.
Cheers From,
Kathy
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Bunyip Springs Farm Stay
503 Maidenwell-Bunya Mountain Road Maidenwell QLD 4615
Tel: +61 (0)7 4164 6175 | Email |
