Farm Life: Twenty Years of Lessons, Struggles, and Joy on the Southern Tablelands

Flies, Snakes, and Leeches: Welcome to Farm Life

They say time flies when you’re having fun. I’m not sure every moment has been “fun” — farm life brings its fair share of flies, snakes, and leeches — but twenty years on, I still wake each morning deeply grateful to call this little piece of paradise my home.

Life here has taught me that the things won through sweat, struggle, and perseverance are the ones most cherished — even if only by those who did the struggling.

From Tree Changer to Farm Keeper

When I first left city life behind, I didn’t know what I’d find on the other side of “tree changing.” Two decades later, the lessons are countless.

• I’ve learned patience.

• I’ve learned to have faith that things will work out.

• I’ve learned that mistakes are simply part of the journey.

• I’ve gained confidence in my own abilities.

• And I’ve discovered that I don’t mind my own company.

Sometimes, silence is not only welcome — it’s restorative.

Highlights of Twenty Years on the Farm

Looking back, there are so many bright moments that shine in memory. A few stand out as milestones:

Sleeping in Our Home for the First Time

After 16 months of building, we finally moved into the house. No kitchen (meals were still cooked in the caravan), but it was wonderful just to sleep beneath our own roof.

Going Off Grid with Solar

The day the solar system was connected was life-changing. No more noisy generator — just quiet, reliable power drawn from the sun.

The First Rain on Our Roof

There’s nothing like hearing rain on a roof you built yourself, knowing that each drop is filling your water tanks.

Welcoming Our First Alpaca Cria

The joy of watching our alpacas give birth on the farm was unforgettable. Those first cria marked the beginning of a journey that would one day inspire Bbohe’s handmade alpaca felt collections.

Planting Our Orchard and Chook Yard

We planted espaliered fruit trees and built a home for our chickens. That orchard still feels like an act of hope — a promise of future harvests.

Myffy the Duck vs. Leeches

Not all farm stories are poetic! One day, our pet duck Myffy emerged from the dam covered in blood — only to calmly peck and eat the leeches off her legs. Farm life at its most bizarre and brilliant.

The Lows We Lived Through

Of course, no honest story of farm life can leave out the hard chapters.

Family Health Crises

When illness struck a child, it was a test of resilience — made harder by being so far from a major hospital. Those moments stretch a family thin.

Drought and Desperation

The second drought was the worst. With stock to keep alive, I found myself loading heavy bales of canola hay onto the ute in 40°C heat, the wind whipping dust and chaff into my face. I was bawling as I drove into the paddocks, exhausted, heartbroken, and alone. My husband was in hospital, and I was carrying the weight of the farm on my own shoulders. The alpacas coped — they are hardy in harsh conditions — but keeping the cattle alive felt nearly impossible.

The Grief of Losing Animals

No matter how long you farm, losing animals never gets easier. Just recently, I sat beside an old cow in her final hours. Our big Angus bull came and stood beside her, letting out a deep, anguished sound — a goodbye of his own. I wept at the tenderness of it, reminded once again of the bonds animals share.

The Lessons of Farm Life

Through highs and lows, one truth has stayed constant: farm life is real life. It is raw, honest, humbling, and beautiful all at once.

Living “out in the sticks” has taught me:

• To grow my own food and appreciate where it comes from.

• To talk daily with my chickens and alpacas (they’re wonderful listeners).

• To keep learning, even when the lessons are tough.

• To find joy in the simple act of creating in my studio, transforming alpaca fleece into slippers, hats, and vests that carry the spirit of this place.

Why We Stay

So long as my husband and I remain in good health and spirits, we’ll continue this life far from the madding crowd. Because despite the struggles — or perhaps because of them — this farm is where I feel most alive.

Here, I find inspiration each day: in the dawn light over the Tablelands, in the rhythm of seasons, and in the creatures who share this land with us.

Farm life truly is the best.

Closing Thoughts

Twenty years on, I still believe that choosing this life was the right choice. It has made me stronger, more patient, and more connected to the land. And from this land, from these struggles and joys, Bbohe was born — a way to share the beauty, resilience, and whispers of the Southern Tablelands with others.

Because at the heart of every handmade alpaca felt slipper, hat, or scarf is not just craftsmanship — but a story of life on the land.