We found the farm!

Found Bernard and Carmela's house in the Shire.

The Shire!

Found Bernard and Carmela's house in the Shire.

The Shire!

Town of Smeaton in Hepburn Shire

Asking the local corner retailer for directions to Carmel and Bernard's home in Hepburn Shire, Smeaton.

Downtown Smeaton 

Which way do we go?

The other corner in Smeaton.

Our arrival in Australia

We arrived in Australia on Sunday just a little past noon.  I think we missed Saturday in the flight (our time).  We stepped out of the airport greeted by the sun and temperatures around 65 degrees!  What a pleasant way to start our trip after leaving with 5 inches of snow on the ground.  We got our rental car, a Toyota Corrola and drove to Smeaton, Victoria, Australia.  All on the left hand side of the road...it's always a little difficult to switch over!!  We took it slow and had fun with it!  Driving the countryside from Melbourne to Smeaton was quite lovely.  Windows open, air on our faces...a free feeling and escape from the hard winter of Pennsylvania.  We will post more about our trip to Smeaton and our hosts Carmel and Bernerd Righetti on the next post.  We just want people to know that we made it here and are having a lovely time in the country!  Can't wait to share some photos and more of our travels.

Enjoying a beer before the 20 hour flight to Sydney then 2 hours to Melbourne

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She informed us that there

She informed us that there are 30 Thai visitors there. Told us to expect Thai food and dancing - twist our arm! LOL

I have been in touch

I have been in touch with Carmel who will be hosting us for the first few nights. She has a biodynamic farm in Smeaton.

We are starting our journey.

We are starting our journey. Our friend Dan is driving us to JFK in the Shamba van.

Getting Ready

It's March 21, Happy Spring! Only 4 more days before we head to Australia.
I've been invited by a colleague Cathy McGowan to be a keynote speaker at a Rural Women in Business Conference in Beechworth, North of Melbourne in the mountains. The Conference is on April 3 & 4. We hope to visit some organic, biodynamic and permaculture farms and experience some of the outback on our travels. We expect to have fun, experience Australia and see some roos!