The young fella learns the ropes.

Year 10 work experience weeks are mostly about sitting in bank or law offices learning how to file or get the take away coffees. Not for my 15 year old. He is spending the week at the Coggans' Poll Dorset Stud, Logancrest. He will be shearing, fencing, weed spraying, mustering, motorbike riding, drenching and spotlighting for rabbits and foxes. All in all it should be a great week up at Crookwell.

Sandstone relief sculpture Fox and Hollybush by Midlands sculptor William Bloye, 1927-8. Originally over the entrance to the Fox and Hollybush pub, now demolished, in Birmingham, England.

I have been collecting images of the 'sheep in art' as perhaps I should not be 'celebrating' the fox, nor the kangaroo, cockatoo or wombat. It has always amused me that Australians are the only nation who eat both animals from their coat of arms. I do like this sandstone relief though and the holly is almost seasonal. Anyhow, I am hoping that they do bag a few rabbits and foxes this week.


Harvested a huge bagful of Daramalan rocket yesterday and made big batches of rocket pesto for the freezer. Great with pasta, on roast or boiled new potatoes, with bruschetta and as a marinade rubbed into lamb. As the rocket is almost wild and self set from last year's it has a really strong pepper piquancy that is quite a surprise. Will make a vegetable soup next week with a dollop of pesto for every serve.


Bon appetit!