Kamarooka

Kamarooka is an indigenous word meaning, "rest awhile". It's also the name of my friend's property nestled at the base of the Toowoomba range. It is a little piece of heaven on earth. Not only for my friend and her family, but for anyone who visits. Imagine wide horizon plains, undulating green hills, mist rolling in, cows lulling, kangaroos a jumping, hares a hopping, chickens a scratching, veggie patches, frolicking lavender and hydrangeas, citrus trees, wild passionfruit vines and tomato bushes, a gorgeous little farmer's cottage with outback grain hut converted into guest lodgings, a cubby house as big as the guest lodgings, typical Aussie tin sheds for farm equipment, water tanks, dams, nearest neighbours a mile away, the sound of silence except for the eveningsong of crickets & frogs and gentle rain on a iron roof and you have the lovely quintessential picture and feel of Kamarooka.


Never underestimate childhood dreams. Kamarooka is the fulfilment of a childhood dream for my dear friend. All she ever wanted was to marry a farmer and own her own piece of land. A dream kindled during childhood holidays at her grandparents property in Kingaroy. It took 38years, but her dream is now a beautiful, living reality. She even got married on her land. A wedding to remember, marquee in country setting, ceremony under massive gum tree. Every time I come here there is a sense of coming home and sharing in my friend's dream and land. We grew up together. I too spent many childhood holidays at her grandparents farm so delight to share her realised dream now. We had wild imaginations as young girls, my friend is one of a twin, and together the three of us were the Charlie's Angels! We really were!


My four and I have enjoyed Kamarooka's beauty and hospitality at least annually for many years now when we come to Toowoomba for Easterfest. Our first Easterfest we camped at Kamarooka rather than Queen's Park and enjoyed frosty autumn morns here woken by the cattle moo-ing near our tents! We farm sat last year for a week while our friend's holidayed at the coast. My four LOVED being here despite at first wondering how they would ever cope for a whole week without the X-box, playstation 3, DVDs, pre iPods and iPhones. They ran wild on the hills, chased cows, fed the chickens, collected eggs, played with the dog, swam in the dams, picked dandelions and made daisy chains, played in the rain, the mud, skateboarded down the country lanes, EQ learnt to drive on the country roads and did fabulous free range kids stuff, it was divine!


We left Kamarooka last year ONE day before the 2011 January floods that hit the Toowoomba/Grantham area. Thankfully Kamarooka is on high ground and my friend's property didn't go under. They were trapped in their home for a week, but no damage. We had even gone to visit the rising river, totally oblivious to how dangerous it could have been. Link to farm sit and rising water photos below.


This weekend I come alone, to embrace a silent retreat. My four are still in Victoria with their Dad. The call of Kamarooka's serenity woos me. Once again I farm sit, as my friends enjoy the coast. Once again I soak in the beauty, deliberately get off the busy merry-go-round, be still and know God.


Shalom


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.489387717434.269168.561592434&type=3