Bitter Sweet Winter Road Trip

9 Aug

A month has flown by, and we've returned to our cozy home in Ferguson Valley. It’s been a wet month—our dam is full, the grass is knee-high, the sheep are plump, and the veggie garden is wildly overrun with weeds.

Unfortunately, our return wasn’t as joyous as we’d hoped. While we were away, our dear cat Motley’s health took a turn for the worse, and we had to say goodbye after 20 years of sharing our lives. Motley was an incredible cat who joined us on sailing adventures across Australia, Timor Leste, Indonesia, and Thailand, always taking it all in stride. We’re deeply grieving her loss.

It felt like the universe was signaling us not to go on our trip from the start—between a struggling farm sitter, road closures due to heavy rains, and uncertainty about how far to travel in case we needed to rush back.

Despite these challenges, our trip had its moments of joy and creativity. The highlight was definitely Wooleen Station, where we spent four blissful internet-free days camped high above the Murchison River. Wooleen, a 380,000-acre outback cattle station in Western Australia, focuses on regenerative farming. We interacted with rescued dingoes, enjoyed a sunset tour about the region’s ecology, and watched the sun dip below the flat outback horizon from a stunning granite outcrop.

Camping by the Murchison River

Sitting by the fire with a glass of wine, listening to the evening chorus of birds, and watching the river flow past is a delight.

Granite outcrop

The granite outcrop holds significant importance for the Wajarri Yamatji people, boasting one of the largest native title claims in Australia. Symbols mark a cave on the rock face, indicating fresh water within, and the rock's surface has been polished smooth by countless hands over centuries. Additionally, the rock features hollows used for grinding grain.

Dingo encounter

Dingos play an important role in managing feral animals and keeping kangaroo numbers at bay at Wooleen Station.

I sketched impressions in my sketchbook and on A4 linen paper, which are now pinned up in the studio as inspiration for larger works. The ancient land with its red earth and rich ochre-coloured rocks is incredibly motivating and revitalizing for my creativity. I’m eager to dive back into the studio, but first, there’s some weeding to tackle!

Be sure to let me know in the comments what you think.