A Life Worth Living

The alarm startles you from your slumber at 7am.

You have 15 minutes to organise yourself before stepping out the back door of Gundi and Sven's farm house to begin the jobs of the day.
While Gundi prepares the milking room, we step into the chicken coop, between 60 chickens and two roosters we open the the door for them to venture outside. If the alarm didn't fully waken you at 7am, the roosters will take care of that.

Jamie tidies the food bowls and checks the water, Ian cleans some poop from the resting panels.
In a few days time we will give the entire coop a thorough clean down, a job that occurs once a month, removing everything, replacing new straw and tidying up. Ian scrubbed the walls a little too hard and Gundi needed to remind him these are old buildings.

After the chickens, Gundi will have started milking the goats. Sven will be outside working through his chores for the morning, checking on sheep and the smaller birds.

We will make our way into the goat stable and begin with letting the three Billys out. 'oh no!, Ian forgot to open the gate to the billy goat yard outside. He rushes after them and finds three billys confused at a closed gate. he pushes past, opens the gate and lets them in. he checks their water and provides a small bowl of acorns for them to play with.

Back in the stables, Jamie has started tidying up the empty stalls. Gundi takes a goat at a time to milk then returns them to the larger stall with all the kids.
We check water, refill hay and tidy up any large areas of poo. Later that week we clean out the entire stables, a job only performed twice a year. Removing all of the old straw which is now almost a foot deep, we take it to the compost, sweep and tidy, then re-lay new straw. A task that takes Sven nearly four days on his own, with a group of us we can finish in three quarters of a day.
Once Gundi has finished her milking, 5 goats for 8 litres, we finish the stalls and organise to take them out and down to the paddocks. The eldest (12 years old)and wisest of all the goats, we dubbed her Nanna, had a bell around her neck. With a rope we would hold onto Nanna and she would lead us out the stables, around the sheds, down the path, past the garden and towards the paddocks at the end of the property, bell clanging wildly the whole way. All the other goats would follow, stealing a bite of grass before Jamie running behind would hurry them along. Once in the paddock we would check water and if needed, gather a wheelbarrow waterbag to take down from the house.
After a quick play with the kids in the paddock, we would make our way back towards the garden and step into the larger bird pens. Here we would release the large birds from their nightly houses. Two geese, two turkeys and a group of ducks. We would check water and food for the ducks laying and care for the ducklings.

Back at the farm houses, before heading in for breakfast, we would double check some of the laying chickens, their chicks and make sure they had water and green cuttings for food.

Thus ended our morning jobs and we could head into the house again to prepare breakfast at around 8.30am.

Our time at Sven and Gundi's, over two weeks saw a dramatic change in weather. Arriving in cool 10c temperatures, in the first week we had snow on the ground and sub zero temperatures which meant some very chilly mornings. Our activities on the cold days tended towards inside tasks. Over two days we carefully scratched away at the bee hive frames, removing any large buildup of wax before they could be steamed and cleaned properly. With the radio playing we set to the task with a monotonous thoroughness. Enjoying each others company as well as the young ducklings beneath a heat lamp beside our table. Snow falling outside, we scratched away at 160 frames and were finally very pleased when Gundi advised that was the last.

In our second week the weather picked up, some warm 25 C days that allowed us to enjoy lunch and dinners outside. A change in weather also demonstrated a dramatic burst of blossom and green leaves in our two weeks for Spring.

Breakfast would consist of home made bread and toppings. A variety of spreads, cheese, preserved gherkins and home raised meat, all prepared and preserved by Gundi and Sven. After our first few days we were introduced to their sweeter products, honey and jams. Gundi and Sven enjoyed savory items for breakfast. Jamie and I were happy to indulge both sweet and savory for breakfast. Very soon we had an array of items to choose from that required an extra slice of bread to ensure enough vessels for toppings.

Following breakfast we would be told the days activities. Most days would consist of gardening jobs. Plenty of weeding, some building of frames and trusses for beans. Planting of peas, beans and potatoes. Also mulching, turning of compost and more weeding.
Unsurprisingly, we loved all of this, after travelling for a long time, 8 months now, it was great to sit amongst the dirt and help towards a beautiful garden. We regularly pestered Gundi and Sven, asking what each plant was, how it was used and if we should leave it or remove it. Google was required on occasion when we would miss a translation or need a photo to help us identify the English version.

Gundi and Sven had been at this property for 15 years, making the decision to leave behind their old jobs for a better way of living. After making repairs to the large farm buildings they went about creating a sustainable and self sufficient lifestyle. Over the years they had learnt a lot about what worked and didnt in the area. Italian bees were too aggressive and bees from a local man were much calmer. Certain fruit trees needed cross polination from other trees to propagate. Cows were too much work with everything else they had going on; sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, turkeys, bees, cats and a dog.

With this home they could almost entirely live self sufficiently. A small income from additional properties rented out helped them pay for the extras they needed to buy.
The helping hands, known as Wwoofers, would work through the season of warmer months. Assisting with whatever jobs took place at the time.

With the regular flow of Wwoofers, they chose to purchase a nearby home a small walking distance from the farm. Here the guests could stay in their own comfort and be at the farm when required.
One large job we involved ourselves in while there was removing the tiled roof of the 100 year old house. Sven directed us in certain tasks and over four days of strenuous work, we removed all the tiles, tore down the top floor and cleaned up all the way back to the traditional beams and loan.

There was still much left for them to complete the project, but it was a unique experience that we thoroughly enjoyed and were proud we were able to help them during a difficult stage.

Each day for lunch we would reconvene back at the farm kitchen. Whomever was first would take out the silver bowls and help Gundi prepare the regular lunch of muesli, yoghurt and goats milk and fruit. Key ingredients would change over the days, berries to apples, plum to pear and always with a large dob of honey in the bottom.
A rhythmic delight to sit on the back deck in the warm sun, slowly stirring the bowl of muesli, mixing the ingredients together and spreading the spoon of honey. The bee hives buzzed nearby.

A large bowl to fill us up, with time to relax, we placed the empty bowl on the ground for the cats to lick.
Once the cats had walked away, it was time for us to gather out items and head back to the afternoon jobs.

Two of our most enjoyed jobs over the two weeks; Jamie suiting up in protective clothing and working with Gundi to inspect the bee hive colonies. During the colder months the hives would be reduced to four. As Spring struck and the bees began their work the hives would grow. Gundi would check them and when ready, split them. Over the seasons the hives would increase, 4 to 6, 6 to 10, 10 to 14. As well as selling the honey, Gundi would sell off hives and return to four when all is done. Jamie found the demonstration and education into bee hiving fascinating and has stirred an interest for us to have bee hives at our home one day.
Another enjoyable task was the relocation and setting up of new pens for the ducklings and chicks. Great fun was had creating a fun environment and then collecting them and placing them into a new home. Chicks were more adventurous, ducklings easier to catch, both as cute and when fully grown, ducks tasted better.

As the afternoon drew to a close, this would lead us to our evening jobs. Around 5.30 to 6.30 we would return to the goat stables. We would replenish their food boxes, a mixture of grain, greens, acorns and potato. Once the stables were ready, the billys would come in first. Opening the gate to their yard, be sure to stand on the outside of the gate. The billys rushed past and you didnt want to be in their way. Simply enough, they would trace back their path from the morning, straight into their stall and an easy close of the door was made.

Now down past the gardens to the bird houses. Check their houses first for water and a cup of seed for each. The duck was easier enough to walk into his house and close the door. so too the turkeys, but the gander always wanted a fight. Be sure to keep your eye on him, don't turn your back, in fact, he is a bit of a coward, but if given the chance he will sneak a hiss and a peck when you are not looking.
Together we would slowly walk the goose back into the house, close the door and the gander would suddenly stand tall, flap his wings as if to say 'I could have taken you if I wanted to.'

The birds all closed up, now it was time for the goats. Though a short wander through the field, at 7pm on a warm evening as the sun set, it was a stunning moment to share together. We both knew this was the type of life we would love to create one day. Immensely happy among animals, the physical work while tiring, became enjoyable as the reward was a life well lived.

The goats would be waiting for us at their gate. We place the lead around Nanna, she makes sure she is first at the gate. A quick head count and, 'Oh no, one is missing. ARGH, not Houdini again!'
Jamie spots a younger goat, that has her head stuck through the fence, attempting to eat greener pasture. Horns mean she can not free herself. After being shown by Sven on the first occasion, how to free Houdini. Jamie becomes an expert over the next six occasions she does it again. A grabbing of the horns, some twisting and pulling, Houdini has incredibly escaped her trap, always with the help of assistants.

The run back to the stables is a little chaotic. Kids duck through your legs, younger goats attempt to steal the lead from nanna. A jostle and bump puts them back. Only once did Ian take a full tumble in the dirt and managed to hold onto a confused Nanna.

Back in the stables, Jamie closes the door and what we consider amazing, the goats all line up at the door to their stalls. They know which one is their own. You just need to guide the kids away and the goats look after themselves. Finally the kids stall and they are all away.
Close up shop. Jobs are done.
The time can vary, sometimes we finish at 7pm, other times we might have dinner before putting the animals away. So a later 8pm sees us at the end of our day.

Each day as incredible as the last. Thoroughly exhausted, we are starving for food.

Thankfully every night Gundi prepared delicious meals. Roasted rabbit, kale and sausage potato bake, goose neck, liver and heart stew, goat meatballs and veggies, roast duck, chilli con carne. All amazing, even Sven's specialty, pancake stack kale and cheese made our mouths water and bellies burst.

We never went to bed hungry, every plate was polished clean and a second helping happened every night without fail.

Over our meals we learnt a lot about Sven and Gundi, the life they had created, the enjoyment they took from it, the hard work they put in, but the rewards they reaped.

Our bedtimes were early, 9pm we would collapse and a deep slumber hit us at 9.30pm. Ready to go again when the rooster crowed.

For the two weeks we were there we had two spare Sundays to ourselves after doing the animal jobs. On both occasions we chose a bike ride. The second Sunday, far more comfortable than the cold wet first, Easter Sunday found us at a town an hours ride away at a beer hall enjoying a local drop or three.

When our time came to bid farewell to the farm, it was a sad goodbye, but we know we will stay in touch. We are confident we will return one day and look forward to updates on the construction house and this seasons harvest.

We will be sure to provide the same in return, an update on our journey, and the establishment of our home and life back in Australia. We have learned a lot about what it means to be rich.
Thank you so very much Sven and Gundi.