To Daylesford we will move. Perhaps in January 2015, and there in our new home, a new garden will be made. The amount of space we have sometimes overwhelms me (15 acres) and at other times excites me. The choice of plants, will be tricky. I desire a very native garden at the front of the property, at the entrance to our piece of earth. I want to celebrate this beautiful country we are in, I also really love the beauty of many Australian trees. Then as we draw closer to the house exotic plants will take pride of place, the reason being that we need to be fire smart. At the moment however there is little time for the garden, first we need a house. We are building three buildings on site. A farm building to house farm stay guests, a barn and our home. We are using a building technique called Light Earth; lots of straw with some clay thrown in. But even before the building work started the most important project was established: a wetland, not a dam but a wetland. The difference being that it’s not just a big deep hole in the ground, so deep that no plants can grow. The edges slowly slope to increasing depth to ensure that on the periphery, a range of native aquatic plants can flourish. Then I hope to establish two or three trees on the edge to create some shade and some shrubs for privacy…and a swimming spot it will one day be.

Wetland earthworks and my family.

Our Franklin caravan, our temporary home in Blampied.

The wind howls and takes us away with it.

Light earth frame for our small guest accommodation.

Sprouting light earth walls.

Light earth detail.

Ralf and plywood sheeting to create the light -earth form work.

Artemisia and blue tent.

Tractor old…but working.

South facing wall is complete.

Art installation for now.