Wingello - what doesn't kill you...

We've made an executive decision to take some time out. After running here, there and everywhere around New Zealand (no regrets!), we needed a bit of a break.
After a bit of research while in Melbourne, we found a work/stay opportunity that allowed us to immerse ourselves into the Australian culture and take some much needed time out.
We agreed to a one week stay and here we are! Wingello (pronounced Win-jello)-which literally mean fire, this small village with one store and a train stop has been completely burned down twice by bush fires; but not since the 60's...
Our days have been full of work and adventures so there has been little time to write. Also, being without internet at our mud hut has allowed us the opportunity to fully relax and catch up on some reading. Highly recommended!!
Our host family picked us up at the train station after our 9 1/2hr journey from Melbourne last Monday and immediately welcomed us into their home. What a treat! After introductions, a fantastic dinner and good conversations, we were driven to our Wingello retreat just 5km down the road.
Our own space-finally!!!
The retreat is slightly tucked away in the woods and the house is constructed of mud and brick.  Beautiful open concept kitchen with wood-burning stove and gas range (very important) large windows looking out over the 2 1/2 acre property, and our very own bathroom complete with soaking tub overlooking the gardens through the huge picture window-fantastic! Great for nightly soaks with a glass of wine in hand after a hard days work and fun. We've found our bliss:)

http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/nsw/southern-highlands/bundanoon/132593

I've been busy weeding the gardens at the host families house while Shawn has been clearing bush and chopping wood. He's in his glory using the chainsaw! lol
We've learnt all about the things that can kill you in Australia...basically everything! From kangaroos that will tear you apart to koalas that will claw you to death, magpie birds that peck your eyes out and poisonous snakes (almost all of them) and our recent encounters with deadly funnel web spiders. According to Edward, our 14yr old fountain of knowledge (for real!) we have approx. 7 min to get ourselves to the hospital if bitten by these spiders. But don't worry, Edward says, you have 7mins to say your good-byes... Oh, and they jump-so watch out!
The work has been great (and a great workout) but hanging out with the family and being immersed into their lives has been the most incredible experience. When we aren't being feed the most delicious foods for lunch and dinner with Annabelle and Jane's creative cooking, we've been whisked away into the forests of Wingello on mountain bikes to ride the single track trails with the entire family. We've become so addicted that Annabelle and Janie thought it proper to include us in Sundays single track race! We've been riding back and forth 5km each way from Wingello to Penrose everyday for work, however racing on the single track is a whole new experience. Needless to say, with only two attempts ever on a single track trail, we did pretty well. One of us come in first, and other fell but finished the race with good time. We wont' name names ;)
It's been quite the adventure and better than we ever imagined, it's hard to believe in only a few short days we will be on the road again. However, when we do visit Australia again, and we will, this place and these welcoming, fantastic people, will be on the top of our lists.

PS. A full sized male kangaroo jumped right in front of our picture window at the retreat the other day! So close we could have reached out and touched him! With my back turned to the window, Shawn nearly fell over while grabbing me but the arm and finally managing to spit out the words, "kangaroo, kangaroo!!" We both turned just in time to see him hop across the front of the house, down the driveway and across the road into the bush. No pictures but believe me, it was one of the most amazing things we've ever seen.
Australia is full of wildlife that is so unique and different from anywhere else on earth-truly...and we can't get enough of it!

Train from Melbourne to Moss Vale (near Wingello)

As you can see, Shawn was pretty weighed down with a few extra things from Melbourne Market.

We were glad to take a load off-literally!

Our first morning at the retreat, this rather large and interesting creature called the wombat, wondered out of his underground cave with just enough time for us to grab the camera. 

Apparently, hitting them with your car is like hitting a boulder! I'd say!

In our pantry. I didn't look but Shawn took the pic and 'took care' of it. 

As big my hand, this is one of non-life threatening spiders, called a Huntsman. 

After Shawn cleared the area with a chainsaw, we all chipped in to help stack the previous days log chopping (using a machine) into a neat pile along the shed. A great sense of accomplishment!

Shawn hand chopping some logs for the Wingello retreat. 

Sundays Single Track race in Wingello forest. 

Shawn says red is fast. I say we're proud Canadians ;)

Racing with our host family. 

From left to right; yours truly, Annabelle, Jane, Lucy, who's that guy?, Edward and little friend.