In early August 2016 we welcomed Yao (Edwin) from Zhu Hai in China, he is here helping us during a gap year after completing his Masters Degree in Robotic Engineering at Edith Cowan University  in W.A.

Shortly after arriving Yao could see the need for a new adjustable cattle loading ramp and set to work on the design calculations.

The original stock loading ramp.

The steel arrives.

Yao begins cutting and drilling the steel tubing

With the old ramp dismantled the concreted posts are removed and the ground is cut out ready to pour the new concrete base.

All ready to pour the concrete

Two weeks later, job is completed on time and on budget!

Adjustable ramp and 5 meters long, just what we needed. Thanks Yao.

 

Careful training and supervision done Yao cuts up this fallen tree and begin another year's winter wood supply. 

Replacing a lost ear tag.

In the morning young cattle are always hungry.

 

Visiting the weekly cattle sale at Launceston

Yao masters the correct action for wood splitting.

Yao is the center of attention

Time to run out some dry hay.

Some of our rising 2 year old grass fed Angus Steers bred here and fully accredited, export quality.

In May 2016 we went to Phuket for 10 days and this photo was taken from the hotel room balcony.

At the night markets in Patong.

At the beach

This a part of a wedding ceremony at the hotel we were staying at.

Early morning at the pool

Guys going to work at Patong beach

Adrian from Bonn in Germany, arrived in March 2016 and begins with helping to feed the stock with some fresh sweetcorn.

 

All of our backpackers spend a little time helping in the vegetable gardens.

Time again to check the weight gain of these Angus / Murray Grey steers.

After recent rains Adrian helps to clean out the culverts and level off the roadway,

Early morning and it is time to check the water and feed the stock.

 

It is mid January 2016 and Lukas from Nurmburg, Germany arrives to help on the farm for the next month. First up is getting some calves through for a regular weight gain assessment.

During his time with us Lukas becomes a very capable fencer.

Clearing away leaf litter from the wallaby exclusion wire around the outside of the property.

In the words of Lukas, "a Beautiful fence". Yes, a great job done around the sweetcorn and mostly by himself.
Oh! I have to tell you this, Lukas said to me "don't you have a machine for doing this?" and I said, " Yeah! your holding it"   that's why he is laughing. 

A day off from the work at "Touchwood", Lukas visits the Badger Head National Park for a ride along the beach today.

Good fresh oaten chaff always gets the attention of the stock in this drought season.

Another day  at the beach  this time to try some fishing after work.

Lukas helps with moving some calves for strip grazing a paddock.

Time for another round bale in this ring feeder.

Late in December 2015 we hosted Matt, a ship designer from Wuhan in China.

Just checking the tank before starting work for the day.

Time to move the electric fence wire to another paddock.

Matt, helping with getting fire wood for the winter