Jindabella Heaven

This past weekend I think has been the best weekend yet. Absolutely amazing! We had signed up for a volunteer weekend of conservation work and I was a little worried about it. I wasn't sure where we would be staying or what we would be doing. We went with a bunch of American friends. So we piled into the conservation van having no idea what to expect or where we were going.
We drove for about 1 1/2 into the deep country and up the mountains. The scenery is absolutely beautiful in the Hunter Valley. It kind of reminds me of Vermont-a lot of beautiful farm land, rolling hills, big mountains etc. When we finally pulled into the driveway we thought it was a joke! It was the most beautiful house I have ever seen on a 85 acre property with the best view in the entire world. We couldn't believe it. It is called Jindabella and a couple Ross and Marianne recently bought it to do conservation work and rent out to tourists looking for a mountain retreat. Some retreat! It was basically a resort! The most beautiful yard and garden area on the most beautiful piece of property. A complete wrap around porch overlooking the huge rolling hills and mountains in the distance.
Our job was to plant 400 trees on the bottom part of their property. The area had been choked out by a lot of unnatural/foreign plants and the family was trying to get it back to temperate rainforest which it is naturally. It was pretty relaxing work except for the fact that it was SOO HOT. It was the hottest weekend yet-in the upper 90's on Saturday. The family had the best dog named Max who just loved people, he would come up to you and whine until you pet him and just plop down in your lap!
It was pretty awesome especially because the family was so nice! They took us swimming on Saturday to this beautiful little river. It felt like we knew them forever it was so fun. Everyone was swimming and playing with the dog, Ross splashing everyone! On Saturday night Ross had everyone shooting his guns in the backyard and attempting archery which was hilarious. Then his 25 year old son had us playing "Bush Croquett" and took us star gazing. We all had so much fun, it was such a relaxing weekend. It was the first time I really felt at home since I had been there, and really immeresed in Australian life with this family.
On Sunday we finished planting all of the trees and then they took us cliff diving! We went to a beautiful national park (even farther into the country!) to some really deep pools and jumping cliffs! It was so scary when you were up there but I finally did it after nearly peeing myself! haha. All the boys were having an awesome time! Marianne was nuts, she is probably almost 60 and she was one of the first ones to jump! Josh has some hilarious video of this that he will have to put up soon!
I was really sad to have to come back to Uni; Ross and Marianne seemed sad too. They said we could come back anytime and stay with them and they would pick us up at the train station. I may have to take them up on the offer! I absolutely LOVED it up there in the mountains. That is exactly the kind of simple life I want (plus a horse or two maybe!) I have some pictures rotating of the weekend up at Jindabella now that I FINALLY figured out how to do that haha. Also, I have a ton of pictures up at
http://picasaweb.google.com/Amanda.Beardsworth

Facebook is being lame and not letting me put anything up so you have to check them out!
And now... New Zealand in 2 days! AHHHH...