Life in the country

I've been rising early for a 7km run/walk at 5am recently, heading out at dawn so I am back in time to rouse Joshua to be ready to catch the school bus at 7:30.
It is usually a very peaceful time, enjoying the cool before the flies come out. However, last week I twice had to dodge wandering stock - sheep escapees from the inadequately fenced paddocks beside the road out of town. I now have the shire ranger's mobile number in my phone contact's list, because this constitutes an "emergency situation" as sheep on the road can quickly lead to crashes on the road. This week I've been swooped upon by a mating pair of nesting magpies, who are extremely territorial. I'm learning to distinguish the raucous caaaw of their warning call from the rolling trill of their all clear.

The misty dawns are simply magnificent.

On the way to my regular KYB Bible study group 50km from where I live, I drive past this farm.

The local farmers have finished their main hay harvest and canola swathing, and are well into the canola (similar to rapeseed) harvest. Wheat and then barley are still to go. Some farmers then harvest their wheat or barley stubble as a second hay harvest.