Dear Biodiversiteers,

The end is nigh! Apparently. Although it sometimes depend on where you get your news. I get mine via jungle drum from The Phantom, Ghost Who Walks, Man Who Cannot Die, because he’s always right and he always beats the bad guys. A bit like BMV!

Speaking of beating bad guys, and because the end of the year is indeed nigh, it gives me great pleasure to invite you and yours to our Xmas Field Day. It’ll be on Sunday December 1 – it was the earliest December date we could get – at John Hardy’s Lower Tintara vineyard, 94 Kays Rd, McLaren Vale. We’ve been here before but last time it was for the Great Twenty Eight Road Boneseed Onslaught. Such fun. This time we’ll be gently smashing our way through some pesky olives down in the central part of the property along the creek line. These things never quite line up precisely, but we’ll actually be working a couple of properties downstream from Koomilya. In the Pedler Creek catchment. For those who are innarested in this kind of thing.

Anyway, there’ll be tree poppin’ and sawin’ and drillin’ and fillin’ and haulin’ and stuff like that. A bit of Freein’ the Tree. Some shootin’ the breeze. Mango might even bring her flute and play us a few Xmas carols. Hark the old Makita’s singin’. The Little Driller Boy. It all makes my heart quiver, and it will yours too if you just get up off your bum and join us while we get down. Dude.

Now, pay attention to this next bit. The driveway into No 94 Kays Rd needs to be approached gently because it comes up on you suddenly. So, coming from McLaren Vale, go past Kay Bros entrance on the left, go up over the hill and through the short winding bit. Then, the very moment the winding bit ends, the driveway is on the right. 94A, 94B, 94C on the street sign. And a Bright Yellow Cockatoo sign flying high and proud. That’s the one. Turn right in. From there, follow your nose past any houses you see and around the left hand side of the shed and you’ll see us down on the flat. There will be signs to guide you, and there’s a map attached for early route planning.

We’ve ordered mild weather, so no sweat there. Unless The Phantom doesn’t come through, but he’s never failed me yet. I’d wear something long in a lightish cotton. But tough. Something that breathes easily and naturally, and that will allow you to move and work comfortably but still look fresh after a couple of hours of scrabbling in the dirt. And boots. And gents, perhaps a dash of cologne…

Then, when all is killed and done, there’ll be a cebelatorally celebrationist luncheon of less than epic proportions but certainly enough to ensure that tongues don’t wag. Plus a small vat of wine to wash it down with, or some cold canned junk for those who prefer that. At the height of it all, I believe that Jock Harvey is going to lead us in song. But I don’t know who’s gonna make the gravy.

If you can’t hardly wait, I suggest you register now by clicking on the button, coz this show is sure to sell out. If you can wait, I still suggest that you register this month. That way, there’ll be cauliflower aplenty, and no-one will have to starve or be miserable or feel left out.

And Feelin’ Alright. Which is just how we like it.

See youse there.

Geoff H

Map to work location @ Lower Tintara Vineyard — Turn off Kays Road into number 94 and follow the track