Obi Obi Valley

Warrawee,  Obi Obi Valley

I recently had an absolutely delightful day down in the Obi Obi Valley visiting gardens. Kate ( Plant Stall fame) and I have been looking forward to discovering the valley and our hostesses for the day were neighbours Chris, Jan, Lynne and Cheryl who treated us to morning , afternoon tea and lunch as well as being able to stroll around their gardens .
The Valley is looking very beautiful at this time of the year and even with a small  amount of rain has greened up well.The first most obvious sight when you cross the bridge is the newly renovated Obi Obi Hall which is close by to Chris's gate to "Warawee". The house sits perched mid way up the hill with the old dairy at the top . The house is freshly painted and there is a mass planting of roses ,salvias and perennials across a slope at the front. The lower paddocks have cattle grazing and the whole scene is picturesque to say the least.
Sitting up on the verandah is a prime position to look back towards the Range at Mapleton and to sometimes even see the Mapleton Falls. After a cup of tea and home made biscuit we put on our hats and stroll around the back of the house where there are several mulberry trees ,camellias and roses nestled behind hedges. Two vegetable gardens lie fallow and the chook house is weighed down by a very vigorous unnamed climbing rose or two.
Beyond the house garden there is the orchard and as we walk up the hill we come to a camellia lined walkway that leads to the renovated dairy . In the garden you will see toadstool seats and ornaments hidden amongst the shrubbery. There is that slightly wild ,over grown feeling to this part of the garden and you come across flowering plants and little surprises everywhere.

Jans Garden, Obi Obi Valley

Back down to the house it is time to head to the next garden belonging to Jan. Today we are driving but this garden can be reached via a short walk across the top of the hill trough another neighbour's property. Jan's garden sits high and the house is surrounded by a mass of colour . The roses on arch ways and and hardy perennials are the picture of health . The mature old poinciana tree is under planted with ferns and the near by plant nursery holds many pots of cuttings and plants awaiting placement in the garden. The fruit trees are abundant with mandarins and other citrus having been well feed with manure. Further on there is a fenced vegie garden and two  friendly pigs. At Jan's the Noritake dinner set is set on a long table on the back verandah and we devour a delicious feast.

Contented customers at Jans property

The next garden belongs to Lynne and is a short walk or shorter drive  from Jan's along the ridge.
The first thing you see is the hilton style vegetable garden completely enclosed and bursting with produce.
This property is flanked by mature bush  with a manicured house garden around a log cabin style home.

Lynnes Garden Obi Obi Valley

The roses are abundant across the front of the house and several circular garden beds are in the lawn. An old canoe makes a very good pond and Lynne's dog 'Horse' laps water from it. Lynne has just planted a lot of salvias along a fence line which will give robust colour in the near future. The back of the garden looks down into a valley and has several sections planted up. To one side is a moss and lichen covered tunnel which is a fernery and once we check for snakes everyone is happy to walk through .
Our final stop is at Cheryl's place on the banks of the creek. The house is set on the flat swathe of land that follows the creek and feels too close until you see the height of the bank down to the water. Cheryl shows us where the water has risen during flood and suggests that we swim and explore the river in summer.Cheryl has a small raised vegetable garden and a selection of fruit trees at the rear of the house. From the wide verandah we can see the valley from a different angle . We drink coffee,solve the problems of the world and then it is time to head for home.
This beautiful ,relaxing day with lovely generous people will stay with me. Kate and I  felt so special.
Thankyou to the Obi Obi girls.
Kyleigh

At Lynnes Garden, Obi Obi valley