Whenever I tire of the hustle and bustle of the city, I head to the Australian countryside. There are hotels available in small towns and villages as well. Despite modern conveniences, village life has not changed much. Rather, it is based on centuries old style.
Simple houses built on a wide area, wide roads, plenty of trees and greenery, clean climate and fields and paddies spread as far as the eye can feel very close to nature. If more solitude and silence is required, farmhouses are also available for rent.
A few months ago we felt the need for a similar environment, so we booked a farmhouse for a few days on the outskirts of Taree, a town between New South Wales and Queensland. After five hours of pleasant scenery along the way, walking on a smooth road between greenery and trees and observing farms of sheep, cows and horses, we reached the front of the road leading to this farm.
The two kilometer road leading to the farmhouse was unpaved but paved with small stones. There was a rattling sound when the car was moving. On both sides of the road there were thick, tall and ancient trees, whose brittle branches kept falling. When we arrived in front of the farmhouse, it was as if spring had come in the forest when we saw this lone house, surrounded by forests, far away from the population.
Because instead of big trees around the house, numerous small and flowering plants were spreading colors. Among them were lemon, malt, strawberry and apple trees laden with fruits. A grapevine near the main entrance stretched over the wall of the house. While at the rear there was a long grass field where goats, cows and horses were grazing. There was a barbed wire fence around the house and a push gate in front.
After opening the gate, we took the car inside and parked it under a shed. There was nothing written on the outside of the house except for the number, so I had some doubts that this was the farmhouse we wanted. No one was there to clear this doubt. I called the owner of the farm and told her that we have reached here.
He greeted me on the phone and said “The key is inside a box on the wall opposite the main door and the code number to open the box is this.” Inside the house you will find everything ready and clean.
We opened the door as per the lady’s instructions and went in. Indeed, the entire house was decorated and clean. Bed sheets, pillows, towels, fridge, TV, stove, dishes, kettle, toaster, library, video, barbecue stove in the veranda and everything else were present and clean.
We stayed there for four days, during which no one came. On the last day, they also brought the rent there. Actually we took this farmhouse only for three days. On the third night, a friend of mine also came there with his Begum. Although there was no one there to see me, I called and told the mistress, “I had to inform you that we have two guests. The other was to ask if we could stay here one more night.
I was expecting her to ask for extra fare for extra people. Because the more people there are in the house, the more electricity and water are consumed. But he surprised us by replying, “Guests are not a problem, yes you can stay one more night as no other guests are coming tomorrow.” There is no need to pay this extra night’s rent.
This answer was very unexpected for me. For a long time I did not believe that there are people who are not even touched by greed. We knew very well that the woman who owns the farmhouse works in a restaurant and her husband works in the fields. He himself told me this on the phone. By deducting the expenses of the farmhouse, they earn a small income from it. However, they did not have greed and greed.
The farm had a dozen cows, as many goats and two horses. As a farm resident you don’t have to worry about them. They graze on their own in this twenty-five acre farm. If they want to take shelter from the sun and rain, they go under a bunch of trees. The farm has three small ponds where rainwater is collected.
From there they quench their thirst. Yes, if guests wish to feed them for their hobby, there is separate feed for cows, horses and goats in a shed at the rear of the farmhouse. Go to the fence with fodder and the horses and cows gather, you can feed them over the fence. There is a separate enclosure for the goats. There is also an old shed where they take shelter from the cold and rain.
The farmhouse has electricity supply but also uses solar energy. The use of solar energy is common in Australia, particularly in rural areas. Another important thing is that all the water used in the farmhouse is collected from rain. Adjacent to the house are two large plastic tanks where rainwater is collected from the roof. This water is used for bathing, washing, eating and drinking for every purpose.
I used to think that the climates of Australia and India and Pakistan are very similar. Rain and sunshine are common features of both places. Rather, the sun shines more in Pakistan. Such solar plants can be easily and cheaply installed there. Also, rainwater can be collected and used.
Thirdly, such ponds can be built in our villages as in this farm. When there is no rain, this water can be used for livestock and crops. None of these tasks are difficult or expensive. I don’t know why no one is paying attention to this.
There are many honey farms in this area. There are also apple, pear, strawberry, grape and other fruit orchards. If we were driving in this area, we would see a board selling honey and these fruits in front of many houses. We stopped the car at a place and went inside. There were bottles of pure honey and baskets of fruits on the table in the verandah.
They were priced and had an open box on one side, from where you could take your change if you had a large note. There were no people and no cameras. But it is permissible for someone to steal or be dishonest.
These people of the village live a simple and natural life. They do not have wealth but they are rich in contentment. Despite old houses, small cars and a bit of poverty, they are happy with their lifestyle away from big cities.
Both population and sources of employment are low here. Because crops do not grow on the plateau of this area, there are only cattle rearing, gardening and other small occupations with limited income, but they manage to live on it with patience and gratitude.
In case of staying in such an area, the problem of food items is faced. Because there are few restaurants and halal food is rare. So we carry as much food as possible with us. While visiting a remote village in the same area, we felt hungry and went inside the only cafe in sight.
There were no other customers there at that time of the afternoon. When we inquired about the available food from the cafe owner, a middle-aged Australian lady, we were told that there was no halal item available. Seeing us disappointed, this lady also got worried.
Although it was not his fault. I asked, “Do you have double bread and eggs?” He immediately replied in the affirmative. At our request, he brought out double bread, eggs, cheese, butter, tomatoes and onions. Together we made an onion, tomato and egg omelet, warmed the toast, spread the butter and relished the fresh and hot food that was the bounty of the region. The lady was very happy to see us happy and satisfied.
When we expressed our desire to pray, this hospitable lady at first did not understand what we wanted. We explained that we need a clean place and a clean cloth. When she understood, she immediately cleaned the place, spread a clean sheet and went out the door herself. After the prayer, we thanked this kind lady, so I don’t know why tears came to her eyes. Perhaps this was the unique experience of his life.
This woman living in a small village had heard something about Muslims. Today, when she met me for the first time, she was shocked. For us too, it was a case of ‘Pasbaan got Kaabe ko sanam khan se’.
This world is a wonder! Such surprises are often found here. On the way back, I was thinking not of resources for the exaltation of nations. Good morals and high character are required. Contentment is not needed for happiness and satisfaction. These are the reasons for peace and contentment in this region.