Country scenes in Morocco

Rural scene in Morocco near Ifrane

As we travelled through the country regions of eastern Morocco we couldn’t help but be astounded how it is like parts of South Australia near where we live.

Apart from the housing being somewhat different many things were very familiar. We don’t have as many donkeys here, and fewer goats. The sheep are also a different breed.

Rural scene in Morocco near Ifrane

Rural scene in Morocco near Ifrane

The leaning shed of Tungkillo, South Australia

Leaning farm shed near Tungkillo, South Australia

I grew up on a farm in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia. We had a number of very interesting sheds on the farms, many of them built by my father. While I wasn’t interested in becoming a farmer I do remember the many pleasant hours spent poking around in the sheds at home. Now in my more mature years I enjoy travelling throughout Australia, observing the many and varied types of sheds that can be found on farms and within view of the road.

The shed shown in the photo above has been amusing my family every time we drive past. It is on a farm near to the township of Tungkillo in the eastern Mt Lofty Ranges here in South Australia. I’ve never been to Pisa to see their leaning tower so I can’t make comparisons about grace and beauty versus function. This shed is still used on occasions to store hay bales, but it is obvious that it is threatening to finally collapse in a puff of straw and dust.

But not yet.

This shed has been leaning like that for at least ten years, though the list seems to have been accentuated by recent wild stormy weather. It will be a sad day when it finally concedes to gravity because it makes me chuckle every time I see it.

Tungkillo, South Australia

Tungkillo Hotel, South Australia

When we go to visit our daughter in Clare in the mid north of South Australia, we usually go through the small township of Tungkillo. This town is near the eastern slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges on the road from Adelaide through Birdwood to Mannum.

In all the times we have driven through this town, I recall only stopping on one occasion – to buy an ice cream from the general store – the only store which is now closed. The hotel (shown in the photos) does good meals I believe, but we’ve never been through the town at the right time to stop for a bite to eat. The town is a small community in the midst of farming country, mainly sheep, mohair goats, cattle and some wheat farming where it isn’t too hilly.

The photo below also shows a large pipeline. This transports water from the River Murray at nearby Mannum to the reservoirs which store water for our state capital city, Adelaide.

Tungkillo Hotel, South Australia

Hay bales near Tungkillo, South Australia

Tintinara, upper SE of South Australia

Farming display, Tintinara, SE South Australia

Farming display, Tintinara, SE South Australia

On my recent quick visit to Tintinara in the upper south east of South Australia I had morning tea in the picnic grounds next to the Information Centre and Craft gallery. On the lawns in front of the centre there is an interesting display of metal cutouts of a farmer, his ever alert sheep dogs and a small flock of merino sheep (see photos). This is a fitting tribute to the farming heritage of this area where both sheep and wheat are the strengths of the agricultural pursuits of this region.

Farming display, Tintinara, SE South Australia

Farming display, Tintinara, SE South Australia

The water table is not too far below the surface and windmills like that shown in the photo above are a feature on many farms. Most farms in the region rely on this aquifer, part of the Great Artesian Basin that covers a large part of Australia.

Pinnaroo wheat silos, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Pinnaroo is a rural centre in the eastern border districts of South Australia. It is a thriving small town with many fine facilities.

As you approach the town on the way to Ouyen in north western Victoria, or going the other way towards Adelaide, the most prominent feature of the town would have to be the towering wheat silos. This is a very productive wheat and other cereal grain growing district. During the summer months the area around the wheat silos are abuzz with activity as the farmers truck in the grain from their crops, ready for storage in the silos. Later it will be trucked interstate for sale or put on to trains heading to Port Adelaide on route for export to many markets overseas, or to local flour mills.

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Wheat silos, Pinnaroo, South Australia