Mowbray Park: Estate of Old England
I enjoyed my first golf session with Terry and his friend John after a peaceful one-hour horseback ride around the estate. Both were incredibly friendly and patient as I learned the basics. It turns out golf suits me quite well; I seem to have a natural feel for it. With some helpful technical advice from Terry Digger, I even managed a par 3 in just six strokes. Not bad! We shared some laughs over my French accent and had a fantastic time together. Later, over a cold dark and gold beer, we discussed business and geopolitics. Our two countries are so vastly different: Australia has 20 million inhabitants spread across an area one and a half times the size of Europe, while France has 65 million.
Terry deeply loves the wide-open spaces and tranquility of the outback, even if, as John pointed out, their local hospital struggles to find nurses, and the government can't seem to build the much-needed highway connecting Perth to Alice Springs and Sydney due to insufficient tax revenue. Both men are sharp, dynamic, and engaging. Terry, 42, has the natural flair of a young baron. He drives a top-of-the-line Land Rover, is happily single, and is incredibly likable. A true charmer, he seems more focused on traveling, being a good friend, and finding ways to enjoy more free time. John, who works in finance, is an open, fascinating guy with a great sense of humor that instantly sets a good mood. A proud father of seven children and husband to his beautiful wife Lisa, he certainly doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Mowbray Park is an expansive estate, resembling an abbey-style village with a distinctly English design, featuring charming white-painted brick buildings. A dedicated team of fifteen people works here, including housekeepers, gardeners, cooks, waitresses, a secretary, and activity guides.
Tonight, 60 Japanese students, accompanied by their teachers, are arriving for a few days' stay at the estate. They will enjoy horseback riding and engage in cultural exchanges with a local school. "Japanese people are smart," Terry told me. "They don’t just stay in their own corner; they actively seek to learn from others." The cultural ties between Japan and Australia are strong, and Japanese is widely taught as a second language here.
The estate's cook, Abraham, is a hearty Dutch man with a prominent belly and a matching traditional outfit. Although he speaks fluent Dutch, he doesn’t seem particularly eager to practice it, and the few Flemish words I remembered from my childhood didn’t spark much of a conversation. A hearty breakfast is served every morning in a cozy dining hall. However, the presence of the actual owner and the estate's deeper history feels somewhat absent, as the owner lives a few miles away.
Our gentle morning horseback ride is now far behind us; it's time for the real ride with Terry and his girlfriend Jane. A highly skilled rider from Boston, Jane came here to work last June and quickly fell under the boss's charm. When she talks about her home region of New England (where I once did an exchange with Doris Clark, owner of the 'Twin Oaks Inn' B&B in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts), you can feel her deep nostalgia. She deeply misses her town and its quaint, European-style streets.
Riding at full speed, her horse encourages mine, which had been eagerly waiting for a chance to stretch its legs. Thrilled, though perhaps lacking a bit of confidence, I fully embraced the role of those legendary riders who once crossed the American West to deliver the mail. My last real horseback ride was during my visit to Eugene Green, owner of the 'Green Acres Ranch' in Royse City, Texas, who gave me his blessing to ride one of his finest horses.
I miraculously managed to keep up with Jane. My horse is spirited and eventually broke into a full gallop. Terry, ever the philosopher, followed us a few lengths behind. His classic 'Outback' hat suits him perfectly; he is the true heart and soul of this magnificent estate.
***
"Hi Philippe,
I had an unforgettable experience; it was great to see you again. I loved staying at your place; the atmosphere is so pleasant. You were right; I could have stayed much longer. The mountains, villages, and people were simply incredible.
Enjoy your trip, and I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality.
Cheers! Terry Digger"
Mowbray Park Farmstay Holiday, Terry Digger, Picton, NSW, Australia -
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