Your page: readers’ emails and letters
ONE READER LOVES THAT COUNTRY SQUIRE IS BOSSED AROUND BY HIS CAT AND ANOTHER HAS MOVED TO THE HUNTER VALLEY IN NSW, INSPIRED BY COUNTRY STYLE.
LIGHT RELIEF
Your December 2018 issue has just arrived in my PO Box — a subscription gift from my cousin. I always go straight to Country Squire to enjoy Rob Ingram’s, what I call, feet-on-the-ground opinions! I had a true belly laugh at his despair that the cat rules his house and Rob’s (mythical?) win of a cruising holiday in the peanut butter lid competition. I am an animal lover, but don’t have a cat. However, I often blame ‘the cat’ if something goes wrong or missing — “…must have been that cat!” My cat has never been a consideration when going away, but I am going to start buying peanut butter again to hopefully win that cruise. I’m looking forward to more of Rob’s columns in 2019. Debra Wayland, Kurmond, NSW
POIGNANT REMINDER
Country Style has been an escape from the everyday for many, many years now. More so in the last couple of years since my daughter was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. We’ve been living on a 600-hectare sheep and cattle property, but due to the recent drought my partner has been made redundant. Although we will have to move away from farming for a little while, I know the pages of your wonderful magazine will keep the spirit and love for rural Australia alive with the images, colours and stories of farming families. Sheree Elphick, Majors Creek, NSW
LIVING THE DREAM
I’ve been an avid reader of Country Style since it was first published. As a young woman, I worked in a Sydney newsagency and couldn’t wait to open the bundle of Country Style magazines when it turned up on the doorstep. For years I have poured over the pages of Country Style (my treasured collection often gets a re-read), dreaming of my ‘one day’ country home. I’m so excited to say that dreams do come true. Recently, my husband and I bought a shack on 40 hectares of bush in the Lower Hunter Valley. A happy place where I can finally grow fruit and vegetables, a place to give my chickens space to roam and, finally, a place where our three boys can live that wonderful country existence. Thanks for inspiring me and keeping my dream alive all those years. Joy Wyton, Bayview, NSW I came to live in Australia a few years ago and, since the first day, I’ve loved it, and found the people very friendly and welcoming. I knew it was going to be challenging, mainly because of my lack of English, but also for being so far and so different from Spain, were I am from. As soon as I arrived, I found your magazine was just my style. I have taken copies back to my country as presents for my family and friends, so they can see how life here is so different. I thank your magazine, which has taught me to love this amazing country, to love your houses and gardens, and appreciate the importance of family history. I now know how being far from the cities provides serenity for families and how people are more connected. Country Style is full of inspiration! Iballa Elena Rodríguez, Rose Park, SA