Do you know much about holes, especially those that show up on a farm? On our farm, they seem to appear overnight. They could be from our clever farm dog, Vader, digging up a bone he buried earlier or maybe from bandicoots burrowing around, as we have plenty on the farm. Or perhaps the holes are created by pesky hares that, after gnawing on our irrigation lines, decide to dig around in the dirt instead.

On our farm, most of the mysterious holes (like the one shown in the photo with Vader's head buried) have a familiar source: Robert, my other half. Don't get me wrong, I've had my own share of digging over the years, because holes are essential for planting lychee, custard apple, or dragon fruit. I use the soil from the holes to make sure the plants have a cozy bed to grow in – so I fill them back in.

Years ago, we took some friends on a walking tour through our lychee orchard. You may not know this, but some farmers used to bury their irrigation pipes deep underground. Theory being, if the land use changed down the track, and more tilling was needed, the pipes were deep enough not to get damaged. In doing this, meant a permanent hole was needed to access the water valves connected to these pipes.

Anyway, back to the story. As we reached the end of the tour, I suddenly stumbled and fell. Without realising it, I had walked the exact number of steps and the precise distance between my steps to land my leg squarely in one of those holes, and down I went. Yes folks, that was my first encounter with a Robert-made hole on the farm.

A perfectly excavated hole vs lush long grass covering a perfectly excavated hole - that's still not filled in

And just so you know, on our farm, holes don’t have to be round shaped. They can be long channels, or deep excavations - whatever takes your fancy! Farm life is always about ups and downs. The important thing is that you very quickly learn how to navigate the landscape. You’ll know that if the golf buggy you are driving leans a bit to the left, then makes a ‘thunk’ sound, and leans a bit to the right, that it isn’t a mechanical problem. Rather, you’re just negotiating the wheels over a known void, otherwise called a hole.

But recently, the ‘man about the farm’ announced a solution. ‘Let’s buy an excavator. That way I can fix everything up’, he said. Hmmm, perhaps that’s not a bad idea. At least we can avoid the farm looking like Swiss cheese forever. On the plus side, if things don’t work out and those jobs don’t get done, I will learn to use that excavator and dig a hole, 6 feet deep x 6 foot long x 4 foot wide.  A perfect Karen-made hole, just for him.... and don’t worry, I will fill it in.

Awhh, just kidding!!!

Vader: 'I'm sure this hole wasn't here last year.    Karen, "Oh yes it was!'