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Udialla Springs is a really special place: a freehold property on the banks of the Fitzroy River, owned and managed by traditional owners and running cultural tours and a wilderness camp (http://www.uptuyu.com.au). It’s special because of the people, the stories, the country and the food. Nev and Jo, my WWOOF hosts, are not fans of history – others’ interpretation of other’ stories. And why wouldn’t you prefer your own stories when you can draw on a connection to land that stretches back thousands of years, such that the country oozes stories with every footstep that you take. What a privilege to hear stories on country and directly from the current custodians of the land: standing beneath the trees that shade the springs or sitting on the banks of the Fitzroy River. Places that have huge sprititual significance for the local Nyikina people and the family that lives on and manages Udialla Springs. “When you come through the gate you are family” Neville kept reminding me, and that meant joining in all family and visitor activities: listening to stories about the country and culture, swimming, fishing and watching a visiting UK film crew shooting scenes for a three-part program about Australian food. But I’m WWOOFing, I thought, and I should be doing more to ‘earn’ these experiences, “I want to give back enough”. Slow down, go with the flow Karen – there’s lessons right there girl, let alone the other learning! A parry-graph isn’t enough space to do justice to my time and learning at Udialla Springs. I’m still thinking about it and working out how to describe it. Suffice to say that my visit included fabulous food (great curries and salads, open fire cooked roo tail, cherabin (freshwater prawns) and barramundi straight from the river); wonderful country (see photos), precious stories and knowledge (the tragedies of slavery and displacement, Neville’s personal connection to country, why the boab grows upside down, fire management and much much more) and a chance to connect with an inspirational family – oh, and not to forget the lovely Jess (home tutor and all-round, enthusiastic participant in all things Udialla). Yes, I did do some WWOOF jobs but I know the scales were tipped in my favour. Nev, Jo, Simon, Angelina and Ida – thank you for a life-enriching experience. Thank you for strengthening my lee-un (phonetic spelling!)and I hope my life journey allows me a return visit.