We called in to see Rob's cousin Jim Congreve and his wife June in 2002. They live in the tiny town of Howard in Queensland on a small acreage property they named "Heavenly Haven". There had been no rain for a long time so their beautiful dam was dry and their lovely gardens were dying. I wrote this after we left.
Update - Jim passed away a few years ago and has gone to another Heavenly Haven where he is probably keeping the gardens in tip top condition.
When next you travel north of Brisbane,
up the Bruce Highway,
Look for the sign that proudly proclaims, “Howard - This-a-Way”.
Now Howard’s only a tiny place,
its seen much better times,
It used to be a town of renown, before they closed the mines.
When you reach the middle of town,
with care cross the railway track,
Watch for trains heading north, or possibly coming back.
Continue past the end of town,
you’re seeking another place,
Where you’ll be most welcome, and met with a smiling face.
On arrival at the Congreve ranch,
down the driveway ten meters or so,
The smiling face turns out to be, Jim’s pipe-smokin’, bearded, scarecrow.
Jim and June are rightly proud,
of all they’ve done to the place,
They built their home brick by brick, and produced a real showcase.
When they started working the land,
for a haven they did strive,
Now water is what they mostly need, to keep the dream alive.
It’s the simple things that give them joy,
their faces make it plain,
Like sitting together by the dam, and watching it fill with rain.
From time to time God sends the rain,
turning the dam into a tiny sea,
It brings life to the land all about, and to Jim and June tranquility.
Now Jim and June they worked it out,
that for rain it takes more than prayin’,
A little extra was required, so they called home - Heavenly Haven.