Many years ago, Pete lived in a little village outside of Canberra called Gundaroo. He wasn’t there long – just for a few years in his late teens. During that time, his family (and particularly his mum) became good friends with their neighbours, Mike and Joyce Plane.
When I was nineteen, I visited Gundaroo for the first time, and we went to lunch at the Planes’ house. I remember them both clearly – Mike was older with a full beard and a wicked sense of humour, while Joyce was down to earth and welcoming. I also remember being very impressed that she’d made the pasta we ate for lunch that day from scratch (not a common thing in 1984).
Fast forward thirty years to last week, when my friend Alison and her family paid us a visit. I met Ali through blogging, and one day, as I was posting her some sourdough starter, Pete looked at the envelope and said, “hey, I used to live near there!” One conversation led to another, and it turned out that not only did Ali live in a neighbouring village to Gundaroo, she actually worked for Mike and Joyce. It’s a very small world!
These days, the Planes run Gundaroo Tiller, a specialist gardening tool supply company. When Ali visited, she presented us with these very special tools – one being a gift from her, and the other a gift from Mike. Pete and I were very touched that he even remembered us after all these years!
Known as the Ho-Mi (pronounced “hoe mee”) this unusual tool is a traditionally styled Asian hand cultivator. It is very strong and hand forged in Korea by traditional craftsmen. Its angled neck makes it ergonomic and easy to use – so much so that Alison no longer uses any other hand tools in the garden…
The leaf-shaped hammered head will be useful for countless garden jobs, from tilling to furrowing to planting. I also think it’s really very beautiful…
The smaller version is lighter, and should come in handy for getting in between plants…
Here’s the information that came with the tools…
I can’t tell you how nice it was to receive this gift, and not just because the tools are brilliant, but also for the emotions they brought with them. We lost Pete’s mum a couple of years ago (today would have been her 74th birthday), so to receive something from friends who were closely connected to her was incredibly touching. Mike, Joyce and Ali, thank you! x
PS. Mike and Joyce will be holding their Annual Organic Fair on the weekend of the 26/27 October. If you’re interested, more details are available on their website.
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Ooo I would love one of these.
:-) Mandy xo
They work really well, Mandy! :)
Hi Celia. I am sharing some family love with you on my blog today. No worries about accepting or not accepting, just wanted to share it with you. :-) xo
Mandy, you are just the nicest person, thank you! xxx
Not a great gardener here, but the tool is interesting indeed…
just wanted to say thank you for adding my “IMK” post to your front page… Great to be able to participate this month!
It’s always so nice when we can peek into your kitchen Sally! Hope it’s all going well! :)
Such a lovely story Celia, and you are right, it is a beautiful garden tool. I never thought I would say that about a garden implement, but that’s one of the many things I love about your blog — you introduce your readers to things that are not necessarily considered conventionally beautiful, but through your lens they become so…IMHO ;-)
Danielle, you’re always so kind, thank you. The Ho-Mis really ARE beautiful, and you can just imagine them being heated and hammered into shape. They work brilliantly too! :)
those are very beautiful…tools as works of art. it’s a shame they need to get covered with dirt!
Bernie, they’re even more impressive in action! :)
I wonder if they would stand up to our very clay rich soil…some of it is so hard I have broken garden tools on it. Guess I should do some amending?
Those are lovely. My brother made me a cultivator many years ago that is used in the same way and very handy although not as pretty- yours has a wonderful leaf shape that I really like. BUT I understand about the emotion behind the gift and the feeling that it is made just for you and fits into your life on many different levels. Thanks for sharing your story and your gardening tools!
Heidi, it’s really clever how it works, isn’t it? With a downward swinging motion rather than an upward digging one – it makes it far easier on the old joints! :)
How wonderful, and also as you love gardening .. how very useful. They look dangerous, to weeds of course.. I bet you are out there in your garden right this minute chipping away, accompanied by your chooks of course! c
Celi, they’re so sharp! I couldn’t believe how well they worked in the garden. Pete and I just threw away all the crappy plastic handtools we’d been using – they were all cracked and broken, so this was a very timely gift indeed! :)
What a beautiful story and a special gift! Yes, the world is indeed small!
Laila, I’m starting to realise that it’s tiny! :)
It is indeed a small world! It was a special day meeting you and such fun. Now go get those tools dirty… Xxx
Thanks again darling, we had such a fun day! Your family is absolutely gorgeous!
Celia, come here while I give you a kiss on the forehead. Tony has quite bad arthritis but he loves gardening, I think I’ve found his Chrissy present.
Oooh I hope so, Rose! :)
They really are works of art. And I can think of a few people in my life who may be getting one as a Xmas present — thank you!!
Anne, that’s great, thanks for supporting them! It really is an excellent bit of gardening kit! :)
What a great sounding tool, and I like that it’s angled to the side life that.
How lovely that your new friends reconnected you with your old friends Celia. I hope today isn’t too hard on you, Pete and the boys with the anniversary, and that you can have a day of happy memories instead sweetie. Xox
Thanks Becca.. x You might find this tool useful with your sore arms, love?
What a small world, I have pictures in my mind of you using your new tools weeding, loosening soil around your plants …. and enjoying the moments.
Norma, you would understand – we’ve been struggling with crappy garden tools, and these ones are so solid and well made, it’s SO much nicer to work with them!
Wow it really is a small world isn’t it? What beautiful tools. Happy Birthday to Pete’s mum. I like to think you still get to celebrate your Birthday even if you’re no longer here.
Claire, now that’s a nice thought, thank you! :)
I have a Ho-Mi and use it all the time in preference to other small hand tools for weeding, tilling and even making furrows. You won’t know how you got by without a Ho-Mi now!
Bronwyn, good to hear someone uses and loves it! I like how their website advises, “never lend it to your gardening friends!” :)
Methinks you will use these often, very often. I have friends who swear by them and since they are light and ergometric I really should make the effort to get 1-2 myself. With that lovely family historical story attached I can see you smiling every time you reach for one . . .
They are very pleasing in the hand, Eha!
Celia thank you for the introduction to the Ho-Mi, I have had a quick look at the website, what an interesting place and I love the way they share their knowledge. We always have a gratitude toast to my Mother on her birthday even though she is no longer here with us.
Madge, I’ve just found Mike and Joyce’s planting calender, which I think will be very useful:
Click to access plantingcalendar.pdf
What a lovely story that seems to have gone the full circle. Such kindness! I can imagine that tool being very handy. And how amazing that the Plane’s are working in a business that sells goods that are just what you and Pete would be interested in! I’m sorry to hear that Pete lost his mother a few years ago. These days we hope our parents will live on until their in their late 80’s and anything else seems like they were taken from us too soon xx
People are very kind, aren’t they Charlie? And we’re all getting to the stage where our folks are aging, it’s a tricky stage in life…
What a great tool, and connection. I think I shall have to share this information with the G,O. :)
I hope he finds it interesting ED!
I hope he buys me one for my birthday ;)
It is truly a small world, Celia. That tool looks like a handy one to have, even more so knowing the context. Without going into a long story, I’ve a tool that, whenever I just see it, let alone use it, I remember Mom and can’t help but smile. I hope this tool gives you the same pleasure each and every time you see it. :)
John, thank you! And it sounds like a wonderful long story, I hope we get to read it one day! xx
Celia, everything you plant, grow, or cultivate with that beautiful tool will be extra special, thanks to the emotions and the story behind it. I love how it looks like a leaf.
Kim, thank you, it’s very beautiful, even when covered in dirt! And so sharp – I keep trying to wave them around like ninja weapons, but the boys are certain I’m going to cut myself (I get a bit klutzy with things like that!) ;-)
Ha, Celia! Knives in the kitchen command the same respect (I’m very careful with my piano-playin’ fingers) and I loved your Ninja analogy. :) Your family life make me picture FUN!
Such a lovely story, Celia… love the tool too!
Thanks Lizzy! Close to you – do you think you’ll make their open day?
That is such a sweet, thoughtful and useful gift. And I love the look of the hand beating on the blade.
Amanda, that really appeals to me too! I have visions of hot fires and blacksmiths with large hammers and anvils.. :)
I looooooove Gundaroo! With Canberra house prices as ridiculous as they are, I continue to try to convince CPoo that 200 acres at Gundaroo is a much better way to spend our money :) I went to Mike and Joyce’s open day last year, which featured lunch (free range Berkshire Pig pork belly rolls with chilli jam and asian slaw) cooked by Martin Boetz and Janet Jeffs. It was fabulous. How I would love to do an Allsun Farm internship and drop out of the corporate world for a few months to learn how to (properly) grow my own fruit and veg :)
Jas, I’m so glad you went and loved it! I only visited a few times, but it’s a lovely part of the country!
Beautiful story Celia, that tool looks very handy too! x
Thanks Jane! We love them!
What a wonderful gift to receive. I love the color of the metal and the hammered marks on the blade. Very sharp tip too. I think it will work beautifully in the garden & will carry such special memories.
Mel, thank you – it’s one of those things that just feels good in the hand, if you know what I mean. Sturdy and solid and balanced and sharp..
I LOVE those tools! They definitely look practical AND actually work. How many times do you see these cheap gardening hand tools that are made of plastic or just don’t work well? I’m thinking of those little claw things & it seems lately all I can find are ones with the fat fingers that just don’t did into the weeds well at all – it’s almost like a child’s toy.
How wonderful to still have personal connections to people.
Di, the day after we tried out the Ho-Mi, we threw out all our cheap and nasty plastic hand tools! And yes, the connection makes them even more special! xx
It’s a tool and a piece of art in one!
Jo, I think you’d like this. It makes things easier on the hands! :)
Objects and meaning and memories all together, powerful writing, I liked this very much, love to you all xx
Thanks dearheart. Hope all is well in your world, and that you get your hands on one of these ho-mis! :)
I’ve been to Gundaroo twice-to eat at the fabulous restaurant called Grazing. Have you guys been? It’s worth a visit! :D P.S. I know nothing about gardening so I have little to contribute to the gardening talk :P
It’s a lovely little place, but we haven’t been back there in years! :)
I loved the restaurant Grazing too. The garden out back and the chooks – perfect. I took a stroll down the street – it’s pretty sleepy there but would be lovely to visit. :) I like the garden tools!
It’s been years since we last visited Gundaroo! Sounds like the restaurant was great!
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