What do you do on a Saturday afternoon when you’re bored as batpoop? Teach your horse to lay down on command of course!
This is Percy (Coolridge Perseverance), a smart little Australian Stock Horse 3yr old filly. I was given her by Jackaroo, who bred her. She was a weanling when I first started visiting the farm, and was the first foal I named of his. Her name doesn’t seem to suit her sometimes, as you don’t have to persevere with her much to get the desired result. It literally took 5mins to get her bowing and then laying on the ground – despite hoards of pups running about. Great little horse! Can’t wait to start Campdrafting on her this year!
Once again, the Gymp has been inundated with cloud tears. The river swelled up and flooded the town and approximately 130 homes and businesses. After 4 days without electricity, we just got it back. How did people back in the old days survive?! Though it was quite a novelty showering like a hippie – lathering up with soap in the rain, then having a bucket of water tipped over you!
On Saturday, we headed to the local pub in the courtesy bus for the Australia Day festivities at about noon. When I was ready to go home, my jackaroo borrowed a ute to drop me 2kms home. In 6 or 7 hours the water had risen to a height which was unable to be passed in this ute. I then had to hang out at the pub until closing time – thinking we would have to stay at someone else’s place. Let me reiterate – I was stuck at a pub for 12 hours. 12 HOURS. Tyra Banks would’ve been scared of my fierce! Hehe. Anyway, luckily just before the pub closed, someone turned up in a cruiser, so we chugged our way through the flood waters. (I am not encouraging driving through flood waters. There was 10yrs of flood driving experience behind the wheel).
The waters have almost receded, and the clean ups have begun. The grass seems to be growing before our eyes! Which is good, as the horses are look very hungry! The dogs love the rain though, especially when they plant their muddy noses or paws on my clean work skirts. I’m sure I get some looks sometimes, with foot prints on my uniform, or lucerne in my hair.. Ah the trials of being a bumpkin. Wouldn’t change it though! 🙂
I’m hoping to have some more interesting stories for you lot soon. This weekend I will be heading up to Middlemount, QLD, to muster on two different stations. It’s been postponed for a few weeks due to the rain, but finally we’re going! I’m so excited! Even bought a few new work shirts to go. How’s this?: I tell jackaroo that there’s some pretty work shirts at Saddleworld for sale – $40ea. (I know they are pricey, but they were so pretty for work shirts! :D). He looks at me with raised eyebrows.. “What? As if you’d pay $40 for a work shirt.” I slink away.. Feeling slightly chastised for being so easily conned by pretty colours.. The next day I go and have a look at St Vinnies and Red Cross. I pick up 2 work shirts for $12, barely worn! BarGOOOOON! I take my proud purchases back to show jackaroo. “Eww, you’re going to wear other people’s old shirts?”. Men, hey? *shrugs* 🙂 xx
Not quite at the peak of the flood – somewhere under there lies our road.
