Winter

Hello again.

It feels like last week I posted here but it has been 3 months! We have been busy on the weekends now the weather is cooler, all the horse events kick off and we’ve been spending most weekends at some sort of event. The kids have remained horse crazy and love to ride any chance they get. The local campdraft was a big weekend we attended in May. I’ve taken on the treasurer role and Matt helping where needed we were up early in the icy conditions and didn’t make it back to the van until bedtime each night. The kids had a great time competing in the Gymkhana and the mini and junior drafts. Lexi came up trumps riding ‘Hank’, taking out the win against 14 other little riders. A very big achievement for a little person in a very competitive sport, we were super proud and she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face for a week. Indi did a great job on her new little horse ‘Brandy’, she is in a tough age group, being the youngest and having to compete against bigger more competitive riders. But she had a great time riding around with her friends. Ashton enjoyed the big sandpit at the back of the grandstand and spent most of his time digging there. We have also been to Tambo and Blackall pony club days and stock shows too. Lots of fun and learnings had at each event, normally resulting in ribbons and an exhausted Mum! As long as they are keen and keep riding well I will keep driving them.

Matt has been busy as normal with all the different hats he wears…station duties, building, concreting, truck driving etc. He has been away quite a few nights again. May was a huge month with cattle, we had over 2000 head go out which meant lots of mustering, drafting, loading and repeat! Ziggy remains locked up when any truck is expected! Naughty dog.

We have recently been able to spend a week at the Blackall house and we’re finally starting to see it transform. Still plenty to do but I’m feeling a little less overwhelmed with the latest progress.

Ziggy earns his own paragraph once again in this blog. He normally travels on the back of the ute with whoever might be driving it, he loves to come for a drive. He came with me this week and spent a few hours doing the water run, rolling up wire etc and he kept getting in trouble for jumping off at every gate or stop or even when I was driving away slowly. He loves to jump off and sniff about and explore. Anyway we headed off to pick the girls up from the bus and on the way home I looked in my mirror just in time to see him fall off the side and onto the gravel road. I saw that little dog flip and cartwheel and bounce off the gravel like a rag doll! I told the kids it was bad news, Ziggy had just fallen. I was driving up the gravel at speed doing 80 kph, I thought he’d be dead or in such a bad way he’d need to be put down. I turned around to go back to him and he was alive! He was in shock but appeared perfectly fine apart from some gravel rash and a few cuts. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been keeping him quite for a few days in the cages, not letting him run with the big dogs in fear he has internal injuries but so far he seems his perfect self! Maybe he won’t teeter on the edge next time.

I have been busy doing the same duties, I’m not sure what my official title is? 🤔 I am firstly Mummy to three needy kids, I can be processing cattle, mustering, pulling out fences, making calls, attending field days, organising stock for the coffee shop and can now add social media marketing to the list! Some days are slower than others but for the most part there is plenty to keep me busy. The coffee shop is finally opening next week! It looks fantastic and there’s a lot of excitement for its opening. I will not work in the shop pursue but handle the homewares and marketing, so I will be in their regularly taking photos etc. Actually I’ve been taking some photos on my big camera, I enjoy getting a good shot and editing it. I would like to launch a little side hustle but we’ll see how that evolves over time.

The kids have had various falls from their horses but nothing serious just scrapes and bumps. I even managed to eat dirt last week, a tad sore and stiff but thankfully nothing broken. I hit the ground hard and was rudely reminded that I don’t bounce anymore nor get up as quick!

We’ve had various visitors over the last couple of months, a few groups of contractors and a lovely visit from my grandparents. It’s always so special to have family stay with us. We appreciate the effort it takes to see us!

Not much more to report that I can think of. It all just rolls into normality for us now. I would love to know what you like reading about most? Drop me a comment about what interests you or whether just a photo dump is preferential.

Take care. Jess.