The Bush

Saddle up with us!

Today was Winter Solistice here – the shortest day of the year, and also a grey, chilly day to boot.

And while curling up on the couch under a doona was a tempting idea, we didn’t get the option.  And to be honest, once you are out there on a horse working, you don’t really mind that much.

But how can I expect you to understand what it’s like, if you’ve never experienced this kind of work?

Hmmmm…

I’ve done plenty of still shots for you…

weaners_1501 a

And even the odd panorama…

weaners_1539 a

But it’s not like HEARING it or FEELING it.

Well, my friends, I have come up with a cunning plan.  Actually, this ‘cunning plan’ gradually dawned on me after I was urged to ‘leave the Nikon behind’ because it was raining lightly and the weaners we were walking out were kinda ‘skippy’ in the yards.  It was assumed I would need both hands to do my job properly.  And me being me… well, I grabbed the iphone instead!

And I remembered (an hour or so into the ride) that it has a VIDEO option.  So … I got busy.

Now please, before I share, remember that I am NOT a video editor, or a movie cameraperson.  I am a stills person who rides a horse and rounds up cattle.

You will need to forgive the fact I talk to my mob as we walk along too – they seem to know what I am saying. (‘Steady’ translates to ‘walk along nicely and please stay in your mob’ – just so you know).

Alright. Ready for an Aussie accent?

No, I don’t really know what ‘check the fence’ is in jackaroo-speak either! (And I’m not quite game to ask).

And I do know there are typos at the end of the clip – Windows Movie Maker simply refused to accept correct spellings for some reason, and I just gave up!

Hope everyone is not feeling motion-sick (You Tube promised to ‘take the shake’ out of my handheld iphone footage!) and recovers from any saddle soreness shortly.

How was YOUR shortest/longest day of the year?


13 Comments

  • Linda In Tucson AZ

    Happy Summer Solstice! It is always so interesting to read about what your weather is like in your area of Australia vs what our weather is like in our area of the US. Even though today is the longest day of the year, the temps are predicted to get up to 104 °F (40 °C).
    Any way, I enjoyed “riding” along with you and listening to you.

  • Colin Huggins

    Great video – I think your cattle are far better trained/disciplined than the shorthorns we had in the 1950’s! The damn “mickies” would make runs for the mulga!
    Your steers certainly are in great “nick”.

    As for the “shortest day” of the year here in Brisbane – it was cold and constant drizzle!
    Equates to miserable and staying indoors!
    I think I would have traded for the Tuscon weather – maybe not quite the 104F. !!!
    Thankfully today, the sun is out!

  • Harvey

    Beautiful camera work.Callum wasn’t checking the fence,he was making sure you didn’t loose any while you where videoing.

    • BB of Oz

      Ah – thanks for that Harves… did wonder if it had something to do with walking dogs. Glad you enlightened me!
      😉

  • quincy's keeper

    Love it!! I have had to “check fence” a time or two on a drive. Visiting Austrailia is on my bucket list. I WILL make it happen one day. And to get to trail cattle? Icing on the cake 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge