Catching up (backwards)…

Oh dear Lord… life has really got away on me for the past 12 months. Doncha hate that? Between the world tilting a bit on its axis with COVID, and me wearing a new (figurative) hat or two, my blogging has definitely suffered.

I am a bit more active on my Facebook page, but it has come to my attention that that social media platform is hardly independent and most likely unreliable as a long-term way to share images and info…

So here I am, back again!

Starting at the end, methinks, and working backwards. Today: the Branding Muster of 2021.

Our girl – who wants to be known by her actual name, Sarah (rather than Violet) rode our young gelding ‘Confession’. Remember him? (Here he is when he was born – sooooo cute!). His colour is slowly changing to a mottled grey (slightly dun). Super cool.

He needs a little warming up before riding still – green and full of ‘hump’ (as my father would say). But he is mostly a good boy, and soon smooths out. Pictured also is Georgie, who worked for us for a few months in late 2020/early 2021.

She was making sure Sarah got safely aboard before the team all headed off to muster cows and calves…

If you look carefully, you can see Jack (‘Dash) on the right riding his favourite horse Cherokee, his friend Amy on Tighe next, then Sarah and Georgie with Jack’s dog Diamond madly racing around. Diamond really needs to learn to pace herself – she’s not exactly an endurance athlete.

A mob of cows and calves coming in to a laneway that leads to the main yards. My hubs in the background on ‘Waratah‘ the big bay.

The most vital ingredient out here is always water – whether it’s for sweaty, thirsty riders, horses, cattle or grass!

It’s been super hot this Summer – and while we had early rain and nice green grass for the start of January (as seen here in this pic), it has not rained since. The grass has dried off with no ‘run off’ rain for our water storage (dams).

Our ‘back yard’ duo – Jack and Amy ready to sort the calves from their Mums for us to tag, vaccinate and brand.

Our girl on the tools..

It’s amazing how fast the calves recover from their couple of minutes in the calf cradle… this guy was checking out the fresh green pick within 10 minutes.

Of course, when they are done, and we have ‘mothered up’ (matching calf tags to their dam’s IDs) they have to go home…

Always an easier ride taking them back!

On a side-note… how grown up are our two kiddos?

Feels like yesterday they were just learning to ride… now this one shows US all how it’s done and can see the end in sight for her schooling.

And this guy is living and working at home!! After finishing school and a Diploma in Ag.

Meanwhile, post branding scenes to round of this long-awaited post…

A lovely ‘couple’ in one of our stud paddocks…

With cows and calves settling back in nicely.

And the old timers (like this girl below) wondering what all the fuss is about…

How is your corner of the world looking, dear reader? I’d love to hear your updates too.

Cheers

Amanda