Black Gold

And just like that, the weeks have passed without a blog post again. What a slacker I am. There's been some movement at the station, and all parts between of late, and even a little bit of most marvellous precipitation! But we'll start where I left off - dry dry dry.

Was summonsed to bring molasses towing vehicle to the prickle farm; cows had hit the wall and The Husband decided he needed to start feeding M8U (molasses + 8% urea) ASAP. So I did as I was told  (I always do!) and with trailer attached to ute, off we went.

The molasses mixer is mounted onto a home made gooseneck trailer; at the back there is mounted an engine which drives paddles inside the mixer tank to keep the contents mixed up (so the urea and any other additive doesn't just settle at the bottom, we want the mix to be even). When stationary and the engine running, the trailer vibrates around, quite like a boat rocking on waves.

  Hi tech tube getting the molasses from the mixer into the trough (a bit of poly belting rolled up and wired!).

First mob of old dears pulled up to have a lick and slurp en route to water (we place the troughs away from the main waters so they don't just sit in the water square gutsing themselves). The skinnier cows are the wet ones, ie have a calf.

All was going well until we arrived at the next drop point. Filled the trough, discovered the water trough was empty (much swearing and scratching of head on husbands part). Drove off to continue our delivery - and found WHY no water was getting to the trough. Busted water pipe - being in sandy country and buried underground (and after recent showers) it was not visible. But the 8 tonne mixer found the wet spot.

Again, insert much cursing and grumbling. Unhook the trailer, and go back to the shed...

  

Where the collection of vehicles (yes COLLECTION) revealed some issues. The main farm ute, flat tyres and no spares, as they were all in at the tyre shop getting new tyres put on the rims, and the old girl (retired to fencing duties only) had a cracked head and leaking radiator that required top ups at every trough.

Chain was applied, and the old girl stepped up to the plate and successfully managed to get the trailer pulled out. (husband had visions of another shower of rain and the whole thing toppling over).

We continued on our merry way.

I had a wander through the cows at the main water, checking out who was who and what babies where there.

Found this teeny tiny black baby and his mama (her condition a bit light, but I am happy to report that in the few weeks since, with rain and molasses, she has picked up).

Love walking through the mob; with the exception of one cow who had just calved (and is a snot head at any time) no cows were terribly bothered by my aimless wander. I had one old quiet dear follow me around three steps behind me (why? I cannot tell you!) and calves come skipping up to check me out. They are funny creatures.

And that ended my day out, delivering molasses. The day started the molasses delivery regime for The Husband - remixing and refilling every 3-4 days. And ordering of replacement for the bulk tanks. (and open slather on the cheque book).

I am pleased to report, that since these photos were taken, a good 2" of rain fell pretty much all over the property, with other isolated showers in spots before and after. Sadly, this rain wasn't widespread over the region, although on a different night we got the same here at home. My garden is thankful, the kids were over excited and rolling around in the mud (first proper mud in the back yard since early 2012!). Its not drought breaking rain, but takes the pressure off, and gives the country its first good drink in a while. Amazing how quickly things respond!

I'll be back soon with more adventures, I promise. Its a bit like riding a bike, one doesn't ever forget but I feel a bit wobbly on the wheels. Perhaps that bit of rain has done more than just given the ground a drink....

Sunset

I'm getting so lazy these days, snapping away with my iPhone which takes amazingly great photos (better than my little point and shoot I think). I think I'm doing my dSLR such a disservice, but then I snap a photo like this with my phone, and think NAH. Better to have that snap shot than none at all :)

Lists and letters

Mum would very much like to see a copy of the other letter, hoping that it might contain less expensive electronic gadgets***. And the second child has been told that under no circumstances will Santa be bringing her a sewing machine at the age of 9.

Boy child seems to be letter-less, taking advantage of the fact that he "carnt write mum" (lets say its more of the fact that he is far to lazy to write? and it makes his little brain work very hard, dealing with those pesky letters and sounds that we are so struggling with this year. He'd much rather dictate, and to be honest I think he does that a fair bit, in both letter writing AND life!)

Last year I struggled to get into the Christmas Spirit, this year I am contemplating putting up the tree this weekend as well as the lights. Maybe if nothing else, to give us some cheer.

Like the kids over at Fiona's place , our eyes are firmly on the horizon and fingers tapping on the radar and weather apps on our phones with frequent regularity. When the ants start moving into the kitchen (its a sign, its going to rain!) and the storm bird arrives (its a sign! its going to rain!)...we live in hope.

There's always hope. Especially for those kids with iPods on their Christmas lists.

 

*** tell me, do other 11 year olds have ipods? what version? I am aware of boarding school looming on the horizons, and half of me thinks one should get one to last the distance, and the other thinks geez that's an expensive gadget, what if she breaks/looses it? Go outside and play?! and then another thinks, maybe its time she learnt about looking after ones things (even if it is the hard one, and pains her parents pocket should the worst happen?) Discuss.