Week 2 - 5
The start of this month was very dry and most of the dams and streams were all dried up or had very little water. So the kangaroos were hanging around the house in search of water. We had many just hop by our windows.
Then the rain started and we didn't see the kangaroos around the house again. It turnt out to be quite a wet month...with many many thunderstorms.
One time in the middle of Digby's riding lesson, a storm, all of a sudden was upon us and we got drenched.
Another time Joaquín got stuck in the mud.
After all the rain the grass and trees grew. Everything became greener and greener. This was the house when we arrived and then after 2 weeks of rain.
2 main things happened when the heavens open:
Wet weather road...we have to use this road to gain access to the main road as the main driveway becomes too muddy.
Loosing power...this can happen for a few minutes or many hours. Once 6 poles came down on the property in a storm and the electricity guys had to come and fix it in the middle of it still pouring down.
Wet weather road...we have to use this road to gain access to the main road as the main driveway becomes too muddy.
Loosing power...this can happen for a few minutes or many hours. Once 6 poles came down on the property in a storm and the electricity guys had to come and fix it in the middle of it still pouring down.
When the rain came so did the toads and frogs...we now have some as pets who sit on our outside chairs eating the bugs (which have also come out in their millions - bug spray needed!). We also hear the giant chorus of frogs down by the river which is so loud.
Only a few times I got stuck in the mud...when it rains the ground gets super soft; I got the ute stuck in the mud one time at the dump. I tried to call for help on the radio but no one answered so it was a walk back to the house, at least it's not far away! The other time I got bogged was in the car on the way to town...the rain had been pouring and Dave said the car would make it out to the road but the first corner I get to into the mud we go. Dave had to tow us out then we get stuck 3 meters later...it was time to take ute with 4 wheel drive!
Kids back to school (Digby goes everyday to the local state school which is very small with 11 children...Claudia goes to Kindergarten twice a week)
I have been doing the usual morning routines and have established an afternoon routine of collecting the children from the bus, teaching the children to ride, making sure homework is done, preparing dinner, watering plants, feeding the animals and bath time.
Other jobs I have been doing:
Sorting toys, tidying the tack room, working the ponies (including being chucked off...no injuries luckily, just bruises), burning rubbish at the dump. We had to look after Dan and Michael's dogs and chickens while they were on holiday. Weeding, cleaning, fishing the fish out of the tank and moving them, blending egg shells for the garden, de-hydrated herbs.
Sorting toys, tidying the tack room, working the ponies (including being chucked off...no injuries luckily, just bruises), burning rubbish at the dump. We had to look after Dan and Michael's dogs and chickens while they were on holiday. Weeding, cleaning, fishing the fish out of the tank and moving them, blending egg shells for the garden, de-hydrated herbs.
Some other fun things happening:
I baked many yummy treats, the kids enjoyed playing in the muddy puddles, the children had their first friend to sleep over, we went over to Begonia station, a neighbouring property, for "coffee" and cake at the cafe.
I baked many yummy treats, the kids enjoyed playing in the muddy puddles, the children had their first friend to sleep over, we went over to Begonia station, a neighbouring property, for "coffee" and cake at the cafe.
On a weekend there was a 'Beef and Reef' night at the local sports club. We had a great night with delicious food and met Melanie a backpacker working at a neighbouring property; her partner was sick so didn't get a chance to met him. We spent the night chatting away.
One Saturday when we were in town going to get our food shopping, on the only main road through the town I got pulled over by the police...for a random breath test (they do that here), this is the first time ever for me! The officer said, just doing a random breath test, is that OK...I replied yes. He never asked for my name or driving licence just blew into the machine and passed so off I drove.
Joaquín's birthday
This was the month of Joaquín's birthday and as we were out in the middle of nowhere there was not much I could plan or get for his birthday. My main present to him was a riding lesson...he had never sat on a horse before. He got the hang of it pretty quickly. He rode on Oman.
