Friday finally arrived, we were packed and ready to roll out, managed a quick catch up with the neighbours on menagerie watch and then we were off to Bundaberg for a Shire social weekend full of information, visitors from afar and a chance to see Pearl and Rebel of course.   The 5 hour drive didn’t seem to take that long and amazingly the tent (brand new) was up just before dark (with help from Andrew Ormond and Peter McKeon on this one… dome tent destructions and windy conditions had us struggling)

It was great to catch up, share stories, swap tips, and ask loads of questions of the assembled horples on hoof care, breeding, showing, servicing, diseases, photography and judging.  Pearl was officially measured at 16.3hands, below average for a shire but we hope that late Abraham’s genes kick in and give Rebel the desired boost at maturity and finish him out over 17 hands.  Pearl is due to be scanned this Friday so it’s fingers crossed she’s in foal and we can organise their return home the following week.  We have so missed having them home but a few weeks away to ensure a new baby next year is so worth it, hope it’s a filly.

The domestic side of the weekend however was not so invigorating, the airbed had retention problems, losing stuff and the torch needed to find it again…was only funny once, seeing the unzipped flyscreen from within the sheets and bedding was frustrating and what to do should one need to pee through the night was thankfully not realised.  Still there was an upside; the tent remained dry and pegged despite the drenching 2 hour storm cell trashing other campers’ accommodation.

So what’s up next? Get along to some local meetings, practise platting up on one of the littles, install the new troughs.. put in some drains… landscape the rubble….. transfer the feed and equipment…… sigh……..get the 500 bales delivered and stacked…. um…do several dump runs… mowing…. slashing etc etc etc…. paradise has it’s chores… 🙂

Enjoy the world people!