Hello there,

Goodness, being a parent is tough.

I was up at 1, 3 & 5am feeding.

Don't do it Justine.

V.cute tho to hear a blah-lamb's ickle feet going tippy-tap on a wooden floor.

We put him back with Mum this morning to see if she was any more interested.

As a tired onlooker I was relieved so see he got stuck into his tucker.



I like to think he is saying 'Thank You' in this one



This afternoon we lit a huge household rubbish fire.

Reminded me of that day we told each other fire stories
at work Q & laughed til we wept.

"Fire, Fire"

Police in Auckland are hunting a serial arsonist after 14 fires in 1 night
last week.

Think I should forwards this chap's description ?



It was a beauty.

"Fire is good - it is our frieeeend"



I know it's really hot in England but just look at this blue sky.

Cue ELO



Chum is shaping up to be a feisty lad.

He fought Boy for his biscuits today & won.

And has all the makings of what they call here a really good 'eye dog'
This means a dog who can work stock just by staring at them to control them.
The other type is a 'huntaway', essentially a dog which makes a lot of
noise to drive stock ahead of them.

Here he is mesmerising a couple of lambs, note the raised forepaw, he means business.



Time for bed for me, could do with a good kip after last night.

Take care.

Cx

I am in love.



Eric - Named after MR T of Matamata

His name is Eric.

He is 1 day old.

I am his Mummy.

His real Mummy is rubbish & has refused to let him suckle as well
as sucking the skin off his tail.

I get to feed him & love him & hug him & call him George (or Eric)
for 1 night. He then gets put back with Mum again tomorrow
to see if she feels any more inclined to look after him.

I have just given him his 1st feed.

I tell you - if you haven't fed a day old lamb who wags his bloody,
skinned ickle tail when he sees you then you just haven't lived.

I am on Cloud 9.

Q - Sorry I missed your call - had fone on mute, can't disturb the baby.
Could you insert the pic of Eric please ?

Di & Ang - It's tough being a single parent isn't it ?

Cx

ps. sorry for Blog absence will explain all tomorrow when I have some time to myself.
Am ok tho, thanks for the welfare checks everyone.

Bad hair ?

It's an excellent look.

Even these kids would do as they are told with hair like that.

Cx

ps. Trudes - We always wondered how I would look as a (spit) blonde.

With a little bit of grapic manipulation , the ice queen lives down under , even maam has bad hair days

People have been asking what her address is and that they could not find the link in the archives.

AWATERE , MARFELL DOWNS, SEAVIEW ROAD, SEDDON , MARLBOROUGH , SOUTH ISLAND , NZ

Urban warfare.

All kids back today.

Back to picking up & puttng away & nagging for me.

Very draining to ask for everything not once, not twice but often 3 or 4 times.

Thank goodness the holidays are over.

Sent lots of e-mails (mostly whinging)

Cleaned the kitchen 34 times.

Or at least it felt like it.

Innes decided to ice all horizontal surfaces.

He says he was icing cupcakes but I don't believe him.

He went on to make bombs from baking soda & vinegar.

He looked surprised when I suggested it was an outdoor activity.

I suppose I will sound old-fashioned now when I say that even without
a puppy & a pony & access to a farm I didn't spend a minute indoors.
My Mum would vouch for that, come the school hols we
disappeared all day, frequently not returning for lunch in case we got collared
to 'do jobs' We turned up again as it got dark .

The weather here has been glorious for the last 3 days & is due to continue.
The kids have baked, watched tv & played on the computer.

Can't understand it ?

Chris & Trish due back in 2 hours, looking forward to handing the reins over.

6 months on & I tried sleeping in the middle of the bed last night.

Didn't like it & moved back to the right after 10 minutes.

Sleep tight you lot, whichever side you are on.

Cx

Why don't you go Q ? you never know - you might surprise yourself & enjoy it !

Let him entertain you.

Weird day.

Guess who I found ?

Boy.

Not only that because you would expect the body to turn up sometime.

Alive.

Went for a walk down to the river to try & escape the wind.

Have never been there before, a complete one-off.

Took Don & Chum with me.

Found a very steep hill I couldn't safely climb down, me & Chum took the easy route
but Don was determined to get down the slope.

I couldn't understand why but with ewes in lamb all over the farm I couldn't
trust him to come & find me later on. I started to climb down the slope & saw him
sniffing another dog.

I literally rubbed my eyes & thought I had seen a k9 ghost.

There he was, looking a bit confused bless him, but apart from that right as rain.

Turned out he has been living next to the offal pit for 6 weeks.
There is a small pond about 300 yards away, he must have been drinking from that.

I couldn't climb down the slope to get him without dislodging huge boulders which
I thought would be an ironic way to kill a dog I had just found so I went to find Mike.

We came back with the truck & some rope.

This is the sort of country he has been living in for 6 weeks.
I am now covered in gorse scratches.




Mike made short work of the slope down, attached some string to his collar
& began the slow process of getting him up the hill.
There were lots of breaks & encouragement.







The final result, a very healthy-looking Boy.



He actually looks better now than he did when he went missing.
His coat is beautifully shiny & lush & apart from being a bit smelly
he seems none the worse for his ordeal.

An odd thought crossed my mind after I found him only a mile
or so away from the house.
As he had lasted that long & looked in such good nick I did
wonder about leaving him there. I wasn't sure that a dog which
had found it's way there couldn't find his way back again if he wanted to.

I wonder if Mike thought the same thing because he said to me that Boy must have thought he had died & gone to doggy heaven being that close to all that 'fresh' meat.

When I offered him his usual tea of biscuits he turned his nose up at them so
possibly Mike was right.

I couldn't honestly have left him there though, I wouldn't have slept at night wondering if his food supply had run out or if he wanted to come home. I tied him to a gas cannister this evening as I thought he might take it into his head to wander off again.

An aminal story with a happy ending - now there's a change.

Zoe, Innes & Lizzie came back from Kowhai late last night.

Back to picking up & putting away for me,
cannot believe how quickly they decimated the house.

Time for bed,

Cx

Another contender for 'best day yet'

Azure skies, warm sunshine & playing with dangerous machinery.

I will mostly let the pictures tell the story as there have been lots of words over the
past few days.

Took Chum & Don around the cross-country-course today.

Tried some timed shots of us all with varying degrees of success


Gorgeous


Found a little something to keep the sweaties happy


Fissel - I am getting good now Kirsten - Hope you Like


My artistic work was interrupted by Mal & truck.
I jokingly asked him if he was aware he was towing a sheep ?
He replied 'Yes'


Extreme sports for sheep


Extreme sports for sheep


Headed back to the cattle yards, past the now empty pig pen to
take some shots of one of the tractors.


Ma' New Fwiend Trakka



Fed the old-timers,


Horace (right) & Kestrel (left)



My day ended with Mike asking me if I would like to drive the 'header'
or combine harvester as we know them.
Does a bear s*** in the woods ?


OH no More big machines

After driving around the lower paddocks & almost hitting a fence I didn't see,
I headed back for the shed where it is stored.
Mike said I could start to reverse it in but he would complete the manoeuvre as it
was a very tight squeeze. It was a rear-wheel steer & quite difficult to
manage as I couldn't reach the floor but I reversed it all the way in 1st go.
I tried to look nonchalant.
I have started a list for Santa, a header is at the top.
Wonder if it will fit down the chimney ?


OH no More big machines

First 2 lambs born today.

A good day.

3 kids get back tonight.

I will leave you with an image I hope doesn't distress too many of you.
I know there has been a lot of death, gloom & carnage in the last few entries
but I promised I would bring bad news as well as good.

All I will say is if you are of a sensitive disposition it's probably
best not to look at the next photo. It's just one of those cruel facts
of nature I am afraid.


I told you if you didn't play with me the wabbit would get it



I was getting in the washing this morning with Chum's help.
I had washed Humpy along with my bedding & placed him
in the washing basket.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Chum tossing something gleefully in the air.

I think so much of you lot that before launching a rescue I grabbed
the camera to record the act.

Have a good weekend,

love,

Cx

What a relaxing day,

No kids & the house & farm to myself.

Didn't get up til 0900, longest lie-in since I arrived.

Helped weigh cattle this morning.

Walked Don, played with Chum.

Finished my book, sitting in the sun.

Fed the neddies & that's about it.

Just back from roast chicken dinner at Mal's.

I think he felt sorry for me, being here alone.

I didn't like to tell him I was relishing the idea.

After dinner we watched 'Bargain Hunt' with David Dickinson
which felt surreal.

Very calming drive back through a bitterly cold night (1c)

The moon was full & hanging low over a completely black Pacific Ocean.

Another one of those 'Look at that' moments.

Nighty-night UK,

Cx

I am hyped !

Have just come back from T3.

Don't know if it's out in the UK yet so will try not to spoil anything.

Some criticisms.

The guy who plays John Connor is (in my humble opinion) poorly cast.
The kid who played the part was sparky & convincing.
This bloke looks/acts like he eats quiche.

The movie suffers without Linda Hamilton.

It is not as cleanly shot as the 1st 2, which I think were James Cameron movies
(don't know who the director is for this one ?)

However, this is just nit-picking because the film is funnier than the other 2,
loaded with more testosterone & features THE best chase-scene ever.
The female baddie (extremely foxy in head-to-toe oxblood skin-tight leather
& spike-heel boots) gets to drive the best vehicle you can (or at least I can) imagine for the chase sequence. Again, I don't want to spoil anything but think Maggie King on a blues & twos call for the damage quotient.

Arnie, even at 67, still looks ripped & has some very funny one-liners.

Look out for the scene where he obtains his customary head-to-toe black leather outfit.

Having huge difficulty typing as there is a fat cat with attitude on my lap.

I have also had to change my top as he paid me the ultimate compliment by spraying me as I was stroking him. Does that mean I am his bitch ?

The drive home from the film was in Chris's new car.

It is a champagne-gold 3.5, V6 Nissan Maxima & although I don't usually enjoy automatics I have to say I had forgotten the joy of kick-down. It is safe to say it was a spirited journey home.

Speaking of speeding, which of course I wasn't, I got stopped by the plod today.

I was within the speed limit, wearing my seatbelt & feeling quite smug knowing that I even remembered to say 'Yes officer, how may I help you ?' to the traffic cop who flagged me down.

It was a routine check so I was surprised when he informed me that the licence for diesel was 10,000 kms over what it should be. That equated to a $750 fine. I was very, very happy when he said he didn't want to give me the ticket & let me off with a warning. That was even before he asked what I did back home. What a great cop. Good teeth too.

We then chatted for about half an hour, turns out he was from Teeside & settled here about 15 years ago. He was so easy to talk to that I found myself telling him all about Coco, Kestrel, Ginger Tom, the pigs, Jess & the kids. He was in stitches & kept demanding to know if I was making it up. His Inspector came to ask if he was harrassing me & I told him that he was unlawfully detaining me. At the end of the stop he introduced himself as 'Dan - the highway patrol man' & said I can go out in any of the cars for a look-see.

He even stopped all the on-coming traffic so that I could chuck a u-ey & head for home. What a gent.

He has lived in Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington & now Blenheim & concurs with Bill's view of Auckland as a s***-hole. His message for you Bill is to police as far South as you can, but stop before you get to Invercargill, full of stroppy Scots apparently ? His words not mine.

It's nice sometimes to be part of the biggest gang in the world.

Weeny, the next bit is for you, cos I know you worry that I am wasting away here.

This is what I ate today.

Breakfast
2 slices of toast, butter & jam.

Lunch
An apple.
A slice of bread with peanut butter.
A steak & mushroom pasty.

Dinner
1/2 a fruit & nut bar.
Peach slices with cream.

Supper, before movie
KFC chicken popcorn.

Snacks at movies.
Popcorn & coke

I don't know how the apple sneaked in, I can only apologise. I was aiming for an entire day of starch, monosodium glute & sugar & I almost pulled it off.

Time for bed. Took Chris & Trish to the airport today as they decided to watch the last few days of the twins hockey tournament. Also took Genevieve to a friends so I am here completely alone for the 1st time since arriving. The peace & quiet only lasts til Friday when the other 3 kids return from Kowhai but I intend savouring the 1st quiet lie-in I will have had in 8 weeks tomorrow.

Thanks for all the messages about BM. You are a top bunch.

Cx

ps. One for the girls. Drove past the Air Force base tonight & about 20 young things out running in shorts, vests, crew-cuts & very large packs on their backs. Mmmmm.
Young man :)

Buenos nochas,

Just off the phone from Bill.

Even more disjointed than usual as he was typing case papers whilst listening.

Off to see T3 at a special preview (is it out in England too ?)

Later,

Cx

ps. got stopped by the filth today :)

Not the easiest of days.

My yearning for chocolate has been only partially sated by having a hot chocolate thing they call a 'milo' over here. Don't even have the usual bona-fide reason for wanting chocolate.

Where to start ?

Early morning call from a very fed up Stu this morning. His opening words were

'This isn't a wind-up'

It appears that as well as an import certificate to allow BM to land in NZ, she also needed an export cert to allow her to leave the UK. As to why nobody at DEFRA thought this was something that should be mentioned BEFORE the aminal turns up at the airport ? Who knows ?

Bottom line - another week to 10 days until she gets here.

Not really a huge problem except that I had arranged to take Wed & Thu off & was just really ready to see her. Oh well.

Next - the woman who has been to view my neddy Jess, decides to come & take her away for a trial today. To say that she was odd does her a disservice. I'll relay the conversation we had & let you decide.

You need to know that the only other time we met was 2 wks ago when she came to try Jess. I tacked her up, we exchanged a few pleasantries. That's it.

When she arrived today Trish asked me to bring Jess in from the paddock.

As I went to get her Sue asked me to wait for her.

She started ... (sounding very hacked off)

'I don't know if there have been crossed wires here but I am not taking Jess to do dressage, I am just going to hack her'

'That's good' says me 'cos she hates dressage'

'I know that' (snapped)

At this point, I look at her to gauge her expression.

She is staring at me furiously.

'You're English aren't you ?'

It's an accusation, not a question.

I confirm that I am from England.

'What DOES this horse like to do ?'

I reply that Jess loves hunting.

'Well, I won't be hunting'

The emphasis is on WON'T so I try again.

'You seem upset or angry about something, do you want to tell me what ?'

'Dont patronise me dearie, just go catch the mare'

To say that I was taken aback is an understatement, I don't like being spoken to like that at the best of times & especially not by someone who won't even tell me what I am supposed to have done.

I tell her that I don't care for her tone & ask again what the problem is ?

I am not being aggressive, I am just very confused.

'Will you catch this mare or do I have to go do it myself ? I do know a little bit about horses you see'

I actually stood rooted to the spot. My over-riding desire was to throw the head-collar on the floor at her feet & invite her to go get on with it.

3 things stopped me.

The first is that regardless of what I wanted to do, the horse belongs to the lady whose son died on Sunday. I didn't want this woman to add to her problems by complaining about the English groom who refused to catch the horse for her.

The second is the fact that I was representing Trish & the horsey community is very incestuous.

The third is just my professional pride. I was going to catch Jess & behave like a grown-up even if this woman couldn't.

When I entered the house to get Jess's travelling things I asked Trish if Sue had said anything to her to explain why she was being so offensive to me. She had not. I also told Trish that I was on the verge of telling her to sort Jess out herself. Trish told me I was welcome to.

I led Jess to the trailer & had to prepare her for travelling as this woman who professed to know about horses had not brought even leg or tail bandages for her to travel in. Again I fought the urge to leave them on the floor & walk away.

As I bandaged her legs Jess stood like a sweetheart, obviously thinking she was going hunting. Sue picked up one of the bandages & tried to help. As soon as she touched Jess's hind leg, Jess obliged by picking it up, thinking she was going to have that foot picked out. Sue didn't know how to get the foot to go back on the floor & said

'I think I had better leave the bandaging to you'

I completely ignored her.

She asked me what Jess ate, I really wanted to say 'Food'

I loaded Jess onto the trailer, feeling like a traitor, blanked Sue & wished her driver a safe journey.

I had such a huge lump in my throat that when Mal asked me if I was free to help him, I couldn't trust myself to speak. I unclipped Don & stomped off to the top pastures to have a blub. It's was so sad watching Jess go anyway as she has baby-sat me for the last 5 hunts but knowing she was going to an unbalanced fruit-loop was even worse.
The fact that Ben was whinnying for her didn't help.

Funny how things work out though because about 3 hours after they had departed Trish told me that the horse's owner wants her back. They have found a hunting family who are keen to have her & that will suit Jess right down to the ground. Needless to say, I offered to ring Sue & break the bad news but Chris thought that perhaps he should do it ?

What else ?

Oh yes.

Don is being sold.
Tea-Bag & Slurp are being slaughtered.
Kestrel has damaged his eye & lost the sight.
Millie is to be sold.
Ginger Tom is to be shot.

I'm not making the last one up - honest.

He has been skating on thin ice for a couple of weeks having developed the anti-social habit of spraying indoors. Yesterday, when the vet came for Kestrel, Trish asked if there was anything to improve GT's behaviour ?

The vet has tried him with an injection of female hormone. It seems to be working because last night he was trying to get into Genevieve's wardrobe.

I told Chris about GT's injection & he said he was in The Last Chance Saloon - if it didn't work he was to be shot. I had visions of Chris taking pot-shots at him on the lawn & curiosity got the better of me so I asked how ?

Parental guidance warning ...

He said he would put him in a box, give him some food & put the barrel of his .22 rifle to his head. He clarified, when he saw my expression, that he wouldn't miss.

I hope the injection works.


Slurp N Teabag

I was telling Chris we were out of peas for the pigs.

Doesn't matter, came the reply - they won't be here after Thursday.

I didn't suppose they were going on holidays but because I misunderstand so much around here I thought I had better ask. When he confirmed what I suspected, I tried a different tack.

'They're not very big are they ?'

He said they were huge.

"Well, what I mean is, they are not very fat are they ?'

'Good try' came the reply - 'I warned you not to name them'

As for Don. Chris doesn't like him, says he is too much of a 'wuss' to make it as a farm dog & is going to sell him to someone who has more time to train him.

Millie apparently behaved very badly at Pony Club dragging Innes around the jumps in a scarcely-controlled manner & so Trish wants to sell her because she is not an all-rounder.

Poor Kestrel has torn his eye. Not the eyelid but the actual eye. It has looked very sore & I have been bathing it a couple of times a day. Easier said than done because Kestrel will only be caught by a child so you have to find a child first.

I also had to give him an injection of antibiotic, again not easy as he is terrified of needles. I ended up having to twitch him, a process which although it looks cruel is very effective with horses.

With apologies to those that already know, the idea is that you take the horses upper lip & wrap a piece of thin rope around it. You tighten the rope by twisting it around a stick & hold it firmly in place. You have to go much tighter than you imagine the horse can stand. The twitch releases seratonin, a natural 'feel-good' or pain-relief agent.
Some horses are so nervous that they have to be 'twitched' even for clipping or shoeing and sometimes for control purposes on breeding horses.

The hairiest wee beastie here, Fergus violently objects to havng his mane pulled. He feels so impassioned about this that he has been known to lie on the floor in protest. I suspect I will be twitching him when I have to tidy up the bog-brush he calls a mane.

On the upside,

Today was gloriously sunny & beautiful to be out in.
Terminator 3 previews in Blenheim tomorrow so I am going to drive in & see if I can get tickets for the evening.
Schooled Honey in a baseball cap (riding hat has inadvertently gone to Kowhai in big truck with kids.) Didn't fall off. Didn't get brain-damage.
I have 2 days off now.
Q & Turbo came 2nd in the Sovs pub quiz

I feel better after off-loading, even if it is just to a computer.

No foties this evening so some name-checks instead.

Trudes

All becomes clear, you are welcome whenever. You are probably the friend who would be least shocked by the day-to-day carnage that is farm-life, having no compunction about blasting wee furry things. (joke)

Angie

How's the decorating going ? It must be fantastic to see Lorna again. Has she brought back 'Nice & lovely hair shampoo' in bulk. Say hi to her for me. Tell Nutty what happens to non-toilet-trained Kiwi mogs, see if she bucks her ideas up.

Stu

Thanks for ringing to let me know the new plans. Sorry you had a wasted day. How much did you pay the vet to say no ?

Mum

Well-how is it ? I am sooo jealous. I wouldn't keep my licence for more than a day driving one of those beasts out here. The garden sounds beautiful, look forward to seeing it a year on.

(Mum has treated herself to a Subaru Impreza after becoming bored of being mature & sensible in Renault Clios. She sold her 1st one to be a growed-up & never got over it. I promised I would buy her one if I ever won the lottery. She obviously found out I don't actually do it)

Turbo

Great to chat - even if it was cut short by my battery. What you didn't know is that whilst I was talking I was also taking off 4 horse rugs & carrying them to the corner of the paddock. No such thing as down-time between 0800 & 1200 you know.
There is 1 high-risk misper, a female juvenile, Slovenian, shop-lifting, self-harmer. I have sat on the paper-work all day, done no investigation, not allocated anyone to it & am telling you with 5 minutes before the end of the shift. Oh yes & the incoming duty officer is that bloke from B-team. (Just for old times sake)

Q

Thanks for the voice-mail. Makes much more sense than predictive text. Please get rid of it (same applies to you Turbo) Can't imagine what you thought 'Letter from America' was if not the answer to your quiz question ?

Letter From America

The World's longest running speech radio programme was first broadcast in 1946. Now you can read Alistair Cooke's weekly letter on the internet

Alistair Cooke has presented BBC Radio 4's Letter from America since 1946. He was born in Salford in l908, educated at Blackpool Grammar School and Jesus College, Cambridge where he gained an honours degree in English. Alistair joined the BBC in 1934 as a film critic and in 1935 he became London correspondent for the National Broadcasting Company of America. He started reporting for the BBC in l937. He has presented television programmes, hosted Masterpiece Theatre in America for 22 years, and written many books.

In 1973 Alistair was awarded an honorary knighthood and in 1974 he addressed the United States Congress on its 200th anniversary. In 1991 he received a special BAFTA silver award for his contribution to Anglo American relations, and in l992 the Broadcasting Press Guild's Radio Broadcaster of the Year and Outstanding Individual Contribution to a Programme by The Voice of the Listener and Viewer. Alistair Cooke lives in New York with his second wife. He has two children.

I love that poem, have read it at least a dozen times. It must be very thrilling to know you have made such an impact on someone that they immortalise you in poetry. I am very jealous. I am also relieved to know it was written by a proper 'writer' If you are still in contact please tell HIM (I stand corrected for my sexist assumption) how much I enjoyed it. RSClarke has not replied ? The Blog comments are not snide as such, just only things you could know having read it ? Thanks for adding the pics to promptly to Blog.

Bill

How swish is that house ? Still being new to pooters I cannot get over having a virtual tour of a house. It all looks so pristine & I can see myself savouring a big red on that decking. (hint) Check out the panoramic shot of the bathroom though. There is a v.scary reflection in the tiles. I am assuming it's the guy using the camera but for a moment the hairs on my arms stood up (reminded me of the ghost pic that scared you in the dead of night) The thought of the Met being ahead of another force/service in the terms you explain is not so surprising. I am constantly suprised to hear some of the language around me & I think it's because the Met has affected us more deeply than we care to admit. Not necessarily a bad thing. Don't worry about the call - as & when. I feel exactly the same about the days rolling into one, it's a Kiwi thing I think.

Justine & Malc

I will reply soon, honest. About to have 2 days to myself. Will send a full update then. I am curious to know what the hunting's like in England. Have you done any Justine ? I have a fantastic foto of Goo Goo with one of her progeny. I will get it copied for you, it is v.cute. Your garden must be looking gorgeous at the moment. Is Malc still being Lord of the Manor in his Le Chameux wellies as he strides the High St with the locals pulling at their forelocks ?

Bloo (1st time caller)

Your lot look like they know how to have a good time. Good shirt.

Wot no Weeny ?

Have they made you lot actually do work & not start the day with Blog & coffee ?
More updates with house-hunting please.

Di

Still awaiting pics of the window-boxes ? How goes the decorating ? Did you get the water cleared up or will I be returning to a sunken Japanese water garden feature ?
Are you taking it easy with William & is he still VLD ? 44 weeks to go.

Creaky

I was thinking the other day how much I miss the Control Room. Not.
How's the nagging, aching pain in the neck ? Does he still wear that blazer ?
Love to Mrs Creaky.

Rocky

How's things in the Big Car ? Any good fights lately ? On or off-duty ?

Tony

You were in the local press over here the other day for saving a baby.
Did I miss something ?

Way past my bed-time so night-night all,

Hugs gratefully rxd.

Cx

NEWS FLASH

BARLEY HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BOARD THE FLIGHT

MA BRIGGS NEEDS A HUG

SO LETS ALL SEND HER

ONE IN FACT TWO

WHY NOT ITS THE NEW MILLENIUM

CHIN UP BOSS

I'm not very proud of myself for whining earlier about lack of 'quiet time' especially having read that the kid's parents arrived at the accident scene shortly after it happened.

Trish has been very upset all day & said to me earlier

'Guess us Kiwis aren't so tough after all, I have wept all day'

I have never thought people deserve prizes for 'being tough'

I suppose Blog is an instant editing tool & the fact that it is supposed to be 'now' doesn't allow for reflection. One of the things I admired about Q's Blog was it's immediacy, it's honesty. He wrote how he felt, what he thought, without worrying whether people would approve.

How old do you have to be I wonder before you stop caring what people think ?

My Mum said that if I were to consider publishing Blog I should definitely leave in the replies to other people's e-mails. She went on to say they showed the 'real me'. I suppose she is telling me what I know already. I don't let people in easily.

After Weeny & I first got speaking (& I won't go into details suffice it to say it involved a lavatory) she said to me ..

'I am amazed I like you - I thought you were a real stuck-up starchy knickers'

Talk about damned with faint praise.

I know what she means though.

If I am in an unfamiliar situation or nervous of new people I purposefully give out a 'don't approach me' vibe.

A perfect example is when the management at the nick invite Joe Public in to the Control Room to have a look-see. I know what I should be saying is

'Welcome, come & see what goes on fair tax-payer'

When in fact, what I am thinking is

'Go away, foul & loathesome new people'

I'll never make a new friend again after this will I ?

I wish I were more like some of my friends, Q & Cocky spring most readily to mind. People who seem perfectly at ease when socialising. People who can hold a canape, drink a drink, remember someone's name. Not talk with spinach stuck to their teeth.

Keep eye contact.

For that reason, I won't be editing out my earlier comments today but maybe learning from them a bit.

Enough analysing for now, I will leave you with some pics of


Feeding Out

Nite-nite you lot,

Drive safely,

Cx

Seddon youth dies in crash
14 July 2003

A 17-year-old Seddon youth was killed near Twizel yesterday after the car he was driving collided with two others on State Highway 8.


Jack Griffith Mills Bristed died when his Mazda Familia hit a trailer travelling in the opposite direction near the Lake Ruataniwha spillway at about 1.30pm.

His parents, who were following in another vehicle, arrived at the scene about 10 minutes after the accident.

Four other people, one in a serious condition, were taken to Timaru Hospital by St John Ambulance.

Constable Greg Sutherland of the Tekapo police said the youth had been travelling north when the accident occurred.

The Mazda first hit a trailer being towed by a vehicle travelling south. The occupants of this car, a Dunedin couple, were not injured.

The Mazda then spun into a second car, also travelling south. A man and woman in this car were also injured, the man seriously. Mr Sutherland said the man was in a serious but stable condition this morning.

The two other people taken to hospital were a young woman and a youth who were also travelling in the Mazda.

The crash closed off State Highway 8 for about two hours.

Police were still investigating the cause of the accident but Mr Sutherland said there was no ice or snow on the road at the time.

Although there was some fog, visibility was about 300 metres and he did not believe this would have contributed to the accident.

Volunteer fire brigades from Twizel and Omarama attended the scene, along with police from the Twizel, Omarama and Dunedin

Hi folks,

Very odd day today.

Weather is overcast & cold enough to be unpleasant if you were standing around but ok if you are on the move. Just back from a hack on Ben, he is having 2 weeks worth of walking as he has ben diagnosed with an arthritic joint which is a worry at only 9.


Ben (on right) Shrinky (on left)


The family don't have much time for him as they say he is thick but I find him an amenable little chap, so much so that I hacked out in a woolly hat today (too cold to swap it for my riding hat) There are not many horses I would trust to do that but he doesn't have a malicious bone in his body.

Whilst Trish & Chris were returning from Christchurch last night I received a tel call to inform them that the 17 yr old son of one of their close family friends died yesterday in a car accident. Hence the very down-beat atmosphere today.

The plans for the week have also been knocked into a cocked hat. Chris & Trish are no longer going away Tuesday due to the funeral but are postponing their trip til Thursday which means I don't get any quiet time that I was looking forward to.

I know that may sound selfish & I apologise if it sounds harsh, maybe I just need a day off having been working for 8 days now. Chris has arranged with me to have Wednesday & Thursday off & I am collecting Roo on Wednesday so we can have 48 hours to play & explore the farm.


Chum


I am also in the bad books for taking Chum (Innes' new working puppy) for a walk this morning. Innes is away for a week so I am feeding & exercising the puppy. It seems that with a working dog you cannot let them play & gambol around your feet you have to flick your heels up smartly to catch them in the jaw to prevent them from playing around your feet.


'What the cattle thought of Chum'

The reasoning behind this is if you are working on high country & the dog trips you up it is possible to fall to your death so it's a serious fault. Chris told me in the nicest possible way & he was obviously embarrassed to have to do it but I still felt like a thick townie.

Oh well - you live & learn.

Will try & download a couple of foties of the truck at the start of Saturday's hunt & maybe add a bit more to this entry tonight when I am feeling a bit more upbeat.

ttfn,

Cx

Finally,

I get the pooter to myself.

Hunted again today, 3rd time this week.

If I said I was in dire need of arnica & a hot bath can you guess the next sentence ?


My Bathroom

That's right. Hi-speed dismount.

Ow.

No body protector of course.

On stones of course.

At the gallop of course.

It was one of my specialist falls that Cocky & Trudes will recognise.

We galloped down a huge 1 in 3 hill (soft grass)

I was slightly out of control.

We galloped thru a twisty, deep marsh. (soft mud)

I was slightly more out of control.

We galloped thru a stony, dry river bed. (hard, hard stones)

I was by now disobeying most of the known laws of physics.

I wanted to go straight on, Jess wanted to follow her buddies left.

We parted company.

I did one of those falls where you start to come off down the neck,
twist backwards, & the 1st thing to make contact with the ground is your backside
(oh well, plenty of padding) then followed up by your head which has assumed
the weight & physical properties of a water melon.

The only thing I did to redeem myself was to hang on grimly to the reins.

I have seen how far people have to walk on hunts to catch up their horse & it's not funny.

One of the whips, a very kind lady on a big chestnut mare parked her horse directly in front of Jess to help me re-mount. Jess was spinning on the spot, desperate to gallop after her friends, even if it meant being solo.

At the point where the whip asked me if I was ok I replied the way all stupid horsey people do when injured.

'Fine thanks'

I tried to re-mount & got as far as putting my foot in the stirrup. I then just stood there & wasn't sure if my legs were receiving the signal my brain was sending them. I wondered for a scary moment if there was something very wrong, then just realised I was still winded.I then did that sad hoppy thing & eventually hoisted myself in a hugely undignified fashion into the saddle.

So, the down-side is I am sure I will ache like a bugger tomorrow, especially as I forgot to bring my arnica.

The upside is I carried on jumping throughout the rest of the afternoon & didn't shame mysef by crying or refusing to play anymore.

(Cocky, I did a combination, both about 3'06" with just a bounce between, or rather Jess did, I just patted her gratefully as we came out the other side)

Big changes at the house tonight.

Vinny & Paddy have gone back to Christchurch tonight in preparation for flying to North Island for a hockey tournament next week.

Trish & Chris are going to watch them as of Tuesday onwards.


MY TRUCK

Tomorrow all the other kids are being taken by Chris (in my truck) to a place called Kowhai which is a residential riding school just outside Christchurch.

They stay there until next Friday. That means I get the place to myself on Wednesday & Thursday. I am going to spread all my stuff around & make an unholy mess !

Have to go now ... fish & chips & I haven't eaten since brekkie.

Will update you more in the next few days, loads to tell & foties too.

Big hug to everyone

Cx

STOP PRESS


Can't Blog! or e- mail as kids have knackered computer by down loading shitty virus ridden game.

All 6 are home & they have invited a friend.

I detest kids.

Ow,

There isn't a muscle in my body that doesn't ache.

Even walking up & down stairs is painful.

My thigh muscles scream with protest.

Doing it all again tomorrow.

Today was COLD, grey, bleak & not helped by a 4 hour power-cut.

They are fairly routine here but today it meant no cup of tea.

Have to go - I have left them alone for 10 mins & I can hear carnage.

Cx

Hi guys,

I apologise in advance if this sounds immodest.

I was so impressed with myself today.

Another hunt, more near-death experiences.

For me, not the hare.

Jumped loads, back safe & sound in one piece.

Hurrah for me.

Was awoken this morning by Lizzie

'Carol - are you going hunting ?'

That was the 1st I knew of it, up until that point I was relaxing reading
a neddy novel. We had exactly 1 hour to catch 4 horses, load the truck &
get going.

The twins Vinny & Paddy are back from boarding school for the hols
& I was already wondering how hell for leather their hunting would be having
seen the way they tackle jumps at showjumping.

Never mind I thought, Innes & I can hang at the back & go through gates.

No such luck, Innes said he didn't fancy going as he thought it would be

'Too fast'

I seriously contemplated saying the same but by then Jess was on the truck
(& I'm not having the Kiwis thinking I'm a scaredy-cat Pom)

So, off we went & charged around for 4 hours through mud, swamp, tussocks, over barbed wire & all manner of scary stuff

(Cocky - you would be so surprised to see me, I don't even wear my body protector, same reason as before, don't want to let my country down, some of the fences today were over 3'6" )

Anyway - enough boasting, we all came back in one piece, all the neddies did too & I am totally & utterly emotianally drained.

I'll close with a comment from Zoe

'You did some nice jumps today'

As they say in my neck of the woods

'I'd go to t' foot of our strairs'

Tomorrow is Pony Club day hosted at our place.

Dozens of little kids & ponies all over & tantrums galore - no doubt.

Deep joy.

Cx

ps. Today for the 1st time I had to declare my true colours. Vinny was talking to me about God on the journey there & asked which specific religion I was. I told him I was an aetheist. What does that mean? he asked.

It means I don't believe in God or Heaven or any of the package.

'Aren't you scared of going to Hell ?' he asked.

I wanted to reply 'I'm looking after 6 kids - how much worse can it be?' but
I was very mature & said it held no fears for me because I didn't believe it.

He then asked what was the point of me living a good life if I didn't think I was going to Heaven at the end of it ? I replied that I wanted to live a good life for the here & now not based on what I might get at the end of it.

'Poor you' he said.

Kids - who'd 'ave 'em ?

G'day

Chief Inspector Dark.

Has a nice ring to it don't you think ?

Sounds slightly Star Wars.

'Ah - Chief Inspector Dark, I need to discuss my plans with you for the Death Star'

Or is it just me ?

Well done Stu, no less than you deserve.

The storm was late in arriving but at 0800 this morning it was snowing.

I did the most sensible thing I could & re-filled my hottie & went back to bed with a book.

Hockey was cancelled (so Kiwis aren't that tough after all) so no Saturday morning peace & quiet. Oh well.

Spent the day doing very little, reading lots & eating lots.

Off to bed now with another book.

Mal & I have arranged to drive through the Wairau valley tomorrow but if the weather doesnt brighten I suppose it will be off.

The snow was a really big deal for the family today as it hasn't snowed here in a decade.

Did I mention it's the start of the school holidays ?

2 weeks - aaaarrrggghhh !

Nite.

Cx

Welcome Bloo, have perused 'Out of the Bloo' on several occasions after being pointed there by Q. Hope some of mine is making more sense now that Q has provided you with a code-breaker ?

Girl and Boy Diary Entry


GIRL'S DIARY

Sunday 11th May 2003.

Saw John in the evening and he was acting really strangely.
I went
shopping in the afternoon with the girls and I did turn up
a bit late so I thought it might be that. The bar was
really crowded and loud so I suggested we go somewhere
quieter to talk. He was still very subdued and distracted
so I suggested we go somewhere nice to eat.

All through dinner he just didn't seem himself; he hardly
laughed, and
didn't seem to be paying any attention to me or to what I
was saying. I just knew that something was wrong. He
dropped me back home and I wondered if he was going to
come in; he hesitated, but followed.

I asked him again if there was something the matter but he
just half shook his head and turned the television on.
After about 10 minutes of silence, I said I was going
upstairs to bed. I put my arms around him and told him
that I loved him deeply. He just gave a sigh, and a sad
sort of smile. He didn't follow me up, but later he did,
and I was surprised when we made love. He still seemed
distant and a bit cold, and I started to think that he was
going to leave me, and that he had found someone else.

I cried myself to sleep.


BOY'S DIARY

Sunday 11th May 2003.

Liverpool lost today and failed to qualify for the
Champions League as a result. I'm absolutely gutted. I
did get laid though.

Hmm Yello Boss , just found out that you have some new avid readers in The shape of a chap called Bloo Reeves , ( Bloo said you write cryptic until I explained all ) , he's one of my old school mob , and he is driving me down to Dover today to meet HRH , JV larfed.

For weeny and her tribe , I located article regarding the weather down there.

Farmers, travellers warned over cold weather
04 July 2003


Farmers have been told to shelter their stock and motorists to reconsider their travel plans as the coldest day of the year assails the winter-bound south.


The MetService yesterday said the freezer door would open on Southland and Otago today, with wind-chill and even blizzards taking the temperature as low as minus 10degC in the mountains and nothing more than 5degC on the flat.

Up to 25cm of snow is expected above 300m in Southland and the Catlins until 9pm today, while up to 10cm could fall at the same level in Otago.

Snow showers were likely to sea level today with a few centimetres possible on the beaches.

MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt watched the bitterly cold Antarctic air sweep north to New Zealand and warned the south would bear the brunt of snow that would help make today the coldest day of the year.

Heavy snow falls across the region might mean an early start to the school holidays for marooned students, but it would bring no respite for weather-beaten farmers and cautious travellers.

The weather could prove deadly for farming stock in the hills – rain, snow and forecast winds could cause hypothermia – while snow and ice would make roads treacherous.

Farmers should shelter their stock, and motorists were strongly advised to reconsider their travel plans, Mr McDavitt said.

Increasingly high winds whipped a 2m swell through Foveaux Strait, forcing Foveaux Express to cancel ferry sailings to Stewart Island today.

The company would review sailings today.

Transit national highway manager Rick van Barneveld said everyone from holiday makers to truckies and couriers should take care.

"We mean it when we tell motorists to carry chains," he said.

Motorists were urged to check road information before they set out on journeys this weekend, the start of the school holidays.

The forecast is for the weather to ease tomorrow.

The Automobile Association-Transit Information phone line is 0900 33222. Road information can be found on the Internet at: www.transit.govt.nz.

An honourable mention for Weeny & all the folk in her office.
She reports that they dutifully said all the Kiwi words out loud as they were supposed to & enjoyed them. It tickles me to think that their day commences with a coffee & Blog.

Q,

I loved the girls & boys diary entry, it rung so true, perhaps it might be copied onto Blog for the girls to empathise & the blokes to moan about.

Stu,

The suspense is killing me.
(He is waiting the results of his Chief Inspectors, they were due out on the 3rd &
it has now been put back to the 4th) If it's bad for me you must be down to your
elbows by now ?

Tango Man,

I found myself in a similar position once. The only thing that shifted it was a VERY weak solution of bleach. In future, wash them IMMEDIATELY afterwards with lots of soap.

Hen,

Why did the card not get sent. I don't understand. Am I being thick ?
The bit about the friends leaving really choked me.
The rest of it made for very funny reading.
Just like a girls night in.

Ange,

Not twitter & bisted, just eminently sensible & I concur.

Got to dash - vet is here.

Cx

This morning I was walking Millie through the cattle yards when I saw a 2-tier truck arrive. I knew it must be one of the trucks which takes the cattle to 'The Works' This is not a Kiwi euphemism cos they are too tough for those. It's just what they call an abbatoir or slaughterhouse. Despite generally toughening-up about aminals I thought this morning that no money in the world would be enough to persuade me to be a slaughterman.

Even when our cattle are drenched or tested or weighed they become very upset when they are restrained. I cannot begin to imagine the scene in an abbatoir & could never become accustomed to it. Even watching the cattle leave this morning brought a lump to my throat. It is for this reason that I deliberately try not to notice even the numbers in their ear-tags. My way of dealing with it is to be happy in knowing what good care they receive whilst they are in Mike & Mal's care.

Good afternoon,

Seems weird to see that posted on Blog Q.

Was reading the self-same article in the paper at breakfast.

Of more immediate concern here is the weather forecast.

The news bulletins have said every hour that a 'polar blast' is on it's way.

It's already snowing in Canterbury some 4 hours away.

The warnings have told farmers to shelter their stock, travellers to only
travel if it's urgent & to 'expect the worst'

The temp is supposed to go as low as -10c.

It is scheduled to hit us in an hour from now (1500)

If I sound slightly disbelieving it's only because as I look out of the window it is bright sunshine & I rode, as usual in a t-shirt this morning.

However, something I do believe is how quickly the weather can turn here. Almost as quickly as Scotland in fact. I have taken sensible precautions, extra hay for the neddies & made some pancakes for me. Got an irresistible urge to have them for lunch & made extra for my Saturday brunch. (did I really just type brunch ? Smiffy would be proud of me Weeny)

Feeding time yesterday started off being mildly frustrating & ended up downright comical. I am so glad nobody could see my cack-handed efforts as something as simple as feeding some neddies.

I started with mixing the 7 feeds & feeding the little guys in the hill paddock.

So far, so good.

I took Don, as usual.

As I reached the mares paddock I closed the gate as usual & did a double-take to see Kestrel standing there on his own. He must have jumped out of his paddock & come for his tea early I thought.

Kestrel can jump everything & used to routinely escape from wherever he was & follow the hunt.

By the time I had run back to him he had already eaten the wrong food, there were only 2 buckets to choose from but he gobbled the one without the Vitamin B supplement that he is supposed to have. I took the opportunity of him having his head shoved in a bucket to put a headcollar & leadrope on so that I could lead him back to his paddock when I had finished the other 4. Without food to distract him, no adult can get close to Kestrel, he will only allow a child to catch him.

He is one of the most attractive ponies I have ever seen with HUGE appealing puppy eyes. I feel he resembles a bush-baby more closely than a pony.

With him tethered I went back to feeding the other 4.

I have to feed them separately otherwise Jess gets 4 lots of food.

My routine is to feed Jess & Honey in the paddock by putting their buckets in with them.
Honey sytematically kicks her bucket over & prefers to eat her food from the floor.

I then release Fliss & Ben into the larger, sheep paddock, they make a dive for their buckets & I put headcollars on them & tether them to a fence too. Whilst they all eat I go around putting their rugs on. It's usually fairly straightforward except Jess who doesn't like her rug & tries to run away if she sees you carrying it towards her.

Last night went to plan up until the bit where I let Ben & Fliss out of the paddock.

I had forgotten that Kestrel & Ben adore each other (purely platonic you understand)
Ben rushed straight past his food & made a galloping beeline for Kestrel with much snorting & whinnying. In his excitement to get to Ben, Kestrel tried to jump the fence between them, he seemed to forget he was still tethered. I watched with alarm as he started to take off, realised & kind of stopped half-way.

This alarmed Ben who took refuge by galloping full tilt towards me.

I only manged to stop him taking off into the wild blue yonder by thrusting his feed bucket in his face, putting his halter on, ttaching him to a fence then going to sort out Kestrel who was by now, half on & half off a fence. Even though it was barbed wire there was no harm done.

As I looked back at the mares I noticed Don was rounding up the poor sheep again, unbidden & putting them where he obviously thinks they belong : the dressage arena.
I didn't have enough time or energy to do anything about him because I was just in time to see Fliss, who, having finished her tea & bored of waiting for me to put her back with her friends started wandering off into the paddock with the poor, harrassed sheep. Luckily, she is very biddable & by waving some hay at her I was able to catch her before she had gone too far.

I then started to put Honey & Jess's rugs on. I frequently congratulate myself on not being kicked when I do this every day as I am right between the hind legs of 8 horses twice daily. My luck ran out last night & as Jess started a fight with Honey, she retaliated by whipping around & aiming both hind feet at Jess. She missed my face but parted my hair.

Jess took one look at her rug & said 'Don't think so' & cantered off with her tail held prettily in the air.

Isn't it worrying when you find yourself shouting to an aminal's retreating quarters

'Fine. Be cold. See if I care ' ?

I then went & collected Kestrel expecting to see his mucker Horace waiting for him in their dump paddock.

Wrong.

Horace was up to his ankles in a lucerne paddock stuffing his scrawny face.

We still don't know how they both got out. Although Kestrel is well capable of the jump he would have to give Horace a piggy-back (or would that be horsey-back ?) The gate was still firmly closed. There were extra people on the farm yesterday helping with TB testing so maybe one of them let them free & was too embarrassed to confess ?

I started shouting for Horace, not really expecting him to come anywhere near me as he was up to his ankles in fodder. Bless him though, at least he came when he saw the bucket. With a sigh of relief I closed the gate behind them, gave Horace his food which Kestrel promptly stuck his head in & shared.

This routine normally takes just over an hour.

Last night it took 2.

It was pitch black by the time I finished & I couldn't find Don.

With a sinking heart I knew exactly where I would find him & sure enough, there he was, still guarding the poor sheep in the arena

I was looking forward to lighting a fire & getting warm when Mike came roaring around the corner on a tractor. He normally leaves by 5pm so I was surprised to still see him there. He asked if I could give him a hand feeding aout as the TB testing had but him well behind schedule.

Oh well - at least his truck has a heater.

I love driving Mike's truck, it has no exhaust & sounds satisfyingly raucous.

We loaded 2 bales of hay & set off for the top pastures in the dark.

Don sat next to me (or more accurately on me) as he was very excited to be IN the truck whilst Mike's dogs raced along outside. It took about 30 minutes to drive around two paddocks whilst Mike stood on the back chucking slices of hay at the cattle. It would have taken him over an hour on his own.

Mike is constantly amazed that someone like me would want to come & work on a farm & he routinely asks things like 'Bet you find this place a bit of a mess don't you ?'

Last night as we had just finished feeding, I waited a few minutes listening to the cattle chewing their baleage & scratching the dogs ears. It was totally & utterly magical, being there, in the middle of nowhere & hearing nothing. No phones, no traffic, no aircraft.

Mike asked me what I was waiting for.

'Just listening' I told him.

As we got back to the yard he asked if there was anything he could do to help me with my jobs. Yes please I said, make tea for 7.

'See you tomorrow then'



As we drove off the pastures

Saw this and thought of wonder what bills input would be.

Mayor hits out at Maori 'bully boys'
03 July 2003


The Government must stop being intimidated by the "bully boys" of Maoridom and legislate immediately to protect the rights of all New Zealanders, says Marlborough's mayor.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen, who last night met with Maori MPs over the seabed and foreshore issue, said after the meeting there had been progress for both parties.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia, who last week expressed strong opposition to legislation on the grounds that it breached Maori rights, was also positive about the meeting's outcome.

Dr Cullen said he believed legislation would still be required to resolve the issue, but said nothing concrete had been discussed at this stage.

However Marlborough mayor Tom Harrison said this morning it was time for the Government to take positive action.

He was disturbed to see the Prime Minister backing down from initially strong moves to legislate in the face of intimidation tactics from the "bully boys" of Maoridom.

Maori MPs earlier this week met with Maori activists, including Moutua Gardens protester Ken Mair, who have vowed to occupy beaches and clutter the courts if the Government curtails Maori rights to the seabed and foreshore. Meanwhile Marlborough Maori and the Marlborough District Council, who have been involved in the court case, have been left out of discussions.

"The Government is listening to the wrong people. It makes me angry when I see the ugly face of Maoridom entering the scene when local Maori have not been involved in the decision," Mr Harrison said.

Marlborough Maori yesterday also voiced anger at being left out of proceedings.

Meanwhile Port Marlborough chairman David Dew today signalled the port would join the Marlborough District Council in appealing to the Privy Council in London, to protect the status quo in case the Government failed to resolve the issue.

Mr Dew said they would be talking with local Maori to look at their interests.

Mr Harrison said the seabed and foreshore claim was the most important issue facing New Zealand and he would not be cowed into silence by a bunch of activists or a rising tide of political correctness.

"It's about time we spoke out. We need rational debate. We don't need the likes of Tame Iti in this. Ken Mair is the bully boy cheerleader of the rent-a-mob brigade. This is too serious to allow these type of people in there."

Legislation was the only way to resolve the dispute, Mr Harrison said.

"The Government has to rule that this is Crown land and it belongs to all New Zealanders, irrespective of race. That is non negotiable. We have spent millions of dollars developing our marinas and foreshore areas. All of this belongs to all Marlburians.

"Any Government that interferes with the status that this is Crown land, they will never get in again. This has touched a nerve. I've had people calling me up from Hokitika, from Feilding saying 'This has to end'."

Mr Harrison insisted he was not launching an attack on Maori.

"I am simply saying what I am hearing. I'm speaking for the vast majority of New Zealanders. I'm saying what the people are saying in the living rooms and bars of this country."

He said while customary fishing rights should be recognised in the Marlborough Sounds, Maori should not have ownership of the seabed and should not receive compensation if legislation goes ahead.

Whatever happened, Mr Harrison vowed to stand strong on the issue.

Hi,

Sorry about yesterday - couldn't even pretend I was ok.

Oh well, 24 hours later & all looks rosier.

I want to share a real belly laugh I had today.

Chris's dog Don was given to him in exchange for a pump & it seems the bloke with the pump got the best deal. Up until recently, Don spent all day chained up & was only let off for an hour or so a day to have a run. I asked Chris why & he explained he was scared of everything, (Don, not Chris) ran away from the stock he was supposed to work & generally a liability.

I asked Chris if I could let him off to accompany me on my feeding rounds.
The idea was to get him used to staying with someone & also used to the stock.

That was a couple of weeks ago & altho he is very spooky & even legged it when a neddy snorted it him the other day, he has improved hugely.

The 1st sign of any talent for working came on Monday evening.

I was feeding the mares & not taking any notice of Don when I suddenly noticed a mob of about 30 sheep standing in a perfect clump staring at something. Not only were they packed altogether & motionless but Don, whilst my back was turned had herded them, without instruction into the dressage arena !

Chris seemed a bit sceptical when I told him but I knew what I had seen.

Our chance came today when Mal came & asked for some help rounding up some
loose sheep which had escaped onto a neighbour's land. Mike & his dogs would normally do this type of work but he was still on his way to the farm. Mal said 'Bring the little dog - the sight of him might just frighten the sheep back to where they are meant to go. Better keep him on a lead though - just in case ' When we got there Don & I were only just over the fence (I had to lift him over - Mike's can leap 10 feet or more from a standing start) when the sheep spied us & made a beeline back into their rightful paddock.

Still untested.

However, Mike arived shortly afterwards & upon seeing Don, told me there were 4 stray sheep a couple of paddocks away which needed re-uniting with their mob. Did I fancy trying to work Don ?

To understand how silly this question sounded to me you have to understand some points.

1) Mike is a very good herdsman & his dogs are good too.

2) Dogs will very seldom work for anyone other than their owner.

3) Don knows b***** all about working sheep.

4) I know even less.

5) 4 sheep are usually harder to herd than 400 - the less sheep, the more scared &
unpredictable their behaviour.

So - obviously I said yes please.

Mal stood near the gate with his truck.

Mike parked further back with his dog 'Chew' on lookout, ready to salvage the situation.

I went to get Don out of the truck.

Don essentially had a support-crew of 2 men & one dog & that's why I have so much time for these guys. Even on a working farm & with Mike's own sheep & time at stake, they are happy to indulge a Pommie girls whim to try 'One Briggsy & her dog'

We didn't get off to an auspicious start - I showed him the sheep & he ran back to the truck.

We tried again & because I don't know any of the whistles (& can't whistle very loudly anyway) I resorted to pointing & my one utility whistle which means everything ie

'Get in behind'
'Go right/left'
'Stop that'
'Don't sniff there'
'Put that down'
'Stop rolling in dead thing'

Would you believe me if I told you that on Don's 2nd attempt he zeroed in on the sheep, went high & right behind them & started pushing them gently towards the gate ?

No Mother watching their toddler take it's 1st steps could have been prouder.

Unfortunately, the sheep overshot the gate & ran into a gully but Don persisted & eventually with some back up from Chew, the pair of them squeezed them through the gate.

Mal, Mike & I were all smiles, just like one of those sickly American movies.

Until, that is, we realised that Don had just noticed the 200 or so other sheep awaiting him in the paddock. Rather than run away, he decided they needed herding too & with many a shout from the three of us we piled into the trucks & had to go persuade him to desist.

We arrived in the next paddock full of steers to help where Mike putting up a temporary fence. I didn't want Don loose with the cattle because they are potentially much more dangerous than sheep so I made sure my door on the truck was safely shut.

Mal did not.

It was only as I drew level with Mike on foot that I was aware of Don who had run the 1/4 mile or so to join me. On his tail was a very excitable-looking Hereford steer. Don did not look happy about being chased but he had the nerve to turn & face the cow & front it out. It was at the point that the 29 or so other cows crested the hill & joined their mate at a gallop that Don decided to turn tail & run.

I would have given any money for a cam-corder at this point.

The 3 of us watched, bent double with laughter, as this poor dog, full of his earlier success ran full tilt across the paddock with 30 enraged, galloping beasts in hot pursuit.

We expected him to run all the way home & cause carnage by leading the cattle through all the paddocks back to the house. In fact, he was smart enough to jump into the cab of the truck. Mike said he was probably trying to hotwire it to escape. We ran to the truck, still laughing to find it completely engulfed by cattle & a very sad & humble Don squashed into the deepest corner he could find. The nearest steer's nose must only have been 3' feet from him.

Mike said it took his dogs some months to be brave enough to work cattle after being used to sheep so goodness only knows what that will have done for Don's confidence.

Still, he accompanied me on my rounds as usual this evening & I think I detected a slight swagger to his walk.

Dear Jim,

Can you fix it for me to be a shepherd ?

STOP PRESS

Barley now has an arrival date, it is the 16th July.

It is horrendously expensive, more than twice as much than for my ticket & I have ummed & aahed about whether it is really worth it. In the end tho, sentiment won out. That & the fact that I really do think she will have a terrific time here. Won't stop me counting down the hours during her plane journey though.

Wonder if they will offer her hot, lemon-scented towelettes ?

I think what sold me finally, was looking at the huge, filthy, muddy pool in one of the paddocks. What more could a Spangle ask for ?

Can't wait to take my 1st fotos of my mucker in Zeeland.

Wonder if Don will teach her sheep & she will teach Don tennis balls ?

Time for bed now, v.tired.

Pls bear with me (or 'bare with me' as a good friend of mine would say) if I owe you an e-mail reply. Too knackered tonight.

We went to see the kids school production this evening.

It was a hugely entertaining affair. You know the kind of thing, kids forgetting their lines & being pushed onto the stage by unseen 'helpers' in the wings.

At one point, we were watching the Owl & the Pussycat & it was at the part where they get married. The pussycat was wearing a floor-length leather dress, the turkey played with her face so much that her mask fell off, the boy making 'the sea' waved his blue silk sheet so vigorously it was seriously in danger of tearing & the pig seemed very enamoured with holding his own parts. They then, for reasons best known to the teacher who directed it, broke into the Charlston.

I leaned over to Trish & asked 'Do you think this is how it feels when you are on drugs ?'

'No - drugs are more fun' she replied.

Night-night.

Cx

I hate Tuesdays

:(

Cx