Getting things in order for the desert trip.......

Well, as this story continues...we're still getting things ready for the trip.  Chris is getting closer to getting the Scout registered.  He had a few hiccups along the way.  Fuel was still leaking from the tank, along with a small oil leak.   Both are now fixed. (yeah!)  He's waiting on the back glass for the Scout.  And as I write this, he's put the windows in the doors, put the glove box in, and he's closing in under the seats for storage.

I've downloaded all the music onto an I-pod.  We now have every scrap of country music we own, on it.  And I also put my french lessons on it too, just in case I want to do some studying while we're away.  The I-pod is an interesting piece of technology.  You can have videos, pictures, as well as music.  AND!!!....it can plug into the radio to play it through the truck speakers!  Amazing!  We can also use Chris's phone to hook up into the radio too!!  Technology is so AMAZING!!!

The sleeping bags are tested and ready.  The tent has had it's seams "siliconed".  We have lights, BBQ, a bunson burner, pots/pans, etc.  And there's more to come yet.  We haven't done a test run yet to see if everything will fit.  That will come later.

Col rang this morning.  We're now booked for a Hot air balloon ride over Uluru, and a plane ride over Lake Eyre.  The plane ride, no problem.  However, the Hot Air Balloon ride, might cause a stir, since I'm a little nervy of heights.  I'm okay in a plane, where I'm enclosed, but when I'm exposed to the air whirling around me, I may be sitting on the bottom of the basket with my arm over stretching the edge and taking pictures. 

Hmmm...this WILL be an interesting trip!!!

These are the pictures that WrightAir advertise.  This is where we're headed.  

 

 

 

 

As you can see it's predominantly a salt lake.   There's supposed to be water in it this year.  Along with lots of birds and bugs!

Don't forget the Aeroguard!!LOL

 

 

The desert is a harsh place as you can see here.  This is like the area where we're going to.  It will only take about 4 days to go through, so I'm told.

My first "roughing it" type camping trip.

 

I've never seen the desert like this, so this is an exciting trip for both Chris and myself.  He gets to do the '4WD - BOY' thing and I get to take pictures!!  who could ask for anything more?!  While I'm not looking forward to being with a toilet or shower over that time, I AM looking forward to seeing Birdsville, coming to where the 3 state borders meet, seeing the wildlife out there, and seeing Uluru, and the Olgas.  It's a chance in a lifetime opportunity that not everyone gets to see and do.

But in the meantime, the Scout needs to get registered and finished off.  It looks like Friday is the magical date!  I'll keep you posted.

Catching up with old friends in the best places......

We've just been catching up with one of Chris's old Army mates this past weekend.  And it was ANZAC Day on Friday, which seemed to be fitting for the occasion.  His mate, Vic ( with his wife, Maria), were going to be holidaying on the Sunshine Coast which is north of Brisbane.  Noosa Heads is one of those idyllic spots in the world where there's balmy breezes, lots of little sidewalk cafes and shops.  It's a fitting place to rest, relax, and catch up with old friends.  So that's where we headed.

      

 

We had a late lunch and a late dinner.  Catching up on 33 missed years.  We discussed many things this past weekend including families, friends, and plans for the future, while having some wonderful meals.

Our weekend ended with a walk in the morning on the beach, along with breakky on the beach.  And while that beachside restaurant's service was extremely poor, the company was wonderful as we laughed and enjoyed ourselves.

 

We parted, exchanging emails and addresses while Chris tried to get them to move to Hervey Bay.  It's interesting that he's trying to get the kids to move there, our friends to move there, our relatives to move there, and anybody else he can muster up. 

But apart from that, it was a glorious weekend spent with renewing old friendships in one of the most beautiful places in Queensland.

My home,...why AM I leaving?........

People often ask me why do I want to sell our house.  It's in  such a beautiful area of the world.  It's a wonderful spot.  We have a little over four acres and we're surrounded by houses, but you wouldn't know it because of all the trees.  We have our locals; the kookaburras, the King Parrots, the Rosellas, the Eastern Rosellas, Pigeons, ducks, plovers, Rainbow Lorikeets, and the resident Magpie family.  We have the occasional snake, possum, and even a peacock that come around once in a while.

 

But today, I just took a friend around the place to have a look at what Springbrook has to offer.  And of course, when you're playing tourist, you see sights that you wouldn't normally see.  With fresh eyes, so to speak.

Today, we went to Best of All Lookout.  It's 180 degree view of Murwillumbah, Mt. Warning, Tweed Heads, Chillingham, and the ocean, is a site to behold on a very clear day. 

 

The 350m path had been renovated with new pavers being laid to create a border.  It looked so nice.  The plants had grown, the moss had grown, the leaves were dripping with clear water and there were shadows dancing through the faint fog which made it look like cobwebs.

We then proceeded to Canyon Lookout and as we made our way in between our Asian guests who were admiring the greenery, we gazed at the falls there, looking at the sundial to see where the cities were and other local mountains.

We continued on to the end of the road to the English Cottage Gardens.  I had not walked that path (opp. the ECG) for a very long time, so that when we arrived and I found bitumen footpaths, I was astounded that so much time had passed and I didn't know.  Once again, the views were wonderful.

We then finished off the morning with my backyard, The Purlingbrook falls.  There were quite a few people there this morning, but it was still a wonderful look.  The rangers had cleared the upper section from the previous floods, so we could walk across the top of the falls. 

I feel like I'm missing this place and I haven't even LEFT yet.  It's been so wonderful living here.  There's a real feel of magic that surrounds this mountain.  I know we have places to go, people to see, and we shouldn't stay in one place too long. This will be one house that's going to be hard to give up.

Planning the trip while we wait.........

While we're waiting to sell the house, and Chris continues to get the Scout driveable, I've been laying out our itinerary for what we want to see when we travel to the US.  As the navigator of our family, I have to give instructions and plan the directions of what we're going to see.  So my first thought was to find out WHAT we wanted to see and then plan it out on the map    I kind of  knew that there was a lot to see in the states, but I guess I just didn't realize HOW MUCH there was.  (If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know and I'll add it to our list.)

I thought I would be really clever and start off in Florida.  There's a large RV place there that has about 15 acres of RVs.  WOW!  What a choice!  And since we needed to buy an RV, it was a good place to start.  It was either that or Texas.

Well anyway, I got down to Key West, snorkeling, kayaking, going on boat cruises etc.  and back up to Epcot Center, Disneyworld, a few museums along the way.  Hey!  no problem!  I can see this is going to be a piece of cake!  So I made my way into Georgia, and up to South Carolinas and back across to Alabama.  Stop.  There's HOW many state forests and museums there?!  uh boy,...this is not going to be good.  I then worked out how many days we'll be able to spend in each state.  48 in all.  (We're only travelling continental US.)  That worked out to 1 week and 1 day in each state.  And we also have family to see, so THAT'S going to take a little longer for those particular states.

Okay,....maybe if I just put the highlights down first, and then go from there.  I have to think about my approach on this.

So I came back to planning again this morning.  I'm full of enthusiasm and ready to go!  And I start with Maine this morning.  Ooh good choice!  Lobster!  first on the list.  Can't go to Maine and not have lobster.  Of course, that's what we said we went to Strahan in Tasmania and we missed out then because the chef quit! which is another story.  So maybe this time we WILL have lobster. (fingers crossed!)  Now.....let's see...there's covered bridges, whitewater rafting, hiking, lighthouses galore, historical buildings, Autumn leaves changing, and the sea.  And if you go when it's snowing, you can catch a train to Boston!  Hmmm....I think summer is better  time to get up there.  This tropical bunny won't last long in that kind of winter.  Not when our winters ( at Springbrook) only get down to 12 celcius, at the very most and that's through the day.

Okay!  and  then down to Massachusetts. 

 

Hey!...there's LOTS to see there too!  I started off with Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.  And the Plymouth Rock!!!  oh yeah!!! EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY!  I forgot all about that!  cool.  So, I made a long list of what to see there.  I can't go to Massachusetts and NOT see about the witches.  So we'll see that.  And then there's the Kennedy Memorial Museum, and all the Trail Museums and waterfalls, etc. 

And then down to Rhode Island.  Hmm...the battery on the computer has run down, so it must be time for a break.  I'll work my way back to Connecticutt, Vermont, and New Hampshire when I get back on.

The Sleeping bag is now ready for fireside conversations under the stars.........

Okay,....my sleeping bag is now ready to go.  For some reason last night I couldn't sleep.  I think it was that last coffee I had at 3pm.  I know better, but for some reason I either didn't check the time or it was just too good to pass up.  Either way I was still wide awake at midnight last night, so I grabbed a book and started reading by torch (flashlight).  I stoked the fire back up as well.  It's interesting sitting in the loungeroom by firelight, reading a book by torch.  There's a real ambience to that, until you hear the possums in the ceiling.  (No, the man of the house still hasn't looked into that.) And then,  I think I only got a page in before my eyes started watering and wavering.

Okay,...NOW I'll go to bed.  Chris was snoring in the bedroom, and I thought, oh no,.... Hey! I might try out the sleeping bag!  So I rolled out the bag on the loungeroom floor and got a pillow.  I need a tall one, if I'm sleeping on the floor.  My body is not as flat as it used to be.

Hey!!! this is pretty cool.  I haven't done this since I stayed with Joan and Judy at their house in La Cañada.  Once, again, memories come flooding back to me as we giggled throughout the night, playing at spies,  like David McCallum and Robert Vaughn.  I can't remember the title of that program, but ooh was David McCallum coool. 

I slid into the bag feeling it's warmth and laid down.  I looked into the flames of the fire and slowly close  my eyes.  Hmmm....this is gonna be good.  But for some reason, I doze through the night, only to be woke up by Chris at 5am.  "What are doing on the floor?", '' I'm CAMPING!" I reply.  "Do you want help getting up?" he asks with a concerned look on his face...hmmm...oh yeah, I'm not 8 yrs old anymore and that's when I realized that I'm caught up in this fluffy plastic bag that's got me tied up tight,  like the bandages of  a mummy.  But you know what?  I DID it!!!  I SPRUNG from that floor just like I was 8 years old again..........okay, maybe it was  a LITTLE slower as I rolled onto my knees bringing one leg up first and then the other, looking like I was trying to do some awkward yoga position.  But I DID IT!!!  And it WAS fun!  It would have been better to share it with some one, but it was still fun.

And I don't feel too bad either.  No stiffness and the lack of sleep hasn't caught up to me yet.  I can see this is going to be an interesting trip.  After driving around in a rough riding ute all day, I should just FALL into that bag.  I look forward to sleeping out under the stars.  I'm just hoping that it's not going to be too cold.  Hmmm....in saying that...maybe I should trying sleeping out on the deck tonight to see if the bag really IS warm enough.  "Oh Chriiis!  ..wanna camp OUT tonight?"

THE STASH!!!!..........

It's so nice getting surprises, especially when they're like this.  My friend Sharon from the good ol' US of A thought of me this year at Easter time.  Today in the mail, I received this HUGE box.  And you won't believe what was in it!!!

PEEPS!!!!!  Yep! PEEPS!!!!

 

And so MUCH!!!  Well, there goes my diet for a while.  Okay, maybe it was ALREADY gone, but I can't knock back a gift from a friend now, can I ?  Well,...like I say to Camille, we need to SHAAARE.  So some have gone to Liz and some will go to Jen and Camille.  Sorry Rob, you miss out.  That's what happens when you live so far away.  Oh,... okay..., I'll save you some for when you get down here next month. 

 

Just LOOK at all the colours!  Ooooh, aaahhh....(smile)  I can't thank you enough Sharon.  This is the best SURPRISE gift. 

This is one of those things from home, that you can't get here in Australia.  Sugar coated marshmallow treats.  Yum.  But the best part of all, was reading the letter that came with the Peeps.  Good to hear from you Sharon. Thanks again.

We grow 'em big here in Queensland........

While Chris and Col have been working on the Scout, I have been having cups of coffee with Margaret and shooting the breeze.  She was telling me about this large spider she had out on her front verandah.  And I for one, am usually a sceptic when it comes to hearing people talk about LARGE spiders as I've SEEN large spiders.

So, on Monday, we had Camille, and I told her about this spider.  Well, she wanted to see this spider too.  She likes looking at creepy crawlies, but doesn't like them crawling ON her.  (as with most females)  So while we were waiting for Margaret to come home, we walked around the gardens and around the verandah a couple of times, but we couldn't find that spider.

So when Margaret came home, we pounced on her, to see this spider.  Well, while we were looking high, it was low.  As matter of fact it was so low, it was in it's last throes of death. 

Now, I've seen some large spiders here in Queensland, and this was another one.  It's not the biggest I've seen, but it is a good size.  It's an Orb Spider, says Col.  They usually make rather large webs that span from tree to tree. But not usually in someone's verandah, unless it's not occupied on a regular basis.

We gathered it up with a dust broom and pan.  And as you can see it had quite a large leg span.  Camille was fascinated!!   She had her nose buried very close to this spider inspecting every nook and cranny.  I was fine as long as it was dead, and Margaret was still a bit squeamish waiting for it to 'AH HA!!!" and jump up to attack us at any moment.

Margaret offered the spider to us to take home, but we politely declined.  Now what would I do with a dead spider?

The last LARGE spider I saw, was a Huntsman in a wood pile.  It was the granddaddy of them all.  It's leg span was about 160mm (6in) with a body the size of a fifty cent piece.  Now THAT was a spider.  And I only heard about the one that Chris's mum caught, which was a Mouse spider.  That's the LARGEST spider, I've ever heard of.  She had tried to catch one with a 2 litre ice cream container.  The legs didn't fit.  Eesh!

Australia's always been known for it's creepy crawlies and poisonous creatures.  You just have to keep your eyes open to see them.

THE SCOUT IS RUNNING!!!!!!!

 

Well, THIS IS IT!!  On Thursday last week, I went to our Insurance company to get the 7 day pass for Compulsory Third-party Insurance, and the DMV (Dept of Motor Vehicles) to get the permit to drive the SCOUT back from Col's house and drive it around to finish fixing it up. 

But, the fuel pump wasn't working out right.  So without the Scout, we drove back home last Friday night. We were trying to figure out what the problem was.  Well, after a couple of phone calls back and forth, Col got it running on Saturday.  Col even took it for a short test run.  He was tempted to do a couple of 360's in the paddock, but refrained and left that for Chris to do! (smile)

So off we went yesterday to pick the SCOUT up.  It was so nice to see the big smile on Chris's face.  AND on Col's face too.  He was very impressed as well and he's a veteran SCOUT man!

So Chris drove the SCOUT home on Monday.  And I did notice that he was travelling pretty good.  It wasn't until we got home, that I realized that he had been pacing himself behind someone else.  His speedo is in MILES per hour!  so he wasn't sure how fast he was going!  I also notice that he's been a little spoiled, in that his indicators don't automatically turn off.  So he has to make sure they're turned off.  Three quarters of the trip, at least ONE of those indicators was on.  I mentioned it to him when getting petrol, but I got, 'I KNOW!!!,...my hand keeps hitting the levers".  Hmmm....likely story....oh wait,...it IS kinda  small in that seat.  Yep, he could very well have.  sorry Chris.

It was a pleasure to watch this little truck driving around.  I only wish I could have put THAT on video.  But I was driving the ute back, and wasn't able to do that. 

So this week, Chris will get the rest of the windows in, some carpet and linings in the cab, get the spare wheel, calibrate the wheels, etc.  So there's still a bit to do, but IT'S RUNNING!!!!!  and either this Friday or next Monday, we should have it registered and on the road. Woohoo!!

The quiet interlude......

Well, Chris is off again, working on the Scout.  I'm all alone again.  It's 6:19am and silence reigns throughout the house and even the possums in our roof have gone to sleep.

I had my French class on last night and the possums were playing games in the roof.  My poor teacher could see that my mind wasn't on the class.  The possums were romping in my ceiling from one end of the house to the other.   They usually have a play as they wake up, and then go outside for the night and forage.  So my class was timed perfectly with their playtime. 

We had the pest control guy out the previous week.  As he say's with his head in the hatch of the roof.  "yep!,..looks like possums, and there's a hole on the other side of the house where they're getting in, better get that closed up."  hmmmm.  I think this is a job for the MAN of the house.

For Jean-Marie, ...this is what a possum looks like...

 

And I got a phone call last night around 10:30pm from Chris, shouting, " CAN YOU HEAR THIS?!!!"  'uh,.no..what's it supposed to be?" I ask.  'IT'S THE TRUCK!!,...IT'S RUNNING!!!!"  I personally can't hear anything except maybe a ping here and there.  So I yell out, "WOOHOO!!!".."THAT'S GREAT!!!"  I know I'll be able to see the REAL thing in the next few days, so it doesn't matter that I can't hear it yet, because  this is a sign, that we're almost on our way to the Simpson Desert.  "WOOHOO!!!"  So we hang up from each other and head off to bed.

Yes, the quiet interlude will be over before I know it, so I'll need to make the most of it.  So back to my French studies, and back to the USA map to work out all the things we want to see when we get there.  And I'll have to collect some more firewood, as Autumn has come to Springbrook, right on time.  A Bientôt!!,..that's "see you soon!"

Things to see as I die.......

I just finished reading my cousin's Blog in regards to a blog that she had read.  This blog was titled " Things to see as I die".  Well, as gruesome as it first sounded, I realized that we all die in the end.  And when I DO die, and have to go watch my life on the great movie projector in the sky, I decided to make a list as well.  So here goes......

 

1)  At 5 yrs old, laying on my tummy and watching the cluster of  little blue moths in the grass flying about. 

2)  Stopping at Lane's Rd. north of Bakersfield to have a hamburger before continuing on to Papa and Grandma's house.

3)  Iced Tea, beans, enchiladas, fried chicken/gravy, made by Grandma C.

4)  Hugging my grandparents.

5)  The love I felt as I looked into each of my babies's faces, thanking the good Lord, for such a wonderful opportunity to raise children.

6)  The love I feel when I touch my husband, Chris.

7)  The love I felt for my first grandchild, Camille.

8)  The confidence I felt when I actually earned more than Chris one year,which meant to me that I could actually make it on my own if I had to.

9)  The confidence I felt when the boss said, "if I knew you were going to bring in over a million dollars in sales, I would have raised your target".

10)  I would want to see where each time I learned something spiritually significant.

11)  I would like to see my Mom and Dad again.

12)  I would like to see my dog, Sarah again.

13)  I would like to see my grand parents again.

14)  I would like feel the joy in seeing the crystal clarity of the Tasmanian sky.

15)  I would like to feel the joy in seeing beautiful flowers in a garden.

16)  I would like to feel the joy in returning home, confident that I have brought something useful to share for all.

 

Thanks Beth, for sharing this with me and allowing me to travel down memory lane again.  There's many other things I could write, but I have to think about them first.

Reading this list brings a tear to my eye as I remember each with startling clarity.  I give thanks to the good Lord, for providing such wonderful memories to me.  I can only hope that I bring wonderful memories to others as they have brought to me.

My walking boots are nearly worn in........

My husband has been on my case recently because I don't exercise enough.  So while he's been away for the last couple of days, I thought I would ride my bike, and go for walks.  After all,  we're not going to be here for very much longer.  (Nothing like enjoying your environment just before you leave.) Anyway, today, I decided that I would 'work' my walking boots in and get a little fresh air and sunshine.

So when Dr. Phil was over,...yes?  stop snickering.  So when Dr. Phil was over, I decided that I would go for a walk to the Purlingbrook Falls, which just happens to be around the corner.  So I packed my backpack with my wallet and a light jacket.  Checked the fridge for water, but there wasn't any, and I thought that's okay cause it's only a short walk across and I can buy milk and water on the way back.   I then put the dogs away in the shed because they're not allowed in the National Forest and I started off.

I made it to the mailbox.  Feeling pretty good,...check the mail...no mail,...turn right into the road and head down to the forest.  Two young men were in earnest conversation as they made their way back up to the carpark at the end.  I then went down the path heading for the falls.  Not bad,...a little steep here and there.  Go around a few corners.  Feel the breeze on my face with the coastal winds coming up the gorge.  Listen to the parrots overhead.  Watch a few lizards scramble out of my way as I make my way down into the ravine.  It must have been about a kilometre or so to the bottom.  I saw a man and his son there at a junction on the path.  They were getting ready to head back up the stairs and the pathway.  Well, my knees made it!  Not too puffed.  This is good!  head up under the falls.  I feel the moisture on my face and arms from the waterfall.  This was wonderful.  No noise, no kids, no husband,..all on my own.  There's a lot to be said about being on your own.  I think I needed this time away.  This kind of silence is great.

Well, the path that goes under the falls usually leads up the other side, but because of the huge rains we've had in these past summer months, The pathway was washed out. So I thought to myself, okay,..I'll head back.  But as I headed back to that junction in the road.  There was a sign that said " Woo..something or other Pools'' 2 klm return.  I thought to myself, well I'm feeling pretty good, I can do this.  So I started down THAT path.

Now, there's something to be said here.  Besides 'fool'.  I HAD realized that when you go DOWN, you must come UP.  But because I felt so good and my new boots weren't bothering me THAT much, that I could do this.  So off I went.  And went.  And went.  Traipsing through the muddy areas, over palm fronds that had fallen in the winds.  Over little rocky creeks.  And about 2/3rds in to that path, I came across an older couple who look like they've been walking trails for years.  Experienced comes to mind.  I asked if the walk was worth it and their reply was 'oh yes, it's beautiful".  So I continued on about another 500 to 600 metres.  And there it was....the pools.  What I wouldn't have given to have my bathingsuit now.  It brought back a memory of Liz and Robert coming down here to swim.  It was a GREAT swimming hole.  But I didn't have my suit.  And I didn't have my water.  WATER!!!!  oh I sure could use a drink of water right now.   And my CAMERA!! man!  did I forget the essentials or what!  So I tried to relax my body as I could feel that I had worked the heart pretty good.  So I took off my backpack and sat there.  I contemplated my sore toes and boots.  I took deep breaths trying to relax the pace of my heart.  Hmmm....this is not good.  No water and I still have to go UP.  Okay,...that was dumb.  Well, going to the shop now was out of the question.  Hopefully it won't take me too long to get back. 

So after this mental to-ing and fro-ing, I decided to put the backpack back on and start back.  Slow and steady wins the race, I think to myself.  I plodded along and then I began to realize, that this wasn't going to be fun.  I started having conversations with myself.  "you're down here all by yourself.""you could get hit over the head and left for dead". and other nonsensical things like that.   Dehydration can do that to a person. After a few minutes of 'deadly' silence,  I then realized that it could hear some people coming down the side of the mountain.  And it disappeared.  And I plodded along.  And by the time I got back to the falls, I was TRUDGING up the hill.  I thought oh, good, I'm almost there at the junction again, and I'll be able to sit on the bench and rest a while. 

Well, it seemed as if it took ages to get to that bench.  And when I finally went around that last corner with relief, much to my dismay, it was FULL.  A family of four were there.  We said good day and I moved on up the hill side path onwards to home and WATER, and they moved on toward the falls to have a look.  I got about 40 steps and at the first flight of stairs, I stopped and sat down to rest.  Trying to calm my heart and breathe slower.  I listened.  There was a helicopter overhead.  Hmmm...wonder who they could be rescuing.  Me, perhaps?  nah, I wasn't gone THAT long.  And while it flew away, I turned to head up the stairs, albeit slowly.  Did I tell you that I'm 40lbs overweight?...did I tell you that I have bad knees?....did I tell you that I'm thirsty?.....oh....boy....it was all coming back in a flood.  Well, I'll just have to take it slowly.  So I trudged, and trudged, and what's that noise?  oh the family of four was behind me and I stopped to let them go by.  Maybe if I try to keep up with them, it won't take as long to get to the top!!  So I follow, and the space between them and me widens as we all walk along.  Now, I'm starting.. to.. feel.. old.  I followed them the best I could as I huffed and puffed my way through.  I stopped and looked. The family had disappeared from my sight and there in front of me was the longest set of stairs.  I just knew I was going to need a lot more energy than this.  I sat on a step and sighed.  I closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths.  Waited a few minutes, then turned and started up one step at a time.  I could hear water running and my mouth started salivating,...water,...water,....I sighed.  As I approached the falls, I was thinking of ways I could just dip my hands in and drink some of it.  But alas, it was not meant to be.  Another couple approached me as we all crossed the bridge in opposite directions.  I can't remember what he asked, and I can't remember what I said as I was too busy thinking about having a drink of that cold,.. clear, ..wahhtter.

I knew I had to continue on.  So I plodded along step by step.  One foot in front of the other.  I could hear something as I trudged upwards out of the ravine.  What's that noise?  It almost sounds like somebody's footsteps.  Hang on a minute....that's my HEART!!!  whoa!  That was good, but then at my age, that might not be so good.  I tried to slow and deep breathe.  It was nearly 3/4 of the way up that I knew I was getting close.  There were 3 more steep flights of stairs to get up and my path would veer off to the right back out on the street.  But first,.......I need another rest before I tackle this triple "heart attack waiting to happen".  Well, about 5 minutes later, I realized I was falling asleep on the step.  I got up and made my way up those stairs.  All 3 flights.  I found my path and made it to the street.  I thought about getting on down on my knees and kissing the street, but I was too thirsty and I didn't want the neighbours to wonder who this person was, kissing their street. I cut through a neighbour's house, sorry Gloria and Ray, but I was too thirsty to go around. 

I MADE IT!!!!  I clambered up the back steps and poured the biggest glass of ice water I could get.  I was exhausted.  Two and a half hours that "little'' walk was.  Not bad, toes don't hurt too much. The boots got a bit worn in. And now the dogs want their turn for their exercise.  Yep, this is good.  Until tomorrow when the muscles start to stiffen.  Hrrmph!  maybe I'll get lucky and I'll feel super great and want another walk.  Yeah, right!!!

Saying Goodbye to the boys.....

 

We said our farewells to the boys on Sunday.  There wasn't a lot of tears for me, but I know there was for Chris.  He had bonded with the boys over a period of time.  The "boys"?  well, that would be Harley and Blue.  Harley is a bay, and Blue is a gray.  Chris had found a home for them due to us selling our house.  It was indeed a sad moment.  One that he will remember for a while.

We bought Harley in 1997.  In July.  We had bought him for both Chris and Liz.  Liz had always wanted a horse, plus this was her 'bribe' to get her there.  I must say, though, he's the only horse I know that actually HUGS you by putting his head over your shoulder, closing his eyes, and sighing deeply.  We'll all miss that.

And then while I had been away in California trying to help my Dad, Chris decided to buy Blue as well.  "well, Kath, you KNOW that Harley is getting on in age, and is a bit hard to ride,...well, I saw this horse in Ian's paddock that was just CRYING out to me, ''take me home, take me home"....so can I keep 'im?  huh,huh?...pleease!!!"  well how do you say NO to that?!  I had figured that Chris had missed me, because while I was away, he had also brought home a cat as well, not to mention the 2 lots of litters we had from the dogs because somehow the MALE dog got locked up inside the shed with the FEmale dogs.  He had a menagerie by the time I got back!  Liz thought it was WONDERFUL!!!

And then last year in 2007, Chris broke his back on Blue and that ended his riding, much to his dismay.  So the horses became pets after that, which was okay by me as I LOVE feeding Harley his favourite. Pears.  Nice juicy pears.  Blue was a bit particular.  He likes carrots and apples.  But he was very cautious about us.  Now Chris just has to whistle and both those boys come a running.  Blue wasn't one to have his feet done either, but bribery with a BAG of carrots works wonders!!! 

But now, well, ....it's time to say goodbye to the boys.  Goodbye fellas.  I hope you like Roma as much as you did Springbrook.  We've enjoyed having you.  I will miss you.  I'll miss watching you eat in the paddock.  I'll miss watching Harley bully Blue into the stable to get away from the horseflies.  I'll miss watching them run and kicking up their heels.  I'll miss feeding them their fruit and carrots.  But most of all.  I'll miss the hugs from Harley.

Goodbye boys!  I love you.