Um, why don't we have races?
Trip Start
Aug 03, 2011
1
10
Trip End
Aug 03, 2011
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Monday, March 19, 2012
Jenny and I spoke about going to a nearby town, Emerald, one of the days we didn't need to be at the shop, but we didn't realize it would come so suddenly. Unfortunatley, one of the working dogs, a one year old named Boots, was stepped on by one of the cows and he broke his front leg. So, with the vet being in Emerald, Jenny and I set off for a day in town. After the pup was taken to the vet, we set off to the shops. On the list was a place called Stilettoes and Target (or Targé, as its commonly referred). While looking in the shoe store for black shoes to match my dress, my attention was caught by a pair of bright and multicoloured pumps that were about 4 inches tall! They actually fit nicely, and with the thought going through my head that flats are normally preferred for race day, they were purchased anyway! How excited I was to have this beautiful pair of shoes to brighten my outfit for the big day. With a fascinator, collected from Jenny's store, that matched the purple in the shoes, I was set! Now, time to pray that it doesn't rain all week!
Prayers answered. Spirits were lifted on the property as the cattle that had been scheduled to move about six weeks earlier finally made its way off the property. You have to know that they had lots of rain the weeks leading up to my arrival, and some while I was there, so this made it difficult for the big trucks to get down the dirt roads to do the pickup. It was a beautiful Saturday for the races. The kids were able to play in the children's section with blowup bouncy castles and slides, so Jenny and I were able to enjoy the afternoon together. Richard was working the bar all day. Jenny took the kids home just after supper time and I stayed with some new friends I made. Actually, a few of the people I was with we're the teachers of the kids. Great company and lots of drinks and dances were had by all, especially wirh Lisa Dixon, Hastings teacher, Emma Martin, Bella's teacher, and Natalie Martin, Emma's sister. My feet lasted in my shoes until about 7:30/8pm and then they were off on all night. I think the balls of my feet were still numb by the following Friday! Completely worth it though as the shoes were so pretty. They even had an adventure of their own as they were moved from the dance floor, with me right beside them, and put over the fence without my knowing. So, after a short search, and slight panic, they were reunited with the feet that had a love/hate relationship with them.
The following week I spent around the house for the most part, except for Friday where I worked in Jenny's shop for most of the day. However, one of the days home, I did get another chance to get out in the yards with Richard, Dave, and Carl, and new worker on the property. I had the opportunity to brand one of the letters onto a cow. I witnessed them brand, clip, and de-horn some of the cattle. An eye opener for sure, but happy to have been able to try it. I was also able to catch a quick flight in the chopper that is used to help muster the cattle. That was a lot of fun. As Bruce the pilot puts it, it's the most fun you'll have with your clothes on. With a lack of doors, there is only a seatbelt keeping you strapped in! No fear though, we weren't that far from the ground. Amazing views of the property and we had a stand off with a cow. Poor guy, never really stood a chance. I also saw six horses galloping by.
In preparations for my departure, there was plans for a big BBQ. This wasn't just a matter of throwing the meat on the grill. First there had to be a cow killed and chopped into all the various pieces and yummy sausages made too! Luckily, Dave is a trained butcher and with combined skills of Dave, Richard, and Clariece (probably more from Clarice ;) ) a great amount of meat was ready for a feast! It was a nice social night with everyone, including Wally and Clare, my cottagemates, and the new Nanny Louise, it was a great night had by all. Jenny enjoyed the wooden Cutting board with a pewter edge, made by Basic Spirit in Pugwash back home. As well, something very funny happened that day. As I was working in the shop, I was texting with BJ back home and I was telling him that there is a bracelet that I think is absolutely stunning and I had told Jenny a couple of weeks back that I thought it was the most beautiful thing she has in her shop, from my opinion, though there are lots of beautiful pieces there. BJ encouraged me to purchase the bracelet, but I figured I should chat with Jenny first to see of I can get the employees discount. When I went to ask Jenny if I could make a purchase from the shop, she asked me what it is I wanted to buy, and I pointed to the bracelet. She said I couldn't buy it! I said, oh, you do want it afterall, because i had aeen her wear it around the shop one day. She said no, thats not it. It's because she was planning on giving it to me as a going away present! Pretty funny and coincidental. So, after all the generosity Jenny has shown me, I've ended up departing Springsure with a beautiful piece of jewelry that will remind me of my time spent there (and that story!).
After a celebration with some champagne, and more steaks, on Saturday, and a beautiful roast beef lunch on Sunday, I left Springsure for the Emerald Airport, where I flew to Brisbane for an overnight stay en route to Cairns. I'm writing this as I'm waiting to board my flight to Cairns. It may be a wet week up there, but after chatting to the tour operator, my excursion tomorrow to the rainforest still seems pretty exciting to me. I'm supposed to also do a overnight boat cruise and snorkeling adventure as well. Let's hope the sun shines again for that.
In closing, I'd like to thank the Woolcocks - Jenny, Richard, Ally, Hastings, Bella, and Bridie for welcoming me into their home with open arms and making sure that I experienced what I could during my stay at Oakey Creek. I met wonderful people, including two women I can look up to: Jenny for showing me that a strong woman can run loving household and a beautiful business, and Clarice for reminding me that women can do anything they set their mind to. There is a promise that should I get married, Richard and Jenny (and Clarice and Dave) are to make their way to Canada for the wedding. I'm going to hold them to that as I would love the chance to repay the wonderful hospitality they have shown me.
xo
Lauren
Oh! Can't forget to mention that there was a snake discovered in one of the cottage kitchen drawers by Clare one day. While Wally and Clare were away, I checked that drawer each day since the original sighting, but one day decided to check another drawer and there was its skin! I made sure to warn Louise, the new nanny, of this! No worries though, it's just a python.
