About Me

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Life on two acres of arid dirt, on the edge of the Australian outback.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas


From our house to yours...

Merry Christmas


Happy New Year!! 


xTania

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Hot, hot, hot!

This is what the heat feels like atm!!


Not looking good for Christmas this year...



It reached 46C (114.8F) yesterday, 
it was supposed to be 42C (107.6F)...

By 9.30am today it was 40C (104F), 
Its going to be a couple of long days...

They have forecast 44C for tomorrow, but it is looking like the temperature may rise as high as 
47 - 48C (116.8 -118F)
I hope not!!

We just have to stay home and take care of the animals and garden in these temps!

Stay safe, cool or warm, depending on where you are J

xTania

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Snippets of December

Beautiful sky


Healthy green juice


Unusual visitor



Australian Budgerigar 


Baking


Lovely


Pickings


Yellow



 A little rain


 Another unusual visitor,
Maybe a Kingfisher?


Different bird of the sky


That time of year again


Some family history


Our chooks
making themselves at home


 Construction...
an enclosed cage for a friends motorbike trailer


Country drives






 Yum!
Gifted apricots





munching on our Acacia seed pods




Last nights brilliant sunset


I am not getting much time to blog at the moment during this Christmas season.  
Christmas is at our place again this year so we are having our normal cleanup and preparations. I have family arriving so time will be filled with enjoying our special time together J

We are in the middle of a heat wave at the moment with high temperatures all week.

Monday 39C (102.2F)
Tuesday 39C 
Wednesday 42C (107.6)
Thursday 43C (109.4F)
Friday 44C (111.2F)
Saturday 34C (93.2F)

Hopefully it is cooler for Christmas day, nothing worse than a scorching hot Christmas! It is hard to get things done in this heat, and hopefully the garden can survive J


xTania

Monday, November 25, 2013

Waiting for the Train

Waiting...


 Flinder's Ranges


 In the distance I hear the familiar rumble...


Off go the bells...


 This is one of the trains that hubby drives...


4000 ton...






 Hubby...



 1796 metres (1 mile) in length...


 On his way home from Broken Hill...





It is going to be a warm one here today 35C (95F).  
Our heat is dry and not humid in this part of Australia.

In case you didn't see the link yesterday Harry, this is what can be found in our area.  Although I don't live in these places this is what surrounds us.  And believe it or not I have not seen most of this yet. Sad I know...
These are our "mountains" 
I hope you are able to view them over there J




This morning we have been for a 4 km walk through the sand hills.  We need to go early to beat the heat and the flies. Saw a couple of kangaroos (I didn't have a camera), and the birds were in fine song.  A lovely start to the day and week ahead J

What do you have planned for the week?

xTania

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Lots of horsie pics - Quorn Gymkana

A couple of weeks ago we went to see our Grandson ride in the Quorn gymkana. 
 Quorn is a pretty little town nestled in the Flinder's Ranges. My eldest and youngest daughters live there.  From here it is approximately a twenty minute drive through the hills.

Gymkana's bring back memories for me as I used to do this when I was younger, and it was so much fun! 

The day was hot with the temperature set to reach 42C (107.6F)! We prepared ourselves well with sunscreen, hat and some shade to sit under to enjoy the show J 

Blake and his horse...


 Getting instructions for the bending race


Ready?


Go!!


Blake is still a learner but is doing well.





 And here he is...our handsome boy J


 It was exciting to watch the older riders do their stuff...




My daughter, number 19 waiting for her first ride in nine years.


 Lining up


 She did well but will need a lot more practice J


 Blake needed some help from his Dad in the next race...


Race down and get the pole and return them to the drum...






More big people fun!



Love it!




  Blake with Dad and Mum getting ready for a medley event.




Get in the sack...


and go, go, go!


He joined up with this young cowgirl...
She had to dismount and pick up the billy of water,


Get back on, spilling as little water as possible.
Then gallop back to the start, 
dismount still being careful not to  
spill any...


Then back down to the end, dismount and pick up an apple in her mouth. 
 I remember doing this in my younger days except the apple was in a bucket of water and that was hard to bite into!


Back on with apple in mouth and gallop to finish!


They finished second!

 And Blake couldn't wait to get his prize, some money in an envelope J


A great day was enjoyed by all, and Blake had his grandparents and great grandparents watching which made it extra special J

I love horses and wish that I had one today. Do you like horses?  
I think you either love them or hate them!  

xTania