Metal Fatigue…Mental Fatigue As you know we’ve either had poor or no internet/phone reception, which has left us feeling very disconnected. You, too have probably been wondering what’s going on. Well it’s just as well we’ve been out of range as it’s been a very challenging time with no let-up. The team experienced a week of very hard yakka in bush camps from Mitchell to St George complicated by equipment failure including torn shredded trailer tyres, fatigued disintegrated trailer wheel rim, and a separating trailer wheel guard, and now it’s raining!!! There’s lot of happy farmers, but not so many happy horse riders. Just like the metal we’ve been suffering fatigue, breakdowns and blow-outs!! Even on our rest day in St George there was the usual horse maintenance, and chores. So well deserved rest??...NO!!! General Gibson has had quite a lot of roadie maintenance due to Trevor the Trailer’s demanding attitude. After our spare wheel died so spectacularly…have you ever searched for a wheel that has disintegrated and flown off 30 metres into the scrub…we were keen to drive ahead to St George to arrange new wheels and tyres etc. As we were returning to the bush camp after arranging new ones to be freighted from Toowoomba, BANG, another blasted tyre not only punctured, but completely slashed. Fortunately wed been given the name of another property owner to call upon who came to the rescue driving Andrew back to St George for another tyre!! Then as we made our bush camp it rained, so more red soil platform soles!! In amongst these challenges weve experienced great community support from a range of people including the Dunkeld mob who introduced us to the Coolibah Homestead, Woodland Homestead, and Clearwater Homestead. We were looking forward to a rest day at the Clearwater Homestead, but due the impending rain and the need for solid ground we drove onto St George where we’ve been sheltering in the St George Showground Wool Pavilion. St George has offered us some treats with great hotel food, lovely cafes, fabulous grocery supplies and the support of many wonderful people. We had a police escort over the St George bridge and along The Terrace to the show grounds collecting donations along the way. It was mighty fine sight with the blue lights flashing ahead, followed by Harold and Anna on the horses, then Andrew driving along with his LR4L amber flashing lights then little old Snap and Terrill bringing up the rear in front of the rear police car with flashing lights. The horses were riding quite a pace to keep them going, which is more than can be said for me and Snap!! We finally hopped in the police car pooped. Our St George stay included a grand tour with Robert Buchan around town, and last night at the St George Hotel/Motel were we once again were almost mistaken for the band!!! So thank you very much to Ian and Robbie Todd, Desley and Robert Buchan, and Andrew and Kathryn Dries, at the St George Tyre Centre and Mayor Donna Stewart for your generosity, kindness and support. Were tired, we need to know you care: either by making a donation or leaving us a comment PLEASE.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:27:13 +0000