Rain and Other Gifts

G’Day Mob,

There’s nothing quite like the prediction of rain after an extended dry spell to get farmers hopping. Fencing, put off for weeks, is hurriedly done – because it’s going to rain. Firewood boxes are topped up and washing done – because it’s going to rain. Water tanks are emptied and cleaned and the residents are relocated -

because it’s going to rain. And then, when the jobs are done and the skies are still blue, a restless anticipation sets in.

My Life as a Pit Pony

G’Day Mob,

One of the things I love about this writing caper is the interesting people you meet and places you find, which in turn tends to shunt your life in the most amazing directions.

Three years ago I was asked to write a story on the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge for R.M Williams Outback. Last month I found myself 18m underground shovelling dirt into a wheel barrow. Seems B and I have become opal miners and I have the role of pit pony.

How the hell did that happen?

The Coming of the Camels

G’Day Mob,

Nigel, Sheeba, Frank, Ralph and Bubba arrived on our cattle property this year. Only they are not cows. They are camels.

It was Friday the 13^th, it was a full moon and, to prove we’re not always certifiably sane, my better half decided it was a smart idea to add camels to the farm stock.

Why, you ask? 

On Location with Mandy

G’Day Mob,

Over here on the blog I’ll be posting (hopefully) regular rambles based on where I am and what I am writing about.

Which means you could get anything.

For example: In the last couple of months I have tracked dinosaurs at Winton, flown drones at Barcaldine, talked with camels here on the farm, profiled some amazing young agricultural women and been a pit pony at Lightning Ridge.

See what I mean? You really could get anything.

To kick things off why don’t you