I haven’t posted for a while because the flood left the farm in a big mess that will take time – and a lot of money – to put right. The most obvious cost will be in track repairs.
Farm track after the flood
The other big piece of vulnerable infrastructure is fencing. So, when I went looking for a fresh paddock while Clarkie rounded up (nothing like a little pressure, eh?), I decided to cross the gully and check on the boundary fence. Gone.
Dashed back across the gully towards the track and, after 10 minutes of showering Zoe, Alex and myself in mud, had to concede defeat. What a miserable day. Nowhere to put the cows, the tractor stuck at the other end of the farm with a tyre blowout, the tracks, the fences…
The Bobcat slid in the mud for 10 minutes before we pronounced it bogged
On the long march homewards, a pair of kookaburras began to cackle. Zoe said, “Listen Mama, they’re laughing at you for trying to cross the gully and getting bogged.” I felt instantly better.
What a fool I was. Feeling sorry for myself while holding the hand of my lovely little girl with my baby son on my chest as we walked through glorious country in the winter sun. It’s all about perspective.
The Milk Maid Marian 
WOW Marian. Glad you have a sense of humor and Zoe! It has been such a challenging winter and another month to go. Hope you are getting some of this lovely sun shine – long may it last!!
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Thanks Gillian. How is it up on the slopes?
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It has been dry for about 6 days now so pretty excited by that. Coming up for our second round of grazing now though so it will be interesting to see how the paddocks hold out. Nearly finished calving.
Are all your paddocks free of flood water yet?
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Great to hear, on all counts! We’ve only got billabongs of water on the flats now plus “lake 17”, a former swamp paddock that has had reveg in the centre (sadly almost totally destroyed). Forecast says 20 deg C on Wednesday then 9mm. Here’s hoping it’s not more. Must get some fert on now!
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