Day 37
After a week of living at Fauresmith in the Perseverance camp it was time to pack everything up and head back to Graaff-Reinet. So much to pack, how did we fit it all in?
Eventually the truck, car and trailer were all packed up and we could take the 5 hour trip back to Graaff-Reinet. Needless to say I slept most of the journey, but managed to be awake when we drove past a few zebra!
Day 38
The morning was spent unpacking the truck and throwing items into the wash pile. After a week of being away the wash pile now looks more like a small mountain.
That evening Perseverance were throwing a party with the theme of "1920s Prohibition", so there was plenty of preparations to do beforehand. As it was to be a "Speakeezy" all bottles were to be encased in brown paper bags and instead of drinking out of a glass there would be tea cups. Yes it was back to the 1920's we went with most of the attendees in 1920 themed outfits.
Partying also gave me the chance to practise/learn to Sokkie with some poor individual who probably would of rathered to be partnered with someone who could actually dance. This is so different to dancing in a club, I wonder whether I'll ever get the hang of this?
The party carried on into the early hours of the morning with much laughter and dancing.
Day 38
Up at 8 to go and see to the horses which were in House camp and survey the amount of mess from the party.
The day was spent tidying up, napping and me with my nose in a good book. A very chilled out Sunday and time to recuperate after the week in Fauresmith.
Day 39
Monday and the start of a hectic week. With Ashley having gone home I have lost my translator, will most definitely have to try and practise some Afrikaans now but at least most of the staff do speak some English. Bob and Laura were heading off to Bloem Fontain to do some work on one of their properties, so it was just to be Lucy and I at the farm.
First horse to be ridden of the day was to be Neptune. A short trip out of about 18kms, with Neptune feeling lively and spooking at most of the larger rocks along the way.
A quick chance to grab a drink and then out onto the next horse, Orient. Another chance for me to ride a stallion! Next week he will begin the Kikkuli test so for now it was a short hack in walk. Spent most of the ride calling for his mare and tried to jog most of the way home. Love his sweet character though and he is rather well behaved for a stallion.
The afternoon Lucy and I took Kandahar and Matrix out to do some stock work with some cows who were in the wrong camp. Only found a few and managed to herd them back towards the right camp, where they should of been. With that taken care of we could take the boys for a spin around the circuit before heading home.
Day 40
So many horses to ride so I have quite a selection to choose from. I decided to take Nile out, although he was somewhat reluctant to leave the herd. A possible total of 20kms clocked together. He has such a nice, comfy canter that 20kms flew by.
Then it was Obelix's turn. Having only recently been broken and not being ridden in a week it was a quick back to basics session before I mounted. As before Obelix was totally undaunted by any of this and stood yawning whilst I tacked him up. Obelix has taken everything in his stride with being ridden so hopefully will be able to hack out with one of the other horses before the week is over.
I spent the afternoon being totally non-horsey and instead I was in the kitchen doing my second favourite thing, baking! Scones made and it was also my turn to cook the evening meal. Thank goodness most of Perseverance are away, less people to poison should it of been a disaster. But all turned out well and Lucy and I could chow down!
Day 41
Lucy and I spent the morning in Graaff-Reinet town doing shopping and sorting other things out for the farm.
That afternoon Rosemary and I headed out with Rafiki and Mabruk to do some stock work. The cattle, mares and foals were to be moved in a neighboring camp. Rosemary and I circulated the camp gathering up the herd and sending them over to a far gate, where we could eventually herd them through into their new camp. It was such a pleasant site to see mares and foals galloping in a herd around this camp with blue skys overhead.
There were also more cattle to move, which had managed to jump the fence or climb through and get into the wrong camp. So it was a case of herding these cattle through the gate into their correct camp.
With cattle and horses all where they ought to be, we decided to take a few laps around the circuit at a canter to give Rafiki and Mabruk chance to stretch their legs. Mabruk did not need asking twice and very much enjoyed cantering and seeing just how fast he could go before I'd rein him back. Mabruk is most definitely going to be one fast horse! We were out for over 3 hours on our horses and rode about 18km mostly just from riding round the camps looking for stock to move.
We were back at the farm with just enough time for me to be able to ride Obelix. Tack straight on and I mounted, with Obelix still yawning! In the round pen we walked round the round pen and then proceeded up to the yard. The staff had brought the bakkie down towards the road pen with a trailer full of soil and with persuasion and reassurance Obelix walked straight on by both! Considering this is possibly only the 4th time he has been ridden but nothing seems to have phased him so far!