Weill we needed some rain but not quite this much at once.
Combined with one of the scariest storms I have ever been through, 70mls of rain just pounded the ground in about 3 hours.
The lightening and thunder was unbelievable and better than a fireworks display. The storm devastated Perth, with hail, winds and flooding from heavy rain and then it headed our way.
A lot of our paddocks are hilly and at this time of the year are fairly bare so the water raced down the hills, washing large gullies and knocking over a number of fences as it hit the bottom. Our front driveway was about 100mt across in water as the bridges quickly blocked up with the debris and the water went over the top. It certainly made a mess, so we spent most of the next three days fixing up fences, (we still haven’t finished), and trying to smooth over the roads so we can drive on them. Some dams filled up with rubbish but not much we can do about that at present.
Ironically before the flood we had a contractor here with a large excavator cleaning out our dams as they were very low, and sheep were getting bogged down in the mud along the edge.
So after the flood we conveniently used him to clean out all the blocked creeks and messed up fencelines.
But we now have green paddocks and no dust which is a relief. Hopefully the rain will continue as March is fairly early for a season break and we can still have a lot of hot weather in April.
At the moment it is lovely and cool which is very pleasant.
Our driveway bridge, after the water went down.
One of our fences.
The excavator, cleaning out the creek.
My daughter in her school clothes, enjoying the mud.
While waiting for Driftz to have her pups I did manage to get to the first day of the Kendenup trials and had four runs.
Calebs first run was fabulous, a near perfect cast lift and draw. We walked the sheep down nicely and even managed one obstacle. However he was losing it a bit by the time we made the bridge and was working too close causing the sheep to run the wrong way. However I was really pleased with him and this is only his second three sheep trial.
His second run was late in the day and the sheep were sticky, and one was a bit weak and would not stay with the others. Caleb ran them around too much and when the weak one decided to run off on it’s own I retired before things deteriorated more.
Angel has started sticking badly on the cast and it took her such a long time to bring the sheep down that we just ran out of time before we achieved much.
So back to the drawing board with her until she unsticks.
Leena only had one run. We had two competitors ahead of us so I was in no hurry to wander up to the start area.
However two quick crosses made me have to hurry her up there and straight onto the ground before she had a chance to settle and look around. So she crossed and that was that. So in future I should be more ready. However if both competitors had a full run it would have been almost a half hour wait which I dislike so it was my certainly my fault.
The great escape here. While they were trying to get the used sheep back into the letouts the rest of the mob saw the opening and made a break for it. But they were neatly contained.
For all trial results check out Sam Weavers blog here.
And for something different, a pumpkin tree, with a pumpkin waiting to be picked.
My japanese pumpkin bush has just taken over the whole garden and even climbed to the top of the nectarine tree. I have never had quite a strong climbing pumpkin.
However it has left little room for any other vegetables, and is still growing strongly. Before long I wont be able to enter the garden.
Blizzard has settled down a little, but will always be a full on pup I think. It will be fun training her.
And I am still waiting for Driftz to have her puppies...............................................!
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