Blog for Thursday 4th December 2025

Is it not crazy that the last two early mornings have been really chilly? It is stinking-hot during the day but almost cold in the mornings!

I managed to convince my body to get out of bed and start the new day after a little gentle persuading. I made myself a strong coffee and toddled up to my studio to have my Quiet Time.

My ring finger on my left hand is really tender today. Last night I went to make myself a soda water and the top of the soda machine flew off at great speed and whacked said finger. I honestly thought I had broken it, as it was that sore, but I think it is just badly bruised. I am aware of the soreness when I type using that finger, but I shall live! Maybe mutter on a little, but I will live.

I overheard Paddy and Ken discussing doing cattle work this morning – Paddy was wanting to separate the cattle back to the ones we have the genetics of before the fires and floods happened. As he wants to begin to breed and have good records again of both Dam and Sire of every calf born here in the future. As we once had.

In the early morning, I took out the washing already done, to hang it on the washing line and then I sorted out the dried wishing so I could begin to iron it. Well, that was my plan, which did not happen that way in the end. In Afrikaans there is a saying, “’n boer maak ‘n plan’ – which translated means “a farmer makes a plan”. (Let me tell you so does his wife!)

Anyway, Paddy needed the cows he was going to use for breeding selectively recorded somewhere, so he could begin to make up breeding programs et cetera, so I went out to the ‘yards to do that for him.

Ken insisted on assisting out in the 'yards and he was pushing the cattle down the race and into the crush, for us. Paddy was back lining the cattle, checking for any pink eye and injecting and applying the salve to any sore eyes. He also was the one selecting which cow/heifer or calf went to where and which camp. I simply recorded the cow’s number and opened and closed gates and occasionally the sliding door of the crush.

Out in the ‘yards there is a cacophony of sound – bellowing, bleating, snorting, kicking against the metal sliding door, barking and Ken normally yells out instructions or at the dogs, which none of us can really hear. Even those who are not hearing impaired!

I was on the other side of the crush having just let a cow out into the Home Camp, when both Paddy and I heard Ken yell. Paddy answered with a "Yes Dad, what is it?" but as I said it is so noisy out there and Ken is often just shouting at the dogs, so neither of us took too much notice.

Another yell from Ken. So, Paddy went to see what the problem was. When Paddy called out, “Mum!” I skedaddled around as fast as my elderly body would allow me to, and there my man was lying down in the second holding area in the 'yards, in the thick dust, unable to get himself up off the ground. His left hand had been badly ripped, and he was sure he had broken several ribs. Paddy managed to lift Ken up and we could both see that Ken needed to get to the hospital – at least for a tetanus injection if nothing else.

Ken was not keen on going to the hospital as he wanted to load the quad bike up and take it to another guy out Beechwood way to get it fixed. Well, that was NOT going to be happening.

I drove Ken and myself across the river in the ute’ but I swopped us over to my little car, which is easier to drive, faster and has air con. But … oh dear ! First, I had to navigate my car around all the bales of silage that had been dropped off on that side of the river. It was a seriously tight squeeze for me to do so, but with much muttering, many instructions from Ken and a lot of tongue waggling, I managed to get my car out and onto the road.

Then it was me driving as fast as the wind to get my man to the hospital. One never knows how shock may manifest itself either, plus Ken is not young anymore.

W-e-l-l. to add to my rather frayed and fluffy nerve ends - a ‘roo stepped out into and on to our side of the road and I had to swerve to avoid smacking into it. Poor Ken with his broken or cracked ribs felt that sudden jerk.

We went to the Wauchope hospital and had a long wait there to be seen as the emergency rooms were chockablock with patients.

Eventually Ken was seen to. No displaced broken ribs, but a high possibility of several cracked ribs. His hand the doctor and sister cleaned and pulled the skin back over the raw skin and are hoping that it will ‘take’. I have to take Ken back to the hospital on Sunday for them to check it and redo the dressing.

These are a few photos of Ken’s left hand. He also cut his right thigh which had to be dressed as well.

😊

A few photos of Ken's left hand.

Ken was given some serious pain killers on prescription (which he refused to get,) and an anti-biotic, which I stopped at the chemist for him to get. I bought us something cold to drink as we were ever so thirsty – Iced Coffees for Ken and Fanta for me.

It was wonderful to be back home again, get Ken to take his medicines and for him to have a good sleep.

Shame, poor Paddy completed the cattle work on his own while we were at the hospital and he had taken silage out for the cows too. “Incredible work Paddy!”

Thank goodness Paddy was there to help get Ken up onto his feet again this morning, I know I would not have been able to lift Ken up on my own. Although one is always staggered at what you can do if you are the only one there to do it, not so? But honestly? I would rather not try.

I made some beef strips sandwiches for Paddy and half a chicken one for me. Ken was not hungry and preferred to go to sleep.

Our day slowly disappeared as I watched Paddy in the Large River Camp threading the wire through the fencing posts and pickets and endeavoring to dig more holes to plant his trees, Ken feeding the dogs and me putting out a light supper for the three of us.

I was not sad when today ended.=, it had been a long, long day somehow.

What lesson did I learn today? To not lose my head but remain calm and collected in the wild and woolly moments of life!

What am I grateful for today? That Ken did not hit his head on a rock in the ‘yards, which could so easily have happened.

My saying for today is …