Rain, pain and sheep balls

Ok, so we have been doing really well, working lots and harvest was going well...... Then it rained, a little to start with, then a lot more.  With grain such as barley and wheat, which is what we harvest here, it has to be under a certain moisture level, and with so much water, it has taken 6 days to be able to start harvesting again.  Anyhoo, when it rains, it means we do other bits or have some time off.

First day off, I actually didn't leave the house, just had a long lay in and used laptop to watch Two And A Half Men, dam American comedy being so simple and fun to watch.  Second day was better I suppose, I went to the nearest town called Esperance, its about 140km from the farm, and wow, small town!  It does have some shops and a cinema, so took the opportunity to grab a cheap digital camera, as my camera was my phone until I had to use a nasty special rural phone for the outback.  Also watched Paranormal Activity 2 at the cinema, the film was alright, but the cinema was awesome!! Especially for such a small town.  Not seen a screen that big before, and for less seats than at the mallard, and all the seats are comfy and have cup holders.  Ozies know how to do cinemas!


On this ranch, they also have 1000ish sheep, and as we couldnt harvest, this was a good time to do it.  What we had to do was muster them all in to the pens, seperate the lambs from the ewes, and then process the lambs.  This involves putting the lamb in the carousel, injecting it with vaccine, putting a rubber band around its balls and tail (so they drop off) and ear tag it.  I have attached a few pics, but open if your not feeling squeamish, there is blood .  The pain mentioned in my title, is because a 70kg sheep wanted to get past me, so it ran at me and tried to jump over me.  Failing to jump high enough it just headbutted my gut instead, sheep are heavy!

Has a rubber band on its tail

Baaaaa

The first time I put a lamb in the carousel

So yesterday and today, I have been able to harvest, not wheat and barely as which is what I normally harvest, but harvesting peas.  Peas are a nightmare, have to do it sooooo slow, and cut so low to the ground the blades keep blocking up so I have to stop and unblock it, and its just so frustrating and slow!! See my video blog below.  Originally it was a video for Claire, so a lot of it has been cut out, as you dont need to hear me go on at how I love her and all that lovey stuff.  I love you by the way.... lol

Sorry for poor quality, need to compress videos so that they finish being uploaded this century.

So, I am learning random facts, some useful and some not so, so I will add some to each blog from now on:
Facts I have learnt for this blog entry:

• bottom of clouds are flat, only just noticed since Ive been here
• in Western Australia there are no 1 or 2 cent coins, lowest coin denomination is 5 cents
• Outside of towns there are no police
• "12 months" in Estonian is kaksteist kuud (Say it like kaks teist kuud)

Anyway, if you want to email me, you can still email my old address : firestorm445@hotmail.com

Please remember that calling my mobile over here doesnt work, as Guernsey networks seem to be not important enough for Telstra to set up...... But I think landlines work, but not sure.  Just remember I am 8 hours ahead of England, so don't call me during your evening, as I will be sleeping!  Mobile number is +61458934750

Ryan

My header at night

How I have my dinner, tonight its roast in a box