Well it's technically autumn here in NZ but it's feeling like the summer we'd been waiting for. The days have been absolutely beautiful and though the locals think "it's so bloody hot!" I find it fantastic! The only downside of this lovely warm, sunny weather is that there has been virtually no rain. Even Cyclone Lusi brought only a wee misting and we've found ourselves in another drought. This year we had to break down and buy water as our household water supply is from rainwater collected in our gutters. Last year it rained the night before we were to have water delivered and were able to cancel just before it arrived. This year, however, with no rain forecasted, at all, in the foreseeable future, we bit the bullet and bought 15000liters for $355NZ. Hopefully this will hold us until rain does finally come. We are more fortunate than many lifestylers here as our stock is watered by the creek below our farm and we have a water hose from the creek as well which allows us to water our trees, veggies, etc. I feel rather guilty watering plants when so many are running out for human use but it's there and it's not like we're taking from others. So, while our fields are parched and dry, the trees and plants around our yard our thriving.
A couple of weeks ago, Billy and I redeemed a voucher for a helicopter tour we'd received from friends who's baby Billy delivered. It was a clear, beautiful day and the views were spectacular! Looking down on Mt. Taranaki, a mountain we've climbed, and into the crater was really awesome. I was even able to shoot a couple of photos of our farm, though from a distance, as we did not fly over it.
My ankle is healing slowly but surely. I have full range of motion and can bare weight, even run with no pain whatsoever. The remaining pain is only bruising on the bone and muscle tissue which is still limiting the types of shoes I can wear. I can only just wear a tennis shoe because of the pressure it had put on my ankle bone when it was still swollen. I have been able to wear my riding boots however as they are rather loose. This means I've been back on Joe and, even having done nothing with him for the three weeks I could only wear Toms or sandals, he was absolutely wonderful. I've ridden him up our road, visiting with the lovely neighbors who I was riding with the day of the accident, who got him home for me as I went to hospital, and I've cantered around our field which I hadn't even done before the accident. He really is a lovely horse and hasn't a mean bone in his body.
Charlie is the one I really need to focus on now. He has grown rather fat in his convalescence and, judging by his bucks and kicks when put into a new paddock, I think he's feeling quite fine. While I do miss my Bella and Soochie I left in Kentucky, I hit the horse jackpot here with Charlie and Joe and even Lofty who, while not sound enough for hard riding, is a quiet, sensible horse that nearly anyone can ride.
Today after church we spent the afternoon with a wonderful new friend who has become like a surrogate grandfather to the kids, particularly Nani. He has a small motor boat and we rode up and down the river, watching ducks and enjoying the scenery on a splendid day. Billy had brought his kayak as well and he and Nani both enjoyed time pedaling around. Nani is such a go-getter. She loves to try anything and everything and is pretty fearless. The boys tend to be more lazy and disinterested in trying much unless STRONGLY encouraged (Yes, occasionally forced!) They too, finally got in the boat and once they did, they really enjoyed it! Brylie missed the fun as she had made plans to hang with a schoolmate. I posted a pic of some kids enjoying the day swimming at the boat launch next to the no diving and no swimming signs. I thought that was amusing.
The time changed this weekend and though we thoroughly enjoyed the extra hour, darkness at 5 is no fun! I'll have to be more mindful of the shortening days and plan accordingly to get the horses ridden and the farm chores done during daylight.
I'm anxiously counting down the days til I return to Miakylie and Kaigan in the States. I'm excited to be able to help Kaigan move to Dallas where he'll be doing a six month internship with American Airlines. We'll then fly to Kentucky for the graduations of both Mikaylie and Sam, my nephew. The last week of my three week trip, the three of us will spend back in Dallas. Can't wait to hug my babies, both now adults at 18 and 21. I may never let them go.
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