How Lucky Am I

I just have to say that I feel incredibly lucky to have such beautiful, special warm hearted people, as my family.
You know who you are, you are all just beautiful.
Love you all lots.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHONDA!!

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to Youuuuu.
Happy BIRTHDAY dearrrr RhonnDaaa!
Happy Birthday toooooo yoouuuuu!!!!

Hope you have a great day tomorrow (even if you have to work)
Love the WWW.

Hi to everyone.
I have been having a little difficulty in signing in here, keep forgetting the password.....
Rhonda, your adventure looked just fantastic, I am very proud of you gaviscon!!
The photography is exceptional as well.
Keep up the good work.

I will post some coming home photos of "Miss" Chanel soon. She is settling in ok. Les does not admit that he quite likes her. She manages to end up in our bed after the very early morning toilet trip and play. 3.30 am is just tooooooo early for me to try and function clearly.

More soon,
take care all
Southern Wild-Waler-Woman, aka Trishxx

A great ride

One Saturday a few friends decided to ride to Lake Illawarra for lunch, great idea I'll go too. Regina on George the express pony, and myself on Nugget set out from Croom road and headed down Station road, crossing the Princes hwy at some lights. We had to ride across the trainline on the way to Macquarie Shores where we were to meet Christine V., Jan, Sonia and Kim. Once we were all together we rode towards Oak Flats along the road.



The first challenge was Slaters bridge, long, wooden and over wide water. Much to my surprise Nugget followed Jans' mare across without a care, I was impressed. Once clear of the bridge, we rode around thru the back streets of Oak Flats until we reached Lake Illawarra.

We followed the cycleway around the lake, a distance of about 8kms. It was a sunny day, the water was calm, and there were lots of lovely spots for a good trot or canter.

Upon reaching the end of the lake, we had to ride under Windang bridge so that we could get to our lunch spot further along the forshore. It's too dangerous to cross busy Shellharbour road, so we rode along the footpath.You can see the bridge in the background.

From the bridge, it is still a little ride before we arrived at the takeaway shop. Hot chips always smell yummy. We tied our horses up and got stuck into some food. In the photo below, at the top end is where we stopped for lunch, just as the road curves right.

After lunch we dicided to keep going and headed towards Warilla beach. You are able to ride behind the houses and I was wishing we could have a canter on the beach, but sadley horses are not allowed. Some more nice trotting and cantering soon saw us arrive at Little Lake.

The supposed 'bridge' across Little Lake has still not been built. No problem, as Regina was on the second smallest horse, sh went across first. The rest of us watched from the edge, if George started swimming, we were going the long way round!! The water was belly deep, so the rest of us rode our horses across. The photo below shows Little Lake at low tide.

Once clear of Little Lake, we rode up around the headland at Barrack Point. There are some beautiful views along here. Following the road around saw us ride onto the public reserve beside Junction road. We had a wonderful canter and trot until we reached Shellharbour surf club. Here we had to cross Shellharbour road and head towards the Shellharbour Workers Club, in order to ride thru suburbia on the home run.

Lots more cantering and trotting was the order as we made our way along the footpaths and roads to reach the top of the hills.

It was then down towards the Oak Flats Interchange and home. It was here that Regina and I said goodbye to everyone else, they had to return to Macquarie Shores. Regina wanted to ride down to the Oak Flats train station and go home that way. I thought a short cut would be good, how hard can a roundabout be???

So with Nugget and I leading, Regie and I rode along the bicycle lane, around the edge of the interchange. As the photo shows, this is a BIG roundabout, known as the UFO, for good reason (some inept drivers do drive the wrong way on this bugger!!). The only time Nugget got worried was when the northbound cars went under the interchange. Brave little begger.

We left the interchange and headed along the East West route, passing a police car running a speed trap (no galloping now). As home was getting closer we went into a couple of long canters along the grass verge.

We arrived back at the paddock 6 hours and 35kms later. Nugget was very good, especially as he had to lead thru some scary parts. Thanks to my friends for having me along, and a HUGE thankyou to Nugget, what a good boy.

Introducing Miss Chanel

Hello everyone.

I am wanting to introduce an almost new member of the family. Much to the strapper's disgust, I am going against his wishes and getting myself an inside kitty-kat. I feel that life is getting shorter and a kitty-kat will do me a power of good. Not forgetting the other animals at home here, Bronte, Clancy & Ruff, the border collies. Miss Waratah, the horse in a million, and ther is the bloody thoroughbred, Miss lucky to be alive and found her way here, Rose. so now there will be Miss Chanel, a lilac point pure bred bermease, not sure how to spell it, but have included a couple of snaps

the saddle

hi girls
on my way up to my friends place on the long weekend i visited (mrs thompsons) fav saddle maker and had a look see around his lovely warm work shop, my friend jane was out side trying to work out how to get one of his horses onto the back of my ute without him noticing, he remembered we www from goulburn show a couple of years back we all had a drool over his saddles then as well. whilst talking to him about stuff it was hard not to sit in one of his saddles ,very nice on the old toosh, lucky girl mrs thompson

New Saddle - minamising

Hi Everyone.
Well, the new saddle is very commmfy, when I can get into it. The strapper keeps taking over and my time seems to be limited. However, we did manage to get a couple of river rides in over the weekend, even managed to carenterrrrr, a few times. We have mapped out some things to do for the WWW weekend in July.
Also, I have been minamising in the household. I have managed to fill about 5 large boxes of 'goods no longer required' in the wardrobe which will be ready for inspection on that weekend.
I will be pleased when the minamising is complete, and rubbish cleared away, I am waiting for the feeling of good to come over me now that I have almost finished cleaning it.

I am going to buy a kitten, the strapper is totally apposed to the idea, however he will have to get over it!!
'southern, wild waler woman'