The Weekly Wrap-Up 13
Days 102 - 109, 1,880 - 1,910km Stirling North to Port Augusta (with a lot of faff in between!)
Phew! I'm glad this week is over! It's been a pretty wild one for me, scurrying around the southern half of the country, shuttling my van and visiting family whilst the boys chilled out and ate. But now I feel as though we are in a good position to tackle the long flat stretch of highway reaching out West and not looking daunting AT ALL, oh no, not at all daunting...
Saturday and Sunday was spent doing nothing at all really, settling the boys into their yards and enjoying the endless hospitality of the folks who run Port Augusta Horse Accommodation. And food.... lots of food for those hungry horses! They definitely got a calorie surfeit this week 🌾🌾🌾
On Sunday, Michelle from Restore Body'n'Soul dropped by to give the boys some EMMETT therapy. I'd never heard of this technique before, but watching the horses relax, I was intrigued, and so was more than happy to accept when Michelle offered to let me try it on myself. And wow! At the time, it was just a series of light touches, focusing on my back and hamstrings, and I didn't think much of it. But the next, I rolled out of bed and guess what?! Zero back pain! I guess anyone who suffers from chronic pain (and mine is only very mild) recognises how it just kind of becomes a background to your daily life. You have coping mechanisms, you deal with it, and you get on with life. Only when that pain is removed do you realise how great it is to be pain-free! So a huge thanks to Michelle for giving me a few days without that constant niggle - and I have no doubt the boys were just as happy!
Then Monday arrived, and the horses had their pre-entry liverfluke drench and test, all as part of the Quarantine process to get horses in to WA. As we are travelling through on foot, rather than the standard of being floated, I also had to get an import exemption permit, which was just a bit of paperwork and a waiting game.
Straight after the vet left, it was all go, catching a bus down to Adelaide and then heading down to Hobart for a far too brief visit to family and friends - Hobart is such a beautiful city, especially when there's snow on the mountain!
But I have a continent to cross, so back on a plane and then I found myself picking up my van, Brian, from my counsin Katie's, followed by the long drive from Melbourne back to Port Augusta. Brian was as dream and got me there just in time to wish the boys a happy birthday on Thrusday. And as a perfect birthday present, I got word that our import permit was all cleared and we were good to go 👍👍 Bit of a relief to hear.... Massive thanks to the super helpful and friendly team at Quarantine WA who made this process so easy and fascinating!
After some carrot-treats for the boys, it was a quick feed and water drop along the highway up to Kimba on Friday morning, where I stashed Brian at the pony club grounds (thanks Katie!), getting a lift back with lovely legends Lisa and Wes.
This morning it was finally time to leave the sanctuary of Stirling North. I didn't really want to go, but the horses were restless and I only had food for 5 nights.... So back in the saddle I climbed! BIGGEST thanks to Ruby, Kelly-Anne and Gayle for looking after the boys all week 😁
Today was an easy but long detour around Port Augusta, avoiding the busy town centre and narow bridge. Found a fabulous camp by the golf course, complete with water, a toilet and GRASS! Now it's off along the highway to Kimba. Let's hope we don't get taken out by a roadtrain!
Coming around Yorkey's Crossing
Brian, my home on wheels