The Girl Team Prevails, Poor Greg...

I no longer feel quite so inadequate….I’m not alone in my spatial dyslexia. It isn’t only me that always, constantly, without fail turns left instead of right. It’s not only me who sails blissfully past whichever destination my GPS has already directed me to and it isn’t only me who can travel the same road for nine plus years and still doesn’t know the way. It may be that I am worse than others afflicted by “lost syndrome” but I know I am not alone…. And it helps. Our new young WWOOFER Grace was due to arrive on Wednesday and each time Bran the Border Collie raised the alarm indicating a barn visitor (and sounding like said visitor would not make it through the gate alive) I rushed to greet our new volunteer. After the umptyumpth race to the corner to cast a welcoming smile and finding only our black and white dog threatening to kill yet another egg customer I surrendered to the little voice in my head telling me to be patient. Not too good at that ! When I had almost given up and the girl team ( oh, and Greg) had adjourned to the house for a well earned lunch I noticed a car attached to a bicycle with a young lady looking a little concerned at the locked farm gate. Poor Grace had got lost on her drive, which makes me feel a little better, clearly “lost syndrome” isn’t age induced….and that is a good feeling. I know Greg touched on the subject on his last post but belatedly, welcome Grace, our youngest ever volunteer. Grace joined Laura who has been with us a week, a little dynamo who has energetically embraced ranch life and shown a determination to leave Gentle giant Meadows Ranch knowing as much as we do….or more. Grace met the team over lunch and was soon looking every inch the rancher wielding a growling chain saw and splashing in the cool shady creek as the erosion control project began to take shape. If arriving (eventually) at a strange place with a bunch of strange people ( very strange people !) was intimidating, Grace didn’t seem to notice. With a confidence that belies her age and experience she was soon kissing Lady the huge gentle Shire mare, picking out dinner plate sized hooves milking Daisy Mae the Dexter cow, being dribbled on by Misty Moo the Jersey heifer and shmoozing with Charm the golden palomino gelding (aka beauty with lots of attitude ). We are looking forward to introducing her to all the varied experiences on the ranch over the few weeks she is part of our extended ranch family.

Laura as previously mentioned is anxious to have a go at everything and despite her tiny frame is never far from the action…always with a smile on her face and never complaining. Clearly balancing is not Laura’s greatest skill or maybe the clear running creek was just a little too inviting on a steamy hot sunny day but she has the honour of being the first to get dunked when a slippery wet log inconveniently (or conveniently !!) relocated itself. The project isn’t finished yet but thanks to our young helpers it is well on the way and we look forward to it’s efficiency being tested when the Autumn storms arrive.

I would like to saw a HUGE thank you to Grace’s mom who, recognizing my English taste buds sent her lovely daughter off to the farm with a care package for me. DIGESTIVE BISCUITS, lemon curd, strawberry jam marmalade and a wonderful box of P G Tips (tea). Thank you so much, I can’t promise that I will share….but I can promise I will enjoy !!

Finally, we have all heard of “egg on your fade” but poor Greg was the ungrateful recipient of roosters revenge. As he was handling a big white rooster the unappreciative bird directed yucky projectile poo onto his face neck and t shirt. NOT the face mask you would ever aspire to but a great photo opportunity for the ranch paparazzi ( me !!!)

Time to go. The cuckoo clock has spoken, Bran is ready for another day and down at the barn old T Bone will be gnashing his teeth and Starbuck will be slavering in anticipation for breakfast.

Take care, keep safe and cool, M