We continue on with our journey at Bullo River Station.
Me working in the yards.
The ringers set up portable yards across the river, so the cattle didn't have to travel very far.
The helicopter mustered them to a cooler and we pushed them on, into another smaller cooler and finally the yards.
We trucked the calves to the main yards, branded them and trucked them back to their mum's.
We also drafted off nasty cattle or one's the boss didn't like the look of. The weaners were also trucked to the yards for processing (450).
Day 1.
Going to catch the horses, as we are going on a muster.
Hessian over the fences to trick the cattle.
Makes the fences look solid. I have read about this in so many old books, I didn't realize this method is still used today.
Saddles ready to go.
Securing the portable yards.
Finally on a big muster!
Steve on a muster.
About a 1000 head plus 400 weaners.
Steve chasing up a slow bull.
5 horses all in line.
Me & Ainslee trucking the horses to bring in the cattle.
Our horses are in the horse box.
The horse box, does the hard yards.
Me walking the horses to the horse float.
Steve with a couple of horses.
Dust for as far as the eye can see.
Me on Mr Guinness .
I might chase this one, but must not break the line.
Heading into the scrub.
Back from the first 800 plus cattle, waiting on further commands. We all have lunch and most had a nap including the horses!
Oatis, Mr Guiness & Me!
800 cattle.
Steve & Oatis having a cuddle.
Steve's super happy to be part of the muster team.
Erin giving us a lesson on horses feet.
Rex & Ainslee having a minute.
Rex & Ainslee a sleep.
Time for Steve & Otis to have a nap.
Mr G & I keeping watch & listening for the radio call.
The first lot are secure in the portable yards.
Portable yards.
Cattle moving up.
Day 2 of the muster.
Final push to yard the last 450 ish!
Ainslee, Richard, Erin, Steve and I on horses.
Ainslee, Richard, Erin & Catherine, all very happy as cattle are safely in the yards.
Steve tailing the mob.
Joe & Catherine (Station Managers).
Keep the line!
Keeping them moving.
Couple of big bulls near me, I hope they don't want to fight.
BBQ lunch.
Steak on the BBQ & Steak grazing in the back ground!
Today was a big day, we loaded the last trunk just on dark (For the day, more to truck tomorrow).
The weaners & misfits also had to be fed in the dark Finish time 8pm, who cares when we are living the dream!!
Millie dancing in the head lights.
Glow in the dark spider & web.
Feeding cattle in the dark and this weaners looks like he is in the spotlight!
Dark & Dusty.
Cattle settling in the yards.
Erin & Catherin.
Catherine on the last load of the day.
The sun going down.
Driving out to the portable yards, last load.
Ainslee with a bloody big sandwich.
Catherine, Bernie, Sandi & Joe.
Ainslee.
Catherine & Bernie. (Father & Daughter).
Erin & Ainslee.
Action in the yards.
Two full days of mustering, drafting, counting, several of us had minor incidents, bruising etc, Overall a great muster, we lost one big bull on the muster who broke the fence, he is just in another paddock. I believe the boss was over all very happy! About 1250 plus cattle all up!!
For me personally it was a dream come true, maybe I wasn't a lot of help to the ringers, however for me the experience was on another level. I dreamt of being a Cowgirl when I was 14 years old and finally at the age of 58, I have gotten pretty close. Super happy for the opportunities Bullo River station and the managers Joe, Catherine, Erin, Ainslee & Richard (Ringers) have given myself & Steve!!
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