Colt's dream was to ride a horse in Australia!
Robert, Isabelle and Alex Gilbert have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome in Griffith. Actually, that's nothing new. Robert and Isabelle adopt backpackers all the time and often have some living with them. (Don't ask Robert about it....his heart was recently broken when the two girls moved on!) Anyway, during supper at their home two weeks ago, a plan was hatched to go horse back riding at West Merribee Farm. Robert and Isabelle used to own the farm but it is now owned by Nace and Helen Dalton. Today was the lucky day and we followed Isabelle, Alex and, another teacher friend, Jess Kenny, out to West Merribee Farm where Robert, Nace and Helen were saddling horses and preparing for us.
As soon as we arrived, Helen loaded us into the back of her ute with three dogs and we were off across the yard and through the paddock to see her sheep. They are raised for meat not for their wool. The dogs on the ute wanted to jump and run with the sheep so we had to hold them back. The sheep all followed the ute thinking they would be fed. The boys liked the baby lambs, which had long tails. Khye even spotted a lamb drinkink milk! Helen gave us a tour of the shearing shed and taught us how they used to run the sheep through the barn. This was interesting and would be great to watch!
After Robert, Nace, Howard, Jess, Alex and Cody headed out on horseback, the rest of us loaded food and supplies into the ute. We stopped at Nace and Helen's beautiful home and gardens to pick up a few things (and to use the washroom, of course!). In the red, dusty, sometimes bare countryside, I did not expect to find this amazing garden, home and pool! Leanne Pipke, I was thinking of you.....wish you could have seen it! The autumn colours made it even more brilliant.
We drove 20 minutes or so through the paddocks to reach our campfire spot. Along the way we saw several large kangaroo. Nace and Helen own all 10000 acres around them except for the 300 acres that include this amazing 1900's home! Robert and Isabelle and their family used to live here!
We drove 20 minutes or so through the paddocks to reach our campfire spot. Along the way we saw several large kangaroo. Nace and Helen own all 10000 acres around them except for the 300 acres that include this amazing 1900's home! Robert and Isabelle and their family used to live here!
In the early 1900s, the owners of this home owned several farms/stations and this one was 30 000 acres. It was the largest Merino stud station (sheep) in the southern hemisphere. When the Gilberts lived here, people would stop and ask for tours. After one of the local schools burned down, the Gilberts opened the house for tours and took donations for the school. Currently, the property and home is owned by one lady (who unfortunately was not giving any tours today...).
After we arrive at the campfire spot, we unloaded the ute and Helen started the fire. We awaited the horse riders.
After we arrive at the campfire spot, we unloaded the ute and Helen started the fire. We awaited the horse riders.
Alex and Jess (Miss Gilbert and Miss Kenny) taught the boys how to make damper....beer being the key ingredient?!?
Robert, Nace, Howard, Jess and Alex took turns leading the boys around on several of the horses. This was Khye's first time riding a horse! Robert gave his dog a ride on Khye's horse too. Nace helped Colt do a back flip off of his horse when it was time to eat!
The boys made damper (which was cooked perfectly Alex!) and we all ate sausages. Colt and Kent dug in the red sand and Kent played by/with the fire.
When it was time to head back, Alex jumped in the ute with us and Colt was able to ride the 45 minutes back to the farm. He was soooo excited!
The boys made damper (which was cooked perfectly Alex!) and we all ate sausages. Colt and Kent dug in the red sand and Kent played by/with the fire.
When it was time to head back, Alex jumped in the ute with us and Colt was able to ride the 45 minutes back to the farm. He was soooo excited!
This little boy grinned all the way home tonight. It was an excellent day! And to top it all off......Isabelle and Alex have loaned us their Lego and Duplo for the next couple of months! Could life get any better for this 7 year old?!? Thank you Robert, Isabelle, Alex, Helen and Nace for entertaining us all day and for making Colt's Australian dream come true. We've had a wonderful day! xx
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