Evanski: Check IAS
Neil (My Brother) - Play Commander Keen on the LapTop (complete with head and shoulder movements!)
Da Pikey-man: Try to sleep while looking after my work boot.*sigh*
Thursday, December 31, 2009
And What Do The Boys Do When It's Raining?
Evanski: Check IAS
Neil (My Brother) - Play Commander Keen on the LapTop (complete with head and shoulder movements!) Da Pikey-man: Try to sleep while looking after my work boot.*sigh*
OMG! It Rained!!!
As a matter of course, Evan checks the BOM site regularly to make sure that he doesnt feed up when its about to storm etc etc and possibly the best time to expect any rain is when there isnt any on the BOM site!!Monday - Monday night when there was none to be seen, we received just about an inch of rain. FINALLY! To all our friends that have been doing the rain dance for us, we say thank you :)
Hopefully its just the start.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Massie Lodge 2009 Newsletter
Welcome (finally) to the Massie Lodge Newsletter for 2009 which was originally planned for Christmas but as you can see we are a little bit behind in actually getting this out! Yes, we did think about doing cards again… however, in my great wisdom I decided that I would forego paper cards for the electronic version with the thought of power outages, phone lines going down due to water getting into the telephone (didn’t you know that Evan and I are the last Australians on dial up?) never even crossing my mind. Not forgetting Christmas itself, which for those of you who know me know that present shopping the week before is my idea of long range planning! Anyway, here we are and you will get this before the year is out (we’re at least hopeful of this)!
It has been a very eventful year for us and to be perfectly honest, we’re glad to be at the end of it! It hasn’t been that bad a year, however, there certainly have been some peaks and troughs along the way. But tell me who doesn’t have peaks and troughs?
This year has seen Helen reluctantly leave the farm on a full time basis – however, she still keeps in close contact and does their accounts and other admin bits and pieces in her free time (hah!) - she is now working full time in Warwick as an Administration Manager for a Stockfeed Company and is enjoying only having to drive 15mins to get to the office - now there is no excuse for being late and every reason to pop home for some lunch!
Gallopers - the tried horse business - seems to have wound down due to the change in the economic climate – people are expecting too much money for their tried horses and people don’t want to pay it. The market on a commercial level has imploded, however, in saying that, things always seem to work themselves out and when one door shuts another opens and we are looking forward to a change in direction in 2010. Which means another change to the website, LOL. Evan will continue on with PASS in 2010 and is still continuing to send out race mail of a Saturday. This means yet another website change. Lol
Definitely one of the highlights this year was wee Jimmy (who was born and bred here at Massie Lodge) winning his maiden on Ingham Cup Day. Jimmy (aka Private James) is currently on a well deserved holiday and hopefully will come back bigger and better in 2010.
Another highlight for us was Jimmy's paddock mate, Max (aka Circuit City) placing 3rd at Eagle Farm. Max was also born, bred and loved here at Massie Lodge. There is always a certain feeling of being part reason of that result knowing how much blood, sweat and tears goes into getting a horse old enough with basic training to be on his or her way in the world with being born the easy part!
It’s what happens for the next couple of years after birth that truly shapes a horse into who he/she is and we both feel very humbled to have had that experience. I still get in trouble for being too sooky! However, I am of the opinion that giving love to a horse and getting their trust in return is part of the education process.
Lack of rain is still a big issue here in Queensland. Its half way through our rainy season and we still haven’t had a good downpour to fill up the dams, the house tanks and to get the paddocks going. I know we’re not alone in this as this is a widespread issue in SEQ, and each day we hope that today is going to be the day… however, in saying that, where there is life, there is hope! The most ironic thing about all of this is that the Government is adamant that we are not in a drought – obviously the members of that committee must live in the city!
And finally, the most important reason for this newsletter is to thank you - our clients and friends - for your ongoing support of Massie Lodge and also to wish you a very happy, safe and prosperous 2010.
May 2010 be full of lots of love, continued friendship and of course, lots of winners!
It has been a very eventful year for us and to be perfectly honest, we’re glad to be at the end of it! It hasn’t been that bad a year, however, there certainly have been some peaks and troughs along the way. But tell me who doesn’t have peaks and troughs?
This year has seen Helen reluctantly leave the farm on a full time basis – however, she still keeps in close contact and does their accounts and other admin bits and pieces in her free time (hah!) - she is now working full time in Warwick as an Administration Manager for a Stockfeed Company and is enjoying only having to drive 15mins to get to the office - now there is no excuse for being late and every reason to pop home for some lunch!
Gallopers - the tried horse business - seems to have wound down due to the change in the economic climate – people are expecting too much money for their tried horses and people don’t want to pay it. The market on a commercial level has imploded, however, in saying that, things always seem to work themselves out and when one door shuts another opens and we are looking forward to a change in direction in 2010. Which means another change to the website, LOL. Evan will continue on with PASS in 2010 and is still continuing to send out race mail of a Saturday. This means yet another website change. Lol
Definitely one of the highlights this year was wee Jimmy (who was born and bred here at Massie Lodge) winning his maiden on Ingham Cup Day. Jimmy (aka Private James) is currently on a well deserved holiday and hopefully will come back bigger and better in 2010.
Another highlight for us was Jimmy's paddock mate, Max (aka Circuit City) placing 3rd at Eagle Farm. Max was also born, bred and loved here at Massie Lodge. There is always a certain feeling of being part reason of that result knowing how much blood, sweat and tears goes into getting a horse old enough with basic training to be on his or her way in the world with being born the easy part!
It’s what happens for the next couple of years after birth that truly shapes a horse into who he/she is and we both feel very humbled to have had that experience. I still get in trouble for being too sooky! However, I am of the opinion that giving love to a horse and getting their trust in return is part of the education process.
Lack of rain is still a big issue here in Queensland. Its half way through our rainy season and we still haven’t had a good downpour to fill up the dams, the house tanks and to get the paddocks going. I know we’re not alone in this as this is a widespread issue in SEQ, and each day we hope that today is going to be the day… however, in saying that, where there is life, there is hope! The most ironic thing about all of this is that the Government is adamant that we are not in a drought – obviously the members of that committee must live in the city!
And finally, the most important reason for this newsletter is to thank you - our clients and friends - for your ongoing support of Massie Lodge and also to wish you a very happy, safe and prosperous 2010.
May 2010 be full of lots of love, continued friendship and of course, lots of winners!
Adam Gets a Visit by the Girls
My nephew Adam and his dad - my brother - Neil came up to stay over Christmas, needless to say that Bessie Merle and Ruby were spoilt by Adam....
Harry and Buster - The Connie Boys
I look like a Girl.
What am I supposed to be doing with this on my head?
There's no way Im getting that done (says Harry)
What the hell is happening to Buster?
The Massie Lodge Christmas Photos....
Yeah I know, the horses always get top billing in this joint, lol. Or, you could see it as saving the best for last! This year was the weirdest lead up to Christmas that we have ever had - what with it raining the weekend before; the telephone lines going down because the exchange got water in it (and for those of you who dont know, Evan and I must be the last living souls in Australia on dial up!). Not only that, there were on going episodes of the power going off when we got some thunder (but of course, no rain!) - so, the photos got taken in plenty of time prior to Christmas, albeit the horses dirty from the rain (anyone who knows horses knows that even if there are 5 drops of rain they can find a muddy spot to roll in). So, the Christmas Newsletter is now a New Year's Newsletter.... lol
Anyway, we hope that you all had a lovely Christmas day wherever you were!
Vickie Does it Again!
Massie Lodge visitor, Vimala (aka Vickie) has done it again with another win on the trot in a Class 1 at Lismore on 18th December, 2009.
Heartfelt congratulations go to Vickie's owners - she done good guys (must of been her holiday!!!).
Heartfelt congratulations go to Vickie's owners - she done good guys (must of been her holiday!!!).
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Massie Lodge Canines ...
It wouldnt be right to update the blog without including some photos of the Massie Lodge canines, who are part of the family. Matilda wouldnt cooperate at the time of taking the photos.. so she misses out!
Ruby
Pikey
Bessie Merle
Welcome!
To first time Massie Lodge resident - Possum (aka Passiona) who is here for a spell after a long first preparation.Possum, who is by our favourite sire, Conatus out of the good mare, Interludes, is owned by Paul Batley who is a great racing enthusiast.
Possum had her first preparation with Brisbane trainer, Tony Crane where she had her first jump out and was none too shabby in the showing.
Possum, has found love at Massie Lodge with her paddockmate, Maz and the 2 of them are inseparable!
Maz with Possum - its love!
Vicki Breaks Her Maiden
Regular Massie Lodge resident, Vicki (aka Vimala) finally broke through to win her maiden a few weeks ago at Chinchilla. Woooo hooooo well done the girl!
P.S: For those of you who have asked, Wee Jimmy (aka Private James) is now on a well earned holiday after a great preparation for a couple of months... dont forget to send a postcard Jimbo!
P.S: For those of you who have asked, Wee Jimmy (aka Private James) is now on a well earned holiday after a great preparation for a couple of months... dont forget to send a postcard Jimbo!
Molly Rocks!
Good Golly Miss Molly How You Have Grown!!!
She is coming along in leaps and bounds and is the spit of her mother, Dirtiere in her mannerisms! She's just at that awkward age where she is changing colour, but she is really coming together as a nice filly - not only in looks but has a great temperament as well.
Finally ........
Southern (Another Southern) had her little boy on 27th November. "Northie" - while Southern was very good with the birth of her boy and had plenty of milk for him to drink - took a while to actually get the notion of what he was supposed to be doing. So, once again we intervened and fed him until the penny dropped and he started drinking.We had a little problem with him on his first day, where some of his merconium became impacted and we had to call on Erick to come and give him a little enema - after which he was as right as rain.
Northie was a little premmie, even though Southern was over her due by date by about 10 days.
That about wraps it up for the Massie Lodge mares this year - although we are all champing at the bit to find out if Dirty is finally pregnant to Easy Rocking.
Its nice to be able to sleep all night once again!
I have a bit of a feeling about Dirty this time around .... ;-)
Monday, November 16, 2009
Nottie Has Her Baby ....
The night was dark and stormy. Evan was fast asleep and I was on the last hour of foal watch before Evan took over. We were enjoying a night of consistent rain and I was crossing my fingers that Nottie was not going to have her foal in the rain.
I was wrong. Around midnight Nottie started to have her baby and what fun both Evan and I had with young "Buck Rogers" as this was not a match made in heaven - not at all.
Mum was mortified by the sight of Buck. Buck was trying to get up to mum and start having a drink and any help from us would end up with him bucking!
Nottie went into shock with the birth and both Evan and I had to feed him mum's colostrum. She was in so much shock that her milk supply dried right up.
Not a very good start for the young man as we had to feed him every hour - and you know how happy just born foals are to be hand fed! Not! (Not to mention how happy the humans became trying to feed him!).
To cut a very long story (and a very exhausting time for us) short - Nottie and Buck are now a very happy unit. Our apologies for lack of communication during this time.
Many thanks to our friend, Susie Black for her help during this crisis.... what a Godsend.
One more left to foal - Southern - not long now we hope :)
I was wrong. Around midnight Nottie started to have her baby and what fun both Evan and I had with young "Buck Rogers" as this was not a match made in heaven - not at all.
Mum was mortified by the sight of Buck. Buck was trying to get up to mum and start having a drink and any help from us would end up with him bucking!
Nottie went into shock with the birth and both Evan and I had to feed him mum's colostrum. She was in so much shock that her milk supply dried right up.
Not a very good start for the young man as we had to feed him every hour - and you know how happy just born foals are to be hand fed! Not! (Not to mention how happy the humans became trying to feed him!).
To cut a very long story (and a very exhausting time for us) short - Nottie and Buck are now a very happy unit. Our apologies for lack of communication during this time.
Many thanks to our friend, Susie Black for her help during this crisis.... what a Godsend.
One more left to foal - Southern - not long now we hope :)
What I have Watched...
STAR TREK - THE MOVIE
I have to say that I was a bit hesitant about seeing this movie after having been a fan of The Original, Next Gen, DS9, Voyager and to a lesser extent Enterprise - but the thought of curling up on the lounge watching a dvd appealed greatly to me ... and being Star Trek even more so.
And my thoughts? I loved the movie and cant wait to see if there is a next one...
Ok, Ill admit it, Im a trekkie - you happy?
LOL :)
And my thoughts? I loved the movie and cant wait to see if there is a next one...
Ok, Ill admit it, Im a trekkie - you happy?
LOL :)
What Im Reading Now......
Actually Im not reading this book - An Echo in the Bone (the seventh in the Outlander series) im re-reading the 6th Book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes to get back into the story - well it has been a few years since the last book was released.
I have to tell you that as soon as I picked up the book (A Breath of Snow and Ashes) I remembered all the characters and became lost in the world of Jamie and Claire Fraser.
These books are fantastic!
What I have Just Read........
Gotta say that this is one of the best Aussie books that I have read in a long time... if you get the chance, pick up a Rachel Treasurebook, she writes a very good yarn.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Gossy Girl
Gossy (aka Local News) has had a bit of a tough time with all the babies being born as she has been wondering when its going to be her turn? Gossy, a natural mum, has taken to be "Aunty Goss" to Molly when Dirty has had enough.
We were pleased for Gossy when she was pronounced 45 days positive to Publishing this week.
We were pleased for Gossy when she was pronounced 45 days positive to Publishing this week.
Miss Molly
While the limelight has been temporarily shining on Miss Pixie, little Molly continues to grow up quietly with her mum, Dirtiere. Molly is the quietest little girl and loves to get stuck into the hay with her mum.
Im just wild about Harry....
While everyone has been admiring the baby of the family, Harry (Pix's older full brother) has been quietly growing up in the paddock. The brother and sister are as different as chalk and cheese, however they both have one thing in common - they adore cuddles.
Pip is very proud of her 2 kids and is very protective of Pixie. I am not looking forward to the day when we have to wean her off her mum.
Pip is very proud of her 2 kids and is very protective of Pixie. I am not looking forward to the day when we have to wean her off her mum.
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