Some Photos From Over The Weekend

I have been very busy trying to get some photos for the new website of Massie Lodge - its been very difficult being winter as we are light on the ground for grass - now if I had been doing this project about 6 months ago, it would be a very different story as there would be green grass everywhere. Still the drought is part of Massie Lodge - roll on summer.

Up On The Hill

Its been a great weekend - just hanging out with Evanski and the dogs - one of the things that I made Evan do is walk up the hill at the back of our property so that I could get a different perspective on some photographs for the brand new Massie Lodge site.

I have to say that we both sat there for a little while just taking in the picture. These photos dont do the view any justice of course. Amazing.

Last Saturday was spent at the Warwick Races trying out my new toy. And while it proved a real challenge for me and my new camera, it made me realise that the races isnt just about the horses.

Its about the energy of the people who make the races happen. The Trainers, the jockeys, the handlers, the people who run the events. Its about the bookmakers and their clerks that sit around all day trying to take your money; its about the racecaller up in his tiny box trying to pick out the colours.

I guess because I had a camera in my hand it gave me the opportunity to see it very differently.

I will try and post some more photos in the days to come. Enjoy.

Massie Lodge Website ....

One of the nice things about redoing a website is that you get to revisit all your photos to see exactly what you have and what you dont. I spent a great deal of the long weekend doing just that and it certainly brought back a lot of memories for me - some good and of course the not so good. But still they all come together to make who we are.

The beautiful filly, Oriana (By Canadian Silver out of Ophira) who was a very beautiful and loving filly whose life was tradgically cut short by an accident at track work. She certainly was one of the highlights.

One of the things about her that I remember fondest was her beautiful personality and temperament. Rest in Peace little one. I know that she is now with my mum and dad.

So the search for material for the new website continues - there's just not enough hours in the day!

WooHoo...

Congratulations to Massie Lodge born Jackie Lee (aka Rattus Conatus) who won his maiden at Cairns yesterday.

Out of super mum, Local News (aka Gossy) Jackie won over 900m. It always gives both Evan and I a big warm and fuzzy feeling to know that the work and love we put into our horses when they are young seems to stand them in good stead out there in the big wide world!

Congratulations also to Jackie's owners Rob and Jane Koch on their win.

Go get 'em Jacko!

There is A Reason to Get Up Early.....

(and it isnt work....)

(Just breath taking... )

Go Jimbo!

Jimbo has moved to a new trainer, Brad Furber up north. Word is that he has settled in after a few arguments - Brad wont put up with any nonesense from him - he is starting to eat up big and is settling down to work.

The future is looking bright.

And Sunday ...

is play day! Finally today I had some time to spend out and about with my new camera just taking in the scenery - even though there was a howling westerly wind blowing.

Of course the perfect start to the day was being able to sleep in until Pikey woke me up (around 7am) following by the arrival of my cup of tea from Evanski, which let me lie in for a bit and read the rest of my book (Jillaroo by Rachel Treasre).

There are always plenty of things to be done around Massie Lodge - worm the residents, clean out water troughs, fix up fences, wash Pip's leg (which is finally on the road to mending). Sit down for 5 minutes and have morning tea with Evan, back outside to meander around the place with my camera and take some photos for the new Massie Lodge website etc etc etc.

I have to say that it took all week to get here, but today was the best of the week - it could have something to do with the sleep in I think!

All the residents are very well ... Harry and Buster (the Connie boys) are as fat as and ready for some learning with Buster a new edition to our family.

The little girls, Pixie Lix and Molly Rocks are the sweetest kids - Pix is a work in progress and not the beauty queen that Molly is, but thats ok - we love her just the same.

And while it was certainly the highlight of my weekend being able to be with the horses and dogs - Evan putting the fire on in the afternoon and both of us hoping up on the lounge was certainly a great way to spend a cold winter afternoon.

So, back to the week that is coming... and of course the long weekend that is next weekend!

Bring it on.

Northie and Buck Rogers

The little boys, Northie (pictured above) and Buck Rogers have grown very thick woolly coats to keep them warm against the Warwick cold weather that seems to have enveloped us this year.

Surprisingly, Buck Rogers is the sweetheart and little Northie is a rogue who seems to be the boss in this paddock!

Little Girls Start to Grow Up

Pixie Lix (Conatus / Epiphany - pictured above) and her close mate, Molly (Over / Dirtierre) have been quietly living over in their own paddock, growing up.

Nicely woolly for the upcoming winter, both girls have been having fun in the mud from the recent rain.

Pix is nowhere as flashy as her full brother, Harry, but she possesses all the right genes from her mum Pip and of course, Conatus - whose dam - Light up the World - is from the Group winning Denise's Joy family. I keep telling Evan that she is a "work in progress". Lol

I know that its been a while since I have updated the blog... and its not that i dont want to, its mainly because that leisure time, or time to be able to sit still and think about what's going on around the place, is limited. We always seem to be rushing here and there, or doing something around the property - its always something!

Evan has resurrected www.gallopers.com.au into something that he wants, something that he wants to contribute to and Im happy to say that there are lots of people out there who are interested in what he has to say about the racing industry. And its not just his "gallopers good thing" that seems to nearly be a certainty on the day..... he seems to see things the way that they are, without any crap - which I think people always appreciate. Its great about the free tips, problem is that I forget to do something about it. Lol.

Gallopers has moved away from being just a tried horse site - its a thoroughbred racing road map giving its readers a way to make money out of punting on horses.

Not only that, Gallopers is a forum for all sports (NRL, ARL and Football) - with well known contributors each week giving their ideas on their areas of expertise.

It certainly has evolved into something terrific and Im very proud of him.

Next on the list of things to do, is the resurrection of the Massie Lodge site.

Iam currently working with some good friends on a new, revamped site - and as you can imagine, Rome was not built in a day and I want the new site to be everything that we are. Ill keep you posted as to how Im going. Phew!

We also have a new iron in the fire ... and Im not going to tell you yet... but what I can say is that Iam very excited about the future and the direction its taking.

Bring it on I say!!!

Well, this weekend is ours ... we have had 22ml of rain, and while the place is a bit of a bog, its all good. If the weather improves tomorrow then its outside to take some photos of the horses with the new toy .... I just love my birthday present!!!

Ruby has parked herself on the bed in front of the log fire. Matilda is trying to co-erce her to move (without much success I might add). Pikey is under the table at my feet with my ugg boot. Bessie Merle is on the lounge, in her spot. Evan has just come out of the study after updating his site for tomorrow. Home made pizza is on the menu tonight with a Margaret River white. MMmmmmm.

You wouldnt be dead for quids would you?

Angel Grows Up

It only seems like yesterday when little Angel was born late in December 09. Gossips in her ordered manner rolled once and then rolled again and delivered the sweet wee angel at 7.30am one morning.

Time certainly has flown by and now Angel is being broken in and after that will be on her way up North to start her racing career with her half brother, Jackie Lee (aka Rattus Conatus) - who has just started out in his.

Its always sad to see them go, especially when we have had such a hand in bringing them up.

Run fast little girl, run fast.

Jimbo ...

How do you get inside a horse's head and find out what the hell is going on?

After Jimmy's incident at Cairns where he reared up and went backward over the winner's stall things have been not so good for the boy.

Sweating up, being unruly etc etc .... making life difficult and unsafe for everyone who handles him has meant a life change and a change of owners for young Jimmy.

We still have kept our interest in him and our other partner in Jimmy is also keen for him to try another trainer to see if we can find out whats going on in his nut.

Otherwise Jimmy will be coming home to Massie Lodge where he will live with Mazwell looking after the little ones when required.

I guess that's racing.

Mazwell

It's amazing what you find when you start cleaning up. I had to .... I just had to do something about the state of the study and I was glad that I did when I came across these photos that were sent to us by Maz's trainer, Phil Quinnell. They are just awesome.

These days, darling Maz and his girlfriend of the moment, Daisy, are down the back paddock in charge of keeping the grass down.

Maz is a Massie Lodge institution and will always have a home with us.

Creds Has Her Baby

Former Massie Lodge resident, Credentials - affectionately known as Creds - had her Sunday Knight Foal late last year and we were thrilled to get some photos and an update on her recently by her owner.

Creds, who is now in foal to Felix the Cat, is having some success with one of her current foals at the racetrack - Sir Qualified.

We wish Creds' owners , The Teagles, all the best with their new addition.

I WON!

Im a little bit excited.

I have won a photographic contest with this photo of my dear Pikey Man. And while I didnt win 000's of dollars, I won a great book!

I have always loved this photo for many reasons: the way the sun shines on Pikey, the way he is just relaxing, waiting for me and that it shows the essence of him.

I still cant believe it!

And so this long weekend comes to a close; its always the worst part of the weekend when you start to think about work and events for the upcoming week.

We have had a quiet weekend here at Massie Lodge - well not really when you think about it.

We weaned Northie on Saturday - he being the last of the foals - Southern was very happy to leave him and really didnt make a fuss or call out to him. She is currently in her own yard down the back until she stops producing milk, after then she is out into one of the large paddocks with her old mates, Nottie and Dirty (Why for Not and Dirtierre).

With this move, it meant that my girl, Pip (Epiphany, pictured above) and her bestest friend, Gossy were brought back up next to the 2 colts (Buck Rogers and Northie) to baby sit. Mind you, Pip will not have a bar of them and only will stay where she is because it is has a quick exit to the House yards where she and Goss are the resident lawnmowers. Still, it keeps the young boys happy that the 2 old girls are next to them.

Other than that, it has been a fairly uneventful weekend.

So, while I still have some time to relax, I will close this today's posting. There is a nice drop of white in the fridge, a book that I cant wait to get into and Evanski sitting on the lounge waiting for my company. Who could want more?

:)

A Special Moment

Evan and Ruby

Our Magpie Family...

The Secret of Everything

After finishing my last book (that I didnt tell you about!) - Nanny Returns - I was anxious to get into something that I couldnt put down. Mind you, it wasnt that I didnt like "Nanny Returns", but I was anxious for a good yarn that made me think abit - rather than a continuous monologue of Nanny being used by Mr and Mrs X again!

I like this book for many reasons, not just because it satisfies the "foodie" in me, but its a story about finding yourself, dogs, family, love and beautiful landscapes.

Barbara O'Neal wrote a book called "The Lost Recipe for Happiness" and I have to say that Iam enjoying it as much as her first book.