Waterfall Creek > Other Stuff > Waterfall Creek Diary

Waterfall Creek Diary

Friday 3rd Feb 2012

Jacob, a young Swiss back packer has just finished a week of WWOOFing with us (Willing Workers on Organic Farms, click here for more details). It is always a pleasure to have young people from all over the world spend time with us. The stories exchanged are interesting, their views of the world are thought provoking, we get a few jobs done along the way, and they meet horses up close and personal and learn about a softer gentler way with them.

 

Monday 31st Jan 2012

We bid farewell to Lady. Aged 32+ she quietly slipped away of her own accord. It was a privilage and pleasure to be able to offer her Waterfall Creek to call home for the last 19 months of her life. She certainly seemed very content and happy living here with the herd, and we delighted in having the opportunity to get to know her.

 

Wednesday 25th Jan 2012

The fruit trees in the orchard are groaning with fruit. Peaches, apples, pears, nectarines. We now have the dilemma of enjoying the presence of a large number of king parrots, yellow tail cockatoos and crimson rosellas...but they are here because they are enjoying the fruit on our trees! We just hope they leave some for us to enjoy too! Photo couresy of the website Wildlife Mountain.

 

Monday 16th Jan 2012

Farewell little Annie. We wish we could have found the answers to help you back to wellness, so many times we thought we had, but it was not to be. In the end we could not allow you to suffer any longer while we were trying. You touched many hearts and taught many lessons. Go well little Annie, and suffer no longer.

 

Sunday 1st Jan 2012

New year blessings from all of us at Waterfall Creek. May you find abundance, joy and laughter; as well as the gaining of wisdom, acceptance and peace within your life in 2012.

"The only thing we can change about history, is how we feel about it"

 

Sunday 25th Dec 2011

Happy 1st birthday Tilly the Filly (or if Dad had had his way with names she would have been called "Geezhorse"!). What a wonderful, delightful, sensible and sensitive horse she has turned into. It is an absolute pleasure and joy sharing our life with her.

 

Friday 23rd Dec 2011

Glenn and I have just got back from a trip to the Victorian High Plains with our horses, and had another amazing and humbling experience with the brumbies up there. Out riding we noticed a herd of brumbies on the far hill, suddenly one of them broke from the herd and made a fast and straight bee-line for us.......To share the full experience click here.

 

Saturday 26th Nov 2011

After 50ml of rain in the last 24 hours, Kel went down in the late afternoon to see the waterfall. She was delighted to happen upon the resident platypus swimming around enjoying all the 'goodies' stirred up by the rain. It is only the 3rd time in 3 years we have seen him (her?) as he is a shy little creature. It is a pleasure to know our creek is a place that he chooses to call home. Photo couresy of the website Wildlife Mountain.

 

Wednesday 23rd Nov 2011

To our delight the butterflies have returned to the valley. They float by on the warm breezes, and gently erupt from the tall grass as we walk through it. It is a joy to have them back sharing our home. The most seen variety is the Common Brown butterfly in the photo on the left, but we do see the specimen in the banner photo, and we are also currently being graced with the presence of what we think is a large and attractive Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly who is laying her eggs on the cumquat trees on the patio.

 

Sunday 13th Nov 2011

As the spring develops into one of the best seasons to be seen in the Tallangatta Valley, we are reminded of the abundance of nature.  Of great delight is the return of the frogs on our windows chasing dinner of moths and other insects that are attracted to the indoor lights in the evenings.  Last night I witnessed an amazing feat of frog acrobatics.  To get from the inside of the open window pane to the flyscreen (where the moths were) the frog was able to manage a leap of about 10 cms and a 180 degree rotation, to land safely on the flyscreen.  Unfortunately the landing scared off the moths!

 

Wednesday 2nd Nov 2011

The fire season is fast approaching and the horses, sheep and various mowers are slowly creating a substantial firebreak should we be in the path of a bushfire later this summer.

The second batch of chickens are seven in number and all happily exploring the orchard with Mother Hen. 

Kell has been away in Eltham supporting her sister and family during the difficult first few weeks of nephew Willem's life, while Glenn has been busy in the garden, dealing with spring weeds and keeping up with fast hoof growth in the horses here and away.

 

Sunday 23rd Oct 2011

Today signaled the early signs of summer, with the sighting of our first snake for the season. They are an accepted part of the Australian landscape, and Waterfall Creek is no different. As with all life here we embrace them (from a respectful distance) and admire them for the beautiful creatures they are. They mostly keep to the paddocks, but occasionally pass closer to the house. They seem to know we wish them no harm and they quietly go on their way attending to business of their own. Kel's mum sent an article to us of "The world from the snake's point of view", it makes for thoughtful reading. Click here to view it. Photo couresy of the website Wildlife Mountain.

 

Saturday 15th Oct 2011

Kell headed off to spectator for the day at a Wrangler Jayne clinic held just outside Albury. Glenn was tending to guests so was unable to make it as well. Many years ago, Jayne was the person that opened wide Glenn's eyes to the concept that there was a better and kinder way with horses, one that did not involve the traditional methods of domination and pain. Kel thoroughly enjoyed a day of revisiting the basics of the horse-human relationship around ground skills, which Jayne conveyed with enthusiastic and delightfully easy to understand (and achieve) simplicity. See Jaynes website for more information www.wranglerjayne.com

 

Thursday 13th Oct 2011

Kell returned from a 7 day retreat with horsemanship teacher Mel Fleming (www.melfleming.com.au), an insperational guide and teacher for both Kel and Glenn on their evolving journey with horses. It was a powerful week of not only self exploration and becoming more attunded to the influence of universal energies on ourselves and everything around us, but a time to connect more deeply with Jasper her horse and continue to develop the trust and friendship that is emerging with him. 

 

Saturday 8th Oct 2011

Right on time, exactly 21 days after sitting, our broody chook hatched out 5 delightful little fluffy chickens. They are full of energy, and thoroughly enjoying exploring the orchard with "mother hen".

 

 

Sunday 18th Sept 2011

One of our Light Sussex hens has gone broody. We have popped a dozen eggs under her, and moved her to her own area so she has peace and quiet away from the rest of the flock. Fingers crossed in 21 days we hear the "cheeping" of little chicks floating through the orchard.

Thursday 1st Sept 2011

Farewell Holly dog. She had a full and wonderful life, gracing us with her company for just nearly 12 1/2 years. She was a delight and a joy, and life will never quite be the same without her.

 

Saturday 6th Aug 2011

Spring has sprung early here at Waterfall Creek. The wattles are blooming, the daffodils are out, there is a warm breeze in the air and the horses have started moulting. Fruit trees are exploding into blossom and the grass has stirred from its winter slumber and is growing green and lush.

 

Wednesday 3rd August 2011

After some long reining and dragging a tractor tyre around a couple of times Macgregor was put to the heavy brake (a substantial two wheeled sulky) and proceeded bitless and winkerless (and of course barehooved) around our large grass arena with surprisingly good steering and brakes.  He is testimony to early handling, breeding with a purpose (he's a Percheron x Standardbred) and allowing a horse to mature physically and mentally (he is rising 5). 

Wed 27th July 2011

The Wiltshire Horn lambs are being born rapidly. They delight us with their innocent and frivolous joy at the world around them and the pleasure of being alive. This year we have been blessed with mild weather and warm days giving them a helping hand as they enter the world.

Saturday 2nd July 2011

Cynthia Cooper arrived and conducted the "Transition to Bitless Riding" clinic we organised with her. Due to it being the middle of winter and rain always a possibility, instead of hosting it here at Waterfall Creek the event was held at the Albury Show Grounds with undercover space available to use if needed.

10 riding participants and a number of spectators turned up for the day with open minds and a desire to be a better person for their horse. Cynthia's teaching style was gentle, thoughtful and easy to follow. By the end of the day everyone left amazed at how easy bitless riding is for all experience levels and all horses, more than a few were heard to say "wow, even I could do it too!". There was a sense of collective inspiration from the group to continue the bitless journey with their horse, and an audible sigh of relief from the horses as they realised their person had finally "got it".

For more information about Cythina and bitless riding visit her two websites: www.naturalhorseworld.com  and www.lightriderbridles.com