Monday, October 27, 2014
Sheep paddock
On the weekend, assisted by our helpfull and tooled up neighbours Richard and Marion, we constructed our sheep paddock from what we had bought at the Murrumbateman Field Days last weekend. Turned out alright!
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Our Country Estate
The view from Richard and Marion's house
Our beautiful home on a stunning Spring Saturday morning
Neighbour lambs
Richard and Marions sheep had 3 lambs today, so we went down to their paddock to see them. They are so very cute.
Isaac update
The little man has been quite unsettled of late with what we think could be reflux. Lots of cuddles and rocking in bed are a must. He certainly has a lot of love around him to get him through his troubles though!
Monday, October 6, 2014
'The Barking Dog'
A couple of years ago I had some experience in helping to carve virgin MTB single track into East Kowen Forest with the Kowalski Bros trail builders. It was a great insight into what goes into making lovely flowing trails from some of the best builders in Australia.
Ever since then and especially once we bought our lovely 4.7 acres in Murrumbateman, I have imagined of what I could do on our own land! What a luxury to be able to design and build from scratch legitimate trails quite literally on my doorstep!
I tried and tested a few different techniques with tools used and found to make the trail ridable and last, I had to completely dig off the top layer of grass with a shovel about 3-4 shovel widths wide. Let me just say it is back braking work, but with a ridiculous desire to finish the loop and seeing the trail that is all yours evolve in front of your eyes, that kept me plugging forward week after week. A reckon it has taken me around 2 - 3 months of fairly intense weekends and spare time digging. I didnt have a real plan on where I was going with the loop, it kind of just grew. The main problems initially were berms that were too tight, track that was too narrow and dirt too rutted. Learning as I went I soon figured out the best and most productive way unfortunately for me just happened to also be the most labour intensive.
With around 50 metres to go on Saturday to link up the two ends, Rich just happened to be in town and gave me a much welcomed hand to finish it off. I dont know how many shovel loads of dirt and grass I stripped off all together, but seeing the first loop pretty much finished, it was well worth it. I have pretty much exactly 1km of my own trail, complete with jumps, berms, bridges and rollovers.
Heres to many rides of my home loop 'The Barking Dog' (named after what the loop looks like from above on Strava) and to coming up with some more ideas in home trail bulding on the Rice Ranch. Watch this space!
Simple tools are always the most practical, durable and easy to use. (I did dream of having an excavator on site many times though!) All I used for a majority of the time was a shovel, a wheelbarrow and occasionally and wipper snipper. Blisters, calluses and stiff muscles were a small price to pay.
Ever since then and especially once we bought our lovely 4.7 acres in Murrumbateman, I have imagined of what I could do on our own land! What a luxury to be able to design and build from scratch legitimate trails quite literally on my doorstep!
I tried and tested a few different techniques with tools used and found to make the trail ridable and last, I had to completely dig off the top layer of grass with a shovel about 3-4 shovel widths wide. Let me just say it is back braking work, but with a ridiculous desire to finish the loop and seeing the trail that is all yours evolve in front of your eyes, that kept me plugging forward week after week. A reckon it has taken me around 2 - 3 months of fairly intense weekends and spare time digging. I didnt have a real plan on where I was going with the loop, it kind of just grew. The main problems initially were berms that were too tight, track that was too narrow and dirt too rutted. Learning as I went I soon figured out the best and most productive way unfortunately for me just happened to also be the most labour intensive.
With around 50 metres to go on Saturday to link up the two ends, Rich just happened to be in town and gave me a much welcomed hand to finish it off. I dont know how many shovel loads of dirt and grass I stripped off all together, but seeing the first loop pretty much finished, it was well worth it. I have pretty much exactly 1km of my own trail, complete with jumps, berms, bridges and rollovers.
Heres to many rides of my home loop 'The Barking Dog' (named after what the loop looks like from above on Strava) and to coming up with some more ideas in home trail bulding on the Rice Ranch. Watch this space!
Simple tools are always the most practical, durable and easy to use. (I did dream of having an excavator on site many times though!) All I used for a majority of the time was a shovel, a wheelbarrow and occasionally and wipper snipper. Blisters, calluses and stiff muscles were a small price to pay.
God it was nice to see someone else digging with me!
One more patch then a complete loop! (that feature looks strangely like William)
Visit from the Lanes
The Lanes stayed for the weekend and enjoyed some of the Murrumbateman country life! Unfortunately and ironically the first time I thought to take a photo was at a shopping centre in Canberra just before they left for home! Great to see them all again.
Isaac update
His top says, 'Happy Camper'. He certainly is here!
We think he looks most like Sam and Sam is definitely smitten with his youngest little bro.
Visit from the second Cousins
Kirsty (Jems cousin) and kids - Ebony, Mason and Eli came over last weekend for a visit from Albury. The kids always love to catch up again and it was nice to see them all as its been a while.
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