On Saturday, the sun was shining, and Rob had an order for some steers so he and the “big” boys saddled their steeds and trotted out to gather a mob.

The “little” ones and I were left to make some mulberry muffins and then “catch up” on the Ranger with smoko, water and a camera…

With a low pressure cell and associated trough looming, the weather was hot, “stinking hot”. We’ve had  in excess of 7″ for the month so far so as you can imagine humidity is high…

The cattle were gathered into a holding paddock before being walked home to the yards.

Nothing like the promise of a picnic smoko in the bottom of the creek to motivate young workers……

After smoko the team gathered the cattle again and kept them walking home.

Did I mention it was hot and the supply of water on the buggy was a saviour,

…and encouragement to get this little man (age 6) all the way home. Otherwise he may have stayed under the shade of a tree….

Lachlan wasn’t the only one to feel the heat and this pair of Angus bulls tried to mix some water with their shade. 

Good thing Andrew and his trusty steed Sasha were on the job.

In the meantime, the little ones and I were on gate opening duty,

although like all 5, 3 and 1 year olds we sometimes just had some fun, played and annoyed each other….

Everyone was delighted to reach the laneway and yard the cattle. At this point, the sun was still shining and the clouds were still scattered….

After lunch, the younger members retired to the air conditioning while Rob and I drafted around 700 head of cattle. Before we commenced drafting, I thought it appropriate to capture a happy snap of us smiling. All good farming families understand that husband and wife teams don’t always smile at each other when working with livestock in the summer heat….

Amazingly, we retired to the house just before dark. However, mustering in February is a risky business. The heat of the day and the looming low pressure generated a heavy downfall overnight and poor Rob has spent much of Sunday puddling in mud to turn the cattle out…..

I tried hard to capture some of our amazing landscape. This landslide appeared after the deluge associated with ex Cyclone Oswald. It is quite a dramatic change to our mountainous backdrop. Itt is a natural occurence as this country is uninhabited and is very much no man’s land.

There are 7 comments on this article:

• On 24/02/2013 Ali said:

  Ainsley – what beautiful words & photos – thank you for the moment of real Australiana in my Swiss winter weekend.

  Ali, Geneva.

• On 24/02/2013 Jane said:

  HI Ainsley. I love your stories and the accompanying photos. that looks like quite an exhausting day. Your young boys are marvellous. hope you have a good week. it’s absolutely pouring here in Brissie this morning. Jane x

• On 24/02/2013 Maria said:

  I love the “before” drafting photo. Never a truer word spoken. Great mustering photos – you have a beautiful backyard.

• On 25/02/2013 sharon said:

  and here I was thinking you and Rob were the perfect couple 😉 I know of only one unsual couple that don’t have raised voices in the yards (in my case, its sometimes just because he’s half deaf!! and sometimes, its because its apparently funny that ones wife has been chased by a cranky mother cow)

  I can just FEEL the humidity coming off your photos. We cancelled mustering and trucking cows, as finally some rain – not where the cows were but their at their desination. No turning room for six decks on a soggy road!

• On 25/02/2013 Anne at Great Slamseys Farm said:

  I love seeing a glimpse into your work. It’s not just working in the heat with livestock when husband and wife teams don’t always smile at each other – cold days moving heavy things has much the same effect.

• On 25/02/2013 Fiona said:

  Ainsley, I refuse to believe that a cross word’s ever been spoken between you and Rob. Wonderful images as always of hot, hard-working kids. By the way, we’re absolutely loving keeping up with Tess through her blog. She can add talented writer to her long list of abilities.

• On 3/03/2013 Trudy said:

  Hey Ainsley now that I have computer back on deck I am catching up with your blog….I love the photo of the helmet on the sand and of Hamish tolerating his little sisters. I still don’t know how you do it but you and Rob make a great team along with those trusted helpers of yours.