2 months ago
in a moment of bravado, I accepted the suggestion I look after a property for 2
weeks.
How hard can
it be? A few cows, some horses, 2 dogs, sheep, a menagerie and more free range
hens than can be counted.
Add to that,
a serene and quiet surrounding allowing me plenty of time to train for a May
cycling event and an August running race plus I will get to complete a soon to
be due University assignment.
However, I
am feeling a little less confident today.
Cities are
where I am comfortable. I was born and raised in Melbourne and for all my
working life have been a CBD person. I like the energy, chaos, noise and
diversity that a City brings.
I am skilled
at navigating crowded walking paths, timing traffic lights and weaving between
traffic to safely cross a 4 or more lane road, sometimes including trams. I can
stand in a bus, train or tram and effortlessly move with the rocking and
swaying of its movement to maintain perfect balance, as can most who have spent time using public transport.
Certainly, I
have spent time in rural areas usually in association with a family event or a
sporting carnival. This is the first time I have had rural responsibilities
while living in a rural area.
I admit to
being a little blaze about the whole thing until an event of a month or so ago
was brought to my attention.
The hens are
housed in an enclosed area overnight for their protection and safety. Quite recently,
a lack of attention to the gate latch allowed an opening for a Quoll to gain
access to the hens and the rest was history, or at least was history for about
50 birds. The mistake was small but the cost was significant.
I would be devasted
if a “Quoll Event” occurred under my watch.
There is
another unexpected hazard too. I need to be on the lookout for wild dogs and
snakes. I was asked if I wanted the key to the firearm cabinet and hastily
declined. I have zero firearm skills and less ambition to acquire such skills.
We travel to
the other side of the country or the world in pursuit of new and different
experiences. More often than not, we do this in a quite controlled environment.
I suspect
the experience I will enjoy these next two weeks will be as illuminating,
educational and challenging as any I have experienced in my domestic and
international travels.
We have a
tendency to look for new adventures and in business, new markets in far away
places.
The reality is, there are many new experiences, challenges, things to learn and for that matter, new markets on our very doorstep.
Wish me luck.
It is now
time to move some sheep in to another paddock.
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