No Longer Unemployed - Managers

So I’m sure we all want to know what job we have in line. Paying very well, basic hours, and the luxury of onsite accommodation; Dave and I were keen on becoming Cattle Station Manager/Caretakers.

We called up the next morning and organised to have coffee with the owner; nothing like a free coffee after our banging heads from the night before. So after some chit chat and coffee the owner was pleased to have us working the next day and with that easy agreement we were now no longer unemployed. He suggested that we come over to his (very lucrative) seafood factory where we were given today’s caught barramundi, calamari, prawns and random other filets of fish along with $300 cash for groceries.  OMG, we were in heaven. Fresh fish for dinner plus $300 for other food and meat; to us this was unbelievable especially when our budget is so tight, but to him...I could only see yellow and green notes coming from his pockets. Generous and trusting person when he gives random strangers money and keys to his cattle station.

The keys allowed us access to the Homestead and our very own quarters. It was a shock to see how green and luscious the area around the homestead was after travelling through red dust and minimal greenery. Here, the station had unlimited fresh drinkable bore water straight from the ground which explained the extensive water systems and a blasé attitude towards saving water. 

Our job was to look after the homestead, the garden, bore runs for the cattle, and all the animals around the house. Dave took ownership of the bore runs which was fine by me because that left me with the caretaking of the animals. I had horses, cows, chickens, dogs, ducks, ducklings, and potty calves.

The homestead was divided into 2 purposely designed to withstand cyclones which was an assuring and daunting feeling at the same time. There we massive gum tress around the house along with banana, pawpaw, lemon, citrus, mango trees, a collection of berry bushes, palm trees with coconuts, and plants off all variety in full bloom. It was an amazing place to work especially during the heat of the day when you could fall asleep under the shade of a gum tree then take a dip in the pool.

So this was our workplace. We spent most of our time keeping up with the gardening, mowing the lawns, dealing with sprinklers, fixing anything we could get our hands on including a BBQ, chainsaw, quad bike, the leaf blower etc, and generally just looking after the place. We loved our jobs.

Introduction to the family:

Maverick decided to look very cute in this photo only because he probably
wanted some milk. Maverick hands down was the easiest calf to drink out
of the bottle. Therefore...my favourite.

Maverick (brown male) first potty calf about week old and
Milkybar (female) who was extremely sick when we first picked her up.
Now both are doing very well...little fatties.

My 3rd potty calf, chocalatte.

The amazingly tame Sunrise who has made the homestead her
permanent home. She especially enjoys little treats like pawpaws, banana leaves,
and fallen mangos.  

Little video just showing my potty calves. 

Maverick and Milkybar get let our for a few hours which they loved. They fashionably showed off
how energetic and healthy they were by running around, jumping, and kicking like the little kids they are.

All the horses around the homestead

The dogs at the Homestead became our best friends. Below, the Doberman was an absolute nut case. Running and barking at anything that moved had no obedience training what so ever. It took me 4 weeks to get her under control.  By the end she learnt all the basic commands and didn't chase the cows or horses into a frenzy. I loved her. 

Bella

Zoe was Dave's dog. She loved going on bore runs and 'shot-gunning' the front seat in the ute.

Zoe (blue healer)

I had to look after some ducklings. Here I think their only a few days old. I built them a separate
pen because the chickens and maverick were giving them a hard time. Very well behaved ducks.

I'll do another blog showing the cattle/yard work.