Life in St Arnaud

[Murray]

Three days ago I took the very young team, George the grizzle and four other young ones for their first toss. From the football field, about a mile.
One flew straight into a tree and sat there. I was constantly looking for it, today I was not hopeful.
This afternoon it was sitting on the shed over the back fence, looking pretty ordinary. I picked up the old Diver and took him out and let him go to bring it in. They flew around for a while then I got it in. It was pretty buggered.
But crikey they are tough I put it on a perch with a pot of light feed. A few minutes later I had to take it away, it was going to eat until it was sick. It had a sleep for a couple of hours and then was in with the other young birds eating and arguing,

Instead of going out for a long drive to train the young stars, I went about a mile to the football fields again.
Took young George the grizzle, two young blue chequers and two big young hens.
Young George, on his second ever attempt, came out of the box, did a half circle and led the others homeward.
He's come on well, young George.

[Devo1956]

Good to hear it is all going well over there Murray. I bet there is some change in the birds since I last seen them. Great work you are doing mate, well done.

[Murray]

Yes Devo, in the short time since you were here, the change in the birds has been extraordinary.
The youngsters are nearly yearlings, the young stock birds are looking fantastic, it's all very encouraging.

[Trev]

Well done Muzza, George is certainly looking the part mate.

[Murray]

Today we had to go to Bendigo to see the anaesthetist lady, because I need to have another hernia operation. Because the last one was not, perhaps, a success.
That was 25 years ago, in another country and before I had lungs that don't work. So we had a meaningful discussion, where I was quite firm that a general anaesthetic "Should be okay" was not even going to get to the start.
She agreed. I am to have a thing similar to an epidural given during child birth. I'll feel nothing.
So I am on a waiting list which may be 6 to 12 days or 6 to 12 months, who knows!

[Devo1956]

Take it easy Murray, enjoy the daily life. But most of all your heath is most important to all.

[Murray]

No, Devo, I'm not taking it easy.
I'm up before dawn and go all day. You have seen me.
Regardless of what you believe or don't believe, this is not a rehearsal. We should all treat each day as a blessing, which may not be repeated.

[Devo1956]

No, Devo, I'm not taking it easy.
I'm up before dawn and go all day. You have seen me.
Regardless of what you believe or don't believe, this is not a rehearsal. We should all treat each day as a blessing, which may not be repeated.

Yes mate, I have seen you, go all day Murray. You don't stop mate, even when you are blowing for tuggs. No stopping you mate.

[Murray]

I've got the big youngsters on hold at the 15 mile point. It's still a fair while to the first race and they don't need to be cooked before the first race.
Also I have the 4 younger ones, young George and his friends, who are in catch up mode. Being a lovely afternoon i took them and 4 other young hens out to the racecourse. It's far enough as a stepping stone.
Little buggers beat me back!

[Devo1956]

I've got the big youngsters on hold at the 15 mile point. It's still a fair while to the first race and they don't need to be cooked before the first race.
Also I have the 4 younger ones, young George and his friends, who are in catch up mode. Being a lovely afternoon i took them and 4 other young hens out to the racecourse. It's far enough as a stepping stone.
Little buggers beat me back!

I do like the race course for a training toss, nice and open and you can watch them clear good. They are doing well Murray, they are getting to understand the need for speed.