Trail riding with my bestie

Every year when I ask my best friend what she is doing for her birthday she replies, "nothing exciting." So this year, I decided to make sure, she was doing something exciting and booked us in to go for a trail ride in Bakers Hill, not far from her house. I turned up early, with a waiver to sign at which time she was like umm okay with a bit of a giggle and off we went. 

It was a really lovely outing, the horses just wandered along, knowing pretty much what to do, with barely any direction from us. I have to wonder how often they walk up and down their trail a week.

She may not look like she's having the best time, but she assured me it was fun. I love it out in the country, so it was a wonderful morning for me. I just don't remember it being that hard to get on and off of a horse! Maybe I am just getting old. No, I am getting old.

Here is my lovely (although very skittish to begin with) horse. I swear he could sense I was nervous and ran with it until I got comfortable.

They had this cool wooden horse head sculpture on the gate which I loved. It amazes me how people see something like this and create it in an artistic way. I could never - and this looks so lifelike!

Jen and I at the end of our ride. Good times good times. ❤ 

There was just enough time for a pie at the Bakers Hill Pie Shop before I headed back to Perth. Hooray for a besties day out.

 

A spot of golf

This morning we popped down to the Bakers Hill golf club for a round of kiddy golf coaching. Jen and Mat's kids go each Saturday morning and because we are staying at mums this weekend due to the painters doing the doors and frames with the strong smelling paint... we decided to tag along too.

My kids were surprisingly good at it! Who knew. I remember playing once when I was realllllly young (at Bakers Hill too! haha) and it took me like shots to get the ball into the damn hole, but my kids were incredible. Got it in, in under 6 shots and had the golfing coach suggest to them both that they should be playing more regularly. Especially Joseph who was thrilled to pieces. Honestly struggling with finding a sport that's a good fit for him, so we may have to follow that up.

The kids all had the best time though. Lots of fun and laughs as we made our way around the bush course. Big apology to the people behind us as it certainly was not in a short amount of time.

Maddie was loving her cuddles with baby Sophie.

Alex was only interested in drinking the hot chocolate that Uncle Mat had picked up for me from the bakery.

Joseph our champion for the day, teeing off on the final hole. 

Then having a little chat about technique to the coach.

Nearly there and time for some fun at Uncle Mat and Aunty Jen's house.

Can't beat all the fun to be had in the bush! ❤

 

farm day in bakers

 

growing up in the wheatbelt, i had plenty of time around the farms - the wheat and the sheep and all of the dust. but... my kids have never had those same experiences, so i am trying to make sure they end up with them all one by one. today we spent the day with uncle mat out on the farm he works on, watching the shearers with the sheep and seeing the fleece get sorted. 

it was hot out there but it was a lovely day and we let alex have a snooze in the car in the air con while we waited to go and have some fun.

i really love being out on the farm and it was such a good experience for them.

i am always amazed that shearers can just handle the sheep as they wiggle and kick and do their best to get out of there. they are incredible!

we have been to caversham wildlife park and watched the farm show where the sheep is shorn, the fleece seperated, everything taken care of... but now they've seen it in real life!

afterwards we drove home through clackline, past the old railway carriage they use for their post office

for a quick play on the tractor

i have always loved this place and sharing it with my children makes it even more special.

i love being home for the holidays 

❤