Aliah

Aliah

Aliah

Aliah

Tiahn & Aliah

Tiahn & Aliah

Tiahn

Tiahn

Tiahn

Tiahn

Kia

Kia

Kia

Kia

Kia on the magic carpet

Dining out with the kids

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Falls Creek

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Eulogy for My Brother

Kellerberrin Dressage Clinic with Allison Domney

In July I attended a dressage clinic over several days in Kellerberrin with Allison Domney through the Eastern Wheatbelt Riding Club riding my new horse Sovereign Oak, or Oak as we call him at home. This was my first real foray back into riding in some years as well as being my first dressage training since my pony club days. It was also the first time I had taken Oak out anywhere or ridden him in company. Oak behaved himself beautifully and everyone really liked him includng Allison (who was just lovely by the way and just a tiny little tinkerbelle slip of a lass - tres jealous!!).

Sarah Middleton from Kelsarni Photographics was there taking photos of the riders and have posted some below which are some of the very few that I can bear to look at - as although Oak looks quite fabulous, it has to be said that I was very sad and sorry for myself (crying!) given the blatant photographic proof of just how much weight I've put on over the past couple of years. There are some beautiful shots of the instructor Allison taking Oak through his paces but I am trying hard not to look at them too often as it is not good for my mental health given that a) Allison is a terrific rider and has him moving so much more nicely than me and b) Allison is in fabulous shape and very pretty as well, and worst of all she is also supremely nice, helpful, understanding and friendly to top it all off as well so I can't even feel mean spirited about her!

Anyway, I was very pleased with how we went, even though I was very unfit and spent a lot of time gasping for air and I also found that I kept holding my breath for some reason and Allison had to keep reminding me to breathe before I fainted and fell off. Plus when I dismount I tend to just "drop"off the side and onto the ground owing to the fact that my arthritis and bad back and knees don't support me very well. I did end up going along nicely on the bit (well, not always...) and even got up to doing some leg yielding and then onto half passes (?) across the arena which was pretty specky... By the end with Allison's encouragement I felt 10ft tall and bullet proof and felt certain I should be making the Olympic dressage team next time round. Of course when I got home again I realised I wasn't quite as gifted as I had momentarily felt.... Anyhoo...... thoroughly enjoyable and I'm looking forward to December when I'll be seeing Allison and the Eastern Wheatbelt ladies again.

Pony Club Zone Camp

My niece Renae had a pony club rally on Sunday, followed on by her zone pony club camp from Monday to Wednesday. There were lots of kids there from all around the Avon zone and Renae had a great time riding and camping out with her friends. My son Kia and I went across on the Tuesday and camped over in my horse float which was great fun, although the float roof gets a lot of condensation on it which drips down the sides and onto all the bedding making it damp. Renae is doing her test for her pony club D Certificate next week. There was a beautiful little black pony named Eboney at the camp which I wanted to buy for my kids, but the owner said she wasn't suitable for lead line unfortunately, but have been thinking about her ever since - I do love a good little pony. Renae won a couple of ribbons at the camp, one being for her team coming fourth (yellow) overall for the camp events and her quiz team came second (red). I know she had a great time (I think she might have a sore butt though! and I'm sure Fly is glad it's over). Renae is making some great new friends over there which is fantastic and her riding is coming along great too.

My kids really loved the whole camping in the horse float set up so I bunked them up in there last night for a camp over at home in the garage. They only made it a few hours though as they said they heard a crow that wanted to eat them...? I think it might actually have been one of the cats meowing actually, but it scared them off and they all ended up sleeping in their own beds instead. Good fun while it lasted anyhow.

Crusty Kia

My son Kia is living under the mistaken belief that he might in fact be one of the lesser known Crusty Demons. As these photos show he has some way to go towards managing to actually stay on his motorbike, which I think is the whole point of the Crusty's act - although as you can see he is actually quite proud of his black eye. Only 200 broken bones to go before he makes the big league.....

He has in fact always been the little daredevil. Even as a very small boy he thought he might be the Horse Whisperer and snuck out of the house and into the horse paddock (barefoot, electric fence and all!!) to go and work his magic.

The 50th Anniversary

Okay - having a run on the blogging after 3 years absence - pretty good going hey. Actually just remembered I had this site and wanted to show my sister pictures from our parents 50th wedding anniversary. Then thought I'd update some photos for her too. Anyway - back to the 'versary. Here's the happy couple:

And here is the cake - a fruit cake made by myself specially for the occasion and decorated scrapbook style (seeing as I don't know how to do cake decorating!):

Having some trouble with the images here peoples. Can't get everything onto the one line. Have to work on the editing a bit!

Endeavour Notice

Here is the notice I put in the local paper "The Endeavour". I'm having trouble getting the pictures in with it here, but I added a photo of the bride and groom on their wedding day, one of them together at the party and one of the cakes. I'll let you use your imagination - the pictures I used are shown above anyway.

KITCHING – BROOKES 50^th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Brian & Veronica Brookes celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary amongst family and friends at the Jennacubbine Hotel on Saturday 27^th June 2009. All eleven of Brian and Veronica’s grandchildren were able to attend the evening, but unfortunately their son Philip and daughter Chris were unable to attend, though would both have loved to have been there. Following dinner guests enjoyed a lovely chocolate cake supplied by eldest granddaughter Christie. A delicious fruit cake baked and artistically decorated by daughter Shannon was also served. Eldest son Jim spoke a few words on behalf of the family, congratulating Brian and Veronica for making it through 50 years of marriage and thanked them for the continual support they have provided for all of their family and recognised their strength and resilience in battling through some of the rough patches they have faced. Brian responded by thanking everyone who had attended and made mention of those who have passed away and sadly couldn’t be present including both Brian and Veronica’s parents and Brian’s brother Derek. Brian also thanked Veronica for her support over the years, for raising their five children, mostly alone as Brian has spent much of his life working away with his earthmoving business and he shared some of his memories of their wedding day. Brian Brookes and Veronica Kitching were married on the 27^th June 1959 at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Goomalling, followed by a reception at the Jennacubbine Hall. They had originally planned on holding their reception at the Goomalling Town Hall, which during that time was the only place available for large functions, however it had already been booked for a 21^st birthday for local boy Gary Obst, so the plans had to be changed to shift the reception to Jennacubbine. Veronica’s bridesmaids were her sisters Louise and Jennifer, while Brian was attended by his brother Ronald and friend Brian Kendall. At the time Brian’s brother (and Ron’s twin) Derek was unable to attend the wedding as he was in the armed forces as was not granted compassionate leave for the occasion. Entertainment for the event was provided by local band “The Nite Owls”, featuring Arthur Brookes, Phil Morris and Wally Gregory. Following the wedding Brian and Veronica honeymooned in Geraldton where as well as seeing the sights and visiting relatives they also spent quiet time together completing a giant jigsaw puzzle. Brian’s family were originally farmers in the Jennacubbine area, his parents Arthur and Vera held their 50^th Wedding Anniversary at Jennacubbine and with their own wedding reception held in Jennacubbine it seemed only fitting to hold Brian and Veronica’s Golden Anniversary there as well. All of their family and friends wish Brian and Veronica congratulations on reaching this marriage milestone and wish them every happiness for a healthy and prosperous future. We love you Mum and Dad, Nan and Pop.