Getting tough & dirty

We might be considered ‘outdoorsy’ by most of our friends and family but we are city people, having lived the better part of our lives in very big congested cities. Life on a farm is a whole new ball game. We knew this already from our stay in South Africa at the end of last year but this time it’s a whole different ball game because we are much more involved in the general organisation. First, we have quite a walk, both very uphill and downhill to go wherever we want to go. The horses stay in pasture so to get them we need to herd them out. They aren’t difficult to herd but it still means walking down to the end of the field and walking all the way up, and sometimes by over 30C. On top of that we are riding quite a bit more than we used to (by this read several hours a day versus 45 min twice a week before) so we are definitely feeling our muscles develop fast. We are trying to increase our food intake but we aren’t more hungry so it isn’t that easy. Also, since we are always on the move in the day it’s pretty unpleasant to have big meals during the day. Our bodies are transforming and it’s fun to watch. 

In addition to the development of muscle mass, injuries seem to be part of the package. I got picked a few days ago and Manjeev fell of his horse today. He didn’t just fall off, he hit a ball that was at an angle near the goal posts. After hitting it he decided to go between the goal posts but his horses decided otherwise, and Manjeev banged at full speed straight into the goal post and fell off. It looks like he did something to one of his rib. We haven’t been to check because a/ we’re far from the doctor and b/even if he did break a rib there’s nothing you can do about it. Two good arguments to wait it out. 

People are tough around here. I don’t know if it’s a kiwi thing, or a country thing, or both, but people don’t seem to care much about getting hurt. At the bull riding for example a few people got trampled and badly hurt but no one cared. I guess it comes with the game. But this state of mind seems to apply in day to day life. It happens to get hurt and if there’s nothing you can do about it you just suck it up. It was quite a shock at first but after it does force you to toughen up. And maybe that’s not a bad thing.