Bringing Brandie home

In 1993 when I was 9 years old my parents bought me my first horse, a 2 year old chestnut filly that I called Brandie. I was one of those horse mad children who dragged my parents kicking and screaming into the world of horses.

After all the nagging for a horse I used to cry when I came home from riding. Brandie was a mismatch for an inexperienced rider and bucked me off every time! Mum and Dad always said 'You got what you wanted.. now go out and ride her'.... After much persistence on my part, we clicked.

Brandie had a heart as big as Phar Lap... would jump anything I faced her with and was as tough as nails. I remember the endless days riding her down dirt roads with my girl friends... and jumping over locked gates into paddocks so we could jump the freshly baled hay.


Eventually I sold Brandie to a young girl via a horse dealer. I had replaced her with another horse who had papers, was registered and who was black, pretty and would look good in a show ring..... It didn't take me too long to regret selling my baby.


Brandie ended up getting sold on and on and seemed lost to me forever.... but after a number of years she showed up with lamness and attended a vet clinic that I was working at. The day I saw her, I approached her owner and told her that I would love the opportunity to buy my mare back.


The lady who had ended up with Brandie loved her as much as I did as a young girl. The woman told me that I couldn't buy her back, but I could have comfort in knowing that she would die happily, as she would never leave her property. Brandie had been used for fox hunting and was supposably the best horse that the lady had ever owned.

A few years later Brandie's owner was killed in an unfortunate farm accident. I was overseas at the time and was unable to attend the funeral where Brandie was used as the head of the guard of honour.


Another year later again and I received a phone call..... it was from the husband of the woman who had been killed. He said to me 'I was always told that if anything happened, you were to have first chance to buy your mare back'......


Of couse I couldn't say no. So I purchased Brandie for the same price I had sold her for.... and agisted her for another 3 years....


Yesterday, exactly 18 years and 23 days after I initially purchased her, Brandie finally came 'home'.



Brandie (left hand side) & Carrie



A wooden log seat. (Well it's not all I want for Christmas.. but it's a good start!)

I want a nice big chunky bench seat for next to the dam so I can sit and enjoy the view with a nice glass of red over the summer. Initially I wanted a wrought iron and timber bench seat similar to this......

But I have changed my mind (and as a female I am entitled to do that!). The dam can have a chunky log seat that I do not have to worry about... and I can get a nice wrought iron one for the house yard one day.

Hubby is out the back fashioning me a seat with a chainsaw as we speak!! I have no idea what sort of log seat I'm getting and I haven't even done my usual diagrams & build instructions.... Im pretty excited to see what he comes up with on his own! 

I wouldn't mind something like the following:


Sturdy, simple and could even be comfortable!



Wish I'd shown the hubby this before he headed out!




My expectations are really not that high! As long as the seat keeps me off the ground and is not too uncomfortable it will serve its purpose.

Based on the number of chainsaw cuts that I have been hearing... he could be building me a new house!! I really don't want to go outside yet and spoil the suprise. I want to wait until everything is finished. Pity the weather is no good for testing it!

Geese! That's what else I want for Christmas! Something to admire from my new wooden seat.....

Overdue for an update?

I know it has been a while... but it’s amazing how things change! I’ve found my way back to my blog and will (hopefully) be updating on a regular basis now.

This time 12 months ago I was spending my first few weeks on our farm wondering where life would lead after our 'tree change'. I was dreaming of home renovations, of immaculate gardens and new furnishings....

Things just seem to be put into perspective more when you live out here..... the home renovations have been put on hold, the garden is out of control and the new furnishings have given way to new livestock and feed!

Even though I no longer work a 9 – 5 job I feel like I have less time than ever before! I’ve fed the calves, chickens, duck and turkey, spent a few hours working from home on the computer and the day is almost over!... but I wouldn’t change it for the world.