So much has happened since Quamby Rodeo and I will try to put it all down in order for you.
Two weeks after Quamby was the Mt Isa Rodeo. This is the biggest rodeo in the southern hemisphere and kicks off on Friday night with a mardi gras street parade followed by the opening ceremony then a few bull rides. Saturday is a full day of rodeo and all the finals are held on the Sunday. Charlotte and myself went up to Mt Isa on Tuesday evening, and had a lazy day on the Wednesday. Wednesday night we went to see an Australian Singer called Kevin Bloody Wilson (He is a bit rude) but very funny. We had a ball and even got to meet him after the show which was pretty cool.
Thursday was a shopping day which was nice. You don't realise how much you miss when you live in the middle of nowhere - music, technology, etc. Just never seem to be up to date with any of that any more ! I don't often miss it however.
Friday was spent putting a photobook together for Charlotte's nephew with pictures of wildlife, rodeo, cows, big trucks etc. Then Friday night was the mardi gras and opening ceremony- I have put some photos up, but the highlight was the burning of a steers head. Easier to look at the pics than for me to explain.
A full weekend of rodeo followed with a few beers and plenty of spectacular falls ! I took over 7000 pictures but have since deleted them down to around 1500. I hope you like them. One of the unusual but well known attractions was Fred Brophy's Boxing Troupe. Basically it works like this. 30mins before the boxing Fred comes out and bangs a drum. The crowd gathers and a bell rings. Fred call for people out of the crowd to take on his boxers. They are known for taking on all challengers. People from the crowd are matched up with Fred's fighters and then the rest of the crowd pays and goes into the tent. The boxers are introduced and then 3 x 3 min rounds are fought. If the challenger wins he is paid $10 for each minute of the fight. If they loose or draw they take away the experience ! I have put a few pictures of this up too. it is a unique attraction and Fred Brophy is the last travelling boxing troupe travelling in Australia (maybe the world).
A couple of weeks at work, doing some mustering and fencing before we headed off again this time to Sedan Dip where a Race Meeting, Rodeo, and campdraft were being held. Again lots of action and some really good racing action with "Bush Races" meaning on registered race horses were allowed - only station horses were used, and some of the names made up for these horses were really good - "Notworthabullet" "Outboard" because it goes like an outboard motor, and "Lucas" an ex police horse who's favourite food is raw meat ! Plenty of good fun and good friends. It's been a little quieter since then, just doing more mustering and general work around the place. More mustering coming up in the next few weeks, and that is when I will update again.
