Spending summer in the Riverland of South Australia means endless blue skies, lots of BBQ’s, lovely walks by the river. Unfortunately it also means multiple hot dry days, restless warm nights, dust and yukky flies! Not my favourite things. Always interesting to catch up with our friend Chris in Northern Ireland. He has the wood fire blazing while we’re sheltering inside under the cooler. Now I’m a winter person so am very jealous – not sure why I was born in Oz! I love rain, storms and mist. Icy mornings with stark winter trees. Thick coats and beanies. Autumn leaves – deep reds, vibrant oranges and gold. Our gum trees in comparison are a little dull! I also happen to be especially fond of snow!! Love the silence, the flakes drifting to earth, the footprints you leave behind. Adore mountains and wild rushing alpine streams – not heaps of those around here either! But its okay! Experiencing the differences in this world is half the fun. Part of why I’m so hooked on travel. Seeing new places – different hemispheres, different climates, different landscapes. And of course meeting different people. Hearing their stories. Getting to know their culture, eating their food, drinking their wine!!!!
There’s also been a variety of animals to look after on our house sitting travels. Dogs, cats, horses, ducks, chooks, goats even a snake and a rat! Dogs ranging from huge to tiny little terriers. Horses from Maurey the Clydesdale to Nibbles the Shetland Pony. In colder climates some of our equine charges stayed outside in jackets braving the elements, others were happy to move into stables. Most dogs loved to snuggle inside with us by the fire – no complaints there! Each of our house sit pets had their own unique personality. Some were cheeky, some were quiet. Others kept us on our toes! A certain horse stealing carrots from our pockets or escaping out of his field at night comes to mind! Walking the dogs was one of our favourite things. Always different – depending on what country and season we where in. We’ve walked dogs in the snow – sometimes up to our knees. On a frozen lake in Canada with ice fishermen watching on. While staying on a farm in the Adelaide Hills we’d often set off across the paddocks – the dogs chasing each other, panting madly, keen for a swim in the dam. Best way to cool off!
For me – variety is definitely the spice of Life. Lots of photos below – just a glimpse. Enjoy!
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