Tubrok sheep station was today's destination. We were greeted by Geoff on horseback at the entrance. Geoff lived & worked on the sheep station & had quite a busy life. With five university degrees, two ex wives & having worked in most of the world, he was quite the character.
Two family groups, alongside a coach of Japanese tourists were our companions for the first half of the day. First of all Geoff talked to us about life on a sheep station out in the wilds of Australia. We got to sample their staple diet of damper bread & billy tea. The tea kept in a billy can that gives it is name. After being treated to a demonstration of whip cracking & boomerang throwing we watched Geoff & his dingo round up sheep from pasture & drive them to paddock. This was followed by a history of sheep shearing & a very impressive demonstration.
The Japanese left us after lunch, over which we had a beer. After more stories from Geoff we assembled to learn about the drovers relationships with aborigines. Only 15,000 pure blood aborigines are left in Australia.
The fun part of the day came next as Nigel, Chris and I practised cracking the whip & throwing a boomerang. Nigel & I produced the best boomerang throws of the group remaining, though we were both outdone by Chris with the whip. (strange how all the women seemed better than the men at this!) Alan played the role of retiring Brit on holiday & did not try either.
After leaving the ranch we stopped off for a spot of shopping before heading back for a BBQ, accompanied by some fresh seafood, lots of wine & some live rugby.
In case u were wondering it was incredibly hot again today, the drop in temperature in NZ is going to come as a shock!