Pace and space

Having no internet or telephone reception at Thorne Lake Ranch was a mild cause of concern for us townies on our arrival. However, within a few days, the pace of country life has settled upon us and the days have became more about the jobs to be done around the ranch and learning how our host, Manuel, manages the myriad of tasks that he often does alone. A jaunt into town each day offers a snatched opportunity for connecting with the rest of the world and suddenly that seems like enough.

The main task at hand is an urgent need to get kilometres of fencing erected so that the cattle and goats can be moved from pasture to pasture to graze in safety. Fence-making is a tough task and not for the fainthearted! First, grab a chainsaw to cut down and trim cedar trees (which grow rather inconveniently in swampy ground). Next, strip the trunks of bark and chainsaw a point on the tips to create posts. Then, pound the posts along the perimeter (using a machine, thank heavens) and string heavy duty wire in four rows between the posts. Damn hard, physical work even with four of us involved. How Manuel does this alone, I have no idea. The ranch covers a huge area of rolling hills and dense forest.

Bartering is alive and well in the countryside! Friends brought about 20 of their goats to join Manuel’s so they can munch grass together. In return, Manuel’s goats go to spend the winter in their sheds. Dropping over the goats involved a kitchen chat revolving around... goats, naturally. Elmir and Brandy arrived with arms generously full of homegrown gifts - lettuce, eggs, jam - and a kid. A goat kid. Elmir explained how this baby had been rejected too early by its mother and so they were hand rearing it. The kid was being cradled, cuddled and loved like a human baby with tender grá by this rugged farmer.

Le grá,
Gill