3 Lovely Things #3

Except this week it's only one - a story about Hugo - our cute little scoundrel.

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Last week I shared my tried and true advice on how to save big on groceries. This is hard won and well learned lessons I’ve honed over the years of raising four hungry, growing humans as well as a medley of animals. Looking to reduce your grocery bill is a good idea all year long, but especially right before Christmas when there’s added pressure on the household budget. It is totally possible even in these times of skyrocketing food prices. And no, it doesn’t involve growing your own food. Unless you want to (and it doesn’t always save you money). You can read the article here. It’s a paid subscriber article but you can unlock it for free.

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Hello There!

Welcome to this week’s 3 Lovely Things where I share 3 lovely things that brightened my week in some way. I hope they bring you a glimmer of happiness too!

Except this week it’s only one because it’s a doozy.

Welcome Hugo - You cute little SCOUNDREL!

After losing Bella last week, we knew we had to fill her spot in our tiny herd of two quickly, else our other cow, Cadbury, would fret and possibly bust fences in search of Bella. They really loved each other and the herd instinct is very strong.

We saw this when Bella lost her friend Chocolate a few years ago and ran around the paddocks desperately mooing and searching and calling. Heartbreaking to witness. Bella did not get out then but she was already old. Cadbury, on the other hand, is young and frisky. Who knows what she might be capable of!

One of my worst nightmares is having a cow escape our property, get out on the road and cause an accident.

Turns out my nightmare almost came true!

So, before Bella was even in the ground I rang around and reached out to anyone I knew who owned cattle, urgently seeking a compatible friend for our Caddie.

The brief for our new cow: Must be hornless (we have a zero horn policy on our property), be friendly and quiet. BONUS if it’s as cute as a button.

A friend put me on to local breeders of Speckled Park cattle. A fairly new breed that’s prized for it’s beef. That didn’t matter to me as I know there’s no way I could eat an animal I have named and bonded with.

I rang and spoke to Kim who was really helpful and lovely and invited us to come and have a look and choose our new cow.

The next day, Ian and I hired a horse float and drove to the neighbouring mountain town to meet the Speckled Parks. We spent an hour or two with Kim and Brad, watching their herd and chatting about life with cows. So many funny stories!

The cows seemed gentle - even the bull wasn’t fazed by us. He was focussed on his work.

Eventually we selected this little guy - a 6 month old steer (a castrated male) - who should grow up to be like a big dog. Friendly and harmless.

We named him Hugo.

Who would think this cute little face could cause so much drama.

We drove him home without incident and released him into the paddock to meet Cadbury.

So far so good!

By now, Bella had been buried. (In case you’re curious when you have large animals you should always know someone with an excavator that can dig a big hole).

Cadbury had been fretting and calling all day when she could no longer see Bella.

Then we appeared with Hugo!

Oh what is this?? She sniffed his nose and backside and immediately stepped into big sister mode. The bossy kind.

Little Hugo was checking out his surroundings. It’s late afternoon by this time and the fog and drizzle had set in. We took shelter in the horse float to observe and satisfy ourselves he would respect the electric fences - he’d never known them before.

Cadbury lows at him telling him ‘this is where we go at 4pm. Not that way. This way! Noooo don’t do it!’

Against Cadbury’s best advice, Hugo approaches the electric fence and touches it with his nose. Zap! He jumps back shocked and confused. Gives the wire another wary sniff. Cadbury nudges his side and tells him ‘I told you so. Now come with me.’

Okay, we (foolishly) think. He’s learned his lesson. The fences will hold him. Cadbury’s taken him under her wing. We’re good here.

‘Right’, I say to Ian. ‘I’m off to watch the Aladdin, the high school musical. Are you ok if I go?’

Ian says yep, he’s going to tweak the fence on the lower side of the paddock. Go have a good time!

This is my second time watching the musical. Miss 16 and her friends are in it. Ian’s already seen it. Proud mother that I am, must see opening night and closing night.

I text my friends to pick me up on the way as our car is still hitched to a horse float which we need to return the next morning.

No problem. There’s a beep at the gate and I’m off to see Aladdin thinking all is under control on the home front. Hugo is settling in. Ian’s keeping an eye while he strengthens the fences. Cadbury is calm. All is well in the world once more.

How wrong I was.

The final night of Aladdin is fabulous. I clap proudly. Standing ovation. Grin and awww as they give the flowers and thanks to the people behind the scenes. So proud of my children’s school. Wonderful production. Lovely, lovely.

We file out of the auditorium amongst the friendly chatter of parents who only catch up at events such as these once or twice a year. I check my phone.

Text from Ian: Come home ASAP!

Oh geez! What the hell.

I look around. The friends I came with are all in deep conversation with other parents or teachers. People are reaching out as I pass ‘Hiii! How are you??’ Sorry can’t talk. Must get home. Panicking now. I don’t have my own car here. Can’t slip out under my own steam.

A friend’s husband, who came late, catches my eye and, when I explain, offers to drive me home. Phew. He’s waylaid by another irritatingly chatty community member.

While Shane is extricating himself, I call Ian to find out what is going on.

He answers breathlessly. Hugo’s escaped. He’s on the loose. A neighbour from behind our property drove up our driveaway to tell us that a cow was on their land heading for the main road. Ian wasted no time. Grabbing rope, torch and second son, they hot footed it as fast as they could go.

They bolted down the back through the long, wet grass, through the rainforest, pushing through vines and thorns, ripping clothes on barbed wire fences and out onto the neighbour’s land.

Just then there was a call from the neighbour on our other side. ‘Mate, your cow’s on Lahey road.’ The opposite direction. At the front of the property.

Off they run back the way they came. It’s muddy, foggy, drizzly. Miserable weather.

(Meanwhile, remember, I’m still at the musical, clapping and smiling like a giddy socialite.)

They come out onto our road and there are cars stopped with hazard lights flashing. People trying to herd a frightened Hugo back from the busiest road. It’s so foggy you can’t see 10 metres in front of you.

Neighbours pile out to help. Torch light sweeping. People calling. As Ian and Ollie are jogging along, there’s a roar of an engine behind them. They turn and there’s our neighbour’s daughter in their farm four wheeler yelling ‘GET IN!!’.

Just like in the movies when the sweet mum next door turns out to be ex military swat team trained, pulls out the big guns and saves the day.

She drives hard with one hand on the wheel, head out the side, torch raised so she can see where she’s going. ‘HANG ON!!’ she yells, as they bounce over ditches and gullies in pursuit of Hugo. Cows can move fast!

They manage to herd Hugo into a quiet area and Ian leaps out with lasso in hand. He doesn’t really have a plan. Hugo is off the road now against a fence. Just as Ian approaches he disappears through the wire of the fence into thick scrub. Ian has no choice but to follow.

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The chase is on again. Through bush, and fences and gates for another half an hour.

This is about the time I called him after seeing his urgent message.

Now I’m on my way. I head towards the main road where Hugo could come out again through farms and orchards. Mr W from next door, bless him, has his truck parked across the empty block with lights on so they’ll spot Hugo if he runs out before he gets to the road. I see torchlight amongst the trees further in. I find out later that’s people we’ve never met just coming out on a drippy, dark night to help search for a lost little steer.

I’m yabbering to my friend’s husband and to Mr W. I’m so stressed. I know cows always come home but Hugo doesn’t know this is home yet. He was only there for 90 minutes before he escaped. He’s trying to find his mother and his own herd. I have visions of car crashes, injured cow, Hugo lost in the bush off the side of the mountain, breaking his leg, being attacked by wild dogs.

You see where my mind goes under pressure!

Not sure exactly what to do next, Shane (friend’s husband) is calming and kind. He’s a country boy too and has good practical advice. ‘If we keep chasing him, he’ll run. We’re probably best to call off the search til morning. He’ll get somewhere secure and stay there. There are cows further along. He’s probably heading for them and will stick with them. We’ll find him in the morning.’

‘OK. Yes you’re probably right. Let’s go home. I’ll get out of my theatre going clothes and put on my boots, call Ian and make a plan.’

We head back to our house. I run in the front door which, in Ian and Ollie’s haste, has been left wide open, lights on, christmas beetles buzzing around, dishes on the sink. If there’s a scene which depicts family in crisis - this would be it.

I’m still hyperventilating as I pull on my wool socks and redback boots. I can hear Cadbury mooing her head off. Poor thing, I think. She’s been left alone again. Thank goodness she hasn’t got out as well!

Shane goes out to take a look. And lo and behold! Who should he see standing innocently next to his new big sister like nothing ever happened??

HUGO!

He came back!!

Is it too early to call this a Christmas miracle??

The relief!!!

I call Ian. He calls the neighbours. Everyone can go home to Netflix. Except us. We spend the next two hours erecting a hard yard with fence panels that no cow can escape from.

Thank goodness for Ian and Ollie (who was not impressed by his red mud stained clothes and sodden boots). Thank goodness for our fabulous neighbours. You can bet the next day we went around to them all bearing wine and chocolates and hampers stuffed with thank you goodies for their sacrifice.

I am all for prepping your household for uncertain times, power outages, illness and the like. But the very best form of prepping has nothing to do with supplies or stuff or even skills. It’s building positive relationships with your neighbours. They’re the ones most likely to help you in an emergency. Who knows, one day you may have an escapee cow that needs rescuing and I truly hope you’re fortunate enough to have friends and neighbours like ours.

Although I am a little afraid that Ms R from next door may have to kill us now that we’ve discovered her true identity.

Thank you for being here! I love sharing my stories with you. Keep your eye out for this week’s article where I’m sharing delicious Christmas gifts you can make in 30 minutes or less (and the recipient will LOVE to receive). Upgrade to paid and you’ll receive ALL the goodies.

xxx Katrina

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