Verdant hills and azure skies

Leaving work early tends to be habit for me and today it happened again. Oops. The need to be somewhere other than my office was too great and with evil weather, high winds and pelting rain, forecast for the next few days heading to the farm this evening seemed the prudent thing to do. As the registered shooter on the farm it's an obligation to attend regularly and do my job - not a job per se I guess though - more of a side gig. The weather has been intermittently bad lately and will be moving forward so...Had to go. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

The hike to a decent shooting position was done in lovely, but cold, conditions and whilst the grass was wet my hike up and down the verdant grass-covered rolling hills under the cloud-streaked azure sky was enjoyable. The picture says it better than I could though so I'll not try.

Bad weather has kept me away from the farm for a while so it was good to be back. I'm not afraid of the cold and rain but the ground out there gets quite slushy as there's a creek and many underground springs that bubble up in the most unlikely of places as the water table rises in winter; laying in slosh scoping for targets isn't the most fun in the world, especially when there's no remuneration for doing so other than the privilege to access the property. So, it was good to head back there and in reasonable conditions.

Things got lively early and the shooting started around 1730; I wish the big buggers would stay off the farm but they don't and eight kangaroos paid the price tonight. That's actually a lot for one night as usually they bound off pretty fast when I start banging away although tonight the lure of lush winter grasses must have been too difficult to resist. Only two were shot in what I would call daylight conditions [twilight really] and those were at a decent range of slightly over 500 metres. It was then that a storm, thunder, lightning and some rain fucked up my night; I stayed though - Toughed it out; Quitting isn't much of a thing for me.

The other six kangaroos were shot after dark as I moved about the property with my rifle-mounted spotlight providing the illumination. The ranges were only some 100-150 metres so very easy shots.

I stayed out quite late tonight having no real need to get home for any reason so I've only just gotten in after packing my equipment up. It's 2230 or so and I'm cold hungry and cold and hungry. I know, I said it twice on purpose because I'm cold and hungry. 😊

I'm really glad I went tonight as it'll keep the farmer off my back for a week; the bastard hates kangaroos on his cattle farm and so pushes me to go often which I cannot always make happen. Also I think it was something I needed; not the killing I mean, just the solace I find in natural places. The quiet surroundings and peace that seems to settle upon me when I'm there. With the bad weather lately and my operation only five weeks ago I've been quite limited so this afternoon and evening was needed.

I'm having a bite to eat right now, grilled cheese on toast and tea...Not gourmet food, but good enough for a simpleton like me. It's Thursday tomorrow and I plan to put in a full day's work...And if you believe that you're bonkers. I plan to do as little as I can on Thursday and leave as early as I can also. I'm the boss y'all, I've earned the right. I'm just kidding folks...A bit. I'll work, clean up as much as I can and head into Friday strong then deploy the weekend...After leaving work early.

So tell me about your Wednesday; I shared part of mine so you're obligated. 😁