We just had the best weekend. Camping with a great bunch of friends – there really is nothing better.
It was the annual ABC Amateur Race Club Brunette Downs Races, Rodeo & Campdraft weekend. Brunette Downs is a huge cattle station in the middle of nowhere (of course it is!). About 3 hours from Tennant Creek and 6 hours from Mt Isa. Out here, in the sticks, our get togethers mostly revolve around horses. Races, Campdrafts and Rodeo’s. Now before you think I have turned into some sort of horsey horse rider …. forget it. I just tag along for the social factor. Even Mr Chardy left his horses behind and just took one for Tom to ride in the Gymkhana and Campdraft. So it was a fun family weekend – we actually saw him.
We camped with the good old neighbours – Mr & Mrs Sav Blanc and Co. There were heaps of us in our camp and we truly are like one big happy family. It doesn’t matter if you are staff, family or friends, it all feels like family. The kids just disappear and play together, and drink copious amounts of soft drink and harass us all weekend for money to buy useless items from the hawkers. By Sunday I gave into the begging and bought them the wallet they wanted. Not sure why they wanted them because once they bought the actual wallet they didn’t have any money to put in it.
Thursday night there was a lovely Wine and Cheese night and on Friday night it was the Rodeo. Check out this photo of Mr Chardy (on the left). Some old blokes just can’t handle the fast life. This rodeo watching business is very hard work!
Some cowboys just can’t handle the pace!
On Saturday we all dusted ourselves off and frocked up for the races. The transformation is quite unique. We got ready in the dust and wind. But if you think we were roughing it then think again, we had a generator that could have powered a small town, so we were able to dry our hair AND use the hair straightener (which also doubles as an iron if you are ever stuck!). Now it just so happens that my first Governess – Sophie Allport – is now as brilliant Milliner so we were decked out with Flemington worthy head pieces. Soph travelled all the way up from Melbourne to visit. Such a talented young lady, she made her whole outfit and took out Fashions on the Field. I think she looked a million bucks. You can read more about Sophie here.
Having a shave!
Sophie Allport, winner of Fashions on the Field in the outfit she made and her Allport Millinery headpiece, great work Soph!
Mss Chardy (Middle) with my collection of Governesses….these are all the lovely Govies I have collected over the years. It is a hobby I take extremely seriously!
After 3 nights of camping we packed up and hit the road home. Every man and his dog followed. The convoy back to Chardy HQ was terrific – 18 vehicles long. Nothing beats a convoy on a dusty track. Of course there were a few stops along the way but the best one was 30 km’s from home – in one of our paddocks – and smack in the middle of the road – we had ourselves and impromptu bbq lunch. We all pulled up and before you could blink, and within about 5 minutes, there were tables set up, chairs out, bbq’s hooked up to gas and even a blender hooked up to the Generator whipping up a Japanese Slipper. Mr Chardy trots out the best slippers and hasn’t had a dissatisfied customer yet. So we put our slippers on and enjoyed some steak, sausages, soft cheeses, nibbles and of course great company. There were silver goblets but there wasn’t a silver platter in sight, but no one seemed to care. It was my favourite part about the whole weekend. We are so lucky to have such great friends & staff. Once back at Chardy HQ the Sav Blanc crew had to keep motoring as they had another couple of hours to go before they were home. It was a sad goodbye but I kept one of Mrs Sav’s sons as ransom. Now she will have to come back to visit and collect him. It also means my boys are entertained as it is school holidays. So now I have 4 boys!
Anyway, gee I can ramble on can’t I? I will shut up now and show you some photo’s!
So tell me, have you ever been to the Brunette Races? Is there anything better than a country race meeting?
It was a great weekend Miss Chardy – my Sweet Sixteenth! Rodeo night is my favourite! I think the bbq in the paddock would have been great fun. Mr Chardy is a fab bartender! Was very windy and dusty in the Grandstand all day Sunday – arrived home at 7pm looking like I had been working in the back yards all day.
Wow – 16. Looks like Rodeo night is Mr Chardy’s favourite too, ha ha ha. The bbq in the paddock was the best. Yes, that is why I avoid the grandstand…. no actually it is because I find campdraftng very boring, couldn’t even pretend to be interested, ha ha ha. Maybe you should have worked the backyards, would have been more fun than watching!
It will never be a spectator sport that is for certain! Fortunately I had good company throughout most of the day!
Fabulous photos! I never did get to Brunette Races, went to lots of other country race meetings (as you would expect). Every year when I am poncing around Flemington in a ridiculous hat and heels I marvel at the fact that I am there. Since I am a Melbourne girl now, I am going to track down Allport Millinery because one can always do with a new hat.
Loved your collection of governesses too 🙂
Yes, I am sure McKinlay Races were one of your regulars. Would love to ponce around Flemington, one day! You will love Soph’s Millinery work, she is very talented.
Great read Miss C! Love the pics too, looks like you all had a wonderful weekend.
Jac is WAS a very wonderful weekend, esp the trip home!
Miss Chardy . . . I remember when you were a Govie ! The fun factor rapidly improved after You and Mrs S introduced Style ( note : Style with a Capital ” S “) nibbles and champagne ( they only started serving champers at the Bar after that !) to an otherwise boring Race Programme
O Robbsie, it was a race disgrace before that, ha ha ha ha ha……. what is a race day without bubbles, hats and fancy frocks? Great to hear from you. The wine on offer this year was second to none and an absolute credit to the people in charge of booze!
That looks like a blast! We totally miss out here in the city. x
O it was a blast, best part was the convoy home, so. much. fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for reading Maxabella.
New reader here – sent by BM! I grew up in TennantCreek (oh the shame) but now reside in Sydney… I grew up going to Brunette races – was a real social highlight! Then I worked for the caterers for a few years. Ahh the memories. You are certainly looking fancier than we did back in the day.
Hello, thanks for reading, Baby Mac is just such a legend for spreading the love. So glad you popped across. We are actually off to Brunette this weekend for a campdraft. Wow – Tennant Creek to Sydney – culture shock! ha ha ha ha. I lived in Sydney for a few years and couldn’t get out of there quick enough. Thanks again.
Hi, I have a huge favour to ask please. If you come across a pilot named Hamish at Brunette this weekend, would you please give him a huge hug from his Mum (me) in NZ? 😉
Hi Liz. I will track that man down like my life depends on it and give him the biggest hug ever. Oh yes, I will find him!!!! Watch this space.
Haha cheers, that would be awesome, as it’s his birthday on Monday