Archive for April, 2007

A bottle of vodka and a book deal!

News is in from our German literary sub-agent that Random House in Germany want to do a deal to buy all my novels!

Already they have translated The Stockman. Now it’s Jillaroo and The Rouseabout’s turn.

Our sub-agent Sebastian said the deal happened over a bottle of vodka in a Russian restaurant in the middle of London and was written out on the paper tablecloth!

It sounds so romantic and exotic. A whole world away from our ordinary lives here on the farm. Sehr gut!

Rouseabout tour runs out of diesel

I’m a strong, robust kinda gal, bit like a good old work ute, so it came as a shock to find my body had run out of diesel by the time my book tour rolled round.

An ear infection has meant we’ve had to cancel the promotional tour until I come right.

I want to take the time to thank the booksellers and libraries and other readers for setting up a great program.

Look forward to catching up with you down the track once I’ve had a grease and oil change and I’m revved and ready to go! In the meantime, enjoy my new book!

Dear Readers

A note to thank all the lovely people who have posted comments on my novels here on my website.

Even though there aren’t enough hours in the day to reply to you all individually, please know I’ve read, and appreciate, every message.

Hello to the folks who I’ve not seen in years! Keep on being fond of farmers! We feed the world. And thanks again. Rachael.

The Rouseabout Roadshow rolls on …

Busy, busy, busy …

There’s been a spectacular response to The Rouseabout and Penguin, my publishers, have already ordered a second print run.

Here’s an easy way to find out where I will be doing book signings over the next two months. Click here to go direct to Penguin’s events page. They’ll update it if there are any unexpected changes.

Look forward to seeing you …

To Canberra via Cann River

Recently, John and I drove to Canberra for the National judging of the Rural Industries Research and Development Rural Women’s Award.

We dropped the kids and dogs off with family in Gippsland and took a trip up through Cann River and over the Monaro.

What struck me was that despite the green tinge, the stock looked like they’d had such a hard time of it. In some areas, there was also an eerie absence of livestock.

We even saw drovers on the road with a herd of young cattle. It made me realise just how widespread the impact of the drought is.

All that scenery changed though when we drove into the leafy-Lego-land of Canberra. What a tidy city!

Last night I had the privilege of meeting the other finalists in the National Rural Women’s Award.

Here we are out to dinner. Read about their achievements and projects here.

They are all fabulous rural women with the most inspiring innovative visions for our industry.

When a Country Lad hits town

When Rousie was let loose in a Melbourne Dog park all hell broke loose! There were no fights, but just an incredible display of doggie cultural clash.

Rousie couldn’t work out why the dogs were wearing clothes — especially acryllic clothes (and not supporting his wool industry!) and he couldn’t believe the small white things weren’t lambs.

Read more…

Rousie and his Mates on a Mission

Here’s Rousie and I in a dog park in Port Melbourne! Amidst all the publicity for The Rouseabout, I’ve been asked to take part in a documentary on working dogs called Mates on a Mission.

At this stage it’s in development phase with the ABC and this was the first of a ‘sizzler’ reel to see if the ABC like the idea. It was my first time in front of the camera and such a hoot.

John reckoned I should act more like Steve Irwin though.

Bush Telegraph

Lucky me! I just got to meet one of my all time favourite radio presenters!

Here’s Michael McKenzie. His program, Bush Telegraph on ABC Radio National is one of my favourites.

Here’s a media man who is insightful, intelligent and who understands rural industry and culture. A lovely bloke too!

If we can get more ‘Michael’s’ in our media, our nation would be a better place!

Dog demonstrations and skydiving disasters

I can only write about this now … it’s taken me weeks to get over the shock of it and I’m now starting to see the funny side, but even then, it’s forced humour.

Recently at the Bream Creek Show, we watched the annual spectacle of skydivers landing in the main arena. In their morning jump, one bloke landed right on target, while the other landed in the crowd at the bar area. The commentator joked he must’ve been desparate for a drink.

Read more…

Vet checks are important

 
If you’re buying a pup and paying good money for it, make sure it’s been wormed, vaccinated and vet checked.

Here’s my friend Manty giving one of our pups his 6-week vaccination against the nasty diseases of Parvo and Distemper (vaccinating against Kennel Cough is optional — depending if you will be travelling with your dog or not.)

The pups will need a second vaccination at 12 weeks of age.

The vet will also check your dogs heart, hips and mouth to see if it’s undershot or overshot in the jaw and check out it’s coat and general health.