I'm out of the case and on the road again

       Lights, camera, action. Just call me Normo Normolucci

You’re probably wondering where I’ve been as you haven’t heard from me since I was in Normandy

The shocking truth is that I’ve been left in a suitcase. SheWhoWrites (one of your erstwhile correspondents) returned from overseas, unpacked her case and omitted to lift me from it. Before you reach for the phone to contact the RSPCN (I know there are a lot of you out there concerned about donkeys stuck down wells and ponies swimming out to sea - I've seen the press releases that come across Her desk) to be honest, it wasn’t too bad.

It had been a pretty hectic trip to France and the UK and I was quite happy napping for a while, humming quietly to myself. Then it started to get a bit boring and, just as I was about to start singing more loudly, She suddenly retrieved me. Turned out we were on the road again and I was needed for a trip to Goulburn. I’d never heard of Goulburn so I looked it up and found it was where they have the Big Ram. Made me a bit nervous I must admit. On the other hand, this was something Burghley certainly didn't have

The Big Ram at Goulburn

      Now there's something you don't see everyday - eat your heart out Burghley

But of course we were going for a horse event (I actually think that She doesn’t do anything else but go to horse events, poor soul). No flying this time – just an eight hour drive from Melbourne to Goulburn in NSW and, having escaped the suitcase, now I was stuck in with video cameras, tripods and all sorts of other filming equipment. I was relieved to discover that I wasn’t going to appear in some lurid film (the Big Ram once again sprang to mind) – no, they were just going to video all these crazies jumping those huge fences

      Steady Dave mate, don't squeeze too hard

My job was to be sociable by ‘meeting and greeting’ some of the stars and others which, as always, I tried to do with aplomb. Unlike my big brother Norman who has a non-stop schedule as the official mascot for the WEG, my job is pretty cushy (although please note if you get to hold me at a future event I appreciate being held gently and not squeezed too tightly – especially while I’m drinking beer)

That’s it for now – next stop is apparently Adelaide in South Australia where something is going on soon - maybe see you there. Here’s some photos of friends I’ve made recently

Prue Barrett and NormAus

      This nice lady called Prue Barrett knows how to hold a horse and make him smile

 

NormAus blog

      Emma and Sally from Alltech were fighting over me - must have heard I was a film producer

 

NormAus blog

Now that looks like me doesn't it? Or even my big brother Norm? Don't be fooled - it's just a stuffed toy that Tallara Barwick was given (at least they don't need to be fed, nor do they drink beer Tallara so don't try that at home. It will just make a mess)

 

Stuart Tinney with NormAus

I met this nice Australian chap in Normandy then saw him again at Goulburn riding a horse. Apparently he's quite good at this eventing lark. Didn't catch his name but he's known as the Ice Man - was he in Top Gun?