Turns out … if you think your brakes are going … they are! I had noticed that the Bully was having a few mechanical problems. So I figured I would fill it up with the cleanings from the Guinea Coop – empty those in the bin and then drive it over to Darryl (our family mechanic). It was the ‘and then’ part that got me into trouble!
I had closed the gate on the front paddock to keep the donkeys away while I cleaned the coop. They have developed a real taste for whatever is in there? As I slowly coasted down the hilliside I realized I was not going to be able to stop … So I let the gate hold me and then put the Bully into reverse – just to go back to a flatter spot … Hmmm …
The combination of a stuck accelerator and no brakes in reverse … clearly evident in the pictures above! We were very lucky. The donkeys were not any where near me. (They often do follow along behind the Bully!) X-rays proved that I was not broken … just going to be bruised and walking funny for a while! And we have great neighbours who are like family who look out for us. Wally, Rob and Darryl were over after dinner to push the Bully back onto the road and then towed it away for repairs.
Before all that excitement we had added another ‘escape hatch’ for the Guineas. I have been leaving the entrance gate to the run open for them … Not interested. So then we thought perhaps an exit that is accessible from the ground would be less intimidating. So far they have not ventured out? When we opened up the coop I physically scooted them out the first few times. But I’m thinking I want them to be sure about how to get in and out when it is the ‘big wide world’ they are dealing with. So, no rush, I just walk past now and again and talk to them. They note that there is not any fencing between us … Sooner or later they are going to get curious… right? Or maybe they have taken notice of my driving skills … 😉
The Meadow View 