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Texas Day 3
The dreaded jet-lag strikes at 3 a.m. I sit up in bed. The dolls in the cabinet also seem surprised at such an early start. No point trying to go back to sleep. I get up quietly, make a cup of tea, grab the iPad and go out on the veranda in the hope of catching the wifi from the main house to deal with some emails. We are some distance away, but after much walking around I find a sweet spot for the signal and settle down on a bench. It is still dark. The air is warm, but very damp and close. I can hear a call that could be a coyote in the distance - must check with Joyce and Felix tomorrow. Soon dawn appears and the bird-songs and calls of the farm animals reach a crescendo. It’s time for another cup of tea. On my way back I come across a friendly little donkey, Must stop and say Hi.
Several emails later, I decide to go for a wander. This place is magical, so early in the morning. I discover an aviary with quite a few beautiful parrots, just perched on sticks and looking into the distance. They must be macaws. I wonder if they speak. The peacocks are also out and about, as are the guinea fowl. I am particularly interested in the rare breed sheep that the Covingtons keep. Felix has been telling me all about them and that they are a Mexican breed that does not need shearing. I wish I had taken my camera with me this morning. Another surprise is how damp the ground is. I have brought sandals, thinking I am going to a hot and dry Texas…a mistake. I plod (or squelch) back to the house. Colin is up and I prepare some breakfast.
Soon we are on our way. First a quick visit to the main house to find Joyce. We discuss the plans for the day and agree that we should ask for the tractor and the truck to be delivered today, so that everything can be set up for tomorrow. We could then do the campfire scene early that evening. Armed with the plan, we set about looking at the horses, while Joyce chooses the right Caspians for the campfire shot. This involves all the grooms and lots of horses. We enter a large coral, where the mares and geldings are penned in. What a privilege to be in amongst so many good-looking and healthy Caspians.
Eventually we select three horses. They are walked up to the stables on the hill to be prepared for the photo shoot. Colin and I set off to the hills to find the barn location and prepare the site. We look around a few fields and, after much deliberation, find the perfect spot for the camp fire scene. It’s best to collect all the firewood now to save time later. Colin and I more or less set up the scene and take a few test shots. All is looking good.
We hear on the ‘phone that Henry and his tractor have arrived. Felix and Joyce drive up to the barn to direct the operation. We wait up at the barn for Henry but - no sign. After a while we wander down the hill, to find him and his truck stuck in the mud! Felix jumps into action with his SUV, which is the size of your average house, and pulls the truck and tractor up the hill. Phew!
The atmosphere is jovial and friendly. Henry is there with his wife and brother. We all give a hand unloading the tractor and pushing it into position.
Henry shows us how everything works and sets off, leaving us with a vintage tractor. Colin is there like a shot with his camera - he seems like a kid in a toy shop.
As we set off back to the house, a call comes in that Dave has been waiting at the bottom of the hill with his old truck and has been there for ages. We rush back to him and apologise for keeping him waiting. He takes it all in his gracious manner.
He has also brought us a few props to dress the set, including a milk churn, converted to a stool using a tractor seat and a few tin buckets. How he has managed to get that old truck out of the bush and on to a trailer, we will never know. Astonishingly, he has pumped up the tyres too. There are no limits to this man's magical powers.
He informs us that there is no way he can get up the muddy hill with his truck, so the farm tractor is brought in to pull it up.
This is achieved with great skill by the grooms and before long we have the truck parked at the barn.
I can see the shot that Colin and I have been dreaming about for months. We are all set....
It is mid-afternoon now. We set off back to the house as dark clouds gather. I find it difficult to believe…all this way from the UK - to find rain. This is, however, welcomed by everyone else. There seems to have been a mini-drought around those parts recently, so rain is a welcome event. Just as we get back to the house the skies open and we witness the most extraordinary downpour. Colin and I stand on the veranda and marvel at the spectacle. Before long all drains are overflowing. It feels like we are standing in a sauna.
Back to the house for a bite to eat and some rest. We have arranged to meet everyone at the stables a couple of hours later.
A quick snooze and we are ready for action. We walk up to the stables, where the grooms are busy preparing the horses with much love and care. These guys clearly love their Caspian charges.
Colin and I drive up to the campfire location and set to work.
Before long, the horses arrive, followed by three children and their parents. Suddenly the place looks like a real film set, with more than a dozen people running around. All seems to be under control so I get busy sorting the costumes and props for the kids as Colin sets up his camera and lights.
There is quite a lot of work to do, with who is wearing and doing what. This takes a couple of hours.
The children are most willing and really well-behaved. What a pleasure to work with willing volunteers. The parents are most enthusiastic and everybody seems to have giant trucks to get around in!
Joyce and Felix keep an eye on the proceedings as the grooms bring up the horses.
I slowly introduce the horses to the set, bring the kids in one by one and direct them for the action.
A little while later we light the fire and get practising with the marshmallows on sticks.
Before long the photo shoot is on its way. Colin is busy clicking away as I try to get the horses to look at the camera, with their ears pricked up. The grooms stay just off-camera and speak softly to the horses to reassure them. This is really helpful. Colin seems to be happy.
We manage to shoot for an hour or so, but the light is still not quite right - we would love a good sunset. Texas skies oblige and after about three hours we get our shot.
The children are by now exhausted, as is everyone else. We wrap up and set off for home. Felix tells us that tonight we are going to eat seafood!
Back home for a quick change and we are off to eat. We are going to a Vietnamese restaurant in Brenham, where they promise the most delicious Catfish. I have not had the nerve to tell Felix that I do not eat seafood.
No point in delaying the inevitable, so I come clean in the car.
“Felix...um.... I have a slight problem with seafood........”
“What’s that?” comes the reply.
“I don't eat it,” I say.
“Are you allergic to it, or do you just not like it?”
“Not allergic, but I’m not keen on the smell.”
He takes this in his usual calm manner. "You will love what he is going to cook for you!"
I believe him and the food in the restaurant certainly lives up to its reputation. It is delicious.
We chat about the day's events, the Caspian world, our trip to Iran and other countries. Joyce's face always lights up when the subject turns to Caspian Horses. How lucky the Caspian breed of horse is to have guardian angels like the Covingtons.
Another long day lies ahead tomorrow.
Calendar Shoot Diaries Navigation
Iran Days 1 & 2 | Iran Day 3 | Iran Day 4 | Iran Day 5 | Iran Day 6 | Iran Day 7
Texas Day 1 & 2 | Texas Day 3 | Texas Day 4 | Texas Day 5 | Texas Day 6
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