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The Big Move III

Still playing catch-up.

Wed., 4 May – Following payment of the shipping agent’s fee (very big ‘ouch’!) Anaïs is scheduled to leave Australia this evening. Laura, the barefoot trimmer, who has been helping us with Anaïs in Victoria, has let us know that, when she trimmed her hooves a few days ago, she ‘looked much happier and far more relaxed than last time I saw her and appeared to be in good condition as well’. David, the quarantine facility manager, has also just sent us a series of photographs. In them Anaïs looks healthy but sleek.

Anaïs in quarantine shortly before leaving Australia.

Anaïs in quarantine shortly before leaving Australia.

We would have liked to see her slightly overweight, because we have heard that horses can experience significant weight loss due to the stress of travel. Over at the horse shipping company in Melbourne Jamie emails us a copy of Anaïs’ itinerary. She is scheduled to fly at five to eleven this evening and will have two stops, one in Singapore and another in Sharjah, before arriving at London Heathrow just after 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. The extra stop means that she will be cooped up in her travelling stall much longer than we had hoped. So be it.

Later that day we receive a ruling from the local Customs office. Even though we are Dutch citizens returning to the country with our animals, we are not eligible for an exemption from the excise duty and VAT that is payable when importing a horse. This is likely to cost us an additional EUR 3500.00. A little later that afternoon the Dutch livestock forwarding agent subcontracted to clear Anaïs’ entry into the country requests the urgent payment of that amount. We will have to fork out this amount up front, although we are entitled to lodge an appeal against the ruling, which would lead to it being refunded if we are successful.

Klaus sends out his long-awaited first email following the Skype video conference disaster. He writes about the importance of communication and says, ‘Our conversation on the phone has made it clear that first of all a common language has to be found. As well as between man and horse.’ Klaus concludes by stating what he expects of us: ‘Confidence and the absolute, unswerving will to break through. This is what I need – then we will make it’. There is no mention of ‘Island-Mountain Education’ or the venue.

As we prepare to go to bed, Vicki and I look at each other. One of us says, ‘She’s about to fly.’ The other nods, ‘Let’s get some sleep’.

Thu., 5 May – Anaïs arrives in England today. Late in the afternoon I phone the British transport company that has been subcontracted to bring her over to the continent. I am told that she has just been unloaded from the plane along with all of the other horses … about 17 in total, a full load.

After dinner we receive a call from Paula, our contact person at the horse shipping company’s London office. She explains that she is standing next to Anaïs at the subcontractor’s stables in Kent. I hear Anaïs snort next to her ear. ‘That’s her you hear,’ Paula confirms. She asks whether we would like Anaïs to join us tomorrow or allow her to rest in Kent for a few days. We opt for the latter. It must have been a tough trip. Let her rest. We will see her on Monday.

Mon., 9 May – So just what is meant to be? I find myself pondering this question with growing frequency. I note that I have been acting on the assumption that the audacity of our undertaking, the clarity of vision that has inspired it and the flame that carries it will inevitably commit us to Klaus’ Island-Mountain Education course on the island of Lyø for a year. Now as we inch towards completing our move to Europe  I find myself with serious cause to doubt this. The timing is absolutely lousy.

Just arrived in Holland, Anaïs inspecting the facilities with Andrew.

Just arrived in Holland, Anaïs inspecting the facilities with Andrew.

At about 6 o’clock in the evening Anaïs arrives at Stal de Mierden in a huge blue ultramodern horse truck, part of a consignment of horses bound for Germany and other parts of the Netherlands. We are speaking to some people at the equestrian centre and suddenly she is lead into our presence. The earth dances under the low-slung sun. Our princess has arrived. The big move, which started with Anaïs’ departure from our home in Bellingen half a world of time and distance away, is now complete, 48 days after it began.

Alert and curious initially, she claims the attention of all who see her as only Anaïs can do: I am here, admire me but be gentle please. There is less to admire now. She is thin, tucked up at the flanks and has a worrying cough. Her winter coat is matted with dry sweat. I walk her around, letting her stop, look and sniff at the kaleidoscope of impressions that crowd in on her. She must be tired but her inquisitive nature fuels her hard-pressed body. Her blood flows, she is alive. It does not last long. Her head begins to sag and her large, soft eyes glaze over as her glance turns inward. It has been too much.

In the hands of her trusted carers she can relax and she does. I lead Anaïs to her stable. She walks in slowly and turns with me to face the door. I remove the halter. Now her neck is bowed. The glint is gone from her eyes. I want to gather her in my arms and wrap her in cotton wool. Good night, my princess, we will see you in the morning. Let us hope that it was all worthwhile.

7 Responses to “The Big Move III”

  1. Dearest Andrew, I felt the emotions saoring through my body reading the last part of your blogpost….a month has passed since so Anaiis will have recovered a lot if not completely by now and she will be enjoying the cool nights out in the field….
    According to the Law of Attraction one attracts every and anything one wants and equally what one does not want, so please be very careful in observing your thoughts so you can correct them when they need correction and/or readjustment …….

    Quote:: the clarity of vision that has inspired it and the flame that carries…::Unquote Continue keeping this in mind and in sight……Even Klaus is human and has his doubts obviously……it defnitely is an undertaking with a capital “U”…..

    Quote:: Klaus concludes by stating what he expects of us: ‘Confidence and the absolute, unswerving will to break through. This is what I need – then we will make it’..:: Unquote …..the other side of the coin is what YOU can and may expect of him…..it is too easy to blame the participants for not having had ‘confidence or an unswerving will’ if things won’t work out……I would not be surprised if this is his own perhaps sudden feeling of uncertainty that he his projecting on the participants….. after all he has had quite a number of years to get to the point where he is now…..the participants of the one year education have perhaps still many years to go before they will achieve Klaus’ state of awareness……I sincerely hope he will realize that as well….and if he doesn’t then I feel it is the obligation of the participants to themselves in the first place and in second place to their ‘teacher’ to express their feelings….

    According to the Tao of Leadership the leader more often follows than leads……the student and the teacher change places regularly……so some times Klaus will lead you and some times you will lead Klaus….if Klaus is a true leader he will recognize this…..he is amazing with horses….is he as amazing with humans?…..perhaps that is his quest and you, the participants of the one year education, are meant to help him grow in that direction….ifr he grows/evolves you grow/evolve and vice versa….the money it is costing you now will be earned back in due course when the time is right…..when the job is done…..Klaus can only nourish and nurture you if you all are prepared to nourish and nurture him as well and of course vice versa…..maybe that is his concern……he has confidence in himself but does he have sufficient confidence in you, the participants….but here again…perhaps his self confidence is for some reason losing its footing and it is human to project that on the outside world….. I don’t know….I am just putting my feelings into words…..

    I hope I haven’t been too ‘all knowing’….and there is nothing wrong with you, Andrew, being alert….Love Geerteke
    I wish you and Vicky a good trip to Lyo coming Tuesday….perhaps we can meet another time……drive safely and take care……

  2. Heather Binns says:

    What an ordeal!!! Must have been stressful for you all – but nice that she arrived safe and sound after all that time. I’m sure she is looking wonderful now!

  3. Have just welled up with emotion for whatever reason!!!!!!!!

    Can imagine the huge relief in seeing her again.

    She will be fine.

    Lots of love to you all, Peggy.

  4. Laraine Bunt says:

    how wonderful she arrived safe, it brought tears to my eyes, I hope she regains her spirit quickly. lots of cuddles

  5. Nora Valk says:

    I hope the course will eventuate. Also hope you will be up this way before you are off for good, liefs, NORA en groetjes THEO

  6. Joan Chapman says:

    I hope Anais is ok, I also felt upset when you described her condition on arrival. Vicki, check the Camp Creative WEB site, click on photos for the concert and you will see a heap of photos of the drumming class, a really nice one of you and I towards the end.
    Joan Chapman

    • Vicki says:

      Joan, the pics must have been removed from their website as I cannot find the link to the concert. I would have loved to see them as I think back with so much joy to the drumming! I hope to join a drumming group soon somewhere in our area. Please say hello to Lyndon, Luke and fellow drummers and a BIG hug for the dogs.