Camels...hideously cute beasts

I have been out and about a bit in between bouts of work  lately (sounds like an illness getting in the way of fun which it is really lol) and one of the events we enjoyed is the spectacle of the Camel Cup.  I dont think we did it justice, and intend to come again next year with a picnic set up and really make a day of it with bunch of friends.  As it was we made the most of the afternoon once I had finished work at midday and met a friend there. 
I have to be honest here and smack my own hand in public. 
You see....I was feeling a bit overwhelmed financially....so after reading it was a $17 entry fee for adults and $5 for children under 12 I decided ;quite unethically I am not proud to admit; to force my oldest to pretend she was 11.  *GULP* the reality of this simple deceipt set in as my DS8 expressed his horror at my actions as we strolled up to the gate.  Our conversation went along these lines.... 'But MUM, she is 12 NOT 11.' 'Don't you worry about it'. Son *SIGH*, Mum *guilt creeping up spine*, 'But MUM, you know I have learnt NEVER to lie'.  Mum (and in my proudest moment...NOT) 'YOU dont have to lie, infact YOU don't have to say anything at all!'. 
*Kicks dust*
*sigh*
*dammit* we will just have toasted sandwiches for dinner, I cant do this. 
We approached the gate with trepidation, neither party knew what was going to happen. Sideways glances happened....I got sweaty palms.  THEN  I did the honorable thing, I accepted my fate as a Mother who is Trying to do my best.  But often fails....
'One adult, a 12 year old and an 8 year old'.  I hand over $40.  Only to get a blank look, and then a kind smile, a slight of hand wave and a generous Central Australian twang, 'Nah love, the kids can come in free'.
So, trumped by the short one, but reinforcing to myself and my kids (hopefully this is the message they received anyway!!) that it DOES pay to do the right thing. 
I was impressed with the kids facilities.  I gave my kids the promised $10 bucks to do whatever with, and my son flew off in the direction of the jumping castle...I was expecting him back within 20 minutes asking for more money (not a possibility) and the ensuing fight...but he took so long I went to investigate.  He was absorbed by the (free) animal enclosure and luckily for me he advised me that the 'Llamas' ( Alpacas) were not for sale.  Yes he had asked lol.  Can just see my Rental Agent being thrilled about that addition.
The crowd was eclectic as usual and there were some hilarious albeit not politically correct groups of guys walking around dressed up as the original Camel herders, some apparently Arabian princesses and a devil or two strolling around enjoying the spectacle they provided.
The Camels themselves.  Oh how I love Camels.  LOL.  In my travels to India I came to really appreciate the true guts and determination of camels, their hardworking nature and most importantly their attitude.   You've got to tip your hat to the Camel.  You see nobody ever really breaks a camel...first chance they get they'd knee you in the face then spit on you. attitude from hell with beautiful long eyelashes which make them almost cute lol
They do this thing, kind of between a growl, snort and snarl, god I wish I could play my rendition of it for you, might make you giggle like my kids do....and when I fist came through this region I rode one and was intimidated on mounting as 'my' girl Daisy did this snarl, 'Oh she is just saying hello' said the tour operator.  I KNOW for a FACT that is NOT what she was saying. NOT even close lol.
I cant write what I DO know she was saying, but you get the gist!  It was a fun bumpy ride and she stopped several times to leave me hanging in my 'saddle vertically facing the ground several feet up while she nibbled on dandelions.  I shrieked so much that several of my Japanese tour cohorts offered up their tickets to the guide to KEEP ME ON.  Apparently so they could take photos of the hilarious Aussie wetting herself.  I have since recovered lol, and developed a healthy respect for these amazing animals.  I *wish* I had not accidentally left my camera at home and and been able take pics of the feats these beasts acheived in India. Often hauling what looked like a Lorry full of cargo.  but at least I remembered my passport that time!

Ok, slightly off topic but it is Saturday night so stay with me....

In our line up to get my daughters icecream, we MISSED the main race.  Which I find slightly hilarious, it kind of runs in my family.  You know how you always go to that place on holidays you have been looking forward to and it is CLOSED for maintenance.  Or something is lame and you hear 'you should have been here yesterday' lol.  So I have long since accepted my fate with this, and luckily the kids agreed that once you've seen once Camel race you have 'kinda' seen them all.  So I leave you with my solo pic of possibly the bravest jockeys in the Southern Hemisphere.

PS. We enjoyed our toasted sandwiches for tea :)