Easter party time

21.4.2011

BUILDING NEWS

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OTHER NEWS

We have been blessed with perfect weather for our enforced Easter holiday. We had failed to achieve the progress we needed towards getting a new home but there was absolutely nothing we could do whilst all the trade’s people were on holiday. We had to just forget about it and concentrate on farm work. We have been so tied up with the building that there were lots of jobs reaching priority rating on that front.

Our very pregnant cow needed arrangements made for her and all our fruit trees were badly in need of weeding and mulching. Luckily we gained a very hard working team of young people who set about helping us. Some how they all squashed into Josh’s donga at night but they set out and worked with a will all daylight hours. It is so nice now to look out at trees that are properly cared. Much of the needed fencing is also done and Edd has been busy working on it again today.

There was no time for moping either. At night we made a campfire in the ruins and feasted on gourmet food that one of the guys prepared. Lots of good wine encouraged Edd and I to get a guitar out and try to remember a few songs. Dave P joined us for a farewell party. One of the young lasses was his daughter so we needed to see him off in appropriate manner. He only does summers and the time has come for him to migrate back to the UK.

Our little swallows are also preparing for their migration. They gathered this weekend for pre travel meetings, which is a sign that they will leave soon. I am worried about them. Edd says they are heading off to Japan and there is no way we can warn them about the radiation. I can only hope for their safe return next year.

Our own birds are doing well. The new chooks have mastered their bucket door and have even started to lay eggs. The older chooks are still looking in moult but they are laying as well as can be hoped and are enjoying the mild autumn sun. The new fence we are doing will keep the cow on one side and be the start of a new chook area under trees on the other.

Many of the trees in down the old drive are now looking healthy again especially after the tidy up they have just received, The girls pulled out all the wire and debris that was hidden under the undergrowth around them and I have now been able to mow under them as well. I planted out two stone pines I have grown from little seedlings in the potting area and there is room for at least one more tree.

This year the good weather made for a better Easter egg chase for the youngest in the family. They all dashed around and soon had a basket full of all the little easter eggs I had hidden as soon as I woke. Their next job was to cut twigs and toast their own bread over the camp fire whilst Bo cooked real eggs. She also cooked a great family meal in the evening so we were able to catch up with her parents in law. Al and his two eldest kids were away on holiday but Bella came with Ti and her father and step mother so there was quite a crowd. Easter has been duly celebrated.