It’s such a delightful time of year on the farm. The veritable eruption of green-ness is stunning and the lengthening days, especially now we are on Summer Time, is a wonderful thing indeed! Not dark till nearly 8pm now…. no excuses for not pulling those extra weeds out or other little outdoors tasks. The blossom has just about finished – shame! But it was a stunning show this year and its brevity just makes it all the more anticipated. Plenty of babies around – lambs are thriving, baby birds – thrushes, blackbirds, starlings and sparrows all giving good entertainment with the lawn outside the breakfast table as their stage. To watch the flocks of wax eyes come down for their evening bath is so endearing. The little native fantails also love the bird bath and spend lots of time in the garden as a result. This week I’ve noticed a flock of goldfinches after grass seed, and we’ve had a pukeko (swamp hen) and a cock peasant saunter through the garden. I was over visiting my lovely Irish neighbour, Rosemary, yesterday and was treated to a jaw dropping display by one of her peacocks – what glorious birds they are! There is nothing finer than the nature for combining colours.
The veggie garden is planted out ready for the summer season. Peas, beans, carrots, tomatoes, lettuces, herbs, celery, beetroot, broccoli, spinach, garlic, onions, rhubarb, cucumbers, pumpkin, zucchini, and even some goji berries! The mesculen and lettuce beds have been fully enclosed with chicken wire cages to keep those hungry bunnies at bay. There is also a lovely array of edible flowers in the kitchen potager – calendula, violas, borage and day lilies. I love to add a good scattering of these cheery petals, along with tasty herbs like garlic chives, dill and sorrel to my salads.
New arrivals on the farm this month are twelve calves aged between 3 and 5 months old. Some Murray Greys and some Black White Faces or BWF’s as we call them – which are the result of crossing the beefy Hereford with the larger framed Freisian. They are very cute, but were not hand reared so don’t approach humans readily, unlike my last mob. Had to laugh when a guest a couple of weeks back commented on how aggressive my cattle were! Aggressive???? Never, why, what did they do? I asked, somewhat appalled. “They all rushed up to us as we walked along the fence line – only JUST stopped short! I was terrified!” came the answer….. Ummmm, they weren’t showing aggression, they wanted a cuddle! Not one of those cattle had a bad bone – they were as soft as butter, and at least three of them would come right in for a cuddle or to nibble your clothing, or beg for a juicy bit of poplar…. I guess three quarters of a tonne of hairy bovine (x 10), bearing down on one could be a bit alarming though! That’s why they are one side of the fence and you are on the other!
New this month in the B&B is the introduction of our Scrummy Breakfast Pack for the self-catering Cabbage Tree accommodation – just pre order it at $70 when you book in and you will arrive to find the pantry and fridge stocked with milk, wholegrain bread, butter or olive oil spread (please specify) free range eggs, free range bacon, rosy tomatoes, local honey, home made preserves, fruit and juice. This really takes all the hard work out of a weekend away – especially if you combine it with a trip to our local pub for dinner! Too easy!
Bonfire night is on the horizon and I have spent the past few weeks building a HUGE one! It’s going to be legendary – provided of course it doesn’t rain on the night! Lots of friends coming, and guests already booked in both rooms who will hopefully enjoy the entertainment! We are now fully booked over the actual Christmas – New Year period, so sorry if you were hopeful of those dates – book early to avoid disappointment next year!
Dave’s turn now for a little minor surgery next week…. and I for one would rather be the operated-on rather than the fretting spouse any day…. Darn it! But it will all be fine and we will back at Riverdale within a few days, I’m sure. This getting older lark ain’t much fun, is it?! Poor D went to the optometrists today and came away with no less than 3 pairs of glasses ordered. Between us I added up we will have EIGHT pairs of prescription glasses – blimey! Why is it I still feel 30-something?? But on a brighter note, I am back Zumba-ing my way to fitness three times a week having recovered fully from my own op two months ago.
It’s a long weekend here this coming one – nice to have the extra time with my husband – we are going to put up a fence. Nothing like life in the fast lane, hey?
I was asked recently what kind of notice did we need to provide accommodation – could they just turn up for the night and expect a bed? Realistically the self-catering option can be easily organised with an hour’s notice but the B&B option in the house needs a full 24 hrs. As I pointed out we are a working farm, and planning is crucial. I once came out of the bathroom which I was cleaning, having heard a strange noise to find a well dressed couple standing in my lounge gazing out the glass doors at the view – unbelievably they had walked straight into my house without knocking. I can never really get my head around people that seem unable to differentiate between a hotel and a B&B!
3 comments:
I always thought a fence was what you take when people insult you. Obviously I'm a bit off in that regard.
Your description of spring in the south is joyous. So beautifully said. I particularly appreciate your description of you new calves. Loving critters, but a bit tentative. And the birds. Oh, my!
And yes, you do need some boundaries in your life. We all do. But you seem to have some reasonable flexibility, so that's good.
I hope Dave's surgery goes well.
It's great to hear you sounding so happy and up-beat and to read of your escapades once again.
I hope all goes well for Dave.
I'm always so glad to see you Sam and seeing this news makes me so happy that I'm sitting here grinning like a mule eating briars! Congrats to the groom, good life and love to the bride! zI'm sue the surgery went fine and you're back doing all you do at Riverdale! I'm envious in a way that you are getting the garden together as we're clearing ours out. But we do have the cole crops in, collard greens, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. I've been eyeing one particular head of collards for the Thanksgiving dinner for several days now. I'll post a picture of it soon, before the slaughter, lol
hugs a bushel!!!
Sandi
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