New Year and New Chicks

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of 3 beautiful chicks this January. As they are now a couple of weeks old they are out and about and starting to explore the area, getting to know the other chickens.

Another One Bites the Dust!

On one of the few days when it was dry over the Christmas period, John got out with his chainsaw and took down another pine tree, hopefully giving Mum a bit more light in her cottage and also clearing the paddock to allow more grass to grow.

Now comes the job of chopping it all up ready for firewood this winter.

Only another 16 to go until we've cleared the paddock!

Merry Christmas

John, myself and the puppies send all our love for a very Merry Christmas. Although we are miles away, our thoughts are with all our family and friends over this holiday season. Miss you all. xx

A Good Day's Hunting

John went hunting yesterday on a friend's 500 acre block of land and came home with 2 goats. He's spent this morning skinning and boning the meat ready for them to go down to the butcher to be made into garlic and chilli salami, yum!

Ready for Summer!

We've just had our garden chairs back from the powder-coaters and they look fab. I think they look just stunning with my new oil cloth for the table. Can you believe that it was John's idea to paint them that colour!

Sewerage System

The whole of the Hamurana District, where we live, is having a new sewerage scheme installed to reduce run-off into the lakes from the septic tanks. Today was our turn to have the pump units dug into place at both Mum's cottage and next to our house.

Now we have to wait for the pipes to be laid both along the road and also up our drive. Should be all up and working by the middle of next year.

Sheep Pen

We decided that it would be a lot easier if we had the sheep pen up at the top of the land rather than in the bottom paddock. This would allow us to drive a car further into the bottom paddock when we're collecting chopped wood etc. So John's job for Sunday was to dismantle the pen, re-design and build it at the top paddock.

As you can see from the photos, he's done a wonderful job and I know we're going to be able to make a lot more use out of it, for docking moving and sheering the sheep.