July 2012

Greetings from a very wintry Onamalutu.  Another significant frost this morning, one of many so far this year.  It’s much better than the alternative of rain, which we’ve also had plenty of.   Mostly these cold nights give way to stunning sunny days, so I guess are really quite welcome.  It’s a glorious sight to watch the sun’s rays break out over the hills and make the frost disappear.

In the last couple of weeks we’ve felt 3 earthquakes.  Two were closer to the North Island, but the one last night was centred in Blenheim - actually near Okaramio which is just over the hill.  We do have an emergency kit, though I’m planning to check it out today and make sure it’s adequate.  Our caravan “Lazy Mazy’ was supposed to be our emergency shelter, but work on her has been stalled since we moved here.  She’s sheltered and water-tight at least, but not really happily habitable yet.

On the animal front, things have been relatively quiet.  I miss the pigs, their happy frolicking and grunting and enjoying a scratch.   I don’t miss the twice daily mission to feed them though, and that sense that they always wanted more to eat.  The cattle and sheep are so much more independent and peaceful.  We’ve moved them around pastures and are lucky enough to still have some remaining pasture, which they all prefer to hay.  The chooks are still conveniently laying in the former wood-box outside the front door.  The 3 turkey girls still potter about and poo everywhere, and don’t seem to miss the infamous turkey tom (who weighed 5.2kg and fed us for a few days).

Our free time has been spent outside on the property.  The wetland is in the process (I hope) of transformation.  The power company came and took down the huge willow which was threatening the cables.  They left a huge mound of branches and twigs and a giant log which will probably have to become a feature.  Its removal has certainly changed the view. 

130 native trees and shrubs, plus numerous cabbage trees and flax have now been planted with the help of Greg and Matthew from Renwick School - great work thanks boys.   They've also helped out with clearing away some of the branches, twigs and debris.  You can really see the difference this tidy up has made.  Lots more to do, but very motivating to see what progress can be made in a couple of days.  Those trees in the background of the picture are the crack willows (in winter dress) - all of which need to come out.  It’s a very exciting project, though one of those which seems turns up more and more projects as we work on it.  There's an obvious place for a path going around the back.  Wonder how long it'll take to get around to that?

T
he vege garden is also being transformed.  So far there are 3 keyhole mandala beds, two of which are pretty much complete.  They were staked out then sheet mulched, beginning with thick wet newspaper and cardboard, seaweed (gathered from Rarangi beach) and horse manure, and finally topped with some bought garden compost.  Billy's been helping me - perhaps he's dreaming of all the veges we'll get this summer?  Yeah right.  Hopefully that’s the last time I have to buy compost for this garden.  I do have some of my own but not in enough volume for setting up.  I really should have anticipated that the chooks would find their way in and scratch them up.  Some kind of plan is definitely needed and quick - every day I have to rake them back together again

The paths are being made from the horse arena gravel, which is working well.  Ultimately all the grass will go as all the whole area will be sheet-mulched.  I'm thinking of using the old animal feed bags which came with the horse poo, and we have plenty on the property too.  I'll cut them open and use them as weed mat, then cover with more gravel.  I’m paying the boys hard cash per wheel-barrow load to scrape up the gravel and gather flat river rocks to edge the ‘keyhole’ paths.  They want money because we’re going to Hanmer Springs for the weekend, which not only has a fabulous hot pool complex, but also the best sweet shop (the Lollipot).  Suffice to say a favourite destination for us.

Lucas is proceeding with his plans to study Design at Christchurch Polytechnic next year.  He’s visited the campus and even miraculously seems to be on track with his school work.  Sam has just returned from Timaru where he was attending the National Brass Band Contest.  The band was rehearsing lots in the build-up, so he’s pretty tired.  Luckily it’s not a problem for him to sleep in until the early afternoon.  The photos show Lucas in his suit for the ‘Formal’, and with Sam in his band suit.  I’ve added them to the blog in response to a request from mum for more family photos - there you go Grandma!!