January 2018

This is the main picture advertising our rural retreat - Ti Kouka Cabin - on Air B n B.  Finalising the transformation from crappy sleepout to 'homely' accommodation has taken up much time and energy, but it's good-to-go now and we have already got x3 bookings.  It'll take a fair few more to recoup what we've spent, but at least we're beginning that process now.  It was lovely to have the space available for our Christmas visitors.

The summer has remained quite mixed.  Some heinously hot and sunny days, and also quite a bit of rain.  Perfect growing weather, not only for the weeds that are quite extensive, but not overwhelming.  In the vege garden, they're mostly easy to pull up because the soil is well structured.  Several of the vege crops are ripe or ripening - garlic, onions, corn and tomatoes.  

Many of the herbs are flowering, meaning that it's not a good time to dry them as flowering adversely affects their taste.  Several batches of herbs have already been dried in Solly and are awaiting progress on the business front.  Dealing with the Food Safety legislation is working out more complicated and costly than I imagined, but I'm still working on it.  These gorgeous flowers are Bergamot Bee Balm, absolutely beloved by my buzzy friends.  Bergamot is the flavouring in Earl Grey tea, and not to everyone's taste, including mine.  I'm more endeared to it now that I'm familiar with its source. 

On the bee front, all 3 hives are very busy and the honey season has been my most productive yet, and it's really only hotting up.  I got another 18 litres in the last fortnight, which is currently being potted up.  Looks like I'm building a wall of honey (eat your heart out Trump).  It's absolutely delicious and has already found its way to many people. I've decided to continue not selling it for money  - they can either receive it as a gift, or a trade with me. 

Grapes are fattening up and soft fruit is still abundant.  Strawberries have been especially numerous this year.  I'm not sure why as they haven't been neglected any more than usual.  Not that I'm complaining of course.  Gooseberries have been and gone, and in Autumn they'll be transplanted elsewhere as their bed will be re-planted with herbs.  Raspberries have also been and gone, but either some are making a comeback or there are some later fruiting varieties among them.  These recent raspberries are huge.  Blackcurrants have finally been picked, several kilos of them, thanks to an assortment of happy helpers.  It's an amazing crop this year that will see me through many a morning smoothie over winter.  Blackberries (brambles) are also fruiting really well - they remind me of my grandparents.  My grandma used to say that you shouldn't eat brambles after Michaelmas (29th September) because 'the devil's in them'.  If Lucifer's prickly landing and subsequent cursing of blackberries also extends to the Southern Hemisphere, then luckily we've still got until the end of March.


The orchard is quietly getting on with production.  This hard-working Hawera plum tree is completely laden with fruit that's just on the cusp of ripening.  There are plenty of damsons too, which is delightful because the damson tree copped a lot of damage a couple of years ago and was touch and go.  Cider apples are looking ace (must find a less explosive cider recipe) and the massive Hetlina apples are really weighing down the tree's branches.




In Madame Cholet, the chillies are fruiting big time.  They're enjoying the roasting hot days and amazingly I've managed to keep up with the watering.  There are at least 2 varieties in there.  They should start to change colour soon, and that will help with identifying them.  I'm looking forward to drying them and adding them to salt - making 'Hot Salt'.  




Walter, the black ram, is easily distinguishable from the flock.  He's still smaller than the others and occasionally tussles with the other ram, Leggy.  On the whole, they live together peacefully and don't cause any trouble.  The cattle are also behaving quite well in the absence of a rabble-rouser.  The paddocks are re-growing after hay-making, so there's no shortage of grub for them all.

My paid working hours are now reduced, as is my income.  It's truly liberating, but I'm feeling a bit wobbly in terms of finances.  I'm optimistic that a few extra shifts and some income from the sleepout should balance us out in the longer run.  Maybe I'll even eventually make some cash if Kai-Dri does actually take off.  I've been offered some midwifery work in April in Westport - one of my favourite places.  All up, plenty to look forward to on the horizon: sunny with a chance of rainbows.