Westport was busy but not frantic. Peter joined me for the first weekend, and I got to show him some of my favourite places, including Granity beach where he's posing. I was staying in a lovely studio attached to the house of a fellow health worker, right on the Orowaiti estuary (pictured top). Absolutely gorgeous, and a real tonic after working. By the end of my locum time, and including the last Westport trip in January, I’d caught two-thirds of the babies born at Kawatiri this year.
We’ve been doing a little research into the likely cause of stock infertility, and the number 1 suspect is selenium deficiency. Drenches often contain selenium as well as their active ingredient, and we haven’t drenched. Other than the infertility, our stock animals are healthy, hence the decision to avoid parasite drenches. Peter bought some selenium-drench, and the sheep have had their first dose. Graham borrowed Walter again (another shagging holiday) so we had to round them up to load him into the trailer. It was a good opportunity to check them out as well as drench them, and Graham is experienced at drenching. We’ll repeat the process in a few weeks and dose the cows too. Here’s hoping that Kronos gets big and strong pretty quick, so that he’s able to service the girls before they get too old!
We’d pretty much given up on the shii-take mushrooms, but luckily they hadn’t given up on themselves. A glorious crop of delicious mushrooms, ready for picking. Such a lovely surprise, and hope the upcoming rain will trigger another sprouting.
The Blackboy peaches were dropping off the tree in vast numbers when I got to them.
The peachcots were also in the millions, and I got to them late too. Some of those left on the tree had been nibbled at by birds. The eventual crop wasn’t huge, but way more than we can eat, and I managed to get some into the freezer. Meanwhile the pears were ripening and needed picking. Apparently they’ll store in the fridge for several weeks, so that’s what I’ll do with those that I can’t give away. Oh, plus a quadruple batch of more pear wine of course. Just waiting for them to get over-ripe before I start that off.
The cider apples were a flop crop this year, but all are quite young trees. Next year will likely be a significant crop, and I still have cider left over from last season, including the ‘damcider’ that’s so potent I’ll only drink it when I’ve got a week off work. The eating apples cropped OK, except the giant Peasgood Nonsuch that lost most of its fruit in a storm. The delicious and nutritious Hetlina apples are all picked (Peter enjoyed climbing the tree to get them) and I’m going to have a bash at storing them (and the Bramleys) in a box, the old-fashioned way. They’ll need wrapping in newspaper and layering up, then will be put in one of the old non-functioning freezers. It’s worth a try. If it’s a disaster, I haven’t lost much as I won’t get around to cooking and freezing them.
Distracted by the pears and apples, I nearly missed the peaches. There are 2 trees of Golden Queen (probably – not sure as the trees were already on the property) and I’d thought it was a relatively small crop. The peaches must have been well-camouflaged on the trees, and it was in the nick of time when I finally noticed the branches heaving under the weight of fruit. Peter and me picked as many as we could reach, generously leaving the fruit on higher branches for the birds. Loads have been gifted, and those that remain should find their way into the freezer too.
Next year I'll have reduced working hours. I'm regretting taking on the extra undergraduate work, though it is only for this year. My earnings with basic part-time DHB hours plus clinical locums last year were similar to what I'll get this year. I enjoyed the freedom of being able to choose what I did over and above the basics, and the extra stress and hassle of the extra regular work just isn't worth it. I'll stick it out, but be kinder to myself on the work front next year. It's gutting to spend time and energy preparing the land for produce, and then not being around enough when it all comes to fruition. The clocks change in a couple of weeks (eeek). The preparations for winter on the land are really satisfying, and I'm looking forward to being obliged to do something other than work outside in the evenings. Soon enough I'll be holding out for longer days again. The pleasures of the seasons are always humbling and contenting, and I'm blessed to have this 'happy place' to call home.
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