Kratos has got a gorgeous partner-in-crime. Pandora birthed her beautiful calf, Triton, and he was born in great and vigorous condition. Could it be that we finally had a successful calving on the property?? No, of course not. Beautiful though he is, Triton was not only totally rejected at birth by his mum, he was also treated badly by Nike. We had to separate him from their cruelty. We haven't seen this distressing behaviour in cows before, only in sheep, and found it quite shocking. A couple of days later, Pandora and Triton were nuzzling each other through the gate. We re-united them and things have improved for Triton considerably since. He plays happily with Kratos and is being mothered by his mum, but not fed - at least not that we've seen. He has a try but she kicks him out of the way. So it's twice daily bottle feeds for him. He likes to get between Peter's legs when he feeds, which is entertaining but not really sustainable. Kratos likes to be part of the action and insists on rubbing up against Peter's legs at the same time. The photo shows Pandora knows how to photo-bomb!
The vegetable garden is looking fantastic, despite the warmth and rain. Lettuce and rocket are available daily. The peas and snow peas are just ripening and the pumpkins are flowering. Corn plants are looking devastatingly attractive, tomatoes are maturing nicely, and beetroots are forming (and also their tops being chronically nibbled, presumably by rabbits). Carrot tops are also being enjoyed, and some recently sown carrot varieties have had really mixed germination rates. The photo shows a great germination, but the next patch along only has about 6 plants coming through. I'm not counting my carrots before they've properly hatched though - those rabbits are probably eyeing them up as I write. Laura's patch is looking fab - lettuce, radish and spring onion ready, garlic not far away, and sweetcorn coming away.
Madame Cholet is fully occupied and cropping. Cucumbers are very much on tap and I'll definitely grow the Lebanese variety again. They are delicious and prolific - even Laura can't keep up with them. Early tomatoes are ripening, just in time for Christmas, and can be served with basil. Chillis (except one that I bought as a seedling that is fruiting now), peppers and aubergine are full of promise but a little way off yet. The rogue plant that popped up from the compost has declared itself a gourd, and I don't have the heart to dig it up. I'm hoping to mostly contain it under the tunnel house planting bench and am using stakes to guide it. It seems to break ranks most days, so definitely need to keep a close eye.
Flowers are prolific and such a happy presence. I did a quick weed (literally a couple of hours) and it soon looked heaps tidier. Still plenty more to do when it reaches the top of the to-do list, but its smorgasbord nature means that it just looks happily wild and colourful. Favourites are too many to mention - the red Gaillardia (Christmas gift from Karyn), dahlias of many colours and towering Verbena Bonariensis are all especially stunning right now.
The first honey harvest has happened, and likely another harvest before the end of the year. There were 2 full boxes of spring honey, and several frames from last season that had been kept aside in case any of the bees needed feeding over winter. Ably assisted by Jane and Laura, we extracted something like 30 litres of the best honey in the world.
At the 3rd attempt, elderflower champagne is go!!! The first 2 attempts (decades ago) resulted in explosions, but this batch - religiously burped - is stunning. The perfect fizz and totally delish. Buck's Fizz will be a thing on Christmas morning, as long as Billy hasn't drunk it all by then. Lucas and Laura were so impressed they made a batch themselves.
The end of November was exciting for me. I flew up to Rotorua to do NZ Medical Emergency Team training and have since been accepted onto the deployment listing. The course was intense and challenging but great learning and good company. Our team 'Bravo' - Briar, Pranay, Tamsin and Sam - was absolutely awesome. And I had celebrity company on the home flight - Jono (of Jono and Ben fame) was heading to Blenheim on a South Island Bunnings sausage-eating tour and had the seat next to me. The day after returning home it was the Marlborough Women's Triathlon and Jane and I managed to complete it (yay!!) in the vintage category (um, thanks for that...). I was lucky enough to win a spot prize - $100 Rebel Sport voucher.
The NZ Army band do a Christmas concert in Christchurch every year and Sam got free tickets. I was the only one with enough time to go, and the trip ended up extending into 4 days to include catching up with Christchurch friends. Hayley and Ben put me up (feeding me like I was a princess) for a couple of nights and took me out and about, including a retirement bash for a couple of old Ara colleagues, and the Otautahi Smoke festival. Sam and Molly took me to a barbecue at old friends' Janet and Ken, who coincidentally live just across the road. We also went into town where Molly forced me to have a morning gin at her company stall (Curiosity) in Riverside market. Rea and Mark joined us for the the concert which was outstanding. All up the trip was the perfect pre-Christmas tonic.
Christmas plans are (probably) in place in the nick of time. The tree is decorated and this has become a bigger challenge each year as it grows bigger. Indoors, the coffee plant is an alternative tree to put presents around. A few decorations are up, and the cake, with its Yorkshire theme (in honour of Alister), is proudly on display. Alister, Peter's old mate, will arrive via the Interislander ferry any minute now. Sam and Molly should arrive later this evening and will stay in the Womb on camp beds. Then there'll be no room at the inn in this establishment, and we're looking forward to a very social Christmas. Such a change from last year.
Season's Greetings to all, and warmest wishes for 2023 😄💚
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