Our 5 acres of Paradise in Benhar, South
Otago .
"MARCH 2011"
"ALWAYS LOOK TO THE SKY AND FOLLOW YOUR DREAM,
MAKE EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY COUNT."
Well, whats
new at Redwood Grove.
Between holding our ever popular Cheese Workshops and continuing with our house renovations, there is not a lot of spare time and you know!! we wouldnt have it any other way.
Our property is ever so slowly taking shape, we do not see the day to day progress, but when visitors say how much it has changed we really appreciate it.
Sophie our pride and joy Jersey Cow finally had her first Calf on the 25 September 2010 at 5-45am. After noticing signs of Labour at approx 9pm previous evening, I sat on the most uncomfortable stump for the rest of the night and shared the labour
pains until calf was born. Yeah, I know, crazy!!!!
Due to her age at her first Calf (4 years), Sophie had many problems which has been up and down, her health was fine, but many Udder problems.
Prior to calving, her udder became engorged with Milk to the extent that we had to milk her prior to calving. We kept the Colostrum for the new calf to be. All Medication was administered in conjunction with our Local Vet.
After the Calf was born, Sophie developed a large Odeoma, (burst Blood vessels) in her udder. Due to the tenderness of her Udder, we injected her to force her to let down her milk. Sophie was loath to let him suck, im sure due to the pain, but
eventually she accepted him and has become a great mum.
When we finally got her udder under control, (she still has a few small lumps) which we continue to massage with a Peppermint Cream, Sophie, on thinking that the grass on the other side of the fence
looked better, so proceeded to climb over. Ahhhh Barbed Wire. Now removed, I HATE BARBED WIRE!!!
Two quite bad cuts which, with us Milking her and the sucking of the calf, warrented weaning the Calf of her (now 4 months), they were not getting any peace and would not heal.
Once the calf was away from her and with us treating the teats twice daily with Tea Tree Cream Solution and Teat Spray, her teats are now completely healed. Yessssss!!!!!
We Milk her twice a day and average 22 ltrs daily.
"Sophie and Calf at 3 hours old". "Sophie and Calf at 5 months old".
The bull calf has been neutered and is now a steer.
Due to his destiny, he was not named.
Rocky.
"Rocky" has now gone to a new home.
He has gone to live with one of my workmates and be assured he is well cared for and loved.
Our reason for letting him go, was due to we were not able to give him the love and attention he deserved but we can visit him at any time.
East Friesan Sheep.
Story to follow.
The Garden.
The 5 mtr Tunnelhouse we purchased has proved to be a goldmine of fresh vegetalbes, especially Tomatoes, Lettuces, Cucumbers, Etc.
We are aiming to plant Winter crops in it and to this end, will completely cover with Frost cloth. We have been told this is the way to ensure no killed plants during Winter.
Karens raised gardens have done well, there are nights when 100% of the meals we are enjoying are from our own land.
The Pond:
Our large pond has been a great asset to the property with an assortment of Wildlife taking up residence. We have continued to plant out the edges, and a large trailer loadof Red Hot Pokers will look magic next January. 
We have continued to plant Bearded Irises and Daffodils around the perimeter of the pond, now the animals are contained (hopefully).
The pond at present is alive with the sound of Tree and Bell Frogs.
If you have Frogs, you must be doing something right!!
Mandarins.
We were lucky to increase our small flock of Mandarin ducks to 6 for last breeding season and are pleased to say that we raised to adulthood, one baby Mandy named Wilbur
Wilbur and buddy who only lived 2 days due to infection. Wilbur at 3 weeks.
Yes, only one, but as the saying goes, from little Acorns, Big Oak trees grow.
I am so pleased.
We are ever learning more obout this magnificent little Duck. The ducklings are not great at learning to feed themselves and many a healthy duckling has succummed to starvation at around a week old after using up the Yolk sac.
We gained a lot of knowledge this season.
Mandarin Drake.
We have sold the 2 Carolina Wood ducks, which were left mateless after the 2 males due to a possible fright during the night broke thier necks.
Ducks.
Our Muscovys, Cayuga, Indian Runner and Khaki Campbell Ducks are enjoying the pond as are our 5 Swedish Blue ducks and their drake.
Silver Appleyards have now joined the clan.
We have hand reared many ducklings this year, who are an absolute delight.
"We really can learn a lot from animals, if we just take the time".
A pair of White Swans are to arrive in the very near future, as soon as the Sygnets can be sexed.
We have increased our Free Range hens and hope this year we can keep up with demand for the eggs which we sell at the gate.
At last count, we have around 30 hens and pullets.
Jack, our very special Peacock and his mate are well.
Penny laid eggs but did not sit this year.
Hopefully the patter of little Pea babies will occur next spring.
Sharna.
Our wee Cocker Spaniel Sharna, is well and really enjoys the opportunity to explore all areas of the property. She is ball crazy, throw her the ball and your a friend for life.
Sharna is still a 24/7++++ energy machine. We love her dearly.
"Wee
Sharna"
Our Kune Kune sow, Milkshake and boar Roger are well.
They lead a relaxing life of luxury.
Start: Our Sheep have been reduced in numbers, we have 6 now. I bought 3 East Freisan Ewes, which are now hopefully in lamb to a purebred East Friesan ram. Due to lamb Mid September 2010.
LITTLE OWLS.
We have a pair of resident Little Owls on the property, who we see and hear calling to each other from late in the Afternoon till Morning and during day. We have also seen two smaller which we beleive may be their offspring from this season.
AVIARY BIRDS.
Our Aviary birds have had a massive season and their young have mostly been sold.
Our trio of Golden Pheasants did very well and all youngsters have new homes.
We did not breed from our White Face Cockateils, due to the massive breeding season the previous year and a pair of Rosa Bourkes also did well.
They join our Bourkes, Kakariki, Redrumps, Zebra Finches, Bengalese, Quail, Pigeons, Doves and Turquisines.
We have Barbary or Ringneck Doves flying free and breeding in the garden which land on your hand and eat from your hand. We also have free flying Laceneck Doves.
Our 5 families of Honey Bees have had a bumper season and will harvest their honey in next few weeks. No Swarming so far this year and no sign of Varroa at present, but i guess it is inevitable that it will arrive in Otago soon, as
already in the Canterbury and Central Otago area.
"The Our 5 Bees Hives casting their shadows onto the pond.
After working in the Dairy Industry for near all of my working life, commencing in a Butter Factory in Stratford in Taranaki I moved into Cheese in 1980 when joining the East Tamaki Dairy Co in Manurewa in Manukau City.
1980 saw production commence of the first Traditional French Style Cheeses in New Zealand origionally under the Royal Tasman label and later the Ornelle range of Fine cheeses. 19 years later, we left Auckland and took up a position as Head
Cheesemaker at Whitestone Cheese in Oamaru for 3 years and later Gibbston Valley Cheese situated in the Gibbston Valley on the site of the Gibbston Valley Winery between Cromwell and Queenstown.
Karen and I had always held a desire to have our small piece of land and to grow (organically) our own food as much as possible and produce products from what our animals supply us with.
Also, due to my passion for "All things Cheese" We have increased our Cheese-making Workshops business.
We are thrilled with the response to our Workshops and the feedback we have received is very exciting and very much appreciated.
It is very rewarding and satisfying to receive comments from those who have joined us in our Workshops about the wonderful Cheeses they are making and enjoying.
Long live "Traditional Hand Made Cheese"!!
I gain great enjoyment from teaching small groups, the basics of Traditional Cheese-making and Cheese appreciation.
Our Website is working very well and our sales to Home Cheesemakers seems to be very popular.
With the support of my wife and my best friend Karen, we have made a decision to give our Cheese Workshops business our total support again for 2011.
Karen, has a special gift, to help people in thier journey through life and teaches and
practices Natural Therapies, specifically Chiron. We have just about completed her practice room on our own property, for her to offer healing sessions.
Karen is also an Ambulance Officer with the Local St John.
