""WHATS BEEN
HAPPENING AT REDWOOD GROVE""
(Why "REDWOOD GROVE" you may ask??
Our property is dominated by a huge
Redwood Tree and one slightly smaller, planted approx 70 years ago, truly
majestic.)
We have a new wee man as part of our family, NO, dont
jump to conclusions, Merlot is a lovely wee man kitten. He has settled in well
and is practising stalking the other animals and is a real boy, into everything.
As you can see below, checking out the hens nests.
On Wednesday 13th May, he visited the Vet doctor for
his man operation.
Sunday 10th May
2009.
Upon returning Home from my Workshop in Gore and
getting out of truck, I was greeted by a beautiful visitor, a Royal Spoonbill
(yeah, a real Aussie) happilly spending time with our Peacocks, Ducklings and
our hand reared Parry on the back lawn.
This bird showed no fear at all and approached to with
in a metre of me. It has returned this morning and shows no sign of leaving at
this time. The older Muscovys
were not too sure of this
imposter!!
Friday 1st May
2009.
Question: What do you do when your truck dies of lack
of water on the way back from Oxford Workshop, ouch!!
You buy a new vehicle so as to continue travelling to
Workshops.
Yes, thats the beast on the right with Karens
Astra.
Wednesday 20th May
09.
We travelled to Christchurch Wednesday morn to collect
our new Rayburn cooker (Pillar box Red) which has been lovingly
restored.
The cookers are bought in from the UK by Classic
Cookers, www.classiccookers.co.nz in Christchurch and
restored to their former glory. The assistance and ongoing support during
commisioning from Lois and Brendon was impeccable, thanks
guys.
The cooker will do our cooking, heat the hot water and
manage our central heating radiators.
We are in the process of installing. Roll on the
warmth.
Monday 25th May
2009.
6 X 3 week old Guinea Fowl keets have joined the
clan and are growing well under a brooder lamp at this time. There are 3
Lavendar and 3 Normal babies just getting their feathers.
Keets shown at approx 15 weeks old, all
doing well.They were delivered to Oamaru for us by their mum
Diane where we picked them up. They are growing up with 3 French Houdin
chicks.
Tuesday 16th June
2009.
These photos were taken Tuesday the 16th during our
first significant Snowfall of the season.
"I JUST LIKED THIS ONE, TAKEN
WITH "SHARNA BRAVING
THE ELEMENTS"
REDUCED SHUTTER SPEED"
"DOWN ON GOLDEN
POND""
"DAYBREAK AT REDWOOD
GROVE"
(HAZY DUE TO SNOWING AT TIME)
Week 22nd October 09.
On going to feed our Japanese Quail family, I wondered
why one of the Quail was going up and down the wire netting, inside the aviary,
then noticed that it was in the mouth of a Weasel.
It entered through the smallest of holes between two
bricks and escaped before i could do anything.
All of the Quail had been killed. I set two traps
outside the aviary and within two days we had a pregnant female weasel.
27 October 09,
Goldy the Muscovy Duck was found stuck under a fence by the pond, with her
throat/neck eaten and a Khaki Campbell duck alive but with a ripped throat.
A cage trap was set, with Goldy (sorry Goldy) as bait and am happy to
report, a pregnant female Ferret was in the trap next morning. Rest
peacfully Goldy.
Both of the above animals are viscious killers and I am not sure (even
as an animal lover) what part they play in the world. At least there are 2
less.
August 2010.
Karen and i attended the Katrina Gordon Trade Show
held in Dunedin on the 4th August.
Photo is of our Stall where we demonstrated Home
Cheesemaking which was very well received.
Photo to follow.
November 2010.
Today we made a special trip to Roxburgh to collect 1
dozen Silver Appleyard Duck eggs from a lovely lady. We left with three dozen
eggs, 2 dozen Appleyards and 1 dozen Pekins, packed in three, 1 dozen
packs.
On reaching home, i carefully placed the 3 cartons on
a table at our front door and proceeded to find some broody hens to sit on
them.
On returning to get the eggs, there were only two 1
dozen cartons with a $5 note next to them.
We sell hen eggs at the gate in a special egg stall,
but it appears that as the hens eggs were all gone, someone came onto the
property, saw the 3 cartons of eggs and thought, I will have one of
those!!!
Questions:
Would you not notice the difference in
size??
Why were the eggs not washed as
normal??
Why were they labelled (each egg) P for Pekin with the
date collected??
Some people leave me dead flat with their
actions!!
