Bits and pieces

Hello Friends,

I think I am finally free from the pain and lethargy brought on by the case of shingles that floored me before Christmas. I am back to my version of normal at any rate. So I thought a little garden and farm update might be a good idea. 

The heat has been bad but the garden can handle that. It's this drought that has really been the killer. Even the two reliable creeks we have on our property have run dry. We still have water in our house tanks but you just never know when it will rain and people and pets come before plants so I have very little growing in the kitchen garden right now. I am building the soil with manure and compost so all is not lost and perhaps the rest from growing will be good in the long run. I will keep telling myself that.

Before we flew off to the UK, I sowed a zucchini seed and a pumpkin too and got them watered every so often when my parents visited in our absence. They were still alive after the month though struggling, not thriving. Now they are growing well and hopefully their will be some zucchini and pumpkins to show for it.

I'm not sure how these strawberries have kept going but they have so I will do my best to help them along. The self-sown parsley in there  too.

The orchard is suffering terribly. The citrus which were doing so well, have lost a lot of leaves and look sad. They just need a good soaking and a break from the drying winds that have added insult to injury.

And what do crazy ducks do when the weather is hot and dry and horrible? They lay a clutch of eggs and sit on them for a month of course. I do hope there are some little ducklings at the end of this to reward Amanda for her diligence and patience. She's a lovely duck and talks to her eggs so sweetly.

smoke haze 

As for the fires nearby. They are contained or extinguished. There was a bit of stress a few times but that came to nothing. Thank goodness. We had learnt to live with the constant haze of smoke and happily even that has gone now.

Not much pick for the cows and sheep. They are all healthy and in good condition. Some of the paddocks I've seen on my travels into town don't look like they have anything to offer for grazing besides rocks and dirt. These guys have grass albeit very short grass and they are hand fed as well. No picture of the cows today, they tend to spend a lot of the day down by the creek which although is not flowing, still has some spots which are wet and cool. Living the life 😎.

Well best get to it.
Tracy xo