Roly Poly Pup joins the team

No name as yet, and huge for his age (8weeks approx)

But hopefully in 2 years time he'll be Jake's replacement, especially with the cows (big fierce looking thing that he is!!)



Although he is still at the neighbours, keeping the other little pup company, and just as well as I explained previously about the tree and the shed.



First the Bulls

through the yards for minerals (mainly selenium and copper which our area is very deficient in), and a dip for lice

Processed and on their way out back to their paddock.  They keep a spacing they are comfortable and will not fight, but if they are crowded there is usually some pushing and shoving.  And often a dominant bull will stand in a gateway and stop the others (just for fun).

Now it's the turn of these three.  Two of the oldest bulls were taken out to go to the meat works, one of them hopefully being the fence/gate wrecker (so long as the Boss read the correct brand - don't think I will want to be about if he finds he sent the wrong one).

Between Snow & Wind - WHAT A MESS!

First the snow

Some of the snow damage

THEN THE GALES

"I think it caught the corner of the deer shed" says the Boss.

"Don't think so, more like straight through the middle!!"

 This old pine tree was about 90 years old, thankfully we haven't got the new pup yet, as the warmest place to put it was in the end pen of the deer shed with a kennel and yard to the outside.  Might have been a squashed pup as well and THAT would've been a disaster.

But the silver lining in all this - there will be plenty of firewood to keep me warm next winter.

Rory in New Plymouth

and a visit to see Number 2, who's broken ankle is healing well considering the mess she made of it



Rory and the fence he thought he could just walk over

He has grown a little since he left here, and certainly more solid.  So long as he does no more damage to himself. His back legs have healed pretty well  after going through the fence.  Hopefully he won't repeat that stunt again.

One week on

and the view out the window is much better.  The hoggets are back behind a hot wire (electric fence) being break fed, and learning to respect a fence (well an electric fence anyway!), and all the other stock has access to grass.  The Boss has been removing some of the branches and trees off the fences with the chainsaw.  It's a bit of a mess out there still though.

Poor little Hedgehog

Just wandering around the garden minding my own business

When I get pounced on by an elderly Jack Russell (without any teeth left now so no damage done)

If you stay curled up you're okay (although in the past Patch would have perserved until she managed to get to the hedgehogs vulnerable stomach where there are no prickles)

Looks like all is clear

So I'll be on my way again.

Hedgehogs are very cute, but they do damage as well as good around the countryside.  They do eat grubs and insects, but also any eggs they can reach,  or vulnerable ground dwelling young chicks.  They can also be hosts for Bovine TB.  But all the same I do hope this young one has survived the snow, probably curled up in a pile of leaves somewhere, although it would be better if it had some wonderful wool to insulate itself in.

Electricity again

A HUGE BOUQUET TO THE GUYS FROM MAINPOWER NEW ZEALAND LTD they have worked tirelessly throughout the district since the snow started Tuesday night, and we got our power back on Saturday 5pm.  That may seem a long time, but conditions have been difficult and many lines have been down.  Many of these just due to the sheer weight of snow on the wires.  THANKS GUYS!!!



Thursday 7 June 2012



Light powdery snow stuck to everything

Don enjoying a romp

Fabulous Mainpower technician fixing my power

The Main road Thursday midday

What a beautiful day, and at least it hadn't frozen overnight

Looking upriver, we had managed to get the cull cows out on Tuesday morning before the snow started, not so lucky with the fuel delivery, that may be a while coming now

See why the wires broke

There was no wind so the snow just stuck everywhere.  People have reported wires in fences broken, and there are many trees over and branches broken

AND THE BRICKBAT GOES TO DOWNER'S WHO HAVE THE ROAD CONTRACT HERE NOW.  These poor truckies had been stuck on the road since midday as the 0800 number they called said the road was OPEN.  IT WAS CLOSED ACCORDING TO THE COUNCIL,  BUT NO ONE FROM DOWNERS HAD BOTHERED PUTTING UP ANY SIGNS.  This meant the Boss didn't get to the bull sale, I had gone early so I got to buy the bulls (oooppss),  as the Boss wasn't there and they were such good buying I bought 2 instead of only 1.  They will come up in Spring when it's a bit warmer.  These trucks were just coming off the Zig Zag as I came home at 4.30pm.

The Inland road is treacherous as Downers haven't done a very good job of clearing it, so anyone thinking of coming this way, don't for a while, unless you have very good tires and are competent to drive on ice. And more snow is predicted, so it's just going to be one of those winters I'm afraid.  However we can cope, with sunny days and no real frosts the animals are happy digging for grass and haven't been that interested in the hay they've been given.  The people I feel really sorry for are those in broken houses with very poor heating in Christchurch.  And the Regional Council is being inflexible about the installation of woodburners.  Don't they realise that for some that is the only form of efficient heating, and if you have a heat pump you are totally reliant on electricity. 

5 little Huntaways

Breakfast time for 4 week old puppies



Not that they are that hungry really, little tummies are bulging




Your're back Mum just as well "I'm starving"

I was just feeding the pups for our neighbour, they are always so cute at this age, just a shame they become delinquent teenagers in such a short time.  But we couldn't do without them

Ewes down for winter 2012

and just hoping the snow predicted tomorrow (50-60cm above 400metres) won't be as bad as they are expecting.  It always lies for so long at this time of the year as it freezes and the sunshine hours are too short to make much impression, you just hope there is a good warm nor'west wind afterwards as that really shifts snow 

The view as I set off on my beat - the mountain in the distance is about 45kms away

India and the first ridge is probably 10-15km away (no sign of the promised view of the himalayas).  Definitely not mist or fog, but air pollution, you can smell it!



The Boss and his team setting off