turning the heat up

December 2.12. 2013

It is hot today, plant-wilting type hot. I watered the vegetables early to try and keep them going but by lunchtime they were struggling. I really need to plant out more seedlings but it will have to wait until it cools down again. The snow peas are in full production so we are eating them every day, but today was the first time we could eat the new celery. The tomatoes are large and flowering but the zucchinis are still suffering transplant shock.

I think my eldest grand son is staying this week to earn pocket money for Xmas so I hope he will bring some compost in from the paddock where it was stored. I also need help moving the building materials behind the dairy. It is impossible to mow around them and the long grass is a fire hazard. We must start thinking about fire prevention measures now it is heating up.

Today our friends set off on the long flight to the UK. I do not envy them. It is a very long journey to be cramped up in an uncomfortable position. We

have had a wonderful time taking our friends round the district and showing them our Australian life style.  My eldest son and his partner are also leaving soon so that they can keep my mother company over Xmas whist my sister is on holiday. My mother is in hospital after a fall and I miss being able to contact her regularly on the phone. My daughter is going over in the New Year and we can only really leave the farm in winter so it was easy to decide who should go this time. My son’s younger children are going on holiday with their mother, so he would not be caring for them over this period. This week we have my youngest son staying and his partner should be joining us at the end of the week. We have never met her before so I hope she is not horrified at our rather peasant life style.

Our baby chicks are growing and Edd has made a new bigger box for them with Perspex sides. I have moved them into the mudroom and we have put up the Xmas tree as the new point of interest in the room. I am worried about the Plymouth Rock chicks who are not growing very well. At least we can see what is happening to them better now. The house stays a very even temperature so keeping the box the right temperature is relatively easy.