Mid winter

 marking out.

At least winter means green grass

We have now passed the shortest day, but the worst of winter weather is usually in July.  We have had snow settle on the ground here twice in forty years and it has been in July both times.   On the plus side, the house is very warm, and the jonquils are coming into flower soon to be followed by the daffodils and native wisteria.   The winter will pass soon enough.   I have been avoiding outdoor work when it is really cold and have instead worked my way through most of the years accounts and tidied up odds and ends of craft projects.      All the carded wool is now spun into yarn and ready for use, and the wool from last year’s shearing is sorted so it can be processed.  I was hoping to have lots of the work done for me but there is too much wool to afford to have it all carded, let alone spun.  

Most of the family managed to get together for Ella’s third birthday.  Danni had organised a party at an hotel on the coast near their home and we all met up there.  It was a huge space with an indoor play area, so the kids could run around whilst the adults socialised.  Al and Pip turned up with baby P who had grown enormously since we saw him a few weeks ago. Bo , Simon, Wayne, Edd and I visited a local brewery after the party and relaxed but Al and Pip had to get their baby home. We had to get home to feed the animals before dark but that was OK.

Edd has braved most of the weather and has been working clearing up fallen trees and old wire in the top paddock.  He has taken a load of the old wire to the tip and a load of fire wood to a friend in Healesville.  It is much too cold for anyone to manage without heating and most people do not have an underground house, like ours, that stays warm.  It will be amazing to reclaim the top paddock after so many years.

I have been planning how to make the garden to the west of the house and have marked beds and paving out with pink paint.  Someone was meant to come and give us an estimate for the work today, but they put it off until Monday.  I would like someone to do the wall and the paving, but I can probably manage the rest.