A new grandchild

4.2.2020

The big news today is that Pip has gone into labour.  Bo has driven down to Ocean Grove to look after Pele when they have to go to hospital.  We are all just holding our breath and praying that everything goes. None of us could stand another drama like the one we had when P was born. We are also hoping that by the time they get home with the new baby P will no longer be infectious with chicken pox.  There is no way he could be in contact with Pip or the new baby until he is in the clear.

I think that this is the time when Bo takes over as lead woman in our family.  I have had this role since we arrived in Australia as migrants when I was just 30 years old. I have spent the last 42 years trying to keep as strong family ethic where there was always support for everyone and regular get togethers to maintain bonds.  Now we are basically on home detention due to the virus rules.  Bo is picking up post and shopping for us. This is the second week of lock down for us and so far, it is OK. I think that the experience of living in the central desert where there were no shops, banks, cafes or anything was good training.

I did get one trio out this week to picked up my ration of four young chooks.  It has been a huge effort just to get these girls. Chooks have been selling out so fast that there is a shortage!  To get my girls I had to get up really early and drive to the chook farm. The drive out was bliss. The sun was just beginning to shine through the morning mist and the pinnacles were like floating islands in the clouds. Despite my early start there was a queue of people at the chook farm already in line at suitable spacing.  Everyone looked deadly intent and there was no conversation.  This was serious business!   

When I got to the front of the queue, I was met at the shop door, my money taken, and a receipt paper handed over.  Next I had to cross the yard to the chook shed where the owner was very busy stuffing cardboard boxes with two chooks each. II did not even get to look at them. It was bizarre, but very efficient. Two boxes were rapidly passed out of the door over a make-shift counter. And I left as soon as possible to let the next person collect his order.

 Apparently, there will be no more available until the end of April, so I am glad I got up at the crack of dawn and get the four that I did.  We usually buy more than a dozen at this time of year if we have not raised our own day-olds, but I do not resent the ration system.  Four chooks would provide enough winter eggs for a family, so It is only fair to share them in this way.

We usually provide eggs for several families but this winter we may have to cut down on this service.  At least we will have eggs for our own family members.  I am told that the local shop only has intensively produced eggs now, but I am relying on second-hand information about shops now.

Other farm work goes on as usual. We borrowed a star picket driver and put in a temporary fence so the goats can come and go from the top paddock and I have been busy making soap and cheese from the goats’ milk.  Our beans are finally stopped producing but a lovely lot of frilly yellow lettuce has germinated and is growing well. 

6.4.2020

Baby Y, a little boy, has now arrived safely but there was no escape from the drama.  Pip and Al did not get off to hospital in time and the baby had to be delivered at home.  Once again this was followed by an ambulance trip for emergency surgery. It all sounds very much like what happened two years ago when P was born. P was very impressed by the fact they had three ambulances outside their house.

This time it was complicated because the hospital had to manage covid19. There is tight security about who was allowed in hospital so only Al could visit Pip and baby.  Bo has been staying down there and helping, mostly looking after p who is now recovering from chicken pox. Al got his roof back on, but Bo says the electric points are still hanging loose and the kitchen units have no doors, so she has been taking P for lots of walks in between rainstorms.

We have had storms and rain here too.  Cold, winter weather has arrived, and I have started to light fires again for hot water and warmth.  Almost all the goats we want to get pregnant are now mated and the kids fully weaned.  This has meant lots of spare milk. so I have been busy most days making cheese and soap.  I am also preparing the tomatoes for freezing and making soup for lunch instead of salads.  I am missing our regular Indian take away on Fridays with our friend Bernie. In fact, I am missing all my friends and relatives.  We have regular phone contact, but it is not as good as actually being with people.

It is very disappointing not to be able to drive down to Ocean Grove to see the new baby.  I am missing all the grandkids, especially the babies who change so quickly. It is P’s second birthday today and I am reduced to singing happy birthday over the phone.  It was my birthday on Saturday, so I cooked us a special lunch and did not clear up until the next day.  Edd brought me some chocolates and Simon called in with a bottle of wine which we all drank sitting apart at suitable spacing.  I don’t suppose he really should have come but I was glad he did.