Its OK but nothing is normal

Ella keeping busy during lockdown

13.2.2021

 

A new statewide lock down starts at midnight tonight.  Things were almost back to normal but the UK virus strain has been detected in guards in the quarantine hotels and it is spreading fast to their families.  Only 13 cases so far but the numbers are going up each day.  We have been trying to prepare ourselves as much as possible.  Edd made two trips to our friendly farmer who sells us oats and we now have two ton stored in bins. Finally, the sheep got shorn. It was months late and most of the wool was too matted to use, but the sheep are now one step closer to being sold. I could not stand another year of fighting to keep them in over stocked paddock over winter.

 

Strangely the weather is unlike any we have previously experienced at this time of year.  Every few days we get rain and with the heat on the other days the grass has stayed green all summer!   This has upset our goat management and we have had a lot more worm problems than usual when the land is burnt free of all life.  I have far too many cucumbers and zucchini even to give away and have blanched and frozen cauliflowers for the first time. I store away beans almost every day, but the tomatoes are very slow to ripen.

 

We have two permaculture visits booked in but who knows if they will go ahead.  It is very difficult to plan anything at present.  Luckily, I am getting better at shopping online. 

 

16.2.2021

 

We are having a hot dry week but there are indications that autumn is on the way. It is really lovely with crisp cool nights and sunny clear days. We have eaten the first of the sweet corn and have zucchini and cucumber in abundance. Strangely, most the tomatoes are not ripening yet. Today I am making feta cheese and I have frozen pesto from our basil.  I should be really happy, but I have to admit to having a little cabin fever.  We have not got away from the farm for a break and I miss the outside world.  We are so well off to endure lockdown compared to others that I can’t even justify feeling sorry for myself!

 

Al and family combined work and pleasure and spent a week up in NSW. They flew home on Sunday and said that the airports were deserted and rather eerie. This Victorian shut down is to try and contain the more infective UK virus that has escaped from quarantine hotels. Sadly, we do not have a suitable mining or defence camp to use instead of the hotels. States with better facilities have less problems. Someone has suggested using demountables and caravans at Avalon airport or even golf clubs!  These ideas are being considered.

 

The weirdest thing this year has been that the grass has stayed green all summer!  I have actually had to mow most weeks!  Nothing is like what we usually expect, making planning hard. I have been sorting out cupboards and plan to install a small dish washer by our kitchen sink. Decluttering is the aim and keeping myself busy.