Parties and puppies

  

27.5.2023

 

I think we are ready for next week when Edd goes into hospital for his second knee replacement.   We are hoping for the best with a speedy recovery, and preparing for a harder out come at least in the short term.  Last week Stevo and josh helped build a shelter shed for the sheep and Sev re-enforced the fences with recycled netting. This gives us a yard where the sheep come up each day for a feed and the means to shut them up in a sheltered place where the lambs can be protected from foxes.  I have dried off as many of the milking goats that I can and Edd and Sev have moved the round bales into the shed and up to the old drive where they are protected from the worst of the weather.    Last year’s lambs are now ready to eat but I rather like them and am dithering over their fate.  Luckily, we are still under stocked so I am not under pressure from lack if paddock feed.

 

The puppy, Sarah, is growing fast. She is a lot heavier than she was when she came and is learning to respond to several commands. The rest of Bo’s puppies are now rehomed and she is just keeping one for Morg.  Over the last couple of weeks, the puppies have rampaged endlessly round Bo’s Garden and have created a sea of mud. Today she has washed the mud off the house floors and is out looking for pavers to try and control the situation.  Sarah has no mates to play with so I brought her a special dog ball. When I rolled it past her, she grabbed it and returned it to me and we played this game several times until she decided it was no longer amusing and now, she just ignores the ball.  

 

The pumpkins are all in a pile waiting to be carried back to the house now they have hardened off. We have already started using them for soup and as a roast vegetable.  The freezer was almost at full capacity and I had to buy extra pots for food storage. Now we have started to use up the stored food and I can reclaim the pots again.  For fresh, greens, the rocket and pac choi are making a nice change from the silver beat, and I have harvested the quinces and taken them to Bo’s place for making quince paste.  The kangaroos are getting very bold and I think they are damaging some of the vegetables.  I also counted 30 wood ducks in the house site yesterday and they don’t help. They just ignore the puppy, which is surprising.

 

We celebrated Bo’s eldest sons 21^st with a couple of parties. The first was a family do on Tuesday evening where we shared stories and laughter. Simon and Bo were persuaded to perform so Simon played the piano and Bo sang which we all enjoyed. I feel absolutely blessed to be part of all this.  The second party was more about friends and was very noisy. People and dogs all milling around everywhere. Al came up with his two young sons and helped with the cooking. It was another very happy occasion.