weathering storms

 1.4.2024

 

We have rain!  Our trees and crops have survived this long dry hot period. I have had to carry water to some trees and carefully look after everything alive but being outside in this weather has been enjoyable so no complaints.

 

We also seem to be surviving another storm.  The rules for micro- breweries have changed plus they are under attack from multi- national companies that buy a few out, make false craft beer and price the genuine small breweries out of the market.  Breweries are closing down at the rate of several a week and Simon and Bo are feeling the pinch.

 

A week ago, Bo was afraid that they might be in big trouble financially.   At one stage we thought all her family would be moving in with us but a bit more analysis and a few strategic changes have put this drama on hold.  Even so it has been a bit of a wake-up call and Edd and I have started working on a project to increase our liveable space here on the farm.

 

Before all this starts, I am doing my ‘coming in for winter’ house blitzing.   I have trimmed back the plants in the solar buffer zone and am now working on the floors out there.  I still need about 2 hours a day to do the garden work. Today I pulled out the remaining sweet corn plants and dug over the bed they were in. I have already moved all the beans and most of the zucchinis as we need space for winter crops.

 

The new chooks have not started to lay yet so it has been good having all the excess crops for the market. My freezer is almost full to capacity. The milk volume has dropped and the goats are coming into season so I am not making as much cheese as usual.  We did not mate any goats last year so we are relying on the ones who milk for several years to keep us going over winter.