Spring has Sprung

 2.9.2024

 

It is cold again but the last few weeks have been dry and warm. The mud has gone and the trees are in full bloom. Even the oak trees have burst bud and the vegetables have started growing again. We have eaten all the broccoli, but the cauliflowers are now ready and I have snow pea seedlings and zucchini planted.  The goats have now kidded and we have three kids who now trained to drink from a feeder. We have seven lambs who are in the sheep shed with their mothers to protect them from foxes.

 

Mar and baby David are both doing well. Last week Indi went to Darwin as part of her uni course and we had her old dog, Rosa to stay for the week. This went better than expected. Rosa got on well with our dog, Sass, and slept in the kennel where she could get out into the garden if she needed to pee. (Being old she can get caught short at home.) We have a good large fenced area so both dogs could get plenty of exercise too. I think Rosa looked fitter by the end of her stay.

 

Yesterday we were visited by Inshalla and extended family who brought up all the little children to see the kids and lambs. They all arrive in two cars in full Muslim dress, but this time they had footwear suitable for farms. They brought us special Pakistani cakes, which are unusual, but rather delicious.  The older women gathered citrus fruit off the trees with great relish. All the lower mandarins have been eaten by Ti’s children but there are plenty for taller people. 

 

I am not sure if we will get loquats this year. The frosts came at a bad time just as the flowers were opening, which does not bode well. It has been a very odd year for weather and difficult to plan what to plant when. It looks as if all the purple cabbages have bolted too. At least the silver beet is now improving.