winter solstice

22.6.25

 

We are preparing to host a family midwinter feast to celebrate the passing of the year’s longest night. It should be this weekend but Al is still at a conference over seas and will not be back till next week. This has worked out for the best because Edd and I have been struggling with a virus that has slowed us down.

 

Progress has been made. Edd has got a good water flow to our house by gravity and has almost finished installing a new pump which will service us and the donga.  We have a couple who are moving into the donga when the house they are renting is sold. It is impossible to find affordable places to rent in this area. Mostly people use the unoccupied places for air B and B, which is more profitable.

 

There has been very little rain and the wild life have encroached ever closer. Our neighbours have no stock, but a herd of Kangaroos graze there and no grass has been able to grow. Something got into the bed with the broad beans I planted, and I am not sure if any will survive. We have never had to cope with this level of attack before. I now have to keep all my vegetables under nets so that there is something left for our meals.

 

One positive is that Merlin, the new buck has recovered and is now back with his two does.  He was really fading, but with extra care he has fully recovered.  We also have the hafflinger, Wally back. He has been living with Indi and doing a useful job keeping the grass down around the house she rents.  Now there is no grass, and at 26 years old he needs extra feed. Hay is now very expensive and hard to get as no-one has enough. If we are lucky, we might just manage. We are so grateful for the barley we get from the brewery.  The sheep eat a lot everyday so keep them from starving and we use it with lucerne chaff and oats for the goats.