Struan Farm

Inch by Inch

My father-in-law Maurie was a farmer but loved his woodworking. He had an amazing workshop with all sorts of tools, really whatever anyone would need for just about any project. While we were renovating the Cottage that was a blessing, since John would run up and find the right tool or nail, screw, or door handle (sometimes he had to sneak around to do this). And since Maurie was a farmer he was also a hoarder, saving posts, gates, metal, wood, door knobs, windows, etc. Basically anything that might be needed some day.

In later life he took over a spare bedroom in the Homestead for his finished projects in native timbers, which became affectionately known as "The Wood Room." Visitors would be allowed to look, but only special people and family members were offered his handcrafted foot stools, chests, tea trays, benches, hutches, tables and bowls. Suffice it to say that sometimes he had a hard time parting with these items, much to Rosemary's dismay.

Since we've taken over the farm we've been preoccupied with renovating the Homestead and major infrastructure projects (water tanks, fencing). But now we're slowly getting around to cleaning out sheds and Maurie's workshop. The builders used it to plane some wood for our native timber floor, after taking down an old unused chimney. Wood that matched the floor, found in Maurie's stockpile outside in the tractor shed.

In his workshop I found these beautiful old rulers with brass hinges and tips, as well as an old tape measure in a leather case. All are in inches, which works for me--as an American I have yet to convert to the metric system despite having lived in NZ for as long as I have.

They will have a place of pride in Struan Farm Knitting Studio.

Inspiration in Rotorua

Embellishments in Rotorua is one of my favorite shops around the traps. The shop supports high end fibre arts and always has something to inspire.

Most recently I purchased these Laura Faye Creations, a lovely felted tea cozy (detail shown) and some felted, beaded pins. Not sure whether they will end up as gifts for family/friends or as inspiration in the Struan Farm Knitting Studio. I'm hoping to track down Laura to see if she'd teach a workshop.

I've also learned how to insert photos with this post, phew.

It's Raining Men, Hallelujah

It's been raining in Piopio. Again. One of those winters, which is good for the grass growth and thus the stock, but makes for sometimes grumpy people who swear they're going moldy.  The odd sunny day is a cause for celebration.

The front drive is so mucky that we've closed the white picket gate and directed everyone to the back cottage gate, less chance of getting stuck. When the digger is next in the situation will be rectified.

John and I were talking last night about an impending swarm of tradesmen coming to finish up the kitchen. The kitchen cabinetry guys (to make the "benches" in NZ parlance), plumber and electrician are all coming for the job.

This prompts me to think of the 1980's hit by the Weather Girls, "It's Raining Men." Flashback to aerobics classes, wildly colored risque spandex leotards, leg warmers and big hair.

Perhaps we shouldn't go there. I just hope the guys leave their muddy boots at the door. 

Renovation-- an evolutionary process to say the least

We've been renovating the Homestead at the farm since last February, with help from a number of trademen who've become friends and family. As they say, it takes a village! John and I enjoy the process after having renovated the cozy three bedroom Cottage over four years of weekends-- you end up doing things that weren't at all planned at inception and learn to live with a certain amount of construction disarray. 

Peter Stoupe and his team found a handscribbled note on a board inside one wall when insulating that said the house had been built in 1908, which was quite early for the area. At least now we know!

A vintage tub was rescued from the paddock, where it had been used for watering stock, and rehabilitated. I suspect many long, candle lit bubble baths are in its future, much better than rusting away encircled by drooling sheep! (Not that we don't love our sheep and lambs, who have a nice new trough to drink from.)

Old windows and doors have been recycled and reused, yep we're into reusing and recycling like all good Kiwis. 

We're on the home stretch on the interior. Kitchen is going in in the next two weeks, drapes are on order. Next it's on to the outside, both in terms of exterior painting, re-doing the pool and pool area, terrace, gardens and lawn. The property has been known for its garden over the years.  This time of year the camelias and rhodos are blooming, along with daffodils, helliobores, and bluebells. Pictures to follow this weekend, although I may try to post some knitting studio inspiration beforehand.

Beginning the Journey

Struan Farm has been in the Robertson Family since after the Second World War, when John's dad Maurice returned to New Zealand from service overseas and moved to Piopio with his wife Rosemary. They lived on the property in the Homestead until their recent deaths, farming sheep and cattle and raising five children.

In the late 1960's "Maurie" was one of the first landowners in the King Country to transfer stands of native bush to the Queen Elizabeth II Trust for protection in perpetuity. He continued to plant trees throughout his life. Rosemary was also a keen gardener. Due to their efforts there are many native birds seen around, including Tui, Wood Pigeon, King Fisher and Fantail. Bell Bird and Shining Cuckoo are heard, with the latter returning in the late spring. At night Morepork, our native owl, can be heard calling by light sleepers or those up to star gaze at the Milky Way and Southern Cross.

This blog is in its initial design stages, but will eventually have photos of our life on the farm, our farmstay and studio for knitting and other craft retreats. The property is about three hours from Auckland on New Zealand's North Island, in the King Country's hilly limestone land not far from Waitomo Caves.