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During a recent visit granddaughters Ella and Livvy pointed out to us that one of our new garden beds here at Struan Farm was in the shape of a chicken. Something we hadn't noticed previously, it takes a child!
Which then had me looking at the oval garden beneath the chicken somewhat differently. I saw an egg.
I will never look at these gardens quite the same again, but can confidently report that in this case the egg came first!
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I've challenged myself to bake something different each week for the contracting team spending weeknights at The Cottage here at Struan Farm. You remember, those guys who are up the Paemako cliffs on ropes? We're into week ten.
This past week I made David Lebovitz' "Coconut and Chocolate Macaroons." Unlike the classic French style "macarons," which are made with almonds and are very sweet, these are American style, made instead with coconut. Dipped in dark chocolate they are chewy and quite decadent, but not nearly as (sick-y) sweet. I made larger cookies (approximately 16 vs. 30) and ended up using more melted chocolate--I'm sure I lack his dipping finesse. But I think they turned out well!
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News via FB that niece Jill's daughter Lilley has set up an archery range at home and is practicing to take on her cousins in the annual Struan Farm Boxing Day archery challenge. Seems this trophy will be highly contested in December 2017!
This year we have returning winners Milly and Marlo, along with participants Olivia-Kate, Jasmine, Oscar, Jamie, Ella, Livvy, and coming all the way from the UK to vie for victory are Charlie and Freya. Think Violet is still probably a wee bit young to take part, but maybe not. She has that competitive Cornes streak in her I'm sure.
Mike, our experienced archery challenge organiser, will need to sort out the rules of engagement or it will turn into blood sport from the sounds of it. Kids' teams by family of origin, or an under ten category? That's why you're paid the big bucks Mike! We can also count on Carrick, a former school teacher and Mike's right hand man with clipboard in hand, to keep everyone in line.
Think I'm going to stock up on trophies.
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Unfortunately we're "in the pink" in a bad way here at Struan Farm. Quite a few of the ewes have contracted "pink eye" this season. John noticed that one of the sheep was blind, which isn't all that unusual, but then we started to see more having problems walking around the paddocks. We rang Farmer John and also did some quick research. Apparently "pink eye" is something that can be caused by flies or grass pollens, and is contagious in sheep the same as it is in humans.
Farmer John came and isolated about 40 sheep that were badly affected, also putting more that looked like they were coming down with it in another separate paddock. The vet in Piopio was running extremely low on the antibiotic injection required for treatment, as well as a dust that is sprayed in the eyes as a deterrent. So he treated the worst ones first, returning with additional medicine a day or so later when it was restocked.
Of the former pets, only Ruby was in the first category, at least at first. When he returned, Pip and Minnie had drooping eye lids too. Mickey ran away, so he still needs to be treated, but everyone else got a pre-emptive dusting in the yard. Ruby is now fine, so the medicine does act quickly.
Can you see Minnie's right eye drooping above?
Fortunately Tootsie, Rosie, Pepper and Cookie were fine but yikes! Pays to keep an eye out on what's happening in those paddocks....no pun intended.
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John is well known for trooping young visitors out to the Pet Paddock at Struan Farm to hug our huge feature trees. Often he gets a group of them joining hands around the trees so they can appreciate how big they really are.
We think it's important for children to connect with nature, especially trees, when they visit the farm. So we were both interested to read a guest editorial in the most recent issue (#92) of Open Space, the magazine of the Queen Elizabeth II Trust, giving "A hug for tree huggers."
Ian Spellerberg, the author, is a big proponent of tree hugging for various reasons, believing there are multiple health benefits for both adults and children. He references "Blinded by Science" by Matthew Silverstone, which suggests that tree hugging can help depression and concentration levels. As an act, it allows us to remember how much we gain from trees, and to thank them for that. He also gets into the negative use of the term to label environmentalists, which of course he doesn't view as a positive thing.
Please, go out a hug a tree today--you'll feel much better for it!
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I'm beginning to think that John's theory that the pets lambs cause the lion's share of the problems may have some merit. At least after I caught this year's little darlings jumping on top of the chicken wire we've attached to the fencing around my flower gardens to nibble my roses. They continued on with it even after I gave them a dressing down! So much for mum having any influence on adolescent behaviour....
The offenders were Minnie (mostly), Mickey and Tootsie. Cookie did not participate at all, she's still her mummy's girl. Nephew Mike is now onto the job of re-stapling the chicken wire. The little darlings may think they're onto something, but they don't fully appreciate who they're dealing with (or more properly, with whom they're dealing...). If they don't watch it they'll be running with the mob forthwith!
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This past week we hosted the third annual Asplundh NZ Arbor Camp here at Struan Farm. Arborists in training from the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and New Plymouth came along to work up in our Pet Paddock feature trees, supervised by a member of management or two. These trees, which were planted by John's father Maurie, are 50-60 years old and have grown without the benefit of pruning for most of their lives. So most if not all are long overdue for a haircut of some sort or are in need of repair from storm damage over the years. Apparently they provide a rather unique learning experience in a rather idyllic setting (and I'm not biased in the least, am I?).
Most of the team were working on practical tasks under close supervision required for their professional certification. Fortunately the weather cooperated. Everyone camped out down at the river and joined us for a BBQ one night up at the new(ish) house. We think a fun time was had by all and professional objectives achieved.
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