Tetchy tales

Well it's been a while, nearly two weeks in fact since I've hit my keyboard, at least for this purpose. The problem is when you spend a large portion of your day in front of a computer screen for work, the enthusiasm to have more screen time at home is a trifle waned. I have a new job and while this is great, it means less time at the farm and another task to juggle.

I must admit I've also been struggling with what to share with you. Some days the farm is so busy that I could write everyday and then there seems to be a lull and it all presents as rather humdrum. This past couple of weeks have been  a mixture of the two.

We were fortunate to have a few days break and enjoyed some R&R with friends at Lakes Entrance. Sleeping in, playing cards, dining, wine-ing, fishing and shopping were luxuries we enjoyed and definitely no longer take for granted.

Hoping for some fish fillets

The farm was ably looked after by my daughters and all animals survived, despite the water being accidentally turned off to the trough!

Good friends, great times

The farm continues to improve, at a slower rate than we hoped. Daryl is trying to rebuild the place, mainly on his own and that is no mean feat. Complications from my hip replacement are rendering me useless for most outdoors work.

An old truck base ready for some remodeling

The frustration is immeasurable.

 But Daryl continues to cut trees and prepare posts for new fences, continues to ensure the cattle are well fed and moves them from paddock to paddock, using the portable fences to keep them in (which look electrified but are not, thankfully tricking the cattle).

With little grass growth hay is a welcome treat

He continues to salvage machinery and turn them from rusty wrecks to functional features.  Most recently he discovered more damaged water lines and found himself elbow deep in mud. Fortunately the repair work is reducing the flooding around the house. It seems the water pipes are riddled with joins that continue to leak underground. The pipelines are another job on the ever-growing list of things to be replaced and restructured.

Ick! The stench was just awful

Daryl did wonder why anyone would be a plumber!

Adding the cranky factor to frustration is the heat. With temperatures still soaring and humidity at an unusually high level,  I am wilting, while my grumpy-levels are rising. I cannot cope with the heat and 'tetchy' has become my new descriptor; Daryl relishes the heat and you can imagine the fireworks that follow us.

I say, bring on autumn ( the cool version) and winter - open fires, cool days, chilly nights and lots of chunky soup.

Until next time

N

Bring on winter