Drought drain

Summer has morphed into Autumn but the temperatures would indicate otherwise. As I type this, the Vic Emergency app alerts are active – three significant fires are currently burning, putting people, their homes and livestock at great risk. This heatwave is rocking southeast Victoria and I doubt anyone is celebrating the blazing sun that continues to crisp the ravaged ground we walk on. A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a brief reprieve with 30 mm of rain and in a few days, we saw growth in the paddocks. Sporadic and scattered across the land it was a hopeful sign. We moved the remaining cows onto high ground and watched them ravish the fresh growth. It sustained them for a day or two but we have now returned them to the morass, supplementing the little feed available with hay. Anything that was trying to grow is now burnt again with temperatures in the high 30s making it impossible. The vegetable gardens and house lawn are green and while not thriving it’s certainly surviving, thanks to daily watering. The bees have had shade cloth put over their hives to help them during the rough days, but really it isn’t enough. I think without the green in the backyard it would be most depressing to look out the window. Walking though the paddocks is one way to deflate your spirits. The ground is cracking and I wonder when the rain will arrive. There has been much conversation in the media regarding government assistance for farmers and for the most part their efforts are a slap in the face, indicating their total disrespect for the industry and understanding of the job farmers do and the emotional, financial and physical investment each one makes to continue day in, day out. The debt that accumulates has the potential to drive the strongest person to consider extreme measures. This is not acceptable. The ramifications of not supporting our farmers is lost on the general population and I am saddened to consider a future where we import all our produce because we didn’t act smarter when we had the chance.

For now, Daryl and I continue to maintain our property with the limited resources we have left. We have downsized as much as possible without removing our future possibilities and decided to bring in a bull for the remaining 18 breeders. They should calve towards the end of this year and we hope decent Autumn, Winter and Spring rain will rejuvenate the ground before little hooves hit the ground. Even our hens have had enough of the heat and we barely get a dozen eggs from our flock of chooks. Once this lot of feed runs out, the girls will be relocated to other homes and we will consider if we replace them down the track. If we do, some improvements to the pen will need to be made allowing for greater efficiency and less time commitment. 

Flipping the page, it is fortunate that nothing is growing and we have reduced the animal stock-take as I don’t seem to be able to get myself back to good health. After another two weeks off work, due to illness, I am struggling to get back on track. I am booked in for further surgery on my hip in a few weeks and again will be out of action for another two weeks. Frustrated? Yes. 

Until next time,

N

21 days

It’s been 21 days since I last went to work. Twenty-one days to rest, recover, reconnect…. using 120 hours of time in lieu was a very good decision! 

Went I left work, just prior to Christmas, I was barely walking, using a crutch to move around, in severe pain and taking a plethora of painkillers. I loaded up two bags with work papers, intending to catch up during my time off. Today, I sit here with one day left of my ‘holidays’ and I am only taking one slow release anti-inflammatory, no longer use the crutch to get around and I have not touched one sheet of work. I feel rested and hopeful of a new way this year. Taking up strong advise to head back to the physiotherapist, I am now working towards rectifying years of damage and over compensation, along with strengthening exercises in preparation for a potential hip replacement. I am back in the pool and attending regular remedial massage sessions. I have become high maintenance. My range of movements is still limited and I am learning to listen to my own body, instead of ignoring the messages. I am not a good patient, I have been told this repeatedly, but I am determined to enjoy our grand adventure for 2019 – an eight-week journey to Britain to meet family, return Dad’s ashes to his final resting place and then explore the wonders of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England without the need for crutches. 

No presents until Santa shows!

During this 21 days, extreme weather, high temperatures and the threat of fire in our neighbourhood have kept us on our toes, drenched in sweat and reaching for the cold water on frequent occasions. However, I was blessed to enjoy an adventure with my children, their partners and grandchildren to the Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne on Christmas eve.

A rare opportunity, to have us all in one place, we enjoyed a festive atmosphere and celebrated Christmas together in a three-storey house located only ten minutes from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. With the air conditioning cranked up the house was a welcome relief after the blistering heat of the day. With all the clan together, the boisterous chatter, can be quite hard to contain, and I was worried about the increasing noise as a few drinks were enjoyed. At home on the farm we never worry about noise, but in the city with neighbours only meters away it was a challenge. The only time it was silent was during the playing of our traditional song – Christmas Shoes. It is a sad song with a beautiful message, we listen to it as a family every year. As the evening became early morning I put my mum voice on and finally convinced them all to head to bed so Santa could fill the stockings. Silence finally descended upon the house and at 2.30 in the morning I headed onto the balcony and enjoyed the city view, reflected on my many blessings, most of them snoring soundly in their beds. The morning dawn arrived way to soon, but our family ritual of cooked breakfasts together was in full swing. Bacon sizzled, hash browns baked and eggs were fried while a basket of muffins were toasted and prepared for the masses. The aroma of coffee soon filled the room. Stockings were swiftly upended and gifts exchanged, we took photos, and with hugs aplenty, all went our separate ways to enjoy the remainder of Christmas day. 

Seems Santa founds us.

The new year arrived in an uneventful fashion, Daryl worked night shift and I spent it quietly at home. The first anniversaries of the death of my former father-in-law, and then most recently my own father, cast a shadow across the start of January. Sadness is a part of our lives, contributing to the rich complexity that is our journey, as much as the joy and moments of happiness, but this understanding does not make it easy. During the gathering of valuables as we recently prepared to evacuate, I gathered numerous writings, letters, cards and even old printed emails that reflected many events and opportunities enjoyed by us all, re-reading them, I discovered similar issues over the past ten years that Daryl and I still find ourselves challenged with especially the work, life balance conundrum. Maybe this year we might find a better way.

Steers ready to go to a new home.

Circumstances that are not bringing us any joy right now, include the drought that refuses to end. We sold another 10 steers the other day and we have eight heifers to go plus a few other cows we may also sell. The herd is getting smaller which is just as well considering the feed options are getting sparser. A load of hay is on its way, 48 round bales of good quality pasture from South Gippsland where the grass is green and growing faster than we can imagine at present. The steers went straight from their mum’s and the remaining stock bawled all night, breaking through our back-paddock gate, returning them to the high ground from the morass. In the middle of the night, this was not a pleasant task, as the electric fence needed to be reinstated. There is no feed in the paddocks and we are unclear about why they would break out, except to search for their

Escape route

calves. In the clear light of day Daryl, with some help from our trusty friends Zac and Carol, made temporary repairs to render the gateway functional. With the herd serenading us this morning, we also had shearers booked in to tidy up our

Like a new one!

two alpacas. A new shearer, Sarah, whom we had never met, arrived with a team of three others and within 30 minutes they had efficiently and professionally shorn, vaccinated and trimmed the hooves of our Romney and Delight. Well prepared and coordinated Sarah and her team were a welcome addition to our day. 

Makes it look easy

The heat of the day keeps me indoors, tackling the small tasks that can be forgotten in the day to day busyness. It’s been nice to have time to get things sorted. Cleaning out cupboards, sorting through paperwork, re-arranging belongings often takes me back down memory lane. Somedays this is a good thing, but on other days it’s more of a chore. 

Looking a little cooler

Our final task of the day saw the dusk settling in as we fed some hay to the cattle (bought tonight from a local farmer and friend). The cattle created quite the dust storm running towards the tractor in pursuits of fresh feed. It’s a nice feeling to be able to give them something that will fill their stomachs that I presume tastes quite lovely!

Waiting for a haircut

With no sign of rain, the sprinklers are churning out as much water as possible on the vegetable garden and in our efforts to keep the house grounds damp, in consideration of the neighbouring fire, the grass is finally starting to grow and we have a tiny belt of green in our backyard. The fire is still burning behind containment lines. It is classed as out of control and has burnt more than 12,000 hectares. The sun set tonight

with a red glow in the sky, the temperatures are rising each day and will tip 40 degrees by mid-week. It will be a challenge to keep that grass green. Monday sees work start up again and I know my greatest challenge will be to keep control of my hours and workload, allowing me time to recover as I try to rebuild this flailing body of mine. Also, we have a significant birthday to celebrate this weekend and I will need to be in form to ensure its success. More about that later J

I came across this in some of my writings – good advice:

Wisdom is knowing what to do next,

Skill is knowing how to do it,

And virtue is doing it!

Until next time,

N

Clouded view

A better view

Yesterday was my sixth day off work, not by choice. Most of the time I have spent the days hazy and tired from an array of painkillers. Feels like I've been taken back in time before my left hip was replaced. Unable to walk without a limp, unable to stand for any length of time and limited in my capacity to function without pain relief. The plan was for the right hip to be monitored and stabilised reducing as much deterioration as possible over the course of the next few years. My left hip was replaced with a shiny ceramic one three years ago, my right hip was to last five years - we are one and half years short of the plan.

I am not impressed. When I took this job, eight months ago I was relieved knowing that I would not be required to be on my feet all day. It would give me a balance of desk work, people engagement, autonomy and team, doing a job I enjoy. I didn't count on my body breaking down. Damn inconsiderate if you ask me.

And so I am fighting between bursts of energy whereby I burn the candle at both ends, frustrate my husband, as I try to achieve everything in a limited time before I crash and burn. Taking things to extreme as I occasionally do, I did crash only the other day, literally, into a 'speed bump' sign on my way home from work. Nothing like a message from the unknown - speed bump indeed.

I have one more week of work, five days to get a month's worth of work completed before I take some time off.  Chances of getting everything done are slim, I know, the job is ridiculous, but I will pretend it is possible. At least for the moment.

Looking outside the window I see spattering of rain on the window, I hear the wind howling around me and I can smell the dampness in the air. Forecasts for torrential rain and damaging storms are all around us, we are only getting the edges, barely enough to wet the ground. Annoying more than useful. Unfortunately the other parts of the state and indeed interstate are being battered about with flash flooding and homes damaged. This is also unhelpful and I hope everyone is able to stay safe.

Thankfully, we are not spending this weekend in the city as we did a fortnight ago given the weather would have dampened a few days of relaxation. Instead we enjoyed perfect conditions, to enjoy a surprise Bon Jovi concert, shop for some Christmas treats, explore another escape room  and even ventured to the roof top pool of our hotel for a paddle in between sampling a range of culinary delights. This is when the frustration of my hip really kicked in. The intensity of the pain was so severe we needed to find a doctor in the CBD on a Sunday morning. From this point we have not quite recovered.

Conversations about selling stock, buying feed, leasing, agisting, selling are frequent and again frustrating. Couple this with discussions and debates about our pending English adventure and sometimes its easier to bury your head into a good book, watch a lame sitcom or troll the pages of Facebook until your mind is numb. Or, as is my reality at present, take enough painkillers and you can be numb all over - physically, emotionally and academically. Makes getting anything completed near impossible.

With the end of the year on our doorstep I find myself reflecting and contemplating. Change again is raising its head and I'm at a loss.

Until next time,
N

I think I broke my toe and other tales

Well finally I am sitting, in front of the fire, yes the nights are getting chilly and I love it. Nothing like the smell of  wood burning, watching the flames flickering in the firebox and that dry heat that warps its way into every fibre of your being - relaxing and caressing you. It's absolutely orgasmic.
Of course a couple of good quality reds help....everything, but not my poor big toe. It's currently throbbing (and swollen)  after the gate and said toe collided this evening. Following a call from Daryl(hubby) this afternoon, while I was at work, telling me we left a calf with his mum when separating our calves from their mothers on the weekend, we needed to get this little steer off his mum urgently and get him into the calf paddock.

Lovin' my new toy

Now, just to put your mind at ease, these calves are bigger than their mummas, who are hopefully pregnant. Picture Daryl on the quad bike tearing around the paddock rounding up this calf while Bek (daughter) and I waited to steer the calf into the yards. After lots of dust and cow crap flinging in the air the calf ran through the gates; in my haste to close the gate before the herd of angry mumma cows charged through, I heaved the gate (picture gate hanging off one hinge and bloody heavy) as hard as I could while my foot was still in motion and kicked the bottom of the gate with my boots (minus the steel capped toe). The squealing which followed was worthy of an Oscar and could be heard at farms far and wide.

Hen's have found a new hobby

Anyhow enough whining for now.

On a positive note we did get a new toy for the farm - our quad bike. This purchase has caused some heated conversations in the family circle regarding their safety and poor stats about people killing themselves on them. Despite these stats we have purchased one, mainly so I can get around the farm,with relative ease. It has already served its purpose multiple times. Daryl has rigged up a purpose built trailer to go on the back of the quad to collect firewood.

Making life easier

This carries up to four wheelbarrows full of wood and means  I don't have to try and push a wheelbarrow full of wood  during winter, a task made very difficult with dodgy hips. The quad factor also means our daughter is keen to use it - yeah for us! Like any effective piece of equipment, it is perfected through trial and error.

Bit heavy to go cross country

And our wood trailer is no exception. Our first load, stacked just beautifully, promptly fell sideways after the quad tried to go through a hole - unsuccessfully. With the 'help' of our chickens we reloaded and successfully parked our first load at the house.
The rest of the weekend took us to the rose garden and then the veggie patch for some autumn planting.

Loaded and ready to go

Nice crops

It is always satisfying to plant a new crops and work in the rose patch.  We had an infestation of aphids and some other unidentifiable black little critters on our roses causing them to wilt. We trimmed, fed, watered and sprayed the remaining roses in the hope of revitalising them. They thanked us by digging in their thorns at every opportunity.

New veggies

Man of many talents

On the whole we are making slow progress at Rivergum. Daryl, with the help of his 88-year old father (he's amazing)  has finished the stay-sets for our new chicken paddock and we are now waiting for fencing wire to arrive. Of course if we didn't keep getting injured we could progress faster. Apparently today Daryl tripped over, in the paddock, while holding the chainsaw and various other tools, narrowly missing cracking his head open on the old bath/trough, only denting his knee (large bruise presenting now). His poor Dad nearly had a coronary!

Negotiations with the neighbour for a new boundary fence have been successful  and the contractor is being organised along with wood man who splits our trees for posts.
It's all very exciting in a farmy kind of way. 

Our new chooks have settled in and are supplying us with up to 18 eggs a day.

Funny little fowls

Always keen to help

We can find them in all sorts of places - the shed, the wood pile, the old rusty boiler drum and even the laying boxes on occasion!! Looking forward to expanding our eggs production and being able to supply true free range eggs.


My toe is throbbing and no amount of red wine is helping.


 
'Til next time.

Cheers

Natasha

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 

 

Horny bulls in the morning

A quiet start to the day was clearly not in order for this morning. After gingerly getting up and wondering if my legs would work painlessly (post hip replacement complications- a story for another time) I planned to head to the couch and sort through photos, write a blog post and drink tea, while hubby slept after a busy night at work.

Instead, I found myself dragging my work boots on and trudging through the paddocks to help Daryl  bring our bull back home.The horny mass of Limousine muscle had again escaped into the neighbours paddock. Surrounded by the attentive females, the bull, affectionately known as Donny, had no desire to return to his own herd, of rather lonely cows. After a few terse phone calls between Daryl and I, no answer from neighbours, we determined Donny must come home.

By the time I limped up the paddock, swatted a few hundred flies away and climbed over a fence or two (one of the few fences standing on the property, I might add) Daryl had successfully brought Donny back to his rightful herd. Looking rather smug, Donny appeared no worse for wear after his adventures.

Given the fact the fences on this place are either in a state of falling down, have already fallen down or don't exist, we felt it was safer to push the herd back down the morass.

Contented cattle heading to the green fodder of the morass

Thankfully cows, like sheep, follow the lead and go wherever the herd goes, moving them is easy work, as you can see in the photo they are content to go bush. With 80 acres of morass the cattle enjoy the lush green grass growing plentifully this time of year, the abundant shade and coolness of the dense bushland.

We have only a tiny herd, 21 in total not counting Donny, who is only on  loan, 12 cows and nine calves of various ages and sexes. They are a mix of Limousine, Murray Grey and Charolais. We hope Donny has done his job and we get 12 new calves later this year.

With 80 acres to explore it is bovine paradise.

However, no matter how smooth things go, there always has to be a glitch, check out the video on Rivergum3851 Facebook page to see the one that got away!

 'Til next time,

Cheers

N