A scrappy situation

Driver's seat

Perfect sleeping spot

One of the most delightful distractions, living on our farm, are the antics of our animals. Our youngest addition, Penny, has settled in quickly and is finding farm life pretty relaxing. She has just learnt to climb into the tractor cabin and seems to think the driver's seat is her spot.
On occasion, of course, life on the farm is exhausting, especially for a little cattle dog.

The pile is getting smaller

On the subject of exhaustion, scrap metal removal has been the focus of the past few weeks (or months-feels like years).

With the warmer temperatures arriving, the potential of harbouring a family of venomous snakes is very high.  The massive pile needs to go.

When we first moved onto the property we decided straight away that the various piles of scrap metal, had to be removed. We found them in the paddocks, in the morass, under the fallen sheds, stacked in the hay shed, feedlot, old dairy, old house and even the piggery.

Tonnes of metal in various forms - wire, car bodies, stoves, old bikes, kitchen sink, wheels, kettles, machinery in all states of disintegration combined to make a monster pile.

Unfortunately there is no money in metal these days and it has taken numerous phone calls and enquiries to find a business who would take it away without charging us!

Beyond restoration

Scrap metal anyone?

So far we have filled two massive skips, one smaller skip and will no doubt fill another massive skip before we are done. While the skips are provided free of charge, it is our responsibility to fill them.

Without the right equipment, it is down to the tractor forks and bucket, lots of patience and a decent group of back muscles to keep loading and picking up the gazillion tiny pieces of broken equipment and barbed wire.
To add insult to injury, I was randomly chatting to our neighbour about the scrap situation and he said some years ago, they finally got rid of a ton or two of scrap metal and received a cheque for $8,000 - how things have changed!

Everything ended up in scrap piles, including the toaster

The only items worth salvaging are the copper, brass and batteries. It's a shame we don't have as much of these, as we do, the worthless scrap.

A view from the skip

On the other hand, to some people, our scrap is of value. Today, a woman came by and bought a heap of galvanised sheets we had put aside as scrap (we have already kept a large pile for future projects). She also eyed a wall of weatherboards off the old house which were laying on the burn pile. She has taken a trailer-full home and I presume is pleased to get goods so cheap.  To this end, Facebook, can be a cheap and useful tool to get rid of any unwanted items.

We still have much to sell, much to do and at the end of the day much to smile about.

Until next time,

N

Move, do, be..in the knowledge you simply can.

Crazy, windy, perfect

Today was a good day. 

Simple, uncomplicated and unplanned. It is a rarity.

Taking a small break from farm duties, that is after checking one of our cows who is showing all the signs of an impending birth but seems too busy eating to calve, tending to my little flock of hens and feeding the furballs and puppies, I decided to make an effort and take dad out for the day. Daryl and Bek were at work and I was left to my own adventures.

Crazy, windy, wonderful

With all the good intentions in the world, I messaged two of Dad’s friends and organised to bring him to visit, also organised some of the kids to meet us for lunch. Off I went, travelled for half an hour, only to be greeted by a cantankerous, surly, man who refused to get off the bed. He got a little mouthy, at the nurse, as she put his socks and shoes on. Insisting he was too sick to come out, in one breath, and in the other, proclaiming he did not need any medication as he wasn’t sick at all! I am told he has been refusing his medication, but he doesn’t remember that of course. Dementia is a bitch of an illness and plays cruel tricks on people. It is incredibly frustrating on the sufferer and equally challenging for family and friends trying to work through it. Dementia brings out the worst traits in people. With no filter in place any more, sufferers cannot hide behind the veil of correctness that the rest of us have mastered during our lifetime. Arguing with them is futile, and unfair. The best option is to wish them a speedy recovery, and walk away. Which is precisely what I did.

Despite dad’s refusal, we all decided to go ahead with lunch, so I quickly bolted back home, did a few more domestic tasks and dropped over to the neighbour, who was expecting dad for a cuppa. Explaining the change in plans, Bob and I chatted amicably for a few minutes and he handed me another couple of movies to watch. Our neighbours have an amazing collection of British tv series, movies and all manner of other shows. It’s like a dvd store but better!

Best of friends. Faithful companions. 

It was now time to shop. Arriving in Rosedale, with a voucher in hand, I went to the plant nursery and proceeded to wander, finally settling next door in the café with a cup of ‘real’ tea and the Sunday paper, while waiting for the young ones. Good music was playing in the background and the owners have created a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. I found myself gazing out the window in-between reading snippets out of the paper, thoroughly enjoying my own company, at least for a few minutes. The kids arrived, chess was played, and colouring completed as we enjoyed delicious wood fired pizzas and a few drinks. Family news was exchanged as plans were made and before we expected, time had passed and it was mid-afternoon. 

Rounding off the afternoon I collected the dogs and ventured to the beach. Crazy windy, the beach was deserted for the most part and the waves were crashing. The pups just loved it and so did I. Peaceful and perfect already, it was improved by a surprise visit by a friend. We chatted, about nothing important, and simply enjoyed a moment. My friend is unwell, moments are fewer than they used to be and these days, more than ever, I cherish every memory we make. Today, as the wind whirled around our ears and the pups tangled in our toes, my heart was full and my soul sang a happy song.

Returning home, the pups and I checked that cow again, she was still eating, and so with the rain falling we finished the outside chores, soaked to my underwear it was time to call it quits and pick up Bek. Feeling generous we cleaned Daryl’s car (which I was driving) and Bek got to enjoy her favourite activity – going through the carwash!

My most favourite place in the world.

As darkness closed in and we were enjoying the warmth of the kitchen, our house phone rang, Bek and I both checked the number display and I answered knowing it would be relatives from England. The only other people who use that phone are salesman and my father-in-law. Fortunately, I had already enjoyed a kahlua and coke, because it was not the conversation I expected. In fact, I’m still processing it. Seems for more than 45 years they believed I was the biological child of my parents, so imagine the shock when they read a previous blog referring to my adoptive mother. 

Mmmmm the questions, so many questions.

Until next time,

N

Layer by Layer

Twenty seven years ago I packed  a small bag and left the farm I grew up on, with little more than a backward glance. Barely 18 years old, filled with anger and bitterness, I finished my final HSC (year 12) exam and moved out the next day. I did not say anything to my parents, no goodbyes and no tears - I  would not return to the farm for a long time. Moving back here in 2015, was nothing short of a miracle, a decision that defied logic or reason. In my wildest fantasies I never imagined I would be here once again. But, there is something rejuvenating about living on the land, it is organic, spiritual, impossible to explain. Its presence captures your heart and soul and never really lets you go, at least it did for me. So now this place, formerly my childhood home, is once again where I return to each day, this time with enthusiasm and hope. These are, for me, foreign emotions never before associated with this land, and I am caught by surprise.  Maybe I'm finally learning to let go. These days I find myself staring into the paddocks or looking to the morass, all wild and crazy, and I remember so many things. I watch the havoc caused by the howling westerly wind and my emotions roar with it. The silence of the night sky thunders around me and I wrestle in my dreams. Returning here is exhausting. Yet it seems, layer by layer, as the farm is rebuilt, so am I.

Rivergum continues to change and improve, slowing morphing into something new and transformed. The never ending clean up continues, old fences are brought down and new ones replace them; scrap metal is picked up and put on the monstrous pile; machinery is bought and sold, rabbits breed faster than we could ever eradicate them and the eggs are again being laid in abundance, despite the presence of those sneaky foxes.

We recently bought some more cows - nine Angus mumma cows and 10 calves (one set of twins) - an exciting addition to our little herd. We will also sell our first group of steers next week. Also very exciting and a little daunting. The new chicken paddock is progressing and soon our 35 hens will have a new home. On the technological front, a new website will soon be up and running. So watch this space.

The past few months have posed some interesting challenges, to me and my family, and despite being a reasonably resilient character I have found myself floundering, frustrated and struggling to see the proverbial silver lining. In fact, you could say I'm fairly crusty at certain parts of the universe right now. But in the darkness, the place I use to run from, has become the place I yearn to run to.

Funny how life takes you places you don't want to go and then turns it into a gift.

Until next time

N

Farewell Kiwi

Kiwi

After only a short stay with us, Kiwi has moved on.

This beautiful beast had a big personality and provided joy to us all over the few months he was part of our four-legged family. He has relocated just up the road to a farm where the kids and adults all adore him and has settled in easily. 

Deciding to buy an animal is always an exciting prospect filled with potential and opportunity and for Bek it was a dream come true. But then two things happened. Firstly Bek decided to apply to go on an overseas education exchange next year and then she had a major fall. 

Despite efforts to re-engage Kiwi, he knew Bek was spooked and his big personality stepped in, behaving like a big goof-ball, whenever she tried to work him. This, along with ambitions to go overseas, led to the conclusion that a new home was needed. 

Now that this gentle giant is grazing happily on greener pastures its time to focus on new adventures abroad. 

Ghostbusters - Rivergum style

Daryl, Jacob and Cob (and Penny) suited up for the job

Did you ever have the misfortune of watching Ghostbusters? You know the goofy guys who could eliminate ghosts from your home, office, city with super dooper laser strikes? Well I did, and today I couldn't help notice the similarities as the workers got suited up for today's adventures.
Insulation was the order of the day.

Team work

It's taken 16 months to get this organised, with the insulation sitting in our shed for at least 12 months.

If Dad had utilised the free insulation scheme this job would not have been needed.

Between shift work and finding a suitable day that some of our offspring could help, it has been a challenge.

But not so much of a challenge as putting this stuff in!

The profanity was flying thick and fast as Daryl and the two Jacobs sweltered in the roof cavity spreading the yellow blankets down.

Keeping out of trouble

Ignoring the dead rats, dodging the huntsmen, swiping the cobwebs and trying not to inhale the dust the guys were not especially impressed.

Balancing on bearers, avoiding the ceiling plaster and knocking heads a few times made for an eventful session. Suited up and taped at wrists and ankles with duct tape the guys didn't have much breathing space. They emerged red faced, sweating and thirsty.

After four hours they couldn't get out of their 'ghost' suits fast enough and into a shower. Looking out the back door all that remained was a soggy pile of socks, t-shirts, suits and gloves - promptly placed into the bin.


Right now, the helpers have returned to their own homes. New helpers, in Carol and Zac, arrived and we are relaxing with a wine and dessert, wondering if the house is just that bit warmer thanks to a first class layer of insulation.



Until next time,
N

Bundle of cuteness

What's not to love?

Welcome to Penny, the latest addition to the Hunt household.

Eight weeks of cuteness and mischief has just entered our home and she is making her way around easily.
Penny is a pure bred Border Collie, second born out of five pups from Orbost.

She has fabulous markings and has quickly made friends with Mia, Meep and Lilly (well in truth the cats are not so enthralled) I did hear some hissing under the table.

Two babies of the family

 We intend for Penny will be a working dog as well as a companion to Mia who has been terribly lonely since her buddy Milo went to sleep. No doubt we will waste endless time enjoying the antics that will follow as the two pups get to know one another.
It's hard not to fall in love with such a bundle of cuteness - soft, fluffy coat, angelic eyes, and puppy kisses. She has personality plus.

Day one she is already learning what it is to be a farm dog.
Lesson one is sleeping in the tractor.
Lesson two learn to walk through mud.
Lesson three learn to chase small furry animals though the paddocks.
Lesson four learn to sleep on her own mat inside.

Tractor snoozes

So you may be wondering how we picked her name. Well, we both agreed that she could not have a M name, given we have an assortment of M names in the family, both canine and human, already. Despite this fact, after deciding to make her ours last night, a range of names were thought of including Maggie and Molly as the most popular!!!!!
Today, I suggested a variety of alternatives: Lucy, Abby, Gracie, Chloe, Cleo, Andy, and Zoe, however Penny was the winner. Now I feel like we are in an episode of Big Bang Theory, just imagine Daryl calling 'Penny, Penny, Penny' a hundred times a day.

Penny has big shoes to fill with our last two dogs being fabulous companions (so long as we ignore the first five years of Labrador puppy-hood).
For now we look forward to shredded blankets, missing shoes, freshly dug holes, and chewed work boots, not to mention lots of cuddles and snuggles.

Until next time.

N

Snoozes for everyone

Dead chickens in the morning

Best efforts couldn't save her.

And then there were 14.
Clumps of scattered feathers across the paddocks, chickens wandering in the morning fog, and the chicken coop door wide open greeted us this morning. It was a stark reminder that foxes are at work. On the previous occasions where we have forgotten to close the gates we were just lucky, unlike today.  The loss of six chickens overnight, follows the loss of a single chicken the night before, who stupidly flew into the dog yard while we were looking after the neighbour's hound. We tried to save her, wrapped her in towel and put her near the combustion stove to keep warm, but the trauma was obviously too much. On both accounts I was responsible. Some days it just sux.

We are fortunate to have not lost them all. The remaining girls are in reasonable health although a couple seem short of a few feathers.

New mulch = less weeds

Cold mist,  no wind

On a positive note the day did improve with the visit of two of my daughters, just ahead of friends Carol and Zac (our faithful farm hands). We had just finished mulching the rose garden and cleaning out the chicken pen, therefore collecting a few more bags of fertiliser, if anyone wants some. Timing was perfect for our visitors. After a cup or three of tea, a few munchies and casual conversation it was time to work again.

Just a little more tension

Despite the misty rain, we donned coats and boots and headed to the front boundary fence to strain some barbed wire. What should have been a relatively quick job, even for us amateurs, took a couple of hours. Endeavouring to be frugal we tried to use an old run of wire and use as a puller for the barbed wire, but despite the best of intentions it created more problems and it was soon passed in for new wire. This soon improved the pace of the job, coincidently the rain also increased. Using the quad bike to run messages between the workers and provide tools as needed we soon had the job running efficiently.

Mia, always willing to help

Quad getting a tow home

Before long we were adequately drenched, cold and unable to see through our glasses but the fence was tight and well strained. With a plan for hot lunch (albeit late), a well earned drink and dry clothes, Carol and I got ourselves ready to go, but then I broke the quad bike! Seems the gear selector stripped - the bike was towed home.

Carol and Zac have headed home, Daryl has gone off to work (night shift on no sleep) and I am left with my new computer, a warm fire and my youngest girl resting next to me as we watch the English murder mystery Shetland.

Time for another cup of tea.
Until next time.
N

Love a long weekend

Early start may not have impressed the neighbours

It is the end of the long weekend and the prospect of heading to the office tomorrow is not so thrilling. We are sitting in front of our lovely fire, the two cats are cuddling each other, as close to the heat as possible and the pup is running laps (in her sleep) as she rests comfortably on her new blanket.
Daryl and I have enjoyed a bottle of wine and I am just about done in, sleep is calling me.
After an early and very crisp start this morning, the eyelids are heavy.

But I cannot complain in any way. My dearest friend, also writes a blog, and she explores an entirely different world - one where making small talk is a challenge, as is shopping or driving the car, and some days making the bed is simply overwhelming - so I am thankful I can be tired because I have been busy (and slept like garbage last night).

We decided to get our butts out of bed early as we knew the day would be shared with friends (birthday brunch) and we didn't want to rush them away because the farm wanted our attention.

Crispy greens anyone?

So at 7 this morning we donned gloves and a few extra layers and crunched our way toward the wood pile and fired that chainsaw up. In less than an our we had a nice pile of wood ready for the fire in the coming days and the trailer was full.

Even too chilly for the pup - she rode inside

We are currently burning through about a metre of wood per week. We burn two fires - the slow combustion stove in the kitchen and the large wood heater in the lounge. I certainly would not want to be buying wood. Ouch, that would be expensive and we would be investing in a few more jumpers! After the wood was stacked we did the rounds, counted cows, tended to the horse (Bek was sleeping in at a friends), collected eggs and marveled at the beautiful morning we were enjoying. Mia was more than happy to make tracks in the ice and she tore through the paddocks chasing whatever rodents she could find.

Found this guy wondering what all the noise was!

We bought some winter vegies and they are now planted in the garden beds, hopefully the frost will not burn them before they get a chance to establish.

We did indeed enjoy our friends and daughter's company and celebrated a birthday with crispy bacon and eggs rolls, tomato and cheese optional. A zillion cups of tea and a few birthday beers later, it was time to say goodbye. Hastily, we rushed around getting night time jobs done before the blackness overtook us. We weren't quick enough and found ourselves feeding hay in darkness. Once again the chill began to etch into our bodies, but the warmth of the fires soon welcomed us indoors.

Yesterday saw some more house keeping jobs completed - our rose garden was finally freed of weeds. Daryl managed to drill holes into 30 red gum posts along the front fence line in preparation for wire. What a job! As the timber is green the drill bit continues to get clogged up. Daryl has discovered extra brute force and a screw driver are helpful ways to push the drill bit through.We enjoyed the noise and nonsense of kids and grand-kids who travelled over for tea, and after a whirlwind visit they left us to enjoy the serenity.
 
The first day of the long weekend was pretty chilly here and finally cold enough to convince Daryl it was an inside job day!! Yeah success. I suspect I may only get one designated 'inside job' day every year so I need to make the most of them.

What a way to start the day.

It has been a great long weekend filled with plenty of work, family, friends and fun times. Tonight I suspect I will sleep soundly.

Goodnight to you all.

N

Daughters

Life at Rivergum is not always about pasture, produce and paddocks. Some days it is consumed by our offspring.

I have three daughters.

I am blessed. I am also stressed. My three girls are never far from my thoughts or worries. There is roughly five years between each of them and if I combine their personalities, they remind me of a younger me. Which is a good reason to be concerned.

Recently my three girls caused my ageing heart to beat a little faster.

Daughter number 1 announced we were going to be grandparents for a second time and if that was not enough of a surprise, she is half way though the process - 20 weeks -no idea- unbelievable. Shock, Joy, OMG let's get organised - baby on its way!!
 
Daughter number 2 - Blows up her little car - this is bad, but not so bad when you compare it to crashing her grandfather's little car a few weeks later; now car-less (we have run out of little cars) she tops it all off with the breakdown of her washing machine... she is thankfully  physically recovered but no doubt a little frustrated (especially when it keeps raining and she has to walk everywhere.)

Daughter number 3 - Following her hospital stay, shocked us all by deciding she would like to spend a year in Italy in 2017 - 365 days away from me, not just up the road but 14,373km away - come è successo? (How did this happen?)
Now the plans are gaining momentum and in a few heartbeats I will be standing at Tullamarine airport whirling in a world of worries as my baby heads off on the adventure of a lifetime.

I'm not fussed how many 'gender gurus' sprout about no difference with boys and girls, I will disagree with them. They are different and I am thankful for that. We should not be striving to make everything the same - difference and diversity bring colour to the world and I am glad while my girls have similar traits, similar looks and similar styles they are unique in every way and (thankfully) very different to their brothers. 

Life, as new farmers, brings challenges all of its own and when you add a couple of jobs, multiple responsibilities, large extended family and 8 kids (you know the adult kids), daughters-in-law and a granddaughter  - days can get crazy busy. 


 

The farm never completely lets you go, it demands your attention,whether you are present or absent and we are learning to juggle competing priorities, sometimes simultaneously, day by day.

Crazy or calm we are indeed blessed. 

Til next time

N

Patch of paradise

Low cloud in the mountains

It's hard to resist the opportunity to get back to the wilderness.

So when the message came through that my father-in-law, Max, wanted to celebrate his birthday by heading up bush, we initially jumped at the chance. That was until the weather gods turned their wrath on us and decided to send showers of rain to most parts of our region and beyond. In the lead up to the birthday bush trip some words were exchanged between family members about cancelling the trip, rescheduling to a day with a more optimistic weather outlook or changing the location, preferably to indoors, with a fire. However, my 88-year-old father-in-law is not like most men his age and he was set to go regardless of the "100% percent chance of rain for Licola" according to the weather app. I have no doubt Max would have set off on his own if the family had abandoned him. 

So this morning, after seeing to the animals, and sending a message to our neighbour letting him know we would be out of phone service, in the unlikely event something happened, Daryl and I headed off for Licola, while the rain poured around us. A quick call to our brother-in-law, Tony, and he said the weather was fine at Toongabbie and that he and Geoff (another in-law) were on their way to light a fire and set up shelters in the Alpine National Park, Licola. We doubted Tony's weather report. 

Daryl and his father-in-law

En-route we picked up my father Guy, from his nursing home in Heyfield - it was still raining - quite heavily. My father has dementia and suffers further cognitive impairment following a stroke, 18 months ago. He talked alot about the weather. As I get nasty travel sickness I took over the driving from here and we ventured up and over the mountains, wipers swiping all the way. The rain kept us company and I wondered if the fire would cope with the continual soaking. We arrived at Red Box Camp ground on the Wellington River and drove into an oasis of dry skies, an established camp fire and familiar faces of family. The rain gods were clearly on Max's side! I'm not well versed in weather gods but my bit of research revealed some interesting results. 

A little slippery

There are four options when it comes to the divine power responsible for our fine weather:
The first could be Tlaloc, "He Who Makes Things Sprout" is the god of rain, lightning and thunder. He is a fertility god, but also a wrathful deity. He is responsible for both floods and droughts. Clearly today however, he was in fine mood and only sprinkled occasionally.
Or it could be Zeus, Ruler of Mount Olympus, known by many names, including Lord of the Sky,
Rain-God, Cloud-Gatherer, and Zeus of the Thunderbolt. 

Red Bluff

If Zeus and Tlaloc don't tickle your fancy, then how about CHAC the Mayan rain god, he is the god of agriculture, fertility, rain and lightning.
And finally, if none of these gods answered the call, then maybe the Christian deity did a good deed and blessed us with a small patch of paradise in the high country.

Regardless, those that made the effort to drive up enjoyed a perfect bush barbecue. A few of them even went fishing! Bush walks were enjoyed and the billy was boiling.

Always a fire

Birthday in the bush

Max's official birthday is Thursday, he will be 89 years young. He is such a gentleman, father of five, grandfather of  seven and great grandfather of four, step-grandfather of  six, step-great grandfather of one and a half. He still cooks a smashing roast for the family (up to 15 at any one time), drives independently, and is always keen to get up to our farm and lend a hand. Max exudes calmness and wisdom,- he has suffered great loss and experienced great love - he is a true role model. He loves the bush and has spent more than 50 years exploring and fishing the rivers of the high country. He raised his children to love the bush environment and now Max is returning to places filled with happy memories and  the sweet sounds of  natural bushland. We pray there are many more birthdays by the camp fire with Max.

No fish, still fabulous

Remember that text message we sent to our neighbour, the one just in case something happened while we were away?  Well something did go wrong! Nine of our calves went for a walk down Fisks Lane and thankfully Corey saved the day (again) and returned them to their rightful home. Little schmucks then played chasey with the 4WD as we tried to get them back into the right paddock. The Kelpie, Mia, escaped the house yard and before we found the calves she had bolted up the paddock to 'help' us. All this in darkness, I'm amazed I didn't go arse over in the slippery paddocks.  Maybe Tlolac or Chac were watching over us.

Always nice to be home :)

Until next time

N xx

Exploring childhood memories (Daryl)