Monthly Archives: December 2023

Life here is a bit chaotic and about to get more so. Cousin Marcus is taking over Karola’s sheep from the end of the year which means that the original reason for the farm journal ceases – we’ll have no need for a written record of sheep medicines etc. So perhaps I’ll end the journal at the end of the year, it’s just not getting the time it needs to write up every night.

Of course we aren’t the only ones having a bit of chaos thrown their way as 2023 comes to an end – Bridget and Chris are parting ways, Gill & Ben are moving house and Ben had an uncomfortable three days in hospital just last week – heart issues. Lets hope for all of us that 2024 has fewer curved balls to throw at us.

What I might do, as I did tonight, is continue the blog as a weekly list of photos as a sort of record of our rural lives. Not by any means inclusive but perhaps a memory jogger in days to come.

…Ian.

PS: It’s actually a little after midnight on 29th December and a few minutes ago there was a fearful crash outside. I thought it was a large tree branch falling and went to investigate. The dogs Bangle and Tux started barking and Anna and Bridget came outside to see what had happened. Pitch dark and gentle drizzle of course meant visibility poor and road slippery.

Our forester friend was quick on the uptake; he knew it wasn’t a branch and came out with his 4×4 (for light on the scene), pulled the victim clear of his wrecked car and phoned the emergency services. Driver is still alive but smashed up last I heard. My contribution was just to wave down following traffic, check with forester Keith that everything was under control and go back home.

Oak Avenue Weather:__℃—__℃ no rain [?]

14th Dec: Yet Another Lunch At Bay Espresso – See Bangle Peeping Out

16th Dec: Catch So Far 3 hedgehogs, 4 Blackbirds & Thrushes, Zero Possums & Rats

18th Dec: Magnificent Display Of NZ Christmas Trees (Pohutukawa) At Hamoana

19th Dec: Karola Picking Berries At Ruby Glen PYO – For Our Dessert

22nd Dec: Anna’s Photo Of Iconic NZ Old Farm Shed

23rd Dec: In The Grandstand At McClean’s Park – Anna Took Us To The ODI Cricket

24th Dec: Bridget’s Gift – A Hammock – Ideal For Snoozing

28thDec: Anna Started And Drove The Old Lawn Mower (Grillo Mower Is Broken)

28th Dec: Ocean Spa In Napier – Anna, Bridget, and Karola Enjoy The Warm Water If Not The Crowds (Anna photographer)

29th Dec: Anna Shouted Bridget & Ian To A DIre Straits Tribute Concert, Church Road, Taradale Tonight.

29th Dec: Karola Helping With Fixing A Leak At The Sheep Yards Earlier Today

29th Dec: Anna’s Walk Along Ocean Beach Ended Here – Whakapau Bluff

Oak Avenue Weather:__℃—__℃ no rain [?]

Friday 16th Dec:

Bridget went over to Bulls last night to support Alex taking her fiull driver’s license. Alex failed on seemingly trivial errors. Bridget stayed at Burleigh overnight last night.

Thursday 15th Dec:

Bridget’s new MG. I bought the same car today, only white, so we’ll have to sell the Zoe. Trying to arrange a trade-in or sell our Zoe is proving problematical. Nett nett the vaue via car sales is only $11,000, a fair price based on other sources is around $20,000 and I hope to get $17,000. We’re going to try selling on TradeMe with a little help from Dave in Ealing.

Bridget’s New Blue MG EV Long Range – Bought Earlier This Month

Wednesday. 13th Dec:

One From GoodNature Trap In Chook Run

Tuesday 11th Dec:

Dave Sent Us A Screen-Shot Off His Seat Back Over Free WiFi From Plane

Monday 10th Dec

Forester Keith noticed a sudden change in a large tree next to one of the Wellingtonians on Friday and

promptly removed this safety hazzard. He thinks it’s due to the continuing spells of rain we’ve had ove rthe last year. Stood proudly for over a hundred years and then, oops-y-daisy, it wants to lie down.

On closer inspection the oak behind the big Wellingtonian had grown into it and so Keith trimmed it back so the Wellingtonian now stands free.

Ancient Forester Keith Addresses The Leaning Tree Problem

Sunday 9th Dec

Celebratory Dinner At Pipis – Tongariro Crossed & Dave Returns UK Tomorrow

Saturday 9th Dec

Anna Walks The Tongariro Crossing, Dave accompanied Her For 5KM

Not A Walker In Sight

Dave Also Took A Look At The Ruapehu Ski Field

And Here’s A Trout Stream – See The “Tiddlers” Huddle The Far Bank

Friday 8th Dec

I bought an awning a couple of years ago hoping it would sheild the Landrover from the sun a little in the summer. Dave whipped it up and it does work, to adegree. But maybe he will put it on TradeMe next time he comes.

Dave Put Up The Awning To protect Landrover From Sun A Little

Thursday 7th Dec

This Tree Was Straght Last Week – Look How It Leans Towards Goose Paddock

Oh Yes It’s Shifted Dangerously – Must Come Down

Lamb-Proof Electric Fence By Dave And Anna

Norfolk Palm Octagon – Perimeter Deftly Strimmed By Anna

WednesdaY 6th Dec:

The New Temporary Rush Munro’s In Albert Square – A Frequent Habitat

Trying Out A New Cafe Near Black Barn

Good Short Walk In Havelock North Near Black Cottage

Anna’s Boys In Tent With Francic Many Moons Ago – Sent Ny Amy

Monday 6th Dec:

Anna notices that the corner where I crashed on a hired electice bike in May has been made safer. Must have been one of the workmen who saw me fall notified the council.

My Electric Bike Crash Site – Considerably More Visible Now

Sat 20th Dec

Oak Avenue Weather:__℃—__℃ no rain [?]

Life still somewhat chambolic; Anna and Dave headed off for the Tongariro walk on Saturday, just Anna although Dave may do some of ot. They’re back on Sunday.

Bridget coming up tomorrow with Tux, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Sat 2nd:

Tux In Woods – Bridget Ran 9km in 3 hours – Excellent

Anna Unearths Her Tennis Table At Karamu

Dave & Ian Short Bike Trip From Clive To Haumona

Dave Has Soft Touch For An Alpaca

This Is From Black Bridge On Way To Haumoana

Wetlands Near Hamoanau

Refreshing Kerbutcher Fermented Drink

Mon 4th:

Tue 5th:

Wed 6th:

Thu 7th:

Oak Avenue Weather:__℃—__℃ no rain [?]

Mrcus came and he and Dave drenched all the lambs, letting the lambs go into theFront paddock. Marcus taight Dave the right esy to drench, apparently ‘ve brrn doing it a bit off best practise.

Marcus and Dave discussed killing the four or so ewes Marcus had selected for an early grave due to their very bad condition. Marcus will kill them here for his dogs today or tomorrow.

Dave, Anna, Karola, and I set off for the Napier bus station where we met Amy Wierzbicki. Yvonne’s daughter who lives in Christchurch with her two boys but is up here on the east coast of the north island visiting friends. We had a rather good lunch at Master D’s nearby. Anna walked back from Napier to Karamu, 21 kilometres.

Much later, after dark, I cycled on my Wisper down to Caltex and bought chocolate. Very few cars on the road which made it easier.

Oak Avenue Weather:__℃—__℃ no rain [?]