Hello Winter!

Wow! Winter!! How did that happen?? I can’t believe we are in June.
There was a knock on the front door mid morning – front door knocking ALWAYS means Jehovah Witnesses. Naturally I was in bed because I am lazy AM-Challenged a night owl.

I wandered out of bed and heard voices at the back door. Jeff had somehow found them and seemed to be in the middle of a long conversation.
It showed no sign of stopping so I thought I would put in an appearance and say hi! (yes – still in PJ’s with no shame)
Mother and son this time. New faces. Nice people, son (15) very quiet (aren’t most boys that age quiet??)
They are 6 months new to Tasmania and this area. Honestly, its a hard way to get to know people as when someone turns up at your door spruking religion, its usually a door slam or a curt “No thank-you, we have our own beliefs”
I’ve stopped shying away from telling people that turn up about our non investment in a higher power – at least then we all know where we stand 🙂
I did get the (very serious) young fellow to laugh a few times and even answer a few questions. His mother, sweet but had the tendency to talk for him. Turns out he plays the piano. So I asked if they wanted to buy one!! It was an off the cuff comment, but really, we are babysitting a beautiful old family piano that no-one wants or plays and its a real shame.
So… we invited them in (oooo – says Rommy (the Mum) we never get invited in!!) so Roman could have a go as they did seem interested.
Oh – he plays beautifully. Played Fur Elise for us and it was a real treat hearing the piano again! (My mother and one of my sisters play and we really enjoy listening) He was pretty thrilled with the sound as he has only played on electronic pianos… this old beauty has soul!!
We’ve given them our number and told them to bring gumboots back next time so we can show them what we are doing in the garden as they seem really into this lifestyle change.

After all the religion, piano and garden talk, I had my (by that stage) VERY late breakfast. Jeff went back to bed as he is on nightshift.
It was such a beautiful day I couldn’t stay inside – and since the wind was almost non existent I figured to give the chipper another run. I got through most of the stuff we had set aside and dumped it all in the spaces around the gardens. It seems like a lot of work for a small addition to my paths!! Never mind. I enjoyed it.

The afternoon light was warm and rich! I still feel sad knowing these amazing trees will soon be no more.

My Jurassic Rhubarb is winding down. It has a huge footprint and I really need to make it pay for itself a bit better next season. Getting more stuff together to sell at the front and selling it in bundles. I’ve used it but still not in the habit of really making the best use I could of it.
(Mind you – I really like it there because it looks impressive and happy!)

I crawled into the cabbage patch and gave it a good weeding. They are all doing so nicely! Next I should treat them with the kelp juice!

Nice solid trunk on the passionfruit! I raked all the remaining leaves and mulched them around the plant.
Then I got onto my ‘bucket seedlings’
I had a bucket of random brassicas that I couldn’t fit into the outside plots and a bucket of lettuce that didn’t fit into the straw bale… both lots had been in there for AGES!!! And reasonably happy (ie not dead)

So – into the hothouse. Hopefully everyone will be happy there.
I do suspect the lettuce will race to seed, but I am not unduly worried.
I’d also like to plant some carrot seeds in here to see if they will germinate at this time of year and also a few potatoes… just for the fun of it!

Look who’s back in the next-door paddock!
Little Moo, thats who!!
He was so happy to see me!! He came galumphing across the paddock to see me and spent ten minutes slobbering all over me!! (Awwww)

I am in love with the photo below…

Such a crack up!!
I fed him a few tomatoes and some silverbeet – all of which he seemed to enjoy along with a good patting and scratching.

Anyway, by this time I had to do the usual end of day stuff… lock chooks up, collect some salad items for dinner, get fire going, prep dinner… wash off cow goo.

I hope your day included someone that was so happy to see you too – perhaps without all the slobber though!
Cheers!