rustytee

Another perfect winter’s day in Upper Staverton, again and its now Friday – five days in a row!!. Crystal clear cold and almost no wind. Not much heat in the sun but pleasant outside if you are moving about. And so was Snoopy who sniffs, peers into holes and pees all day when he is outside on the farm. With the weather like it is  for Snoop it is as Phil Collins said ‘no jacket required’. These are halcyon winter days. Sadly there has been no rain at all since Jill left on the 29th May.

Derek was up Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and on both days we were working by 9.00. We pinned up 200m of wallaby proof fence along our northern boundary – next to Tim’s property.

Wallabies watch out!

We then did some work in the holding paddock and cleared out all the redundant materials from the shelter belts. Solid days of work, especially on Tuesday when after moving the lads from the Ti-Tree paddock to the Vineyard paddock early and fencing for the remainder of the day we had to move one very silly Poll Hereford heifer from her ‘home’ in the calf paddock to the holding paddock. Miss PH went bush, into the bush paddock, albeit temporarily but was unable to resist the temptation of fresh hay in the holding paddock. She was a bit flighty most likely because of Derek’s fluro jacket and quick movements. I made him take the jacket off and slow down and, guess what? Miss PH walked back into the farm after hay. Jason collected her at 7.30 Wednesday morning. She fetched 1.82 per kg and weighed just over 450kgs. The lads (now to be referred to as boyos) are very well however they are getting increasingly assertive about their need for food. They have consumed two rolls of hay in the Vineyard paddock and eaten them up very well – almost nil waste. Yesterday, Thursday, David Hayes came to look at the cattle and he was very pleased with their condition and surprised that at least half a dozen were over 400kg and could be sold if we chose to. We chose to keep them until later in the year when according to David they will be worth between 2.20 and 2.40 per kg.

This morning the boyos moved to the North paddock, following me through the gate. Still very cold here and the wind is stronger than it has been. Some rain predicted for the middle of next week.

There is some turmoil and concern here on the coast and our reputation is declining or living up to expectations, depending on where you live in Tasmania. Four or five home raid by police in the last three weeks. Police finding amphetamines, other drugs, cash, firearms and the occasional reptile – in houses in Devonport, Ulverstone and Penguin. see – http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/man-faces-drug-weapons-charges/2579660.aspx

Also TAFE is back – http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/politics/tafe-back-as-tas-tomorrow-hits-the-shelf/2580731.aspx

In further breaking news it looks as if the Federal Government will offer extra assistance to Tasmania to help with our health service issues. It seems the Commonwealth is going to view Tasmania as a special case: ageing population, large number on Centrelink support, declining economy (an economy trying to reposition itself after the closing of so many older industries and the ‘rationalistaion (?) of forestry.

Yesterday Snoop and I went to Devonport in the morning to get the cladding for the shed door, leave a chair with the upholster, submit the bee registration form and sample and a quick tour of Woolies. In the afternoon we had Stu from Tassie Barrels to repair the smoke shelf support arm and of course David Hayes.

Some news from Stu T. He has a position in the Econommic Dev. Dept. and starts next Wednesday. He is relieved and very pleased.

I have two worksheets for next week’s workshop and am going to do them this morning. apart from watering – especially the top dressed lawn areas today will be mostly inside.

Had a very interesting email from Lionel in Egypt. He is really taking to the travel and embracing the ‘social media’ to tell people what he has seen and doing.