A bit of research on the net shows it to be the "Little brown owl", we'll still mention it to DOC tomorrow, very cool..
Oh on the farm front, the Pahiatua place few through as we walked away after they would meet us with the offer, so we're now considering other options...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Owls in the garden
I know I haven't blogged for a while, but this couldn't be not blogged. This owl has been in our garden now 2 days in a row, we think it might be a morepork, but the call is wrong, so I'll talk to DOC tomorrow about it.
This photo was taken about 3m from the house, and the owl was about another 5m away.
This photo was taken about 3m from the house, and the owl was about another 5m away.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The "Farm" is up for sale
Well, Steph and I have decided it's time for a change, the first of which is the farm, it's going on the market probably at the end of the week once we've done some tidying etc. There are other changes in the pipeline, but they might take several months to come to fruition (and no, we're not trying for another baby!).
It will be a shame to say "bye" to Littlebush, but we've outgrown it and are wanting a new challenge.
Watch this space.
It will be a shame to say "bye" to Littlebush, but we've outgrown it and are wanting a new challenge.
Watch this space.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Connor Roaring
It is a common way to entice male deer at this time of the year to "roar" them in, here is a short vid of me practicing, and then Connor joining in. The will be more news and photos soon.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Ah, an early easter and a nice long weekend.
What a pleasant weekend, what with Friday and Monday, 4 days off work...yee-hah. So what did Steph, Connor and I get up to in our four days off. Well, on Friday, Amy and Nigel came up from Wellington for the day, and the original plan was to head out to a beach, but due to the train being delayed, we didn't really have time, so instead we took the dogs and Connor down to the river to play, and then in the afternoon, whilst Connor was asleep (as was Steph), Amy, Nigel and I just sat around chatting and drinking coffee/tea. In the evening, Steph and I had our first night out since just before he was born, this time we went to Tulloch lodge in Masterton, good food, good service, and reasonable price. In all we had a very nice relaxing evening, and it just so happened that Connor was falling asleep as we pulled into the driveway. The car prompted a chorus of Gandalf and Strider barking, which promptly woke Connor up! Oh well.
Saturday morning we were up early so as to get Amy and Nigel back to the train in time, and then Steph and I fixed a fence that the strainer post had rotated on. That was really tiring, and after that, we decided that cleaning up the back lawn seemed like a good idea...anyway, that's all now tidier.
As for Sunday, the first mission of the day was to find 10kg of salt, basically impossible on Easter Sunday, in the end we bought it from a bakers, they were a bit surprised by the request, but thankfully managed to fullfill it. The reason we needed so much salt was that I wanted to do the next stage of the tanning of the deer hide (it needs to sit in a brine acid pickle for at least 3 days.
Apart from that, can't really remember what else we did!
On Monday, Andy and I went for a goat hunt at Tora (a beach about 1 hours drive away), it was a lovely day, lots of walking, and for our troubles we scored two goats (with two shots).
We did hear a stag roaring which was pretty cool, but after the .308 roared at the goats, not much else was heard in the basin.
Saturday morning we were up early so as to get Amy and Nigel back to the train in time, and then Steph and I fixed a fence that the strainer post had rotated on. That was really tiring, and after that, we decided that cleaning up the back lawn seemed like a good idea...anyway, that's all now tidier.
As for Sunday, the first mission of the day was to find 10kg of salt, basically impossible on Easter Sunday, in the end we bought it from a bakers, they were a bit surprised by the request, but thankfully managed to fullfill it. The reason we needed so much salt was that I wanted to do the next stage of the tanning of the deer hide (it needs to sit in a brine acid pickle for at least 3 days.
Apart from that, can't really remember what else we did!
On Monday, Andy and I went for a goat hunt at Tora (a beach about 1 hours drive away), it was a lovely day, lots of walking, and for our troubles we scored two goats (with two shots).
We did hear a stag roaring which was pretty cool, but after the .308 roared at the goats, not much else was heard in the basin.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Some photos and a few words
Another weekend, and this time, there's actually a blog entry to go with. On Saturday morning I cleaned up a rose bush that was creeping into the driveway, and then after that, I sprayed out a paddock (only 150L of weedspray!). In the afternoon (after getting back from town), we planted out the vege garden. Also on Saturday evening, I made some venison pate, very yummy!
On Sunday we had a lazy day (Steph played with Markissa, whilst I looked after Connor and did the housework), and in the afternoon we went round to a neighbors place.
As you can see, not much, but this post is more about the photos, so here goes.
On Sunday we had a lazy day (Steph played with Markissa, whilst I looked after Connor and did the housework), and in the afternoon we went round to a neighbors place.
As you can see, not much, but this post is more about the photos, so here goes.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My First Solo deer
Went out looking for deer this evening, and finally got one, a young (this year's fawn) spiker. The wind was totally against me, and I had almost given up, and decided to shelter in a rocky outcrop for a few minutes, at which point I saw the deer, and it was frolicking around in the dip below me, after waiting for a good shot (side on), I aimed, took a breath and let the rifle do it's job. The shot went straight across the top of the heart, causing the deer to run about 50m, and then drop. I quickly went over and administered the coup de grace (which hurt my ears!). Here's some photos.
Photo of heart
Photo of heart
Friday, March 07, 2008
Deer
On Tuesday evening I headed back up to the bush to try and claim that stag, whilst up there I did not see 1 deer, but 4, 3 hinds and the stag, I took the shot and missed. So last night I went up with the video camera instead..here's the result.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Sleep, what's that
Well for a few days now, Connor hasn't been sleeping very well (infact for about 3 weeks), he's been waking around midnight for his feed, and then not going back down, as you can imagine, both Steph and I are a bit like zombies at the moment! He's got a cold still, and his teeth are still cutting, once he gets over all this he's being weened from his midnight feed so we might start to get some full night's sleep (fingers crossed).
This weekend was a bit hectic, Saturday morning I managed to cull 2 does and a mutton, and then in the afternoon I started cleaning up the driveway 'cause it was a mess.
On Sunday morning, I went for a bunny hunt, didn't see anything, but I decided to go for a walk through a small block of bush on the farm, and whilst stalking through, I heard a strange noise so I stopped, and about 20m in front of me walked a stag, probably a few years old, still in velvet. What an awesome sight, the sun was playing on his coat, making it a bright red, head held high. Didn't shoot it as I didn't have permission, just watched it for a while. When I got back home I phoned the farmer and told him about it, and he then gave me permission to shoot it! So that evening I was back up, didn't find it though, just some poo!
On Sunday afternoon we went to a BBQ with the antenatal group, it was planned that we would do some water skiing but the river was in flood, so we just played on the jet boat until the intake got choked with leaves etc from the river. Bloody good fun all the same!
Hopefully this weekend I'll get back up to the bush and have another look for that stag! But the list of jobs around this place is starting to increase again, we've got shearing coming up soon for the goats, some fences need repairing, the lawns (esp the back one) needs a lot of work done on it, and the vege bed isn't finished yet either. Nor is the dog deck fixed from when we emptied the septic tank. We'll get there..just slowly, problem at the moment is any free time, we're both soo knackered we don't really want to do anything.
Oh well, that's life..at least I've only got 1 mutton, and 2 kids left to cull (and maybe 1 hogget).
Till later.
This weekend was a bit hectic, Saturday morning I managed to cull 2 does and a mutton, and then in the afternoon I started cleaning up the driveway 'cause it was a mess.
On Sunday morning, I went for a bunny hunt, didn't see anything, but I decided to go for a walk through a small block of bush on the farm, and whilst stalking through, I heard a strange noise so I stopped, and about 20m in front of me walked a stag, probably a few years old, still in velvet. What an awesome sight, the sun was playing on his coat, making it a bright red, head held high. Didn't shoot it as I didn't have permission, just watched it for a while. When I got back home I phoned the farmer and told him about it, and he then gave me permission to shoot it! So that evening I was back up, didn't find it though, just some poo!
On Sunday afternoon we went to a BBQ with the antenatal group, it was planned that we would do some water skiing but the river was in flood, so we just played on the jet boat until the intake got choked with leaves etc from the river. Bloody good fun all the same!
Hopefully this weekend I'll get back up to the bush and have another look for that stag! But the list of jobs around this place is starting to increase again, we've got shearing coming up soon for the goats, some fences need repairing, the lawns (esp the back one) needs a lot of work done on it, and the vege bed isn't finished yet either. Nor is the dog deck fixed from when we emptied the septic tank. We'll get there..just slowly, problem at the moment is any free time, we're both soo knackered we don't really want to do anything.
Oh well, that's life..at least I've only got 1 mutton, and 2 kids left to cull (and maybe 1 hogget).
Till later.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Connor's teeth
On Wednesday, Connor had another checkup at the dentist, and being a little one, they couldn't really explain "Open wide", "don't stick out your tongue" etc, so at the moment, they are not doing anything, and will check them again in 6 months.
We've done another lamb last night, and only 7 to go (2 does for salami's, 2 kids for chops, 1 mutton for roasts, 1 mutton for more sausages, and a hogget (not sure what we're doing with her). Saturday morning is when I intend dealing to the mutton and does. Then hopefully we'll be set for meat.
We've done another lamb last night, and only 7 to go (2 does for salami's, 2 kids for chops, 1 mutton for roasts, 1 mutton for more sausages, and a hogget (not sure what we're doing with her). Saturday morning is when I intend dealing to the mutton and does. Then hopefully we'll be set for meat.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sausages
Things are never quite normal around here, take this for example, our bathroom at the moment:
Hm, unpleasant side of farming
Well, we're down to 1 paddock with grass, and too much stock. We were hoping to use the driveway to tide us through a bit longer, but the neighboring farmer beat us to it (first come first serve basis).
Oh well this evening I have two mutton and a lamb to cull, then tomorrow, it will probably be a few more goats (for salamis).
Such is farming, at least we're only doing it for fun, not our income.. (at the moment)
Oh well this evening I have two mutton and a lamb to cull, then tomorrow, it will probably be a few more goats (for salamis).
Such is farming, at least we're only doing it for fun, not our income.. (at the moment)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
A bit of a catch up
Well, it seems my blogging is becoming a bit more erratic...Not sure why, but it might have something to do with the fact that by the end of Sunday now we're both completely knackered. Connor has discovered the joys of moving (with great speed), and has also mastered the art of throwing tantrums.
So a quick catch up, on what's been happening around here. At the moment we're in the grips of a bad drought (we knew it was coming since winter 'cause we didn't get much rain then), but at the moment we've got too much stock, so I'm busy culling off any ewes and goats we don't want and turning them into roasts, sausages etc. I culled a kid yesterday, and was going to do our last lamb today, but my cold has developed and I don't think I'll be up to slaughtering this afternoon as it takes quite a bit out of you.
Our new vege bed is coming along steadily but slowly, the fencing is done, 3 beds are made and 2 are lined with stones for drainage, so hopefully it won't be too long until we have some compost in and start our autumn veges growing, hopefully photos soon.
One thing that has happened (on Friday), was I spent the morning in casualty with Connor. Around 9am I came up to the house (Connor was at a friends place being looked after for the day), when I got a phone call from the friend saying that Connor had got his teeth and chin stuck in a chair, and that the ambulance had been called, and do I want to meet them at the hospital. As you can imagine, I got to the hospital reasonably rapidly (infact beat the ambulance by about 20 minutes!). By the time the ambulance had got to Masterton, Connor had calmed down (so much so, he slept in the back of the ambulance). All that had happened is that his bottom 2 teeth had been pulled forward to an angle of about 45 degrees, and being the mouth, there was LOTS of blood. The teeth are still sticking forward, but he has another dentist appointment on Wednesday to see how they are going (at least it's only milk teeth). But needless to say, that coupled with teething 4 teeth at the same time (bringing it to a total of 8), has made for a restless week!
Oh the other news is that Steph finally let me get a new computer, our old one kept crashing and occasionally wouldn't read the HD our photos were stored on, as this was quite worrying (around 20Gb of photos), we got a new computer, a new shiney 20" aluminum iMac. It is such a breath of fresh air for computer, things mainly just work, the camera is great (Skype works so much better), and it's rekindled a bit of fun for me in developement, I had got to the stage ere software development was just a job, but with a different platform and a few other geeky factors, I've started writing another personal application, which is proving to be quite fun and challenging.
In other news, the hunting is still going strong, mainly hares at the moment, normally for cat food, but the other day I decided to make 4 hares into 5 salamis. It will take about a month before they have matured enough for eating..Just hope I can wait!
Till later.
So a quick catch up, on what's been happening around here. At the moment we're in the grips of a bad drought (we knew it was coming since winter 'cause we didn't get much rain then), but at the moment we've got too much stock, so I'm busy culling off any ewes and goats we don't want and turning them into roasts, sausages etc. I culled a kid yesterday, and was going to do our last lamb today, but my cold has developed and I don't think I'll be up to slaughtering this afternoon as it takes quite a bit out of you.
Our new vege bed is coming along steadily but slowly, the fencing is done, 3 beds are made and 2 are lined with stones for drainage, so hopefully it won't be too long until we have some compost in and start our autumn veges growing, hopefully photos soon.
One thing that has happened (on Friday), was I spent the morning in casualty with Connor. Around 9am I came up to the house (Connor was at a friends place being looked after for the day), when I got a phone call from the friend saying that Connor had got his teeth and chin stuck in a chair, and that the ambulance had been called, and do I want to meet them at the hospital. As you can imagine, I got to the hospital reasonably rapidly (infact beat the ambulance by about 20 minutes!). By the time the ambulance had got to Masterton, Connor had calmed down (so much so, he slept in the back of the ambulance). All that had happened is that his bottom 2 teeth had been pulled forward to an angle of about 45 degrees, and being the mouth, there was LOTS of blood. The teeth are still sticking forward, but he has another dentist appointment on Wednesday to see how they are going (at least it's only milk teeth). But needless to say, that coupled with teething 4 teeth at the same time (bringing it to a total of 8), has made for a restless week!
Oh the other news is that Steph finally let me get a new computer, our old one kept crashing and occasionally wouldn't read the HD our photos were stored on, as this was quite worrying (around 20Gb of photos), we got a new computer, a new shiney 20" aluminum iMac. It is such a breath of fresh air for computer, things mainly just work, the camera is great (Skype works so much better), and it's rekindled a bit of fun for me in developement, I had got to the stage ere software development was just a job, but with a different platform and a few other geeky factors, I've started writing another personal application, which is proving to be quite fun and challenging.
In other news, the hunting is still going strong, mainly hares at the moment, normally for cat food, but the other day I decided to make 4 hares into 5 salamis. It will take about a month before they have matured enough for eating..Just hope I can wait!
Till later.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
It's been a while
OK, I know it's been awhile (not since the big goat hunt), but heres a quick catch up, the weekend after the hunt was my birthday, which was quite a good day, Connor gave me a book on Red Deer hunting in NZ, and a fire starting tool (based on magnesium and flint), and a pouch, Steph got me a nice gerber knife , gut hook and a bore snake, and Steph's parents gave me a kite to replace the one that was left at Lake Ferry a while ago.
The weekend after we had a BBQ with some friends from work, and went on a hunt with Matt, he shot 3 hares, and they were good shots too. Then it's this weekend....more later.
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