Categories: From the Farm This Week
      Date: Nov 14, 2012
     Title: 14 November 2012

So the sweet chestnut is not out in leaf yet, last year it was out on Nov 10 but we had a frost on the 10^th and that slowed it down. Our last frost last season was Nov 4, even the barberry has stopped opening flowers and the bees are going hungry. She is a strange season this year.

The 3 German woofers are doing well doing thistles, cleaning the paddocks of wind-blown timber and clearing the hemp paddock ready for sowing. But the seed has gone astray with courier post so we have missed the optimal planting date.

Well I had my best red hemp shirt on for the Fielding Market as it was Red shirt day (due to Mr Keys comments) but either I had the wrong day or got the theme wrong I don’t know, but I only seen two others in red. But it was great to get all my old friends, rare breed people, organic people, Biological farmers, Donkey owners, Pig owners calling in to see me and the market. I really appreciate the support. It was great to see Naya and plan her stand at this market, Long Bush free range rare breed pork and bacon.

After getting up at 2.30 in the morning to get there and the market closes at 2 we then went to Palmerston North to see Russell’s farm and pick up the rare breed banner for the next market. Then to the chicken abattoir to pick up my dressed chooks and home at 8. Ruth and Beate waiting, John we have no water the pump is broken down and someone up the road has cut the fibre optic cable and we have no phone or internet. Fantastic just the news I want when sleep deprived. So it has taken 3 days to fix both problems, new leathers, gaskets and a new motor for the pump. You know that pump is very jealous, every time I drive away it packs a sad, burns a leather or blows a motor. But really we just all take water for granted and the pump works day and night to move water from the well and around the farm. I think I will have to ask to marry her to make her feel  wanted and it is a her you know. Should even make the National News Organic - rare breed farmer marry a water pump.

The Taranaki farmers market was great, people just love us on Currie Street and we all like it as well. And did you see our new sign Donna painted for us as a gift, its great and we really appreciate it.

We just got the toilet for the waggon in place and sorted and Linda the Irish HelpX volunteer arrived. Linda is a very good gardener with lots of experience and is helping Beate set up the veg garden. So with the woofers Alex, Tristian and Anna, we have a full house at the moment.