Arrived Friday morning and now it is Monday and I have done my morning jobs, I have been on my own for a day and all is well. I did have a hassle yesterday when one of the chickens decided not to return to the roost, no way could I catch it and it was determined not to go. I tried to shoo it in the right direction but it managed to go round me, I had another idea open a different gate to allow it to round the other way. Yes, yes that worked and it took off like a rocket and was in the roost before I could get to checking it out and closing the door.
The cows are looking fine, as far as I can tell. They are all in the right place and none have their legs in the air. Tomatoes are still green and the strawberries too, the birds in the aviary are flying around and have seed and water. The watering has been done and there are no problems with the concrete water tubs in the paddocks so all is well on the farm.
I was hoping that Patty could have spent more time here but she has friends and family down the west coast so we have a date for next Monday for her to show me a favourite place where she used to go before when living in Somerset and going to school in Yolla. Small world the farm I am in (Florinhill) is in East Yolla. We are hoping to do some camping when Billeee and Julie get back here before the Peacefest.
Not used to living in a house and having everything at my fingertips so easily, tried to watch the TV last night but lasted 10 minutes. Used to enjoy The Mentalist but now it seems that it is all staged, as it is, and couldnt keep my interest..and those commercials, why should I watch them?
I have Wi Fi and Bob told me that there were many unused GBs so I have downloaded some of series 3 Mrs Browns Boys, so far as I can gather there are only 4 episodes yet available with 4 more to come and series 4 will be created and a movie. Not so sure about the movie unless it is still shot as if in studio, so much of the humour comes in interaction with the stage crew.
Taken a lot of pictures around the farm and have been given permission to post them, how about the fire wood it is a Tassie thing this stockpiling of wood for the winter. Dont know why I never see it in Queensland must be something about freezing your nuts off in winter in Tassie whilst Queenslanders go to the beach. That row of trees was planted by Bob 12 years ago and he is taking a chance leaving the bar open. As you can see I have plenty of time on my hands and this is after only one day alone. John
I agree Sharon. John I so look forward to your posts and pics, I am sure there are many of us desk nomads that feel like we are travelling with you also. Enjoy your time on the farm
__________________
Judy
"There is no moment of delight in any journey like the beginning of it"
If you want to get the chickens back in, put some scraps or feed in a small container and rattle and call out, "here chook,chook,chook and walk in the chook pen, they'll follow.
That house looks interesting John. Forgot it was a public holiday today, and went to the PO to post your Book etc, but they'll have to wait 'till Thursday now. Hope they'll arrive before you leave.
Hi John, I have good memories of being at the farm last year. Enjoy the luxury of being the house and enjoy the farm, it's a beautiful place out there.
New Zealand John - isn't it the sheep over there???????????????????
A favourite cow is one thing but a favourite sheep is another............. I have heard stories of New Zealanders who can't leave their ewe's behind and what would Billeee post about if he thought that I had a favourite sheep
John
-- Edited by yeoeleven on Tuesday 29th of January 2013 07:33:16 PM
I have been here for 2 days and havent spoken to a soul unless you count talking to chooks and a special cow numbered 126, she was pointed out to me to be careful of because she likes a cuddle and if you do not know she is behind you you can easily be knocked off your feet. I havent got that familiar yet preferring to remain on the other side of the fence but she likes her head scratched and that is easily done over the gate, just make a claw and she does the rest. I cant believe that I have a favourite cow, better not go to New Zealand!!!
No problems with the chooks I was a bit too early Sunday so I made a dusk visit last night and found them all settled in. They need to be locked in otherwise they will be feathers and a meal for the local Tasmanian devils. Never seen them myself, the devils that is, but have it on good authority that they are alive and well in Yolla.
Getting at least one egg on a daily basis, which reminds me to buy some bacon when next I leave the farm. Just had a good idea and checked the freezer and guess what I found some bacon. Sorry Bob looks like you had better put that on your returning list. John
Hello John, got back from West Coast, got to do & see what I want. Bit tired now, rest tonight as I go over to Port Sorell tomorrow till Monday, loojing forward to camping. Sounds like fun on the farm already, catch up soon.
Those chooks are still giving me a hard time last night I checked them at 8.15pm and they were still roaming around and then at 9.30pm and only 1 was in the roost the others had vanished, it was getting dark and cold but I had to search everywhere to find them. Eventually I caught a glimpse of white in the shed next to the roost and sure enough the others were there all settled down for the night on a hay roll. I was going to leave them and remembered about the Tasmanian Devils so they had to be gotten into the roost, easier said than done for me they are strong and vigorous with wings and legs going at full speed they are a handful to catch and subdue whilst opening the roost to put them in and standing on an upturned bucket. Eventually they were all in the roost and complaining loudly, whilst I returned to the farm releaved to have them in for the night.
Everything else is going well and I have just remembered Skype, I have had it turned off due to lack of internet and GB capacity but now have no such problems so hopefully I will be able to talk to someone at last.
If I were you John, I'd be doing what Bucko suggested a couple of days ago. I'd also check the roost area before doing that, just to make sure there were no unwanted visitors in there. Chooks are usually creatures of habit, and I'm wondering if something scared them off roosting in their normal place last night. Do you have any Pythons down there ?
You are right Sheba and Bucko about getting the chooks in but last time they were settled in for the night and reluctant to run around.
The good news is that it is raining and the farm needs the rain, not so sure about me wanting rain but then it is dry in here with all the home comforts. The other good thing is that the chooks have been behaving themselves and being in the roost when I go to lock them in. They are not so keen on me and when they see me during the day they take off like I am going to pluck them. Haven't seen 126 close up lately just checking them out in the distance through the rain.
Have had a few conversations on Skype now that I have remembered to turn it on, found some DVDs and more importantly worked out how to view them on the big TV. So between the internet, reading my Jackie Collins book (might as well read about it), Skype and DVDs I am settling in very well.
Otherwise everything is moving along with little to report on. John
Saturday morning and all is well at the farm, no hassles with the chooks and unintentionally I seem to be getting my own back after the earlier problems. I have learnt how to sleep in until 8.30 and when I get round to the pen I find them walking around the enclosure clucking loudly waiting to get out and I get the feeling that Bob lets them out much earlier.
Yesterday I left the farm for a couple of hours, drove to Burnie and visited Maccas. Been having withdrawal symptoms and needed a fix so I had the chilli wrap meal with the mandatory seniors coffee, very nice and actually spoke to a person face to face for the first time since Sunday morning. I have been having some Skype discussions lately and that is good.
I checked out and found that Mrs Browns Boys series3 episode5 was available for download so now I have all 5 of series3. I did watch series1 again with Julia and Hanna and found that after 3 months it was just as funny as the first time so I am going back through series2 and have re watched the Christmas Special.
Clearly little to report and I havent heard from Bob and Rhonda, Billeee and Jules who by now should be on Bruny Island, enjoying the ferry and boat cruise. Could be that there is no internet or phone connection there, been there and done that recently at Kentish Park, Cradle Mountain and Hellyer Gorge. John
Am finally on power again so can comment on your farming skills. Sounds like you are doing very well. Those cows look lovely in the photos, from over the fence give them a scratch behind the ears. Just as well you don't have to milk them as well. The chickens will roost anywhere they want if you haven't locked them in by bed time. Better to work out what time that is and have them locked in before the nasties come out for the night. Keep up the good work, Farmer John
Thanks Marj, this is becoming a saga. Probably too mundane and time I gave it away until I start travelling again, but here I go again!!!!
Sunday morning and those who know me know that I do not cook but yesterday I found a box of Cadbury cake mix and decided to bake a cake. There were a few problems to solve, the box told me the oven settings but not the microwave details and I couldnt make the oven work. It told me to use a wooden spoon but there was none to be found so the Braun mixer had to do, it needed 6 ramekins whatever they are but had to do with some Pyrex bowls. Apart from getting messy with the mixer all went well and I was able to add ingredients to the chocolate powder to make the pour over topping. I made 3 servings not 6 and they came out very well, had one last night and more for later.
I was told to pick the tomatoes and put the surplus into the freezer but exactly when do you pick tomatoes. When they are a nice orange colour and firm or when and if they turn tomato red? I picked some yesterday that were orange and put them in the sun but left some to see how they looked today but today they looked exactly like the ones left growing.
My farm duties are very simple and Bob did work out everything in a childproof way, the cows are fine with enough pasture for the next 2 weeks. The chooks and budgies have an endless seed and water supply so that leaves some watering and picking tomatoes and even there I am not sure. One week in to the farm stay all is well with no problems to report and during the week I have only spent $16 making a substantial increase to my Coaster float. John
Pick the tomatoes when they are a nice tomato red - the flavour develops better if they are left on the vine to ripen. They will still ripen inside - on a plate or tray on a bench - but maybe lose a little bit of flavour that way.
Don't you dare stop John ! You know we all look forward to your posts !!!!! At the rate you're going, you'll be a chef in no time. That dessert looks lovely.
John I was wondering what you do for food and cooking. It might sound mundane but it's interesting to this wannabe. With a hiace you have such limited space for stuff, I'm trying to work out what needs to go and stay. Keep up the posting and pics please.
John I was wondering what you do for food and cooking. It might sound mundane but it's interesting to this wannabe. With a hiace you have such limited space for stuff, I'm trying to work out what needs to go and stay. Keep up the posting and pics please.
Hi Janette,
I am currently living in the farm and have the full resources of a fine kitchen but whilst in the van I have a gas stove with 2 rings and a grill.
I do very little cooking in the van preferring to open cans and jars of a variety of content and add 2 minute noodles or some times cup of soup.
You don't need much space to house that stuff and I have a 60 ltr Engle fridge.
I do plan to use my pressure cooker and outside gas when I get the coaster and maybe a Cobb Cooker.
After a day out yesterday back to normality today, thanks for the encouraging comments wanting me to continue "on the farm"
Last night I noticed that the chooks had eaten all the food in the cylindrical holder so I had to search around for the seeds storage. Too late to give them more last night they were already settled down but I felt sorry for them and got up early to refill the bin before letting them out this morning.
Getting back to Mrs Browns Boys I found that there were more episodes available for download plus Christmas 2. They are on average 220MB each episode so I am well within the download availability and now have all of series3 except 6 and 7.
Met one of Bobs friends who I was introduced to earlier, she was walking the dog whilst I was checking out on the cows. Good to have a talk, I was concerned because from the house I could see that there were no cows in the paddock but they had moved into the second field behind and were out of sight amongst some trees. No problems.
Tomatoes getting redder but not the strawberries, I think the birds like them too and I am missing out. Not to worry there are many tomatoes, enough to store in the freezer as they ripen. I am cutting them on sandwiches and adding them to my egg and bacon breakfast.
Now that I have worked out how to use the DVD player on the TV I have got ambitious and now can watch anything on my laptop on the TV opening the door to watching any of hundreds of movies on the hard drive and the laptop. John
............. I have heard stories of New Zealanders who can't leave their ewe's behind and what would Billeee post about if he thought that I had a favourite sheep
