Thursday 2 January 2014

holidays yeh right - busy time............

Holidays.........definietly NOT.........still haven't got to the bookwork or sewing.........but things have been hectic here..........so pleased to see the end of 2013 now I just need the end of the drought.........FIL is out of action again and looks like it will be for awhile....thank goodness Boy Wonder is around in school holidays as he has been working fulltime with Mr Chooky......feel bad about that but there is no other option..........
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So much has happened in the last week........lost a cow.............not sure what was wrong with her.........so now we have a 3rd calf........under a week old when we got her last Saturday.........introducing "Bell" as chosen by a friend............thinking old fashioned, sweet and cute but that night she bellowed............and bellowed........until lights were out and as soon as it was daylight she bellowed some more.............but she is the perfect poddy now.........she is very well behaved like Indy..........quite, lovely nature etc
Miss Charlotte on the other hand should have been a cheeky naughty name..........Charlotte is too sweet a name for her.............she is loud...........licks and slobbered everything and will nibble if she gets a chance - ouch..........she is pushy and strong willed..............
Here she is with Indy........Charlotte at the front........Indy relaxed on the path...........
they are still living in the garden along with 4 lambs but we have put  a couple of barriers up so  that contains them as the lambs are feral and run away instead of coming to the water etc...........
Water problems.............we have dams going off here and there...........2 cows got sick from the dam in this paddock............I think they refused to drink the water.........we didn't know and one esp was not so good..............managed to get them home and some special care and they are going well.............a new trough had to be found ASAP and installed............lucky we have already ripped pipe to that paddock just hadn't brought a trough..........so it was just a matter of connecting the pipes up..............see the cows are coming already for fresh water.......and it only just got finished.............
one of my absolute favourite foods at Christmas is toast with ham and then balsamic soaked tomato  and onion...........the longer they have been soaking the better..........it is something we have every year for breaky with the neighbors..............
watering has been cut back in the house yard so 2 lawns areas have died...........
it's a stuggle keeping up with the rest too with this heat and trying to cut back on watering...............the big house dam is going down and down.........who knows when it will rain so I need to keep water there to put to troughs in paddocks around the property............
just trying to keep things alive.........it is a battle....
and since I stopped watering the outer lawns the kangaroos decided to move in................so they are trimming one lawn and just moved to another one and the calves and lambs have the other one...........I haven't mowed for weeks and weeks..............
lots of roo poo..............and we have seen some big roos in here............
sunset one day last week........
Indy saying "hi"
a favourite spot for the calves is between a Cecile Brunner rose and a duranta...........
Bell having a rest.............
I was on the back of the ute emptying the feeder the other day and snapped these pics...............sheep coming into the ute............
trying to get to the front of the feed line...............
water is keeping us busy.............checking for bogged sheep and that the troughs have water is a constant job............
43 deg here today awful weather but not as bad as some placces...........45 or 46 is forecast here tomorrow............OUCH........and i have visitors coming - that will be interesting.........
Anyway off to bed.............
Catch you later
Chookyblue

23 comments:

loulee said...

It seems so unfair, that we have more rain than we can cope with. There were flood alerts over Christmas and many people had to leave their flooded powerless homes. But you guys are practically begging for water....I wish, I wish....

Brenda said...

Who would be a farmer? I may have to offer an adoption service if you get any more baby's.

Anonymous said...

we take our farmers so much for granted and we dont realize all the work that goes on behind the scenes,thankyou for sharing Chooky and i really do pray for rain for you and a drop in the temperature,take care.xx

gracie said...

The calves are adorable. If we all could, we would send you rain...for now we can only send our wishes.....

creations.1 said...

Drought would have to be one of the most heartbreaking word in a farmers life - you have no choice but to hang in there - it's all in the blood isn't it. And you and your family are tough. Each time we get showers here I immediately think of you and hope there is something up there for you.

Gail said...

Ah Man, Chooky! You make me tired just reading about everything you and your family are trying to do! I really hope you have rain soon, I'd like to send cooler temperatures too. It's 2F here this morning-we could trade a bit and both be more comfortable! Ah, if only.

Susan In Texas said...

Sounds like August in Texas. They still have us on water restrictions from last summer. Gorgeous sunset though, lovely calves also, and interesting roo poo. (I don't believe I've ever seen that before, and inquiring minds want to know, you know!) I've also never heard of feral lambs - see, blogging is educational. ;)

You're just living proof that the busiest people can get the most done. I am SO impressed by your work with CWS. Good job!

Take care,
Susan in Texas

PS Thinking rainy thoughts for you.

Cardygirl said...

I keep wishing rain your way! Take care, always interesting to see what you are up to!

Sue SA said...

I hope 2014 is the year that the drought breaks for you and soon!

Sandi said...

Oh Chooky, I just love your blog...

Farm Gate Creations Incorporating Hummingbird Quilting said...

Keeping fingers crossed for you and your family Chooky, surely that drought has to break soon.

Susan said...

Such tough conditions. You are amazing to still enjoy the little things. I'm so glad you have a little patch of green near the house to keep your spirits up.

Ali Honey said...

I feel for you...that is B.... tough. Stock can die so easily. We have never farmed in such tough conditions.
Wish there was some way I could send you our surplus rainfall.

Susan said...

Chooky - my heart goes out to you - if only we could send water...
Love the idea of the ham and balsamic tomatoes & onions...could have done with that idea a few days back when we still had plenty of ham left.

Chyfey said...

Chooky Im up in Goomeri,QLD and its hot and dry here but not as bad as you have.
We have had a few storms through ,great light shows but no rain.
We all need rain but not floods so fingers crossed...

Fiona said...

so much happening and I can imagine it is not easy and yet a delightful post ..... take care...
Hugz

Unknown said...

What can i say..... More power to you girl. Sharyn:)

Raewyn said...

My heart goes out to you and just hoping that there is decent rain on the horizon sometime soon. Never again will I complain about our own dry conditions (my visit to Texas blew me away too). So glad you are able to enjoy the 'small picture' like the calves and the sunset. Take care.

Anita said...

Life on the land hey.....hang on there xx

Jenny said...

You will have a right little animal nursery before you are finished. Hugs to you Chook

Lynn said...

Here's a New Years wish for cooler temps and rain. Those calves are adorable.

DAWNIE said...

I love the relaxed atmosphere of the calves just chilling, oh poor animals with the heat, wishing lots of rain to you and see the difficult times you are having.

DAWNIE said...

I love the relaxed atmosphere of the calves just chilling, oh poor animals with the heat, wishing lots of rain to you and see the difficult times you are having.