On a regular basis you need to check up on your animals, fences and water systems. But what is better than combining that with a dog goat run and some picnic?
Apart from the usual winter farm activities, there has not been much exciting stuff happening. It’s been a typical winter with lots of rain, lots of mud but rather warm in comparison. It looks like nature has decided that it is spring.
The weather has turned from somewhat wet and warm to rather wet and cold. The horses have been rugged up just like the goats. The rodent infestation has become noticeable, so we started putting up more traps on top of the traps and bait stations we already had.
We have not seen much rain in more than 2 months now but rather hot, sunny weather with wind. Both dries out the land, particularly the hillsides facing the Kaipara where the wind blows from and which the hot afternoon sun hits.
It’s been a few rather wet days. Some with intermittent sunshine but not enough to dry up the ground yet. The cats use the sunny breaks to go outside but other than that they seem to be in hibernation.
This year was special and I had not yet seen the water that high. Kumeu and Waimauku townships flooded too and other suburbs in West Auckland. For some it was pretty bad and I feel sorry for the affected people – and animals.
