Silent Sunday

Sheep Pruning

It's that time of year when the sheep get shorn and lose their heavy wool coats.  After shearing they were put in our front paddock where the grass has been growing like mad and is up to their chins in places.  The lambs will be shorn in a month and are nearly as big as their Mothers now.

The trees have been growing fast in the warm, wet weather we have been having.  This sheep decided to do some over-head pruning.  That's her 2 lambs looking at me.

A day after going in the paddock all the trees are trimmed to the same height.  My four legged pruners do an excellent job.

This one is an expert at balancing on two legs and reaching where others can't.  That's an apple tree she's eating - I guess I'll be up a ladder with the birds to get the fruit  that's left later on this season.

Saturday's Critters

Bulls and Fences

Summer is here and as the weather heats up most of the Angus Bulls have decided to hang out in the shade by the back fence.

These ones were too curious to stay away and have come over for a closeup.

I wonder what they are thinking?  

Good Fences

Apple Blossom

This is a wonderful apple tree called 'Discovery'.  It is an old variety from the United Kingdom dating back to the early 1900's.

These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago when it was in full bloom.  The whole tree was humming with thousands of bees enjoying the blossoms.  Unfortunately they all managed to avoid being photographed.

This is one of the last apples to flower in my orchard and already I can see the fruit forming.  They are ready to eat in February and we always get a good crop.  If you are looking for an easy care apple, this one is it.  She looks after herself, never gets sprayed, doesn't have any health problems at all, and we get plenty of fruit to stew, freeze and eat fresh.

Floral Friday Foto

Today's Flowers
Home Acre Hop

Derelict Buildings

This old house has been abandoned for a while and it looks like Mother Nature is on the move and reclaiming her piece of land. 

I'm not sure what this old building was next door, probably a shed.  It's disappearing into the long grass too.  I wonder how many buildings get abandoned and grown over when they still have some good years left if they are looked after.  It seems like such a waste.

The Rose

My first rose is out in bloom.  This one is called Azure Sea and my daughter bought it for me a few months ago.

Much to my delight as well as looking beautiful it has a lovely delicate fragrance.  I think it was a sad day when they started breeding roses for looks and vase life and the fragrance was forgotten.  Who doesn't take a sniff when they go past a pretty rose.  

Luckily the old scented varieties are still around and some of the newer ones are smelling like roses should too.

Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

Belted Galloway Calf

The second Belted Galloway cow has had her calf and this one looks like her.  This is her first calf and she is doing a great job looking after it.

The calf is about 2 days old and she has a lot of growing to do but she was keeping up as her Mum started trotting across the paddock towards me.

New Calf

A lovely calf for this first time mother, and they certainly look like they belong together.  They are Belted Galloway cows and are often black and white, sometimes reddish brown and white.

The Weekend in Black & White

Spring Sky

Spring is a season of change, from winter to summer and back again all in the same day.

These shots were taken as the next bit of stormy weather started its approach.

Skywatch Friday

White Iris

It's Iris time again.

This lovely white variety has been the center of attention for the last few days.

The flowers don't last long with the spring storms we have been having but I managed to capture this group in time.

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Floral Friday Foto
Today's Flowers

Manuka

These pretty little native shrubs are flowering in the garden at the moment.  The botanical name is Leptospermum Scoparium and is native to New Zealand and parts of Australia where it is commonly called "tea tree."

The honey that the bees make from the flowers has many medicinal qualities and is a cure all for lots of problems.  Oil is distilled from the leaves and is a powerful natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic.

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Calf Time

It's calf time on the farm.  I got out today and took a selection of photos to display.

While this one is posing his friend is skipping around in the background.

Finally one who stood still long enough for a close up.  I think she was distracted by the dogs in the next paddock.

This year the Galloway hasn't produced a mini-me.  Instead her calf takes after Dad.

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Saturday's Critters

Mother Nature vs the fences

Mother Nature is a tough lady and I'm sure you can guess who won.

Last week a violent spring storm blew through.  We had about 6 big trees blown over taking the fences with them.

One Willow tree managed to land on a gate and break the post the gate was hung on.

Combined with the branches of other trees that were snapped off we have a lot to clean up, but on the bright side we won't be running out of firewood any time soon.

Jemma and her lamb

Taking some time out....

The Weekend in Black and White
Saturday's Critters

The Poets Bridge

This beautiful bridge crosses the main lake of the park in New Plymouth.  The original was built in 1883 and financed by the winnings of a horse race - The Poet was the horse that won.  

After the first one deteriorated this replica was built just before World War II.  The red colour was based on a famous red lacquer bridge at Nikko Japan.

Weekend Reflections

Tulips

The Tulips that survived my young dog dancing all over the gardens are now putting on a good show.  

Not as many as I had planned but better than nothing.  I'll try again next year.

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Today's Flowers

Silent Sunday