News

Delicious little local bananas and a banana flower came home from Onerahi market. We love the bananas cooked and in tropical fruit salad with coconut yogurt. I’m not quite sure how to tackle the banana flower. Apparently you can eat both the stamens and the heart in...

There has been enough rain to dampen the seedlings and there have been a series of stunning rainbows. I just have to try to protect the new beds from voracious chewing bugs which I haven’t been able to identify yet. Some seem to be doing well. Maybe they aren’t so...

We now have yellow sign on the boundary fence to warn everyone that it Is alive. This is after a few jolts. More unpleasant weeds were discovered in the bush and slowing eradicated. Moth vine vine hung out to die Definitely nasty The chicken shed now has a roof...

It’s been very exciting to watch the raised beds taking shape and being built. They do take a lot of filling. Praise be for diggers. There was enough mature compost for a bit of topping and the first half bed is now planted. It was hard to decide what to put in first....

Our beautiful rooster is learning to crow. He sounds a bit pathetic, maybe it’s a bit like when a boys voice breaks, uneven, as if he doesn’t know what is coming out next. The first time was yesterday morning at about 7.30. Clary barked and we couldn’t think what the...

After making numerous loaves and experimenting with two different starters, one gifted and one slowly grown, I am now fairly reliably able to produce a decent loaf. The secret, and the challenge, is patience. I have taken a little trip to Mangonui with the dogs....

The greenhouse is working well for cuttings and tender plants need growing on before venturing into the world. The dragon fruit cactus and finger lime are thriving and a tiny jacaranda cutting has really taken off. It is also a new favourite cat nap spot. Mornings to...

I was sorting out some pots for planting bulbs when I discovered a very active nest of paper wasps who did not appreciate being disturbed. Fortunately I have the perfect terminator tool. A sizzling scene of death and destruction followed shortly. A few of them flew...

The hens are settling in nicely and we found a very appropriate door knocker for their house. They are getting quite tame and enjoy a little treat snack in the afternoon. After a few days of foraging for firewood for the hot tub we pruned the trees near the house a...