Slow mornings…

Tweedledee and River like to hang with me when I am having early morning coffee up at the firepit, easing slowly into the day. They are the last ones left of my original flock; old for hens, at least 10, both of them healthy and happy. I know this could change any day, both are well past laying, they have given us plenty of eggs and River has raised many chicks. They both hang out by the front door if we are inside, and I throw them a little barley to boost their health, they deserve a comfortable retirement, beautiful girls.

The rest of Halloween weekend the kids slept, ate, a little study was fitted in, and in another week and all the exams will be over – phew!

I should have taken a before photo of the below area. It had turned into a mud pit over winter as a well-used path for everyone including the ponies, this has resolved the situation, looks great and next winter no more mud!!!

Below you can see Luca’s primary school, (as seen from our property). How lucky was he to go to such a lovely little school when we first settled here. He and Ted reminisce fondly about their time there, (Ted lives just to the left of the photo). I have been looking back over my blog posts from this time and remembering too.

When looking for a place to settle the house was not a priority, top of the list was an affordable few acres to farm on. It also needed to be close enough for Luca to walk to primary school, next to the ocean and bush, regular public transport to a city, (with multiple non zoned high school choices), and essential services within walking distance, (especially a library!!).

This is more difficult to find than it may seem, but we found it, in this beautiful little village at the bottom of the world.

When on our regular walk we pass the old quarry that has been turned into a beautiful little park and rock-climbing area. It is a 5-minute walk from our property. You can see 2 people up there in the below photo if you look closely. Luca has done this climb; we are thrilled that he and Ted are now regular climbers, they motivate each other and it is so good for them.

The port itself is, as always, a hive of activity; we often stop on our walk and watch. It was a particularly stunningly calm day when I took this photo.

When peace was made between Kāti Māmoe and Kāi Tahu, about 1780, Koputai, (Port Chalmers), was one of two southern terminuses of Kāi Tahu territory. The chiefs Karetai, Te Matenga Taiaroa and Tūhawaiki and other Māori frequented Koputai. The original Māori name for Port Chalmers was “Potakere” or “Pou-takere” which may have indicated the hill where the tuahu, or altar, was sited. ‘Kōpūtai’ is a later name meaning ‘full tide’ and refers to an incident in which the tide rose, and beached canoes were set adrift.

In the 1800’s Europeans arrived and renamed it Port Chalmers after Thomas Chalmers, the leader of the Free Church movement in Scotland.

These days it goes by both names….

New Zealand is slowly making progress revitalising the Māori language. There is still push back from certain sectors. When I lived in Bath, (UK), I frequently went to Wales where the Welsh language is spoken, public signs are in Welsh, and it is widely used in their education system, all alongside English. This is a source of pride, embraced and seen as hugely positive and beneficial to the population as a whole. One day we will be at this point in this country, Luca’s generation gives me hope, they have grown up with it being an everyday part of their lives and when speaking, Māori names and terms come naturally to them.

Speaking of which, Luca was doing some research into his whakapapa, (genealogy, lineage, and ancestry). I came into the bedroom to see he and Rich going through some things. Luca did some deep diving online and found out things on my side of the family I knew nothing about. Knowing about your family’s past is valuable on many levels, not least is the understanding of generational cycles. In my line of work this is highly relevant, when understood and acted on, it leads to better outcomes.

I was born in the Bay of Plenty where my mother’s family is from. Most of my childhood was spent in the Far North of NZ, but I clearly remember that the old family farm in the BOP had lots of wild foxgloves on it, I loved them. They flourish in Otago and are now popping up around the pony barn area. That childhood memory came back so clearly when I saw these ones, so pretty 🦋

Luckily, although the girls eat lots of things that other sheep do not, they don’t eat the foxgloves. I have just put them back in the top paddock after a spell in the side one. This is Rua’s favourite spot, she can see everything from here and likes to keep an eye on me, just in case there is some extra barley coming her way. Her shedding, along with the others, is coming along nicely this year. Gorgeous girl. I had wanted lambs this year and set up a ram, but unfortunately when it was time to go get him, it fell over for a variety of reasons. Oh well maybe next year, to be fair they are very content, all have lambed before so probably enjoying the rest 😊

Jen’s birthday is next month, and her rose is just starting to flower again. It flowers winter and summer without fail and a gentle reminder, she is deeply missed ❤️