fencing fun

Posted on April 9, 2016 by kathy

Last weekend we completed a project that has been on the list for years. The fencing along the driveway was atrocious but we had to build the retaining wall (see “wonder wall” post) before we could fix it.

1.before

We started by putting in extra posts.

2.posts1 3.posts2

Some of the old ones came out easier than expected

others needed a bit of encouragement.

7.post4

Our old drill had finally retired after 15 years, no more swearing with the new one.

8.drill

After running two lines of straight wire, we rolled out the wallaby.

9.wire1 10.wire2

It comes in 100 metre rolls so we had to do it in two sections. We held it loosely upright on the posts

11.wire up

and secured one end

12.fixing

then strained it tightly and fixed it to the posts.

13.hanging

Then to the other end. We strained the bottom

14.straining bottom

then the top

15.straining top

until it was nice and tight. Fixed to the posts, three more lines of straight and clipped the wallaby to the straight lines.

16.strained

We then tackled the fenceline at the entrance to the property. Barbed wire is dreadful stuff, it should be illegal.

17.before

We dug in some new posts

18.hole digging

took the old wire down and soon had the new one up.

19.wire up

We are very pleased with our new fence but a little sad because it is probably the last fencing we will ever do.

20.new fence

Grandvewe Cheeses

Posted on April 1, 2016 by kathy

While travelling with my sister, we made the wonderful discovery of Grandvewe Cheeses.

About 40km south of Hobart at Birch’s Bay, Grandvewe is the only sheep cheesery in Tasmania. We were greeted at the door by a special family member.

3.dog

We fell in love with the gorgeous sheep

4.retirement village 5.sheep

and the lambs were adorable.

The Grandvewe dairysheep have been especially bred to withstand Tasmanian conditions.

The produce is amazing. As well as delicious cheeses, they offer Whey Vodka, an interesting Vanilla Whey Liqueur and Sheep Ice Cream. The Pinot Paste, made from the marc of the pinot pressings, is a fabulous alternative to quince paste.

15.produce

The scenery was beautiful despite the misty day

16.scenery

with views across to Bruny Island.

17.scenery

Even the graffiti on the bathroom walls was tasteful.

You can purchase products online at http://grandvewe.com.au

Guide Falls

Posted on March 18, 2016 by kathy

The pristine Guide Falls is a twenty minute drive from our house. It is a lovely spot to have a picnic or just enjoy the scenery.

1.summer 2.summer 3.summer

There are steps to the bottom of the falls and a walking track along the river.

5.summer 4.summer 6.summer 7.summer

At the end of summer there isn’t a lot of water flowing

8.summer

but winter paints a different picture.

9.winter 10.winter 11.winter 12.winter 13.winter 14.winter 15.winter 16.winter

Another beautiful place right on our doorstep.

awesome aves

Posted on March 12, 2016 by kathy

Being surrounded by forest means we are visited by a multitude of creatures, some of the most fascinating are the birds. The yellow-tailed black cockatoos usually stop by for a drink at the stock trough.

I don’t know how she was hanging on but this one found the bark of a tea tree very tasty.

I love their mournful call, unlike the hair raising screech of their sulphur-crested cousins.

One of my favourites is the kookaburra, they have so many different sounds.

Returning from the forest with Poppy one afternoon, she found this young fella in a predicament.

10.kookie in fence

He must have dived for a tasty morsel and ended up with his head stuck in the fence. It was a rare occasion when Michael wasn’t around. I ran home and grabbed the wire cutters (and my camera) and cut him free. He was unable to fly so I made him comfortable in the possum trap

11.kookie in cage

and called a friend experienced in wildlife rescue. She took him home for a couple of days while he recovered from exhaustion and dehydration, then, because kookaburras are territorial, he came home to be released.

The superb blue wrens continually bob around the garden

and are handsome even in their eclipse phase.

The New Holland honeyeaters,

18.new holland honeyeater

eastern spinebills

and black-headed honeyeaters

22.black headed honeyeater

enjoy feasting on the flowers. These three were deep in conversation.

23.black headed honeyeaters1

Bath time is always a delight to watch.

The scarlet robins are gorgeous. It’s always nice to see them and to know winter is on the way.

34.robin1

This pair moved in last year, I hope they return.

35.robin2

The green rosella is a regular guest

36.parrots

but herons are rarely seen. This pair may have been staking out the fish pond.

37.herons

Masked lapwings are a common sight. Often mistakenly referred to as plovers, they are much prettier. Notorious for nesting in the open and being very protective parents, I was privileged to approach this nest in our paddock without being attacked.

38.masked lapwing eggs1

Here is my reward.

39.masked lapwing2

This cheeky chap joined me in the sunroom the other day.

40.

The starlings are a bit of a nuisance but they look good in silhouette.

41.birds on a wire

It’s not easy photographing birds, but I shall keep trying.

wondrous walk

Posted on February 28, 2016 by kathy

My favourite walk with Poppy is one we call the river walk. The Blythe Conservation Area meets our property at the eastern boundary. Across the paddock and through a gate, we join a walking track. A short distance along, I look to my right and am awestruck at the realisation we live in our own patch of Tasmanian wilderness.

1.valley1