Well the rain did come, and I need not have bothered to pump in from a spring, but this is a wonderful lead into summer.

We had been pumping from this spring when the level was quite low but then we were caught off guard by a big rain event, and this pump needed to be rescued. Now checked and serviced it's good to go again.

 

With summer approaching and being very concerned about the threat of bush fire, we get this coup of tall pine trees cut down.

 

Then to offset some of the costs the timber is sold to a local saw miller to make pallets.

Unfortunately plantation harvesting over our boundary fence is changing the scenery for us at the moment and it will be around 5 years before the trees grow back to height that gives complete privacy once more. That said, it is quite interesting to watch the machines work. 

Late August and we help our good friends Ray and Kerry to pen some sheep and lambs for crutching and tailing.

They're so cute but, On goes the ring!

This little one is next, and I can feel both of our hearts are beating at a million miles an hour.   mmmm ah well, it must be done.

The winter months of June and July have been very dry so when August came around we decided not to risk having a dry spring and asked our friend Tim to come back and dig two new dams, this is the first one.  

We are not waiting any longer for the rain to come and begin pumping in from a nearby spring.

 It's late Autumn in 2020 and due to Covid our travel plans to the USA and Canada have been put on hold, so while everything goes into lock down, we discuss the possibility and pitfalls of building a green house with construction veterans Ray and Kerry Picket.
 

 Over a warm fire, a cold beer and tasty snacks Ray and Kerry give us some good advice about green house construction. 

 Now the work begins

 Foundation is done and dry and now the wall takes shape..

 Ray along his carpentry and power tools comes up for a couple of days to help with the roof.

 Nineteen days later and it's ready for occupation.

 

The rest of the veg garden had a bit of a face lift at the same time.

Barry seems to approve of the broad beans, lettuces, strawberries, spinach, and tomatoes that are all in and doing well, even in June.

 

It's late October 2019 and Blakely 22, a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver arrives to help on the farm and then tour around Tasmania on his bike.

I picked him up at the over night ferry from Melbourne and then went to straight to visit our friends Terri and Kevin at Beulah and see the farm they recently sold.

Back at our place we get into cutting out a new base for the water pump down at the dam.

Moving a few Irish Galloway cross cattle back on pasture.

 

 Clearing out some old hay and then re-stacking the bales in readiness for the new season bales.

Bringing in some Baldy heifers for weight gain check.

 We have been working on a new maize patch and now have the maize seed in and the sprinklers up and running.

 Today we are going to be chainsawing some firewood so Blakely sharpens and re-sets the blades.

A curious on-looker.

Some Charolais steers at dusk on a warm evening in late spring.
Photo courtesy of Blakely.

Blakely helps with some modifications to a cattle gate.

 Today he leaves us to begin his travels around Tasmania.
Thanks Blakely, good luck and safe travels.