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Many geese are sitting settled and important or are looking assiduously for nesting sites around the farm. The ducks quack off in soldierly rows after being let out of the feather pen in the morning, then peer into likely spots land are promptly chased off by the bully geese, who investigate the positions themselves amidst much discussion and then abandon same as being only fit for ducks.

Muppet, Heath and the other calves (which we still haven't sold!) came running towards Brian this morning as he threw over some hay. It could well have been described as a temporary gallop, and I think they only stopped because there was way too much weight in the long hair that is so much a part of their wonderfully untidy appearance.

Turkey Tom is constantly agitated now, but the harem of two is used to his carry-on, and ignore as best they can. Brian was busy on Monday and extended the run of the chooks area so that they now have quarters right up to the peafowl area, with only some chicken wire separating the two. Brian wants them to get used to each other and eventually he may open up the whole walk for them both. I'm curious to know what you think - is it inadvisable to let them co-habit? Will they fight beak-and-claw? Please drop me a line.

The tagasaste, daphne and camellia are still in bloom and proving to be a boon to the senses. I'm continuing to take in the latter two to work and gifting them to share the pleasure of God's Winter. I don't even mind the carpet of soggy, brown, spent blooms that invade my sunroom on the soles of the family assorted.

The pigeons have finally laid another egg, and Brian says that as soon as the whole area is dry, he'll extend out the Feathers Pen and give them a lot more space. I think we'll have to work out a method of drainage as I am vastly unhappy with the present disarrangement.

From a book out of the Library: Swinging the Billy: Indigenous and Other Styles of Australian Bush Cooking by Kingsley Palmer, 1999, Aboriginal Studies Press.

"Shovel steak" Find your shovel and clean it by rubbing sand across its face. Build up a good fire and allow it to burn down to hot coals. Place the shovel on the coals, propping the handle on rocks or a box so the shovel blade is more less flat and the handle is well clear of the flames. Cover the blade with cooking oil and place the steak on the heated surface. Cook to taste.

The shovel can be used to cook any meat and perhaps to fry an egg.

Try cooking an egg in half a grapefruit skin which has had the flesh removed, and eaten. Make sure the grapefruit is set in hot sand and ashes - not the burning coals. Cook the egg for about five minutes. It tastes a little of the grapefruit but this is not unpleasant. p.55

Lisa McInnes-Smith's quote of the week: "If you can't have the best of everything, make the best of everything you have."

Life

Sleep that stirs upon the darkened shore

and folds close fingers around my mind's content

journeys of wildernesses never thought

breach the walls of my unconsciousness

I find this new life interesting and yet

the regret of waking is small and soon ceases its clamour

Remembering a scene, a sight, a smell

working around my buried memories

but it's gone!

and I am left with homesickness for the home that never was.