I can't believe it has been three months since we last posted- and the photograph of MacK on the last post shows him so small! It is a reminder of how quickly kids really do grow up!
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| Look how strong I am! |
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| I have a beautiful laugh - and a good chin! |
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| I love this photo. Jane sent it to me when I was in Rockhampton. MacK looks so staunch - definitely going to be a prop! |
In our defence, I have been away since the end of May on exercise (Rockhampton is not a place to spend a couple of months!), so haven't been able to write posts. It is an odd experience - every day is a little like groundhog day. Even when I could talk to Jane I quickly ran out of things to say as every day was the same for me. We were up early, and generally still in the office at 11:00 pm at night. Needless to say I was very glad to be able to come home. Coming home after that long away was an interesting experience too. Jane and MacK had been coping for so long on their own that I had to learn how to fit in again.
Since May, MacK has grown enormously, and is still ridiculously cute. He still has those big feet, and is starting to get legs like his Dad. I think I will have to build him a scrum machine for his first birthday! We enjoyed the company of Peter, Phyl and two of Jane's aunts in late August, and they left just in time to miss the onset of the humidity. Peter had to bring his golf clubs, as the spares we already had here are no longer hitting the ball as well as he would like! While they were up, we all went across to Magnetic Island to do the touristy thing. It has taken two years to get there, and I don't know that I have missed much.
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| Jane and her family. Winter in the tropics is a fabulous time to visit. |
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| This is the old pier on Magnetic Island, looking back towards the mainland. Townsville in the background | |
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MacK has seen his first two Bledisloe Cup rugby games, and had a win for the team he was supporting in both games. Jane and I came up with a deal to sort out the rugby issue. When games are played in New Zealand, MacK is an All Black supporter, and when the games are played in Australia, he wears green and gold. Just hope he grows up balanced, and not confused!
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| MacK and I are discussing the Bledisloe, and Poppy D is on the other end of the phone. Three generations of Dalziell's, all with an opinion on the footy! |
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| Rugby just aint rugby without a stubbie! |
He is not quite sitting yet, but is ever so close. He doesn't like to lie down and either wants to sit or stand up. I don't think it will be too long before we have a fully mobile miscreant on our hands! He has achieved the mobility milestone of rolling from back to front, and this morning measured 73 cm. Not quite yet on solids, but that won't be too far away. We think that he is considering throwing out a tooth or too, but figure he isn't too fussed on hurrying things along.
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| me & my Mum. She is as cute as I am! |
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| See look - I can almost sit on my own. |
In other news - We have taken the plunge, and bought THE FARM. We are now the very proud owners of 26 acres of organic, biodynamic soil in central New South Wales. We have bought at Canowindra, 60 kms from Orange. The area is known for its food, and there are 55 wineries in the immediate vicinity. The property itself is part of a neighbourhood scheme. It was originally part of a 340 acre farm, until the owners decided to subdivide the farm into smaller lots. There are twelve farm plots, and ten house blocks. All owners pay a quarterly levy (like a body corporate fee) for community property, which is just perfect as we get to share the major costs - such as replacing the bore. All of the other blocks have been developed, and we share the farm with two organic wineries (life will be terribly difficult!), producers of figs, olives, lambs and a market gardener.
The family who had our block didn't really understand the neighbourhood scheme/biodynamic concept, and haven't done anything with the land for the last decade or so. We are busy dreaming up plans, and looking at what we might do. We do have a concept that we are working on, and as it firms up, we will share it with you all! The house we build will be from straw bale, so you can expect invitations to wall raising and plastering parties. The house will have cold rooms suitable for the air drying of hams, and maturing of cheeses. Jane wants pigs (Clare wants them to have red gumboots...) and we will of course have a good sized wood fired oven. The first step to the Good Life has begun!
There is a lot of water to flow under the bridge before we can move to the farm full time, and tomorrow I will be pulling on the green and heading back to 'regular' employment. Doesn't hurt to dream though, and we are already looking at when we can buy a chainsaw, quad bike and a working dog! (By we, I mean me of course. Jane is far too sensible to have those thoughts out loud! She is just as excited as I am, but generally hides it better!) If you want to have a quick look at where we are going, google Rivers Road Organic Farm. That has some information about the whole farm and some of the people who live there. We met most of them when we first viewed the farm, and they were exceptionally friendly and welcoming.
The first order of business is to strip out the internal fencing. What is there doesn't work with our plans, and is pretty shoddy anyway. In late October, I get to pack up my swag and tuckerbox, and make like a pioneer. We will camp under the stars - hoping for stars, and not rain! - and expend some good old fashioned elbow grease. I have noticed that I am already exhibiting some rural traits that I must have collected from Dad growing up. I regularly check the weather reports for the area, and got really excited the other day to read that the area has had above average rainfall for the last month.
That will be all for now. I don't think I have to go anywhere for the rest of the year, so we should be able to post a little more frequently.
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| PLEEEEEEASE take me for a ride on your bike Dad! |
