Christmas at "Headlands"

Major made out like a bandit this Christmas. I did well too, including this wonderful new picnic table for the beach presented by Julia and Mark.

Julia, Mark and Major at the beach with the new table.

Karyn's present to be opened.

It squeeks!



Ann and Bob wrap carefully but I'm getting there.



Another sock bunny from Bob!



New vegie garden



I love my raised bed vegie gardens near the house, but I wanted to grow more than space permitted. The sea conditions are not conducive to digging up more lawn for vegies so I chose a spot in the wetland paddock that we long ago closed to grazing to regenerate native bush.  I wanted a bigger garden for corn, beans, pumpkins, onions and potatoes. My friend Lizzie did all the heavy work, tilling up the hard clay. I helped with loads of compost and cattle pads and friend Kerry delivered three trailer loads of top soil which we forked into the newly fed and broken up clay. Since rabbits and birds abound in the wetland paddock, extreme protection was warranted, as you will see.

My raised bed vegie garden in the home paddock.

New garden in the wetland paddock fenced and ready for planting.

All planted!



All protected!



And growing!



First Monarch of the Summer

I'm rescuing Monarch caterpillars when I find them. Here is the new hatchery--a bird cage my friend Liz donated to the cause and helped me cover in fabric to keep the caterpillars in. So far only one caterpillar has been rescued and hatched, but the season is young!


Old bird cage is a new Monarch hatchery.

He/she flew into the Lacy Oak and blended right in!

Adventuresome guests

Eliza and Kathryn stopped at "Headlands" during their bike tour of New Zealand from top to bottom. Here they are departing Ngunguru.

Paradise Ducks

The Paradise ducks that breed in the little reservoir at "Headlands" were back this year: seven new additions to the family!

Major's Third Birthday

Bob and Ann Fiegel brought over a wonderful curry dinner for Major's third birthday. We had the curry; Major had chicken livers. Bob made Major a bunny out of Major's favorite toys--old socks. Major had a great time opening his beautifully wrapped present, eating the box and then playing with his new bunny. If only I could get him to chase the real bunnies that are eating my gardens! A great party.
 

What's this Bob?



I think this means the present really is for me!



It's mine--all mine--and I am going to open it!

I really like eating the box!



Major and "bunny"--at last!

Happy Major

Here is a happy dog, who was lovingly looked after by my friends the McKillops and the Murphys while I was away in the USA. I'll work on a more flattering photograph of his beautiful face.

Orca off "Headlands"

My neighbor Ingrid Visser is a world reknowned orca researcher. Many of you who have visited here have met her. Just a few days ago she and a BBC film crew (they are doing a documentary on Ingrid) were filming the orca just off our headland. Ingrid was kind enough to call me and alert me to the excitment and then to send me these photos she took with "Headlands" in the background.

USA Part 4--At Dad's house

Had a great time with Dad in Circleville, Ohio. Failed to take many photos, so here is the one and only of Dad in his vegie garden.

USA Part 3--Rhode Island

Loved being back in Rhode Island with old friends.

With Alexis Pyle aboard "Mud Slide"

With Chick Pyle at the helm of "Mud Slide"

Sasha Pyle, a fabulous companion.

With Kay and Charlie Chapin at Harbour Court in Newport, a favorite venue.

Back in the USA...part 2

Annapolis and Connecticut were the middle of the trip. Apologies to Mary and Theo who hosted a wonderful dinner party...so wonderful I forgot to take pictures! The photo of the US and New Zealand flags is actually in Rhode Island at the Pyles....can't figure out how to move it to part 3...the joys of technology!

Maryland crabs...yum...thanks to...

John and Margaret who took me to lunch!

Kitty, Joe and Pat at the Annapolis Yacht Club

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The reinsurance girls in CT...guess who were trouble in the old days!

Back in the USA..part one

I had a great four weeks in the USA mid-July to mid-August catching up with family and friends. Here are a few snapshots from Los Angeles and Chicago. I can't make the caption feature work on every photo so from top to bottom for those without captions: Ampy, Brad and Ginger at home; Brian, Jeri, Courtney and Kathy at The Cubs game (they lost in the 12th inning); Carla in her apartment.

With Kathy and Courtney in Chicago

Karen Tucker

Linda, Mark and Tilly

Busy summer

Hatcthed more Monarchs in safe cages away from wasps.

The cows horns filled with manure for maturing into awesome fertilizer, something I learned at my permaculture course.

Major's old kennel turned into a butterfly hatchery.

The olive oil press. Lots of oil to come.

Terry and Margaret from Annapolis on a brief visit to Headlands. Great fun.

Robin and Major picking mussels at Sandy Bay. Major liked the sea.

Alexis and Kathryn grooming Casey. I'm wearing gum boots while Alexis is in my old sea boots.

Kathryn watering the hanging baskets from a Dewar's bottle--1 litre per basket is perfect!

Chick in charge of the dinner!

Nick driving the Gator, Alexis and Kathryn in the back and Major wondering which way to go.

Sorry about no posts. I spent the summer watering the gardens during the worst draught in any one's memory. I also took a course in permaculture (look it up), helped a friend and neighbor with pressing olives for olive oil, and entertained guests from the USA (Chick, Alexis and Nick from San Diego and Margaret, Terry and Jim from Annapolis) and New Zealand (Robin and son Andrew and various friends). In no particular order above are some snapshots from the summer.

Silent Auction for Angus Robinson Foundation

Guest room shower in main house.

Guest oom vanity in main house.

View from guest bedroom in main house.

Guest room bedroom in main house.

Guest cottage lounge...will move farm vehicle from patio!

Guest cottage kitchen and dining area.

Guest cottage bedroom area.

More guest cottage dining and kitchen area.

Guest cottage from outside.

The view north from the main house.

The pool and view north.

The main house: Kitchen and dining room to right, living room straight ahead.

More of the living room.

The beautiful tree!

I'm offering accommodation for a week to raise money for the Angus Robinson Jr. Memorial Foundation, which provides scholarships for university students studying insurance, reinsurance and risk management. It's the last board I am on and I am so committed to this group that I am offering the guest room and/or guest cottage for the silent auction to be held during the 20th Anniversary Gala in New York City on June 9. If you want to bid and can't be there, let me know.