November 11, 2011

Hello all sorry its been a while since my last post.
We have been quite busy on the farm this week.
In the beginning of the week it was absolute gorgeous outside. Just a couple of clouds in the sky and a slight breeze. We were planting yams and potatoes so this was perfect weather to do that in. Planting yams and potatoes is the easiest thing to plant here on the farm so far. Lay your yam or potato about a foot apart...dig a little hole with one hand, put the yam/potato in the hole and cover it. Easy and fast. We planted thousands of those so that took up about a day and a half's work.
We harvested carrots again as well and we were quicker then last time...I washed the carrots by myself and that took a while for sure.
One of the most interesting things that we did this week was put up a tunnel house (greenhouse). This took one full day, about seven hours in the rain. Even though it was not an easy task in the rain it was still fun to see it go up. We all felt very accomplished at the end of the day. Shaun was also relieved that this got done because he said he was waiting to put it up for over three years. Normally a six person job but we made it work with four people. I was certainly impressed.
Work aside...Nolan, Ixart and I went on a hike to the top of the hill behind the garden...you have probably seen it in the pictures you can't miss it. Nolan has a little video camera and we video taped some of it. Hysterical to watch afterwords. Shaun told us about a specific route to follow to the top so we wouldn't have to run into this nasty bush, called gorse. We failed miserably with his directions and we were right in the gorse with no chance but to truck on through it. The pricker is sooooo annoying because if it pricks you...the end falls off so it leaves a splinter in your skin...almost impossible take out. I walked away with about 15 prickers in my hands and arms. Ixart and Nolan were laughing because they wore long sleeve shirts and I didn't! Not a bright decision. on my part Through the gorse we went and we eventually ended up making it to the top of the hill. Nolan and I climbed about a twenty foot tree and we could see all of Clinton and its beauty. The view was absolutely spectacular. The picture doesn't even do it justice. Being that high in the tree was terrifying. So much wind and we were at the very top so the tree was swaying back and forth...it was worth it for the view none the less.
Nolan and I are leaving Wairuna Organics today and heading to a fruit orchard in Roxburgh, about two hours away. We are going to hitch hike ouR whole way there. We are excited for that new experience.
I'll blog again when we get to the orchard. The journey continues!
Peace,
Jon