AT home ... Occassional updates of the happenings at Firthside
Jaani!
23 December 09 | Jaani has had a filly in the early hours of this morning. She had a very easy birth and it was a privilege to be present for some of the time. We have taken many photos and will post some of them soon.
The filly is exceptionally healthy and we will have such fun watching her grow.
The Saffron is Flowering!
17 April 09 | All the saffron corms were replanted this year to bring them closer to the kitchen. They have grown well in the rich, organic soil and flowering has now started. The recent cold snap has helped to form good flowers and stamens, and we are looking forward to a large crop with enough left over for friends.
The picking requires regular attention as the flowers only last the day and are freshest in the early morning. To create good quality saffron requires careful removal of the stamens to reduce pollen and petal contamination. Our saffron is processed immediately and sun-dried the same morning before storing.
Saffron plants flower well during the first year and then take three years to reach full production, so we will enjoy this first crop!
In the Hen House
12 March 09 | Well our chook-house is crowded! These are the results of a clutch of heritage hen eggs we put under mum when she went broody. Our first-time mum has been very tolerant of her six teenage chickens (Yes, the one underneath her survived!). This was their first night on the roost and they were determined to stay cosy.
The chicken run has now been seeded with green manure seeds and horse manure, and with the recent rains we should have a lovely green crop for them in a few weeks. They will love turning that over.
... And we will love all the eggs, provided of course they are hens and not roosters which is always very tricky. We have no roosters as we like our quiet life, so any new group of chickens want to fix the gender imbalance for us. We will keep you posted!
Tahlia on the Windward Bound
20 February 09 | Tahlia was so fortunate to be asked to sail from Hobart to Melbourne on the tall ship, Windward Bound. Today she set sail with Sam. They both crew regularly on the Lady Nelson. The Windward Bound is a training ship so all crew stick to strict rosters and work routines.
The delight of her trip occurred while working up on the yards (the crossbars that hold the square sails). There were 40 or so dolphins frollicking at the bow of the ship - an experience never to be forgetten.
Check out the Windward Bound
Meet the latest member of the family
29 January 09 | This is Jonesy. Our new scallywag from the Hobart Dogs' Home.
What a delight he is! One year old with a lovely temperment, and full of beans.
Jonesy is nearly all Labrador but then has a foxhound type tail and a spotty hound nose. And he is certainly a hunter - when the scent beckons he takes off like a hound. He would love to play with the two cats but is just a little over-enthusiastic. So endures a regular swat across the chops from them. We have gone to great lengths to ensure all the smaller animals get greeted first, just so he understands the pecking order and it is working well.
We will slowly introduce him to all the other animals including the sheep (Lucy, Shauna and Barrie). . . . Now, the possums are another thing and we are pleased to say they are slowly moving territory and leaving our poor plants to recover.