winter on the farm, so far

Here Rich is showing his homely 'welcome' mat to the honey/bee room. We couldn't have it out at home because cats would come and scratch it up.

These first three photo's were taken on a Sunday that I was working. As you can see we had already had a small snow fall. This photo also shows some of the views from the farm.

Seems someone was thinking of me that morning. Nice to know.

A week later, the weekend before Christmas, we made the most of our own private slope with some friends.

Astrid felt like doing her own thing. She literally sat on the edge of the frozen pond.

The scenery was beautiful. This area I call 'Little Marsh' it is what we first thought was the spring but is actually another smaller one on the oppposite side of the pond to the main spring.

There were/ are still things going on. Rich unpacked a load (twenty) of hives bought over the internet from Bulgaria. We considered going there on holiday to buy some bees because they are so expensive here, but Rich couldn't find a place that sold them.

Taken 2nd Jan. Happy Birthday Olivia (for yesterday) and Mum (for today). As you can see we celebrated.

The pond is nearing it's full capacity.

Standing on the pond. There were little footprints of various animals that had walked over the ice or snow.

We had a braai/ barbeque, 2nd. Jan, ate in the 'caravan' and warmed our toes in front of the gas heater. We weren't posing for the photo either our toes really were cold. I took the photo to try to show the steam coming off my socks, but I don't think you can see it. Astrid is pointing at it.

Going back in time a bit, to the 30th Dec (my birthday) Rich and Barry did some heavy block lifting. Firstly as steps in front of the caravan, the wood was slippery, and secondly about 20 blocks in line with were Rich wants to put the hives. The hives will be put on top of the blocks.

These photo's were taken last Friday, 14th Jan. I went up by myself to dig a trench for a rabbit proof fence we want to put around what was the pig stye. The story of the pig stye will have to be another posting. From these photo's you can see both ends of the pond. The photo below shows the area Rich and I dug away to lower the overflow (it is the dark slit in the bank) . Next weekend we will have to level that trench off otherwise the rising water will still overflow on the wrong side of the pond. Maybe from these photo's you can also get an idea of why we are disappointed with the work done on the pond. The pond edges could have been more level and deeper, but then it was all done by eye. Then again what we have is better than what we had plus we haven't paid yet so we can't be too fussy. Mmm not sure when/ if we can do much about it now without a lot of hassle and money too to pay for the hire of a digger. It's about £500 a day, I think. The water looked lovely and clean. I hope to swim in it in the summer.