What's happening @ Seaside Farm?
We now have a COVID-19 Safety Plan. Our cleaning procedure assumes departing guests may have contaminated the cottages with COVID.
Almost Spring again! It has been about a year since I last wrote and there has been such a lot of water under the bridge. Still the new lambs, calves and lots of eggs do bring joy. Yesterday, a guest sent a photo of her daughter eating an egg she had collected herself. I am not sure who gets the most pleasure out of Seaside Farm, us or the guests.
September 1
There have been about 30 plovers hovering around. They are quiet now with a few chicks starting to emerge from nests set very precariously in the paddocks alongside cattle and sheep. A couple of weeks ago "our" 3 wedged tail eagles decided to visit causing a tremendous uproar from the plovers. Plovers 1 - nil. A week later, the same argument ensued with the plovers tenacity winning over the might of the eagles. A flock of 25 yellow tailed cockatoos flew over a few days ago. They say these clever birds come down from the mountains when it is going to storm. Well, it is raining today so perhaps that a is correct. Hugh and I watch the weather map keeping a keen eye out for our friends on the mainland and the East coast of Tasmania hoping that they too can enjoy some rain very soon. A few cows are starting to show signs of bringing new life into this world. Karl is holding his breath until he is allowed to join his ewes in a couple of weeks time. All the gardens are burgeoning with spring blossom. Can't wait for the Tulip Festival. It is a sight to behold.
Winter
Winter is one of Tassie's secrets. Not sure how to describe it.... it is oh so peaceful. There is snow on the high country to visit. It is cold, however, a scarf, beanie and woolly socks keep us cosy. On return to the warmer climate at Seaside Farm where the cottages capture the northern sun, combines with double glazing and heat pumps to keep the soul warm. The nights are longer but the magic of the stars is a sight to behold, so clear, so bright. On the farm itself, we have welcomed some lambs into the world.
Autumn Already
It is so dry bringing on early colour in the trees. However, we are expecting/hoping that the heavens will open in the next few days and green grass will follow soon after. There is plenty of feed for our animals, all of whom are mud fat. The lambs have been weaned which they didn't enjoy too much for a couple of days, it seems akin to littlies going off to school for the first time. The lambs are now enjoying their freedom from parental guidance replaced with daily feeding to ensure easy handling hence forth. Bing, the sire of 100% calving began to be too full of himself and so has been sold. Such a pity as his pedigree was fabulous. The last few days, the New Holland honey eaters and finches have been here in their droves.
Happy New Year, 2019
It is the simple things in life that lift the heart. Our rather fat Dorper sheep seem to be adored by all, children and grown-ups alike. We were attracted to them because they do not require shearing, crutching or muelsing and they do not get flystrike. The sheep often look rather scraggly as they shed naturally in the spring and early summer. It is time now to remove Karl from the flock so that lambs are not born on cold wet winter nights. The cattle are enjoying the task of devouring the grass in the paddocks close to the house and cottages as a fire preventive measure. This will also provide Karl with a nice clean paddock.
December, 2018
It is the birds at Seaside Farm who are taking the limelight at the moment. The wedge tailed eagles have been floating on the thermals for weeks. There are also sea eagles up the road who sometimes cross the air above Seaside Farm. A flock of yellow tailed cockatoos have come out of the mountains to feast on banksia cones and pine cones and enjoy a good drink at the cattle trough. The yellow wattlebird is Australia largest honeyeater and has been enjoying the silver wattles. The Superb fairy wrens, funnily enough closely related to the honeyeaters, are almost always playing around in the garden. Oh I nearly forgot, we have had wood ducklings hatching. It was almost a tale of woe with Banjo our dog coming across the little ones crossing through the garden to the dam. The parent distracted him with an apparent broken wing, hobbling in the opposite direction until the ducklings were out of harm’s way and then soaring into the sky without any infliction. Ducklings safe and Banjo put in his place!
Our guests watched the whales from the cottage.
November, 2018
All cows have now calved and full kudos to our bull, our calving period was just 3 weeks which is ideal, especially to keep an eye on them to ensure all okay. It is fun to watch the milk froth over the calves’ faces as they take their place at their Mum’s milk bar.
The calves have now had their NLIS tags applied which is an Australian food safety accreditation system. Cattle can be individually identified and records traced to all owners during the beast’s lifetime and all drenches or other treatments checked. The NLIS tags are compulsory for all cattle and sheep in Australia and help to maintain our clean green reputation internationally.
It is almost time put the bull with the cows again in the hope for another good crop of calves next year.
There are also a couple of lambs bouncing around which can be quite intriguing before sundown. One of the lambs thinks it is a goat and jumps, all four on the ewe as if the ewe was a rock, then round and round the paddock before settling down to a nice camp spot for the night.
We all love it at Seaside Farm, animals and people alike.
October, 2018
We are currently checking our heifers and cows carefully each morning and afternoon as they are calving. This is an exciting time but like all births, it is a time that can be hazardous for both cow and calf. The cows have been pastured on our hillier country over winter to keep them fit and not too fat . A couple of weeks ago, we mustered them to be nearer the house to closely observe them and so that if they need assistance from us or the vet, we can easily put them in the cattle yards for handling.
