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In: General, Shane's Posts

What wonderful weather we’ve had over the last few days… finally enjoying hot, sunny and windless days. Unfortunately nature as unpredictable as ever down here in the far south may have credited us with this good weather a little too early as the debt collector is expected to turn up on Christmas Day. Oh well I’m sure it won’t distract us from celebrating. Jude and I have been busy around the farm stead maintaining the veggie gardens and repairing things that have been plaguing the guys here for some time. With a few solid days in the heat and while watering the potato patch JudeRead More →

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In: Cafe's, Food, Shane's Posts

Lovely windless day yesterday, ideal to get some guides anchored to the concrete to stop the shed doors swinging in the winds. Lovely catchup with Ange Hamilton later in the day. Decided to treat ourselves for a meal down at the local pub. Kimberley joined Jude and I for the evening meal while Tom continued going around in circles in the paddocks. Tom had recommended the meat plate and all I can say is it was delicious. Otautau is getting quite a reputation with a few great eateries, it’s becoming a location worth visiting if you want value for money and great tastes.Read More →

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In: Cafe's, Family, General, Location, Shane's Posts

Jude and I had a fantastic day today as we took my sister Una and husband Steve from Canberra Australia for a ride up to the Borland Saddle. Leaving from the farm at Otautau we headed to Brunel Peaks Cafe on the corner of Blackmount Redcliff Road and Lake Monowai Road for lunch, a beautiful cafe in a beautiful setting. The staff were absolutely wonderful and very welcoming, just had that personal touch. As for the food, a good selection, generous portions and everyone enjoyed every mouthful… well I did anyway, just a treat. After topping off a wonderful meal we enjoyed a cup ofRead More →

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In: Farming, General, Shane's Posts

We got a battering from the Northwesterly freight train today. And if the damage on the farm was any indication (although light) I’d hate to see how the rest of the province fared. We didn’t have any trees topple however quite a few branches were torn loose, a sheep loading ramp went for a short flight, window glass blown in and the odd sheet of corrugated iron was ripped of the sheds. Jude and I had spent the morning repairing gate hinges (not storm related) when the wind really picked. The dust from the dry paddocks was whipped up and making a nuisance of itself.Read More →

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In: Farming, General, Shane's Posts

Funny day with the weather today, hot n dry, cool with light rain… a bit of a mixed bag however more warmth than cooler weather. The jobs todays, pickup Toms Ute from Oreti Plains, tow boat to Otautau motors for WOF then repair sliding gate at the stock yard. Jude and I attacked the task repairing the sliding gate, problem was the top rail was bent out of shape and the rollers had seized. 10mm x 32mm steel double track was certainly a test of engineering for us two novelist engineers. But after a lot of trial and error we were successful at the end…Read More →

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In: Cafe's, Family, Shane's Posts

Had lunch with my youngest brother Trev today,.. I say younger because he certainly ain’t the smallest. Trev was down from Fielding for a visit. We went to the BATCH which is my favourite cafe in Invercargill for lunch where we enjoyed seafood chowder (best in town) and yarned about the old days and those to come. Look forward to catching up with my older sister Una (aka Noons) who is in New Zealand for a couple of weeks. Hopefully we can get the Kiwi kiwi’s all together for an evening meal next week.Read More →