Hello friends and family The days are rolling into each other as winter ticks along, but Tuesday was a standout – the first fence post was erected to protect the coastal strip between here and the Moeraki colony. This has been anticipated for a long time and will double the safe places for penguins in this area. With a wet winter we will be able to begin planting and for the first year the plan is simple. We will plant flaxes, Cabbage trees and Ngaio. These plantings will provide micro-climates for the less robust species that will come later. Dave has come over and pulled out two flax clumps for us that will give us about 100 plants. On Wednesday I went to town to hand the keys into the rental agent and left one set behind. I had hoped to get my second COVID booster but there were none available in Oamaru for a month. Sigh. I started the job with a realistic plan of 10 flax heels a day. Robbie had lent me his grinder to cut through the hard stems and it all seemed sensible. By yesterday, my shoulders ached whenever I went near the place! Talk about muscle memory! Drastic measures were called for and so I got out the chainsaw. Magic. If I keep the leaves away from the chain, I can cut through the stumps and pull off the heels. They will sit in water, grow some roots and then colonize the coastline.
Have a great week! Rosalie Hello friends and family Yes, it has been cold! The southerly front came through on Sunday and the snow was still there on the foothills on Friday. Monday was the day I took the car for its first service in Oamaru at the Mitsubishi dealer. I got a courtesy car and was able to spend 3 hours in Oamaru quite comfortably. On Tuesday the team came out and we did the rounds in the morning – Mr 139 was home, and then went to the Bluffs in the afternoon. I wanted to check on the cabbage trees that Robbie and I had planted and then collect seedlings from under the heritage trees. I got tiny Kowhai and only a few of the cabbage trees had been nibbled. On Thursday, Robbie and I showed the contractors through the reserve in the morning. Mr and Mrs 25 were at home. In the evening we went to the tavern to farewell the contractors who have finished the path work. My tenants left on Friday, so I began sorting the place out, so it is ready for the next tenants. This involves tending to the gardens and lawns and dealing to the rough areas. I have done the inside clean too. I have organised the guest speaker for our AGM on 17th September at 3 pm in the Moeraki hall.
Have a great week! Rosalie Hello friends and family We got a taste of spring this week with temperatures over 10 degrees and light winds. On Tuesday I went to the Bluffs with Robbie, and we checked all the traps and collected the Warratah puller to lend to the contractors here. Wednesday was my day at the Toptip, and the sunshine brought the locals out, so it was very social. I even turned over $50 so that was worthwhile too. On Thursday we did the rounds and then Jan and Robbie went to the Bluffs in the afternoon. Elaine walked Katiki Beach, and I faffed around! The highlight was having Mr 166 at home. Nice to see a real penguin! In the afternoon, I weed sprayed and straightened up a couple of Kowhai trees. Some jobs are a long way from penguin work so on Friday I cut tree circles, mowed the lawn and washed the car. It is going in for a service and I am too tight to pay them to wash it!
I booked the Moeraki Hall for our Penguin Rescue AGM Saturday 17th September at 3 pm – put it in your diaries. Have a great week! Rosalie |
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