Mileage- 100000km

I finally reached the 100,000 km so had to take a photo. 24 Sep 2010
My car is a Toyoto Seca (1993) which my Dad bought brand new and passed on to me in his later years when he was not confident in driving. I hope it will carry me for the next 100,000.

Just Shawn Alpaca

Friday morning Marlene and I took a trip in search of this farm at West Corindi.
Ann rang to tell us she had some Alpaca fleece we may like. We couldnt pass an opportunity like this. After a warm welcome and cup of coffee Ann bought the Alpaca up for us to have a closer look at them. Having been just shawn they looked a little funny but those big eyes and eye lashers they are just beautiful, but known to spit which a couple did.
We came home with bags of fleece but it all needs to be sorted to get the best lengths for spinning.
The farm is surrounded by blue berry bushes, macadamia nut tree
and avocado trees.

Miss Toupea - chook

In my backyard I have this old metal garbage bin which Miss Toupea thought it was the best place, warm and soft to lay her egg. She is friendly and very vocal chook and so far a good layer of medium size brown egg.

If you double click and get a very detail picture You will see why she is named Toupea.

My neice said she is wearing a toupea, so the name stuck.

Rhode Island Reds X New Hamshire Poultry

I went to my local Ag Store and came out with a bag of mixed grain and 7 little day old Rhode Island Reds X New Hamshire Chicks.
I did have two clucky chooks so 3 went under Scruffy and 4 went under Twin No 1. I had to do it when it was dark and they are a little dazed.
I had prepared the nursery into 3 sections. I have already four little Silky X chicks with their mother Twin No 2. they are about 10 days old and still smaller than the day olds. Very active and eating and picking and scratching as their Mum has taught them.

The nursery is only put together with wire, tomato stakes and covered with tarp but I have managed to make it as warm and waterproof as possible. Jilly my little Foxi is very interested. I do have to keep her in my sights as not quite sure what she would do with the chicks.

This hobby of mine is a little break from my hand spinning and hand dyeing but I will get back to it later.

Daisy and Maisey 13 wks

I can't believe that Daisy and Maisey are about 13 wks old. They are so cute with their fluffy tops they look like a Miss Pompadour.

Maybe I can add a few feathers in my designer wool???

Chicks born 21st Aug 2010

About 3 days old let me introduce you to Miss Lulu who was looked after by mum Fluffy who didnt watch over her and she slipped under the wire due to my not so perfect cage making. I found her in the morning cold and cherping loudly for her Mum. I took her and had to keep her warm for the day and try and teach her to eat and drink. By the end of the day she was cherrp cherrping very loudly and as night came and darkness I lifted the other Mum (unnamed but a twin so look so much alike I cant tell them apart)and put Lulu under her. To my delight Lulu was one of the gang and althought a little slower than the three was watching and feeding and New Mum was looking after her.
Now a family of four chicks, Lulu, Fifi, Polly and Rosie are cared for by their sarragate Mum. She is very vicious when you try and look under her. I have a very sore finger to prove it.

Keeping a watchful eye on her babies. Mum is a unknown breed but has a Bantam/Silky XX and the babies will be the same.

Metrosideros Fiji Fire and Tibouchina Jazzie

Double click to see larger view.
I have a very unsightly back fence which was once hidden by a Ginger plant that was slowly overtaking the lawn with its fast growing rhizomes. It was removed and I planted cotton plants. The Pest attacked them so it was time for them to go and this time I have planted two well established Fiji Fire (Metrosideros) I had never heard of this plant before. The new growth are coloured pinkish very similar to lilly pillys. Has an orangey flower which I am eagerly waiting as photos don't show the flower. It is hardy, not too tall plant and with two planted side by side hopefully hide this fence.
The Tibouchina Jazzie is also new to me as I do have the Alstonville and Nola growing and are in flower most of the year. The Jazzie is a smaller bush and it has replaced a Camelia that I had on my front lawn.

My chooks are very interested in when I take shovel to dirt as there generally is a tasty worm or bug to find. Then after planting I have to place rocks and mesh to keep the chooks from digging/scratching up the plants.