As you know we haven't been living on site for all that long. So now that we're here there's a long, long list to tackle. Anyone who knows me, knows I love to make a list. There's something so satisfying about crossing things off a list and getting rid of those nagging reminders in the back of your mind. In fact I came across a tip once about writing a Mosquito list - all those things that are like buzzing mosquitoes constantly annoying you until they are on the list and - SPLAT - done!
So the biggest thing on the list at the moment is pruning the trees. Yes, it's fair to say they've been left to their own devices for a while and are in need of a good thinning and opening up. And as the ad says "she's a big job mate, you should get a bloke in"! So we're onto it. John's on the chainsaw and I'm following up. Hauling branches into huge piles ready to be fed into the chipper for big piles of mulch. It's a workout and a half and reaches muscles the gym workouts haven't touched on for a while! A lot of the rows are on sloping land so there's a bit of incline work, there's shoulders and arms involved, and quads and glutes are called on.
In the meantime the list includes the vegie gardens which need care and attention and the slugs and snails have to be dealt with to keep them from devouring all the plants. The shelter belt is on the list for weeding. There's landscaping ongoing and shrubs and flowers to plant. Fortunately the miniature horses are doing a wonderful job of keeping the grass down in the grove so there's no need to mow and the ground is looking like a smooth green blanket. It's inspiring me to think about holding a picnic in the grove...so I'll add that to the list!
Getting our oil out there is another list entirely with people and publications to contact, fliers to design and tastings to organise. We'll be holding an Oil Tasting at Big Beat Café Dominion Rd Balmoral on Friday November 7th. They've got a fabulous Courtyard for end of week relaxation and you can try Whangape Grove Extra Virgin while you're there.