Goodbye 2008

Airini rode her motorbike over the other day and offered to supply a few 50kg feedbags to put my extra rubbish in which she would dump in "the gorge" which apparently is the repository for all the farm refuse. How she knew that I was beginning to sort through all my clutter is probably another good example of female intuition. Ever since I left Havelock North in March 2007 I have been intending to sort through my papers and get these into order. I also intended to do this when I shifted from next door in March 2008. Perhaps I will finally get the task completed before March 2009!

And yesterday was a big day for Bumble my blue angora because it was the day to pass the buck. I clipped Giselle's fibre from her rear and introduced them through the wire of the cage, popped her inside and it was fireworks, streamers and a carrot for afters.

Christmas 2008

'Tis the season for TV repeats. What's worse is that the powers that be show the same films every year and ones that seem to have nothing to do with Christmas. "The Man Who Lost His Head" (how that's meant to get you into the holiday spirit is beyond my comprehension), "Maid In Manhatten" again, "The World's Fastest Indian" again, and cruellest of all "Daydream Believers: The Monkee's Story". I mean the world is in the worst economic recession since The Great Depression- aren't we suffering enough?

I was fraught with worry since I was making most of my presents this year and was concerned that people wouldn't like them or else assume I was a Scrooge. Christmas morning I was finishing wrapping the last of them when my brother and his wife paid a short visit before going to lunch in Tikokino. Gareth arrived just before noon to take me up the road to his mother's for the rest of the day. There were quite a few people there and so alot of hugging which I was not used to before coming to live here as our family is not so touchy feely- more slappy hitty. Gine had two friends staying from Germany and they also joined the party. It is so strange to feel part of a family that you're not related to by law or blood but it just confirms for me that my friends are my family (plus some of my family are my friends).

We had lunch outside in the garden before heading inside for present opening. Gine gave me a lovely fine bone china mug with black and white chickens on it which I intend to have my evening cup of tea in from now on. Late afternoon we went back to the garden for tea and Christmas cake while Gine and a local Tikokinonite (Cedric) played music on violin, accordian and guitar with Raphael and Dawn (Gine's friends) sometimes singing along as well. By 6pm I reluctantly realised it was time to go as I needed to feed everyone and have a rest. For the rest of the evening I lay on the sofa and watched "My Family and Other Animals" another adaptation of Gerald Durrell's classic book although, disappointingly, nowhere as good as the TV series that was made in the early 90s.

Peachy Poo, Hoggle's "Bits" and More Delinquancy

Peaches is a wonderfully soft caring cuddly cat who has one serious defect- she loves rolling in sheep manure. It's not noticeable until you pick her up and bury your nose into her silky fur only to have your nostrils singed by the pungent aroma. Mishka is even worse as he enjoys eating rotten eggs he finds hidden in the long grass plus he views the cats' litter trays as canine buffet tables. Enough reason not to allow my pets to lick my face- you never know where that tongue has been!

Three weeks ago today I heard a smashing sound and discovered one pane of the window here in the office broken. I have no idea what happened, whether a bird tried to fly through the glass, whether it was an act of God or an act of Goat, or else the rotten putty finally gave up the ghost. From past experience here I knew I would have trouble getting it repaired so I first rang my insurance company but because I only rent and don't own this house I am not covered. The following morning I called the property manager who said she'd ring the landlord and tell him which made my stomach sink. By Friday I had heard nothing more so I rang her again and she said she would leave another message. Two more days passed before I saw the landlord walking out the gate. He said he would ask a builder working on the big new cow shed if he would fix it for some beer- needless to say it is now three weeks and I still don't have a window. I am just so grateful it isn't winter.

A week ago Hoggle's wedding tackle finally dropped off and what a miserable little boy he was. He shivered and looked so sad, hiding in the dog kennels or else under the old wash house where he remained for three days. I finally pushed some grass under there and saw him eating and when he heard me come with pellets for the others he rushed out to join them. I blocked his access to under the shed and later saw him out the back grazing with Gretel and Heidi. Unfortunately Xena Warrior Goat couldn't join them and sometime during the night she broke her tether and took them away back down the gorge. I rang the next door neighbour who is keeping an eye out for them and will send them back home. Meanwhile it's time to buy Xena a thick chain...