Port Waikato, Ram Sale and Pavlova!

Yesterday we headed to Port Waikato (after we had done the stock moves).  Not the nicest of days to spend at the beach with a cool westerly blowing.  We drove north up the coast road via Waikaretu, pass Limestone Downs and through to Port Waikato. 

We decided to take a stroll down the beach, pose for photos, search the rock pools and draw in the sand.  The rock pools were fairly barren of life, but Simon did find a fish head and a live crab!




Alice, Urezza and Simon at Port Waikato




Alice busy drawing things in the sand while mum and Urezza
look on at Port Waikato



Me and Simon on the rocks at Port Waikato



Urezza, Alice, Simon and Malcolm scouring the rock pools



Alice, Urezza and Simon enjoying a picnic lunch at Port Waikato



On the jetty at Port Waikato -
Urezza, Simon, Alice, Malcolm and Sally












After our adventure down the beach everyone had worked up a bit of an appetite so we enjoyed a simple picnic lunch before heading down to the estuary and a stroll on the jetty overlooking the Waikato River.






















Today dawned with misty drizzle.  We all walked down the drive to see Alice onto the bus.  Today she got to sit up front because of her broken arm.  Then Urezza and Malcolm set off to do all the cattle shifts.  When all the jobs were done, we headed to Tuakau to the Nikau Coopworth Ram Sale.

There was a reasonable turnout of buyers and good money paid for rams in the first 5 - 8 pens (we didn't stay longer for the other pens).  Urezza and Simon were given instructions not to wave or nod or to buy a ram!  We managed to buy our number 1 marked ram, and this will be added to our Kaahu Rams. 

Nikau Coopworth Ram Sale at Tuakau Saleyards

After the sale we went to collect the rental car on the outskirts of Pukekohe before heading back in to catch up with my brother for a coffee.  Warren first met Simon's parents in about 1990 after trying to hitchhike out of Brienz.  Then Karin and Martin visited NZ.  I then visited Karin and Martin in Switzerland in 1991-92, and now Simon is here.  The deal now, is that Alice will visit them in Switzerland.

Warren, Urezza, Simon and Malcolm enjoying a coffee

 We decided for their last dinner, that we better have a Pavlova for dessert but unfortunately we have to confess that we didn't make this one! but it did taste nice.

 

What was left of the Pavlova!

Tomorrow, Urezza and Simon start there tour around NZ.  They head to the Nikau Caves first for a tour through the caves before heading to Hamilton/Cambridge.  We have packed up a box of things they might need, a list of possible places to visit and some people to see over the next three months.  Hope they enjoy themselves and create a lot of memories.

Lambs, heifers, visitors, Pony Club and broken arms

We have had a busy week. 

This week saw the start of our pre-weaning lamb drenching regime, with the start of weaning and planned for 10 days time.  The focus last week was on our terminal lambs (Suffolk rams to our B flock ewes).

Some of the first pick lambs hopefully!

Set of terminal triplets

Set of terminal twins



We have sent away the first of our heifers to the works
 getting 227 kg CW/hd average.  In the last fortnight,
 the heifers had been doing 2kg+/hd/day.



Hereford Heifers



 



Some of the dairy heifers returning to their paddock after a B12
 injection with skies darkening in the background.

 

A different mob of dairy heifers.
 

Pet Day Activities

Our school Pet day was held at the end of last term on 29th September, where all of our 31 children take part in a number of activities.  The activities are broken down into Indoor and Outdoor Activities.

Leading up to Pet Day the children work towards preparing their art work to be displayed and judged.  The day before Pet Day, they bring flowers and vegetables to make the last of the activities.  All Indoor Activities are judged that afternoon after school.

The next day, Saturday, the children bring their pets to school.  We have four categories, which are all broken down into Junior and Senior:
* Lambs
* Calves
* Dogs
* Indoor Pets

For Lambs, Calves and Dogs, the get judged on calling,  rearing and leading/agility.  For the Indoor Pet they get judged on presentation and care. 

Our day starts at 9.45am with the judging of the pets.  This where the children get to show off the pets that they have cared for and reared over the last 4 - 8 weeks.

Range of Unusual Vases from the Junior Classroom

Junior Unusual Vases - Alice's was the big watering can

Junior Class Vegetable Animals.  Alice won first for her Rabbit (3rd from bottom on right side)

 In addition, the Junior Class did a sand saucer, aboriginal bark art, puppy art and 1 other piece of art.

Senior Dogs

Senior lambs

Junior lambs

 Alice got third for calling and third for leading.

Junior Calves

Grand Parade

As part of our Pet Day, there is a selection of Fathers Cakes.  These are judged on presentation and taste and at the end of the Outdoor Activities these are auctioned off.  The whole day is finished off with a BBQ.  The day was a huge success, being supported by the local community in the form of judges, stewards, family supports and observers.

If interested, children can then take there pet lamb, goat or calf onto Group Day.  This year Alice did this with her lamb - Plum.  This was held at Te Kauwhata Domain on 24th October.  Alice competed in the Pre-Junior Section (5 & 6 year olds).  She was judged on the following:

• Calling:

Calling

4th = Calling

•  Leading

Leading

2nd Leading

•  Rearing

Rearing

3rd Rearing

Plum and Alice with their ribbons at Group Day 2013

 There were 12 competitors in her group and to come away with a ribbon in each section for the first time Alice had competed was well done.

Plum is now out in the paddock with some Ewe Hoggets for company.  She is down to 1 feed of 500 mls a day, and from tomorrow will get a bottle of water every 2nd day for a week, then nothing. 

We always look forward to pet day and Alice has already named next years lamb, although we have no idea what it will be.  Look out for postings on 'Lemon' next year!