A New Kiwi in the Flock

[Flippa]

Hello from New Zilind
I've just discovered this site & think I might become a regular!!
My husband & I have recently purchased a 135 acre farm in Northland, New Zealand.
Northland is a subtropical paradise for horticultural lunatics such as myself.
Hubby & I have taken the plunge & escaped the rat-race as we want our 2 kids to enjoy the pleasures of a truly rural lifestyle.
I have a huge vege garden & greenhouse & some chookies.
We are in the process of pulling the farm back into shape as it had been left to go "to the dogs" for many years.
The longer term plan is to milk a small herd of Fresians & raise Hereford calves.
I'm looking forward to picking your brains for information "Self-Sufficient-ish" as I love this place so much I even resent having to drive to the nearest township for supplies!!
Can't wait to get to know you all.
Flippa

[Wombat]

G'DAy Flippa,

Sounds like a little piece of heaven you have there! Look forward to see what you are up to via your posts.

Nev

[2steps]

wow lucky , that sounds great

welcome to the forum

[shiney]

Welcome Flippa!

You certainly have got plenty of projects to keep you going. Sounds like heaven (hard work heaven) but I wish you lots of luck with it.

Keep us updated with all that you accomplish.

[Millymollymandy]

Hi Flippa and welcome. I bet you're going to make us green with envy telling us about the wonderful things you can grow in your climate!

[ina]

Hiya

I am already green with envy ...

135 acres! Just a quarter of that would do me nicely. Well, actually just 5 would do as long as I have a fulltime job as well.

I've worked on quite a few dairy farms, and always enjoyed working with cows. Also the cheesemaking that, im my mind, should go along with it - at least for your own requirements!

The good thing in your climate is that you probably won't need too much in the way of solid housing for the cows - or am I making wrong assumptions about your winters - sorry, my knowledge of geography could be better... At least, when I worked on an Australian dairy farm, the only shed we had was for the very young calves.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the site and share the development of your farm with us!

Ina

[Sue]

135 acres! Just a quarter of that would do me nicely. Well, actually just 5 would do as long as I have a fulltime job as well

I'd be happy with a few more square yards - in my dreams!

Bet it is a bit warmer than here - from the pics I've seen its very like Scotland?? Is iit? Do you have your own "Nessie" too?

Keep us updated on your progress
(I have another courgette but still no pumpkins - just how big can a bald non fruiting pumpkin grow for goodness sake??)

[aka-Flippa]

Thank you all for your warm welcome.
We have been having terrible weather for the past week.
Gale force winds resulted in a 30 hour power cut with no power (obviously!) water (electric pump) or phones.
A real test of our 'self sufficientish' skills!!
We had lots of HOT water due to our woodfire / wetback pumping along keeping us warm, but no way to get it to the shower .... aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh!!
We had a trickle of drinking water from our rainwater tanks because they were full to overflowing!!
Cooking on the gas BBQ was ok....did you know you can even cook sausage rolls with the hood down??!!
Fortunately the freezer didn't de-frost, but my garden took a hammering.

As soon as the weather improves I'll be out there clearing up.

[Millymollymandy]

Poor you, that sounds awful. I hope your veg and plants aren't totally destroyed.

Good news about the freezer though - that would be my worst nightmare.

[Andy Hamilton]

Hello there flippa (been off-line for a bit hence the late response)

Hope the weather has greatly improved since your last post (I am sure it has)

Andy

[aka-Flippa]

Well, it's been a while since my last post....and now the weather has decided to go & do the exact opposite.....We are having a lovely warm spell & everything is now bone-dry.
Fortunately the garden irrigation is spring-fed & doesn't deplete the rain-water tank that is for drinking & general household use.
Also means I don't get "daggers' from the other half when I have it going for hours in the vege patch

have been very busy planting all sorts of goodies and we are now starting to harvest bits & pieces...

[Wombat]

Onya mate, that's great to hear!

Nev

[Shelle]

Hi Flippa - we are actually having a bit of a stormy patch over here in AUS at the moment - nothing too severe - but it sure helps make my new garden flourish :)

Just had a look on the net where Northland was - looks like an amazing place to live - look forward to hearing more about your adventures.