It must be Raining

Well, it must be raining or why else would I have the time to write a note on the blog. Suffice to say our track record is not good as you can see from the last post. We are now in January 2011 and what with the east coast under water, its time to blog.

Since the last post I have, I am pleased to say, worked part time for 9 months of 2010. This in itself, is a big feat and deserves some praise indeed. Having not worked (much) the previous 2 years it was 'game on' for 2010. So as duty called I was bound to respond. Much thanks goes to my work host GK, without whom my working life would not have been as successful. (PS I think the feeling was mutual from GK just quietly).

Megs completed her fourth and final RIAA conference and has taken on the Rosi lifestyle of actually not working. Thinks its pretty good and can't understand why she didn't think of it sooner. Ha, whose the clever one in this family. Megs is however responding to a higher calling and her new vocation of mediation (that's mediation not meditation) ie conflict resolution, will, I am no doubt, prove successful overtime (the underlying thought behind this positive comment is less work for Rosi in the future).

We are proud parents (again) of 20 calves, the last one dropping just 7 days ago, much to our surprise. Mum was obviously 'last drinks' for the bull before he was wiped away to his next manly duties. Our gain here of course. We had twins, but one did not make it with Megs very hands on pulling out the dead calf. It was a comedy for the next week as we endeavoured to make Mum and the other live calf bond. I know we are good fodder for the locals when it comes to farming. All good now and little Barry has bonded with Big Momma. Don't ask but the names do have a meaning. How about a prize for guessing why.

Highlights included Megs getting her motor bike licence, me feeling better about riding the tractor, purchase of smaller chainsaw called viki, buying surboards and I am sure there are many more.

Lowlight was the loss of Sidd in January 2010, whom we miss dearly. I don't think anyone can replace the man about town.

Megs and I have had a busy year, what with work in Sydney, driving, family reunion in Samoa, easter break with the gang, driving, trip to Melbourne, Christmas, driving and generally trying to catch up with family and friends in between road trips. So, perhaps it will be easier to visually show you our year, which includes homestead and paddock highlights (ie the money pit).

LEMBKE FAMILY REUNION/HOLIDAY IN SAMOA



































Superstar!













LATEST PHOTOS OF THE Big Back Yard



























Megs new orchard.

Viny helping himself to a rabbit. Guess who had to deal with it in the end, he and Adi are good at catching them, but that's about it.

Our new fire pit. Ready
for marshmellows.

We had 92 mil in 40 minutes. A few things got washed away, like our electric fence. You had to see it to believe it.




Farm girl ready for action.



















BOVINE UPDATES - Our own Vet Megs. If you see her with a long rubber glove, run!




























Barry bonding with Big Momma.





Megs takes on Barry and guess who won!


Friends and Relatives

Paddy Fitz, Will & Oddy getting ready to take on Gran in a game of hide and seek. Gran comes out triumphant and smurfs them all!



Stu and Jack at Sidd's billabong. Both looking pretty groovy.

Stage 2 Renos - Bring it On

So here they finally are, stage 2 renos!! In only 4 weeks the place was transformed with a new lounge, second bedroom and office.

Suffice to say it was soooo much easier living in a house that had a bathroom, kitchen and bedroom whilst these renovations were going on. No longer was the fridge or stove being moved around like pawns on a chess board.

As you will see from the photos we encountered wildlife living in the ceiling, yes a lovely carpet python, who nearly became part of Megsie's hair style. Thankfully Al was on hand to relocate our border...... I think we now have Charlie the carpet python living upstairs. Well as long as the mouse population stays at a resonable level, who am I to complain. Better than possums.

As I am being somewhat challenged with adding posts to the pictures you'll just have to look at them and guess what happened. But really we stripped back everything to expose the structure and started again. Happily not having to replace many of the beams holding the place up. Of course, as always, Vern and Aaron had a challenging time trying to make the place straight and level. Well done boys for making the front door close. Having said that if you walk from the office to the kitchen stairs you actually have a sense of walking downhill!! Go with that feeling.

Megs and I pitched in a lot more for this one, doing all the bits the guys didn't want to do, as per usual the work lower than an apprentice. And yes indeed the cakes kept coming. By all accounts I believe we cooked well over 50 during both lots of renos, and the local chooks went into overtime supplying the eggs required.

The painting is now finished inside and out, one day I''ll get more photos on the blog to show you this. As Megs was busy in Sydney earning the $$ Russell and I got stuck into making sure that we actually finished, otherwise I'd still be going now. Happy not to pick up another brush for quite sometime to come.

So, thanks for enjoying our laughter and pain as we travelled through the delights of a renovation. Overall we were very lucky with weather and now as I sit writing this blog looking out into the rain (which hasn't stopped for 3 days) we were blessed indeed to have missed the deluge that has occurred this year on the mid north coast. Not complaining just happy.

As we are behind look forward Easter 09 photos and calves, which I am sure by the time I get them up will be a lot older than now.

New Year 08/09 with Friends

New year was a blast. Weather fabbo, gourmet food and wine on tap and loads of activities to keep all busy.

John and Chantal, from the Netherlands were on hand to see how its done. John learning the basics of bbqing and whooping it up on the quad.

Maria, Brian & Mila as always providing entertainment throughout the stay. What you wont see is a surprise visit from Barbara S and her dancers, thank god we spent $$ on a new stereo!!

And a sincere apology to all Chantal and John's relatives back home, who unfortunately for them, had the pleasure of spending some of new year with us via skype. Of course being behind in time they were yet to have new year, you can imagine no doubt.

Otherwise I think the pictures say it all.