Just when you thought it was safe.
The piglets start to hide in the straw to keep the flies off.
Charlotte and I had such a time yesterday trying to keep track of them all. And now I have to worry about their mother standing on them again. They are hidden in there. But at least they are safe from these nasty biting flies. Sigh. 
Pania has been sighted jumping the fence and waddling nonchalantly right down the back of Pat’s paddock where there is a bit of long grass and no threat of haymakers. Let’s hope she is nesting within the boundaries so she will be safer from predators.
Ton has been teaching Boo about blog photographs and how to insert oneself unobtrusively into the frame.
Arthur’s mulberry tree is growing nicely and Mr M’s has just begun to bud, at last. But Bugs has had to have the humidity treatment.
To try and force the shoots out. Its head is wrapped in a clear plastic bag with a damp rag enclosed to create lots of moisture. The slow (and no) growth of these trees is mystifying.
Good morning. After chores I will rake the hay into windrows and get it all ready for the baling tonight. The hay is ready to bale, it dried slowly due to the cooler calm days. The heat is only just reaching us. The baler on the other hand is not ready to bale. Our John had it out after work last night but it is still having trouble knotting a string. It does this every single time we start it up after a break. So lets hope it shakes out the cobwebs and gets its groove on tonight, there is work to do. It would all be easier if John was working on the farm, but he is off at his own work at least 12 hours a day for 6 days a week. I can do most things by myself but baling the hay with a wonky baler is not one of them, I need help with that. And both of us have only done one season of baling hay. There is more to it than meets the eye.
So it is 5.30am and off to work I go. Later I shall take some photographs of The Coop for you. The bathroom is finished and hopefully the painter will be staining the covered verandah today so that next week it will be screened in (his last job) and we can start eating our dinners out there. The flies have come!
Have a lovely day.
your friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
66 responses to “Just when you thought it was safe”
Sheila looks like she’s decided to be a wild boar. Good luck with the baling 😉
I think you might be right! c
Pesky flies! I loved the first picture but then I am a sucker for cute kitty pictures anytime. Good luck with the mulberry trees—-and keeping the piggies safe!
Celi I really don’t know how you do it! I have been up since 4am (not unusual). Fed the cats, took dogs to the park, home and fed chickens and dogs. All before 6:30am. Then the fun began – picked, processed and pickled Beets. Picked and froze beans. Picked and froze Peas. Kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it!! Now I am taking a break to read your peaceful blog before I de-fat the Chicken stock I simmered for 12 hours yesterday, before putting it in Ice Cube trays and then bags for my winter soups. Oh and then I have to start mowing the lawns/grass areas(4 of them). Phew I am knackered!! How come everything in the garden matures at the same time LOL
Oh I think you do know how i do it, you are flat out! I need to pickle some radishes but I just can;t do it today!! c
Cats are such pros at relaxation – love it!
“:Ton has been teaching Boo about blog photographs and how to insert oneself unobtrusively into the frame.” – too funny C.
Poor piggies being bothered by the flies which in turn gives you more to worry about now that they are hiding away out of sight from their mom!
Can’t wait to see the updated pics of the coupe.
Have a beautiful weekend C and here’s hoping your bailer sorts itself out ASAP!
🙂 Mandy xo
I worry when I can’t find one of our two cats in a day – I don’t know how you survive, having so many lovelies to worry about in one way or another! The flies are bad here in SW MN, too – and the mosquitoes and the ticks. But, on the other hand, we’ve been getting rain and that’s fantastic!
The smell is intoxicating !!! Loved the whole process…especially sitting atop
the bales freshly stacked in the hay loft…hot….but ahhhhhh the fresh hay smell !!
Good luck with the baler….I think you should give, it..her…he
an affectionate name. LOL
nanster
i had a book[let] from the baler manufacturer that showed photos of incorrect knots and how to adjust knotters
might check with local dealer for book
one thing that helped was to spray the bill hook,part of the knotter assembly, with wd40 when put baler away in fall
once get the rust off the knotter it will work fine
don;’t take much rust to make the colorful language fly
hmm it lives in the garage, I shall tell john to check for rust on the knotter, can wwe spray that oil on now?he greases i know that and I am not sure if he has a book, it is an old baler but usually you can find something.. good idea ron, thank you.. c
Love the Boo! Glad you’ll have a screened porch soon. Such pleasant places in the summer.
We eat outside so I am very much looking forward to the screened in porch.. c
do you live near Davis/ would be nice to get an agricultural intern to help you.
I’m not a dog person – I more in cat camp… but your Boo is very much growing on me.
Good luck with the hay bales.
Love Leanne
Celi, I’m so happy to see the Arthur tree is doing well. Thank you!
Also, I see why you haven’t introduced Sheila to the piglets. You don’t need eight feet stepping on them. I’m just dying to know what her reaction will be. And I’m glad Pania has put in an appearance I hate it when one of the crew goes AWOL.
Arthurs tree is growing beautifully! when you come to visit you will be astounded! c
Blue is doing a good job of getting into the pictures. Ew, biting flies, no thanks!
Sounds like the tension is off on the baler. John probably knows that already. It seems like our neighbor was having trouble like that and he had the needle threaded backwards 🙂
Linda
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And there I was gloomily eyeing the darkening sky from where we are ‘promised’ some 250-300 mm of flood rains in the next three days: but then I don’t have all that hay to get in, a darling husband working 70 + hours a week, a lot of animals all doing their own thing, sensible or not or having to do the ‘Great Australian Salute’ non-stop [after reading your story I don’t think we have a right to use the term 🙂 !]. As long as the piglets are safe and you look after yourself . . . ni-ni!