Nothing to see here.
And that is exactly what I could see – nothing. I was standing, pigs lunch buckets in my hands, ready to step over the electric fence and join the running throng of young fat pigs, holding the buckets high, merging with the fast moving traffic, trying to get to their bowls before they did, but there was no one there. Not. One. Pig. TonTon and I stood, heavy buckets in my gloved hands and we turned 350 degrees. Nothing. No sounds. No pigs. An empty field.
I poured all the warm soaked grains into all the empty bowls and said , “TonTon” (In my get-to-work tone). “Find the Piggies”and he went straight to work and streaked around the corner of the field and under the gate. TonTon is the best at finding lost animals he and I have a weird connection as he picks up all the clues and always knows which animals I am searching for.
I folowed him around the corner and I found this fella.
Move along, he said, through a mouth full and without getting up. Nothing to see here.
But there was – something to see there – eight more naughty pigs had gone through the fence and were in the asparagus patch. Grubbing in the compost heaps and racing through the long grass. They had made a hole in the fence.
And all I could see were flashes of Hereford red as they reeled drunk and giggling hooning about in the asparagus patch, peeking out at me from behind bushes and dangerously close to the Fellowship Forrest and the Badlands where the coyote’s live.
Some had found the little oak tree. and were crunching on acorns as they dug around its base.
I called them and they all came happily enough, had their dinner, milling about half heartedly, I shut the gate, I fixed the hole in the fence and I hoped that would do it.
Then when I checked them an hour later they were all gone again. We had to play this scene twice more before I found all the escape routes.
That patch was doomed.
So I made a better patch. Finally either I got all the patches sealed or they just got tired of playing with me.
And they all lay down for a big sleep.
After the milking when I checked them they had put themselves into their hut. Early to bed.
Today I will drag a line from the electric fence across there. That is coyote territory out there at night. The wild dogs never come inside my fences, and I think it is best if a little pig does not get caught out of these fences at night. The coyote pack and my dogs and I have an uneasy understanding but that would break in a second if there were little pigs on THEIR side.
The majority of these pigs are sold on the seventh of December, I was hoping to get to that date before moving the last three into the Rat House Paddock with the Storm Shelter. We will have to see.
They tell me today is Sunday. I must say I am a bit surprised. This week went by fast. There is another frost outside but my vegetables are covered. I am still picking kale, lettuce, baby beets and baby carrots. The day before yesterday we picked the last of the cucumbers.
I will be mulching the carrots, and the beets more heavily as the cold comes in. In February I have a very important visitor and I want to give her a dinner entirely from my farm, with fresh baby carrots and beets and kale from my garden in the depths of winter. This is my goal.
Everyone needs a goal. I have heard of people plonking an entire bale of straw onto carrots to over winter them. I wish I had sown some parsnips too but I ate all my spring ones as babies. Parsnips need to get a good run up to winter and I left sowing them until too late.
Today I will tidy up in the garden and do more mulching. Though the real cold is still holding off somewhat we are having a lovely autumn. I am trying not to be afraid of the price we will pay.
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
41 responses to “Move along. Move along.”
Oh. So. Naughty. I see you say you believe all your family in NZ is safe, I’m so glad for you…still waiting to hear from mine but they’re not in Christchurch just hoping none were visiting.
My son said he thought Wellington got hit harder, they were in the middle of it but both my sons are up in the hills so much safer.
So frightening. So very sad.
Good grief, that earthquake in N.Z. was over a 7 on the scale! That’s unthinkable. And still, just reports of two people lost. So sorry for them but astounded it’s not a lot more.
That one ‘fella’ you found first looks like he’s emerging from a hole in the ground… wonderful pictures, and a terrific story of lost and found piggies. This gorgeous autumn weather has been a real bonus and I am enjoying every day of it, not thinking of what is to come because it will come and time enough then to bundle up. Hope you have a lovely day too! ~ Mame 🙂
Not unthinkable for NZ though – we are in the Ring of Fire – major fault lines running right through the country. Plus dormant volcanoes – it is geographically volatile. c
oh my such naughty piggies- with these photos you have the beginnings of a delightful childrens book! Cheers and I hope all your family is ok in NZ.
I think the story of the Many Naughty Piggies has to be saved for a children’t book. Especially with those gleeful piggy grins to illustrate it. We’ve been travelling and didn’t get any news last night because the power was out due to multiple lightning hits, so I’ve only just heard from the Fellowship about the earthquake. Fingers crossed there are no more deaths and everyone you love is safe.
Yes they are all present and accounted for – evidently it was pretty close to Kaikoura which has been cut off due to a land slide. Wellington got a good wack. but everyone is good. Dad in christchurch said there had been quite a few after shocks. c
I’m very glad to hear it about the family, but poor Wellington…
I bet you have better luck with the winter garden than you do with those smart, restless young piggies…
I believe I know the exact nonplussed feeling of what’s wrong with this picture that you felt standing there holding your buckets. I’ve been there myself with the horses. It takes a bit to sink in. I must say they are an adorable lot!
Kate’s right. This is story material. Made my day! (Sunday or not)
Glad to read that your family is safe, Celi, and the pigs, too – the rascals! I would have loved to have seen your face when you realized that they had escaped for the 3rd time. Then again, maybe it’s best that I didn’t. 🙂
You would habe loved to hear my language too – right at milking time of course! c
Pigs are my favourite farm animals. Totally full of character. Glad to read your family are safe. I live in Oxford, the earthquake was long and rolling. It was like being sickness as I clung to the door frame. The kids slept through it! 🙂
Your blog looks great.
Thank you – my two grown sons in Welington described it as the most frightening yet. Oxford. I believe that is where my most favouritae Great Aunt was from and my sister and I were just talking about her house the other day – what a coincidence. c
I put an entire bale of hay over my three little fig trees in the hope of them surviving the winter. Let’s pray it works! I’ve never tried pasrsnips – maybe next year! Can’t wait to find out who your special February guest is? I hope you will post photos of the dinner?