Snow cover along the hills, the Heaphy Track is on the right side, Mt Perry just visible. Not a good time to be up there tramping, or mountain biking

 Spencer looking all alert and intelligent.

 Aorere River in July.

Aorere River in July. The water is just above freezing, straight off the hills.

Beautiful sunny day here, after  -3*C start to the morning. Snow is all along the hills, not as much as there has been last year, but still time for a bigger dump.

I have brocolli sprouting in the polytunnel, going to plant into the growing tunnel and try for spring brocolli, along with early beans and peas. I had a huge crop of rhubarb this year, planted in between the polytunnels, I ended up with 20kg in the freezer, and gave away twice as much. There is only so much rhubarb anyone can eat.

Also more silver beet sprouting, Fordhook Giant. I do use a lot of that, either steamed or in filo parcels with cottage cheese and pepper.

Been a while. 2 years of depression, MS relapses, spinal problems, and in general a total lack of commitment.

Tuffy now has a playmate, his son Spencer. Mostly Mastiff, with Border Collie markings. Big dog, 42kg, lovely nature, goofy as.

Life on the farm carries on, I've moved to a different farm for the last 2 years, smaller herd, slightly smaller milking shed, only 50 bails, not 80. About 900 cows. It isn't very far from home, maybe another 2 km to travel.

Winter is here, once more. I keep thinking I'm living in a Colin McCahon painting at times

The house is at a standstill, I ran out of money, and energy when I had a couple of MS relapses, and it has taken me a while to recover. Hopefully I will have the energy to get back into the repairs and replacement side again. Need a new fireplace for he other end of the house, in the spare lounge, that has finally been fully lined and insulated. A skim coat of plaster, then paint and trim around the doors and windows and it will be finished.