Did I say nice rain?

Well the novelty has worn off!! It's been torrential for 24 hours now and the wind is blowing a hooley. Going out to feed the calves and lamb is no joke, waterproof trousers and a dryasabone required. I must say the calves and Fidget looked quite sweet all curled up together in the barn. One door blew shut and it has lodged inwards damaging the door stay, we have wedged it and Eric can fix it when the weather improves. The door stay is 10 foot above the ground so balancing a ladder in this wind is not advisable!

I forgot to mention yesterday that it was election day, (did you vote Bridget?) probably because I got to vote in hospital so did not have to venture out. Well by 11.10pm we found out that the ruling Labour Party had won, by one seat. 50 to 49 (of 122 seats). Winston Peter's NZ First Party (right wing) has 7 seats but already opted not to partake a coalition but will support a confidence vote for the leading party. We now face weeks of negotiations while a coalition is formed. Interestingly, the very recently formed, Maori Party now seems to hold the balance of power and with National declaring they would abolish the 7 Maori seats in parliment I don't think they have a chance will them.

As I mentioned Helen and Phil, George and Tom, came for supper last night. Though I say so myself it was a lovely meal, Normandy Pork (sort of pork/apple casserole cooked by Eric), broccoli, carrots and leeks from the garden, the first of the seasons asparagus, and jacket potatoes. A slightly overcooked Creme caramel (Delia's recipe) and a fabulous cheeseboard Phil rustled up. He also had a platter of sweet chilli peppers and goats cheese cubes, seriously scrummy. Helen has recently been diagnosed as diabetic and been very motivated to loose some weight. She looked great. They came early so George could feed the calves/lamb/chooks and pigs. He was impressed with all this - except the inordinate amount of saliva calves produce, which always ends up round the thighs of your pants!!

On the subject of pigs, Olympia and Octavia are seriously pregant and I expected Eric to find more piglets down there when he went to feeed them this evening. This is going to cost a fortune in pig nuts, 3 lactating sows!

That's all!