Viva Muntanui!
Menu

chronicles

Two weeks in

11/9/2011

14 Comments

 
So we're fifteen days into the Living of the Dream. Outside, it's dark and pouring with rain -- the first since our arrival. The weather thingy on the post by the house says it's a balmy 4degC. Farmer Wan is chopping wood in the shed.

I still can't quite believe that this is our life now. We're not going to pack our suitcases, lock up Muntanui and fly back to Western Australia for another four-month swing. We won't be returning to our jobs or earning regular money for a while. Suddenly, that $20 salami in the shopping trolley is a lot harder to justify. I guess we'll just have to learn how to make our own.

In the five months since we were last here, bunnies have been marauding through our vegie garden (despite the rabbit-proof fencing), one of our Egremont Russet apple trees has developed canker and most of our spring bulbs have mysteriously disappeared. We've basically hit the ground running but it's the sort of work we've been waiting two years to throw ourselves into. Our impressions so far: loving it! Stick around and see how we do.

Posted by Farmer Nik
14 Comments
Rachel Fountain
11/9/2011 01:36:05 pm

Bloody lovely! Can't wait to come and visit xxxx

Reply
elise Batchelor link
11/9/2011 02:03:20 pm

Oooh, just the strip picture of your farm is enough to do my head in. So happy for you both! xxxx Leesie

Reply
Kathy K
11/9/2011 02:03:20 pm

Really looking forward to the updates and really looking forward to catching up with guys someday soon - it's been too long!

Reply
Jean
11/9/2011 06:30:20 pm

Woohoo! I get to read your fabulous writing again - it's been too long! And it sounds like it's getting off to an enthusiastic (if somewhat denuded) start. Much love and encouragement to you both xxx

Reply
Linda Stuart
12/9/2011 04:20:56 am

Good Luck to you both - you will thrive on your farm, after all what a fantastic team. My only worry is the wine supply - can you grow grapes there!

Reply
Ewan Morrell link
12/9/2011 07:22:13 am

Thanks Linda, we're a bit high in the mountains to grow grapes, luckily most of NZs best wineries are only 30mins away. (Unfortunately we can't afford to buy any!)

Reply
Paul Gio
12/9/2011 05:07:10 pm

G'Day Niki & Ewan - They tell me bartering is the best way to do business when you are living off the land? How about I swap you a case or two of plonk for a few nights in paradise? - looking forward to seeing you soon....Good Luck and love from Susan & Me

Reply
Lyn Arnold
14/9/2011 11:55:30 am

Congratulations Ewan & Niki! You're living our dream. Any room for a second house on your farm? I'll help you grow yummy fresh vegetables, Brett can catch trout & Teagan would keep the birds away with her constant singing & dancing. Can't wait to visit - Keep Smiling! - Lyn, Brett & Teagan x

Reply
Niki
14/9/2011 12:10:11 pm

Thanks, everyone, for the support and good wishes.

Rach, make it soon, darlin'!

Kathy, we'll have to get our thinking caps on... I want to see all your girls before they're grown up!

Leesie, have been thinking of you. There's still enough time left in the season to introduce the girls to skiing and snowboarding... xxx

Jean: always so encouraging, you :) Hope you and your boys can make it over at some point x.

Linda: darlin', we'll have to make our own booze. Ewan wants to try his hand at manuka beer. I like the idea of cider. Love to you and Peter.

Paul! Mate, I think that's a very fair trade. It's been too long since we saw you both. Come over and stay as long as you like -- we're only 30 mins away from the Marlborough wineries!

Lyn, there's heaps of room. You're all very welcome and I suspect I could do with your expertise in the food-growing dept. Pop over the ditch soon and fall in love with Muntanui like we did x.

Reply
teemo
15/9/2011 12:54:57 pm

Gday guys. All my love & support. I will
echunt you soon.
echunt= email christchurch to Muntanui.
No matter where you are
No matter what you do
No matter what you say
Love ya Nik
Love ya Ewan

Reply
Niki
16/9/2011 07:26:42 am

Love ya back, bro. Looking forward to that echunt. xxx

Reply
Helen & Laxon
4/10/2011 04:46:12 am

Top stuff!!!!
I am not surprised, just heart warmed that you have made it home!! Love to you both from the pair of greytops!

Reply
jan thomson link
19/10/2011 09:53:58 am

Welcome Niki! Glad that you've come to join our little community, looking forward to getting to know you

Reply
Niki
19/10/2011 10:54:43 am

Helen and Laxon -- hope to see you both here at some stage, should the many attractions of QLD start to pall!

Jan -- thanks to you and Robbie for the warm welcome and the lovely cuppa. We'll repay the hospitality soon :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About Ewan and Niki

    Picture

    Farmer Wan

    Scottish mechanical engineer with a deep and abiding passion for good food. Outstanding cook. Builder of lots of stuff. Cattle whisperer. Connoisseur of beer. A lover rather than a fighter.

    Picture

    Farmer Nik

    Kiwi writer and broadcaster who hates cabbage, even though she knows it's good for her. Chook wrangler. Grower of food and flowers. Maker of fine preserves. Lover of dancing and wine. Definitely a fighter.

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    November 2016
    October 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011

    Categories

    All
    All Blacks
    Alternative Fodder Sources
    Bee Keeping
    Bees
    Biodynamics
    Chooks
    Earthquake
    Ethics
    Farmers Markets
    Food
    Hay
    Highland Cattle
    Honey
    Hot Beds
    Livestock
    Muntanui
    Nelson Lakes
    New Life
    Nz Wildlife
    Pasture
    People And Community
    Permaculture
    Plastic
    Polytunnel Of Love
    Power Tools
    Random Merriment
    Recycling
    Rwc 2011
    Saffron
    Soil
    Solar Power
    Spiderbuilder The Ram
    Sustainable Farm Solutions
    The Muntanui Dictionary
    Tramping
    Trees
    Weather
    Weedmat
    Weeds
    Wiltshire Sheep

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Background
    • Muntanui site details
  • Solandri Saffron
  • Q&A
  • Video
  • Links
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Background
    • Muntanui site details
  • Solandri Saffron
  • Q&A
  • Video
  • Links
  • Contact