MAD BUSH FARM

A new start for myself and the farm

2020-11-08T09:30:00.003+13:00

After 16 years of living here on the farm, raising my kids and having a host of animals we're down to just one horse left. Tempest remains permanently here with me. Mum passed away in January 2019 at the age of 86, which left me with a slight legal issue regarding mum's share of the farm. Her house and share of the farm belonged to her estate. It came down to either subdividing the farm or me buying mum's share out.

My amazing family made me an offer I couldn't refuse. So I bought mum's share of the land and her house from them. I now own two homes and the full 10 acres of land. I never thought it would happen. It has and now I'm on a new journey in my life. I arrived here when I was 40 full of ideas and dreams. I had to wait 16 years for it to become a reality and now finally it will be. I had to make some hard decisions, especially in the last 18 months. I've rehomed all of the horses except of course for Tempest. I couldn't let him leave. My kids are in their 20s now and doing their own thing. I've got a great job and I work from home. I write a weekly garden column for The Weekend Lifestyler and loving it! My latest one is on Clematis.

I'm at a good time in my life and finally doing the things I've always envisioned for the farm. I almost deleted this blog in its entirety. At one point I had no more to say. It's not uncommon - it happens a lot to people. However, I always wanted the farm to be a safe place for people to come and spend a few hours of time out in a beautiful garden. Finally, I've got my hands on the top paddock where we used to keep our calves and started to create a garden called Aniwaniwa - it means Rainbow in the Maori language. It will be an open garden part of my belief to always have an open gate attitude. I've rented mum's house out for now to a lovely family. So their children can grow up enjoying what my own children enjoyed. Space and a chance to grow up climbing trees, playing in the stream and just being kids.

Right now it doesn't look much - just a bare paddock with a few trees planted. My younger sister planted fruit trees along the edge of where I had planned to put Aniwaniwa so it worked out brilliantly. On the right are the first group of cabbage trees I've planted as a windbreak for the fruit trees. On the rise of earth between the two plantings I'll be putting in lavender to attract the bees and provide colour. Further, over towards the back, I've planted El Greco olive trees. I've put in four so far and have another six to put in. It's a work in progress and no stock can get in and destroy everything. That was always my biggest frustration. Planting something only to find cattle and horses out again destroying everything. Now that's changing. Mad Bush Farm remains in spirit but it's now called Akona Farm (Akona in te reo Maori means To Learn) to reflect the journey I'm now taking. Akona Farm came about when Inaya needed a name for her flower growing venture. So Akona Farm came into being during 2017. She's now at university doing exceptionally well. So I'm continuing her legacy of those beautiful flowers she wanted to see thrive and grow without animals destroying everything. I've just put in the first group of helianthus with more to go in. I love my life and the new journey it will bring.

The power of true community

2020-02-25T20:46:00.000+13:00

Mum at Glinks Gully (Ripiro) February 2014

"Community is not an ideal; it is people. It is you and I. In community we are called to love people just as they are with their wounds and their gifts, not as we want them to be." – Jean Vanier

My mum would be very proud of our community and of the unselfish, compassionate people who put their all in to make our small rural town of Maungaturoto a better place.

Mum spent most of her later years giving time and energy to helping people in need as a community worker and later a chaplain for factory workers and Alzheimer's patients. The irony of it all was that later mum herself ended up with dementia. She passed away in January 2019 at age 86.

We always worried mum would end up in a secure unit - we were fortunate to be able to keep her in her own home. For most in my community, with a family member diagnosed with dementia, it means a trip 45 minutes or more away to Ranburn in Whangarei. For many, the trip is just that bit too far — which is where the power of a true community showed its might in our small town.

In April 2017, the Maungaturoto Community Charitable Trust launched a fundraising campaign to built a new dementia unit, as an addition to the Riverview Rest Home complex so local residents with dementia could remain in their community. It sparked a long story leading towards a significant amount of capital being fundraised by the efforts of many caring people in the surrounding rural communities.

Fundraising breakfasts were held including this one from November 2019 with the legends of Maungaturoto leading the charge. The Rapid Relief Team (background) is an organisation run by the Plymouth Brethren Church to feed people in times of emergency. Through their immense efforts as well as the people seen in the photo (and many unseen) a concept began to become a reality.

For a year the construction was on hold as more funds were needed until finally in March 2019 the go-ahead was finally given for the concrete slab to be poured. I went out one morning at around 10am and took the photos of the pour last year. It was a proud moment for many people to see the next stage of the build take place.

Members of the Maungaturoto Community Charitable Trust. From left: Graham Slatter, Craig Fergus and Jamie Ewing

Fundraising continues as the next stage of the construction gets underway with the framing going up this month. Last weekend it was the turn of the Dahlias for Dementia Garden and House Tour with more than 650 people getting the pleasure of looking at 20 stunning properties including Woodleigh the 1947 art deco home of former MP and New Zealand High Commissioner to London Sir Lockwood Smith. The tour organised by a committee of amazing women Karen Smales, Rae Roadley, Anne Pryde, Marg Paton and Kimberly Sinclair was a resounding success with more than $20,000 raised.

Sir Lockwood Smith in the rose garden designed by his partner Lady Alexander Smith

Community efforts extend as well into a former rail shed building later used as a Scout hall and now aptly named The Den. Led by the evergreen Albie Paton and his team of volunteers who pick up items donated by members of our local community to sell on and donate the proceeds to the dementia unit fundraiser

At 80 years old, community stalwart and an expert in lawn bowls, Albie has a wicked sense of humour and a drive that motivates so many others to follow suit. That's him below with a fractured finger giving the camera a bit of cheek during a planting day last year at the former Maungaturoto landfill site.

If it isn't the power of true community to care enough to raise an immense amount of funds so loved ones can stay close – what is?

Life, the universe and cooked Mad Bush Farmer

2020-02-20T19:08:00.000+13:00

OK, so I've included an image that looks like a ditch or maybe it's a trap I've had set up to nab possums or burglars perhaps? Actually, it's my dried out stream — looking rather more like a ditch than anything else. Forty days plus so far of absolutely no rain. It's hot, dry and bloody awful. One more (really bad) drought to get through - we'll keep going.

Aside from being cooked every day and gaining a few more wrinkles for my woes depressing anyone reading this load of drivel about a lousy drought isn't why I blog. Looking back during 16 years on the farm, raising my kids to adulthood and now one has left for university in Wellington. I can say - it's all been so worth it.

I said goodbye to Inaya on January 31. She headed for Wellington down the opposite end of the North Island to start a new life as a university student doing a BSc in Ecology and Biodiversity as one major and Geography as the other. I am absolutely stoked for her beyond any written words could ever truly express. It was a brave step to take and now it's finally happening. Proud of my girl!

I couldn't finish my post without mentioning my ponies. Little toads are so naughty. Broken fences everywhere! So finally I've managed to afford to get some sheep netting and steel posts to get in and keep them properly contained. It's going to interesting to see if they can get through any of it.

Why Vampires should stay away from Mad Bush Farm at Halloween Time

2019-08-29T09:19:00.000+12:00

Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula from the 1932 film

Sourced Wikimedia Commons

Vampires. You have to love em or in most cases stick a stake through their hearts...or so the old Hammer Horror films would have us believe. That, or to quote Egor's line from the Van Halsing movie "Sorry Master but he paid me to do it". I think I'd rather get paid to believe it, but then again, old movies are a bit of fun to have a dead of the night chuckle at. Excuse the pun.

When it comes to bribery, paying Vampires off would be difficult. I suppose raiding a blood bank would be a good start, but in hindsight, it means a few patients requiring an urgent blood transfusion, would miss out.

In this era of imposed events upon us unsuspecting Kiwi rural dwellers - Halloween is yet another. It appeared one day on the TV screens. Halloween was here! "But we don't celebrate Halloween that's an American thing," I told myself that a decade or so back, as I pondered over the Warehouse's adverts showing the horror masks, and the costumes you could dress your kids up in. At the time my kids were just babies. It was a bit pointless dragging them around the small township, I lived in at the time, and ask the poor neighbours for sweets and treats.

Now it's 'the in thing to do' at least in the suburbs it is and in the townships maybe if people will put up with it after a long day at work and travelling home, only to get woken up at 10pm at night, by a bunch of little horrors in scary costumes demanding their feast now! Which is where this leads to why vampires should stay away from Mad Bush Farm.

It would be a very bad idea for a vampire to pay us a visit. For a start, I have certain kinds of animals here, that have some very bad habits. I could put up a sign I suppose to warn any vampires planning a visit to watch out for trouble headed their way. Text messaging is not an option they're way too old fashioned for that. Any classically stylish vampire must have the scary cape, the forever in fashion hairdo, pointy ears and lastly, of course, the clincher being the fangs.

However, any vampire entering said rural property will get eaten by four small equines, trolled by a multitude of possums and other types of pestilence - even then - if said vampire survives the onslaught of creatures - five evil cats will finish the job. It means I'll end up with some dust I guess the next morning to sweep up and toss in the bin.

Did you miss me? I missed you all

2019-08-25T20:08:00.001+12:00

Ever since I stopped posting almost three years ago people even now are still asking me - what happened to Mad Bush Farm? The truth is - it never left I just ran out things to say. I spend 2017 trying to pull myself back together after a really difficult year. I almost deleted this blog but realised just how many precious memories it held and just how many people had gained a lot of happiness from reading it. So I'm back - unfortunately for you lot.

So where do I start? Well in January 2018 I started a new full-time job working for a local media company as a proof reader. Before long I started writing as well and next I know I'm also doing some photography. I'm now almost two years down the track and loving every moment of it. I needed it - my name was firmly on that job advert. The kids are grown-up one almost 22 now and youngest almost 21 years old. 2019 has been a year of massive changes. My dear mum passed away in early January and sadly a few weeks ago I made the decision to send dear old Ed over the rainbow bridge. 37 years old was a great age for the old fella so our vets came and put him to sleep it was kind and gentle. He's buried near my house. I've got loads of stuff to tell you all about and lots of funny stories as well. The Mad Bush farmer was getting annoyed at me for being so distant. I've given in. I've got stuff now to write about again stuff to make us all chuckle and smile now and then. I'll be around again. Will post again soon.

Last post for this blog we're moving

2016-12-31T14:15:00.001+13:00

Well time to end the Mad Bush Farm blog. Took a lot of soul searching but my girls have grown up. Most of the animals now have gone and I've run out of stories to tell at least for a while. I'll be concentrating on sorting out the start of what I hope will become a sustainable permaculture based market garden. I've started a new blog that no doubt will have more failures than triumphs my land is that challenging to deal with. So here's to a new start. My wings have been rather clipped financially but you'll be amazed what you can utilise with absolutely little or no funds and still eat.

You can find me in the future from 2017 on at The Life & Times of the Mad Bush Farmer

Happy 2017 and I hope everyone has a great new year.
Liz

2016 as it happened Part 1

2016-12-16T19:13:00.002+13:00

It's been a long time since I've been motivated enough to even attempt writing a blog post. 2016 is almost over. It's been a year of difficulties and huge challenges for me and the girls. At the end of the year my youngest will be leaving home to go and live with her dad in Auckland so she can find better opportunities in the hope of persuing her art and music, We had two more additions in the cat department arrive last May when Amy moved down the line to find new opportunities. Above is Socks he looks almost like Emerald one our cats and more than likely they're related. Then there is Petra who was very nervous when she first arrived and took almost a year to settle in. She's lovely and such a sweet natured cat.They'll be here with us until Amy finds a pet friendly place to live and then we can reunite her with her much beloved kitties.

In February I went up with Lisa to the Far North and we stayed overnight at Kerikeri. We had a fantastic time. I took heaps of photos way too many to post up on here all at once. We visited the Waitangi Treat grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6 February 1840 and our nation as we know it now was born.

We spent a few hours there and also visited the new Waitangi Museum opened earlier this year. It holds different artifacts and stories related to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the birthing pains of our nation. There is a $20 charge to get into the treaty grounds for New Zealand citizens. Tourists pay double the rate so it can get very expensive. Still it's one of those places that you have to visit at least once.

The grounds at Waitangi are really nice and you get a great view of the Bay of Islands. I loved the entire trip even though poor Lisa had to listen to the grouch writing this post snarl about us being charged to get to see the birthplace of our nation for several hours. I was not happy! That all being said I loved our trip in the Far North. We had such a great time. The photo below is the carved.prow of one of the great waka used at the Waitangi celebrations. I'll write more as I go. This is a start at least on resurrecting my badly neglected blog. Hope everyone is well and happy. Till next time. Liz

Dear SAFE (NZ) Stop Bashing our New Zealand Dairy Farmers #farmvoices #agchatnz #ProDairy

2016-02-16T14:25:00.002+13:00

Back last year Fonterra had announced one of the lowest payouts ever to New Zealand dairy farmers from record highs for the previous seasons down to a mere $3.85 due to a massive fall in global diary prices. To add to the pressure already placed on farmers in the industry animal activist group Save Animals from Exploitation produced a video showing disturbing footage of bobby calves being callously thrown into the back of a stock truck along with the brutal inhumane bashing on the head of calves at an unidentified slaughter plant in the Waikato. The footage had been taken from hidden cameras placed by another activist group affiliated with SAFE (NZ) Farmwatch. Farmwatch investigator John Darroch was the person behind the investigation undertaken by the organisation across 14 farms and the slaughter plant in the Waikato. With the release of the footage the New Zealand Herald (November 30,2015) headliner read

"'We saw calves torn from mothers' - shocking video exposes dairy industry cruelty"

Fonterra, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers were swift to deplore the appalling footage as were farmers and the public.

This video produced by SAFE (NZ) has been posted on YouTube footage from it also aired on current affairs programme Sunday on November 29, 2015. If you watch this footage, along with the sinister sounding music it seems so compelling. The title "NZ Dairy Cruelty exposed" gives the impression this is normal in dairy farming. The disturbing footage especially at the slaughter plant is heartbreaking to watch but is it really where all bobby calves go to be turned into veal. Is it normal for truck drivers to throw calves into trucks or for a slaughterman to bludgeon calves to death. The manner in which this has been portrayed it appeared to be that way. However when getting to the bottom of it all things don't stack up especially the worst footage involving the inhumane slaughter of the calves.

For starters looking carefully it didn't appear to be at any plant associated with the main processors AFFCO or Silver Fern Farms. In fact it turned out to be a small Waikato based Petfood processor who confirmed they had dismissed the worker concerned. The men caught on the video throwing the calves into the stock truck were later dismissed by the company owner. SAFE (NZ) are by no means new to causing controversy. In 2009 former comedian Mike King and now spokesperson for Mental Health issues had featured in a video produced by SAFE (NZ) to highlight the issues regarding the use of sow crates in the pork farming industry. The former spokesman for NZ Pork was taken to an unnamed commercial piggery under cover of darkness by SAFE (NZ) affiliated activists. He said himself he had been appalled at the conditions the sows were kept in. However in an article in the New Zealand Farmer King had said he had been never been affiliated to SAFE (NZ) and was appalled by its actions over the bobby calf issue. He had written an email to Hans Kriek director of SAFE (NZ)

"Your portrayal of NZ farmers as 'animal terrorists' on the international (scene) are not only false, they are irresponsible in the extreme. The actions of a few is not a reflection of an entire industry, Hans, and one must question what your real motive is. Is it really about animal welfare? Or is it about destroying farmers and the NZ farming industry?"

A few days ago another headliner appeared

Two women dairy farmers ,Waikato based herd manager Gina Greenwood and Jennifer Halligan told the media that animal activists on social media in some posts were telling farmers to commit suicide. A further example of one of the posts which had been given to the media stated:

"I completely agree that farmers are mentally ill. You have to to be to treat animals in such a brutal fashion. Unfortunately a lot of farm workers have the brain size of a pea, and no compassion at all. These helpless vunerable little calves should not be subjected to such viciousness. Their lives already suck. Being surround by these demented uneducated monsters must be terrifying. I don't see farmer suicides as a problem, I see it as justice for these more helpless creatures"

SAFE (NZ) stated they did not support such actions taken by the persons concerned. However, SAFE (NZ) are responsible for this happening in the first place. Their silence by not posting an advisement to their supporters on their social media to refrain from such appalling actions. They should do and can do. So why haven't they? I'll leave SAFE (NZ) to perhaps answer that question.

Time to get growing! #farmvoices #Kaipara #NorthlandNZ

2015-10-19T14:45:00.002+13:00

Well I've bitten the bullet. I've thought about this for years, but never really did much about it until now. I'm proud as a peacock for making the decision I have made. After eleven years of not really doing much with the farm other than let my animals run riot everywhere I've decided to start a horticultural venture and finally do something with the land and for me. I need it. I've battled depression for a long time now. It got worse after I gave up my cows (yes I know that sounds so soppy) and even worse still when I found no matter how hard I tried to get a fulltime job it seemed nobody wanted a 51 year old woman who had spent the last seven years raising her last two children to be decent upstanding young people. Next year I'm starting a fulltime course in Sustainable Rural Development and Horticulture at Northtec (I hope!) I've got the enrollment form filled out and now all I have to do is send it in. In the meantime I've signed up with the Open Permaculture School based in the USA. I have to start somewhere so it seemed the logical choice given I have next to no funds for paying for a course! The peacock in the photo was taken down at Hamilton Gardens in the Waikato. I have more news to write about but just for now I thought I'd let you all know about my step into the abyss of the unknown. Wish me luck I'll be needing it! I've started a daily diary as well. You can read it here

Calf club again after five long years #farmvoices #agchatnz #Kaipara #NorthlandNZ

2015-08-19T10:10:00.002+12:00

Back in 2010 Michelle quit calf club, after she couldn't catch her calf she had chosen. It was a huge heartbreak for a little girl at the time. She didn't go near calves much until 2012, when she took one of the Cullen family calves to the school pet day, She did all the work herself that year and took out the champion calf on the day. There she is back at calf club after so long at Anne's complete with a very carefully chosen Fresian calf now going by the name of Blueberry. Over the last few years Michelle has gained a lot of experience showing cattle in the ring, last year she took out the handler's class at the Otamatea Group Day, has a trophy for Dexter cattle handling and just keeps on getting better. Now it's a serious business in her view. Blueberry has a cover and lots of Michelle's attention whenever she goes to the dairy farm three times a week. I like the teeth and the look of "Oh please just go away" My youngest daughter is one determined young woman. It's been a real joy seeing her grow from strength to strength. One day I bet she will be a top cattle judge. Maybe I need 400 acres She's making plans already for a beef stud as it is. I love my girls.

The times - they are a changin' #farmvoices #Kaipara #NorthlandNZ

2015-08-18T12:25:00.003+12:00

It;s been over four months since I wrote my last blog post. A lot has happened and a lot has changed. I no longer have the cows on the farm, after consecutive droughts, a bad winter and not enough money left over to feed them all I cut the stock down. The old man was given away as well but now he is back. I guess he won't be leaving. Cutting the animals down made a huge difference. I actually have grass for a change unlike the previous couple of years when it struggled to even grow. All that aside, a lot has happened. Inaya got her Grand Prior for St John Cadets which is the highest achievement a cadet in the youth programme can achieve. Next week she turns 18 years old. How my girls have grown up so quickly over the years. Michelle has done really well of late. She has sung with international performer Yulia McLean, and has been involved with our local community theatre. Over the agricultural show season she managed to achieve the highest points for handling Dexter breed cattle and ended up with a fantastic trophy. Next month it's down to Waikato University, Inaya is going to be a law student for a day, and see if she thinks it's something she would like to study next year. Michelle needs more time, but quietly she is setting her own goals and still has an ambition to be a beef cattle breeder, as well as persuing a career in the arts. I'm just the same old crazy Mad Bush Farmer with that bad attitude gleam and grouchy face. I've been through some tough times, but in saying that I've come out a lot stronger. I've had to start thinking about what I can do for my future now my kids are almost both adults and will soon be leaving the nest so to speak. I'm still not 100% certain of my path but I do have some ideas I'm working on. Hopefully it will all work out. Recently our dairy farmers had a bad payout forecast from Fonterra. From $5.80 to $3.85 per kg of milk solids is a huge drop and sadly some farmers will end up losing their farms and their livelihood.worry for them and their families. These guys work so hard seven days a week. Farming is a profession of hope indeed. Let's hope next season's forecast brings better news. I can't think of much more to say right now, but I'm still here and still as mad as a hatter. What will be around the corner this spring we have yet to see. I'll leave you with Bob Dillon and the song written in the same year as I was born. That's cool.

First grape harvest #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-26T12:07:00.000+13:00

As I've gradually been clearing up my wilderness of a so-called garden, much to my delight the heritage grapevine "Bishop Pompallier" had some grapes ready to pick. I didn't even fertlise the poor vine this year or even bothered to redo the supports for the canes. Before the cows left I had all but given up hope of ever having any kind of decent farm kitchen garden. Now they have gone I've been able to actually start growing vegetables and fruit again without the worry of finding them destroyed a day later by my naughty jerseys. I found a basket to put the grapes in I had picked. They make for a lovely late summer photograph. Happy me!

Farm Photo of the Day: Yep I can do the fencing job (or my dad can) #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-26T08:17:00.000+13:00

I met this little guy back in 2008 keeping an eye on his dad's stuff at the Northland Lifestyle Field Days in Maungaturoto. He was all ready to do a deal on a new fence. He certainly made for a great photo opportunity.

Farm Photo of the Day: Where's the bread gone? #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-25T06:00:00.000+13:00

One little equine visitor looking for the last of the crusts I put out for the birds yesterday afternoon. The birds got to it first.

Farm Photo of the Day: Sea Gulls at Ripiro Beach #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-24T08:21:00.000+13:00

We visited Glinks Gully back in February 2014. It was such a gorgeous day the gulls on the wet sand made a perfect photo opportunity.

Farm Photo of the Day: Dry hills and green valley #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-23T18:37:00.000+13:00

I took a short drive earlier and stopped to get some photos of the valley on the western side of Maungaturoto. The pasture on the hills is parchment brown. The valley itself is a little greener. It's almost the end of summer. Haymaking is over and preparations for the coming winter will be next of the farm calender.

Farm Photo of the Day: Summer Songster #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-21T21:33:00.000+13:00

Summer wouldn't be the same without the song of cicadas on a hot afternoon.

Farm Photo of the Day: Turkey Crossing #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-20T18:53:00.002+13:00

We've had this brood of young turkeys living on the farm. No adults in sight so I was thinking most likely the mother turkey was either shot or became a victim of a hawk. This little group has no fear of humans just yet. They haven't seemed very worried about my presence or the dog either. I got this shot as they were crossing the driveway. No hurry at all either.

Farm Photo of the Day: Commercial Hotel Mangawhare, Dargaville #NorthlandNZ #farmvoices

2015-02-19T07:51:00.000+13:00

The Commercial Hotel replaced the original that burned down in 1886. By 1896 the new building had been constructed by the well known trotting legend and builder John Rowe. Rowe built a number of hotels in the Kaipara District and Northland including the Central Hotel in Dargaville, as well as the Maungaturoto Hotel, Pahi Hotel, and Kaihu Tavern. It's a lovely old building now used as a bed and breakfast.

Farm Photo of the Day: Two old boys #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-18T10:33:00.000+13:00

Dak and Ed back in 2007. I sent Dak on to a horse sanctuary in 2008. Still going strong and being much loved. Ed is now at a new home as well aged 34 years with a lovely family. Good memories. I'll miss my big boys.

Farm Photo of the Day: Spur-winged plover #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-17T06:00:00.000+13:00

I took this down at the Maungaturoto Country Club one afternoon. We have several pairs of these birds on our farm. None of them are friendly. Plovers are highly territorial and can be agressive when they're nesting. Protection of these birds was removed in 2010.

Hearing the songs of Angels - Yulia & Friends Concert last night #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-16T21:25:00.001+13:00

Last night the family and I went to see Yulia & Friends at the Kaiwaka Sports Complex. It was extra special because Yulia was one of the reasons why my autistic daugher Michelle at age five began to sing and talk. My mum bought Yulia's first album Into the West back in 2004. She had it on and Michelle went upstairs to listen. She sat there rocking back and forth listening to the beautiful voice singing equally beautiful songs.. So mum gave it to her. I had to put it on every day for over a year. Every day Michelle listened and started to sing the words. I never thought that just over ten years later the very person who inspired my daughter would invite Michelle to perform in her charity concert at Kaiwaka. We had a fantastic night. Yulia looked after Michelle on the stage. It was just magic. Below is Michelle on stage last night singing the beautiful song Panis Angelicus.

Farm Photo of the Day - Batley House at the Roadley family farm #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-16T10:53:00.000+13:00

One of my most favourite places in the Kaipara District. Batley Bay is home to the gorgeous now restored Batley House owned by Rex and Rae Roadley who farm on the shores of the mighty Kaipara Harbour.

Farm photo of the day - Home grown bounty

2015-02-13T17:13:00.000+13:00

A local culture of giving #farmvoices #NorthlandNZ

2015-02-12T20:38:00.000+13:00

A few months back one of the Maungaturoto locals came up with the idea that food should be free and thus Maungaturoto Crop Circle came into being. Every Thursday at the local kids playground a group of people from all over gather together bringing the excess they've grown in their garden. Everything from eggs to vegetables and fruit. I took home some chilli jam, and a jar of cucumber pickle. My contribution was some parsley seeds and some succulent plants. All sorts of things get given away at the weekly crop circle gathering. Not just that it's a great way to catch up with people and get to know some new folks as well.

Actually I can't get over the generosity people can show. In a world full of the old "Greed is good" concept a quiet culture of change within communities is going on. People have become tired of having the every man for himself attitude, and have chosen now to go and help each other. Out there in the wider world every day people end up homeless and without any means to feed themselves. As I've grown older over the last few years I've started to question why society is geared so people are missing out on the basics of life. It's staggering the amount of perfectly good food that gets thrown out every day by the large chainstore supermarkets. Literally thousands of tons of food that people could eat end up being processed for animal feed.

I think our society does need to change. There seems to be a few haves and a lot of have-nots out in the world. I don't like the idea that somewhere out there tonight will be a family or an individual going without because they don't have the means to pay for food. We need to learn again how to grow our own vegetables and fruit even if it's in a pot. What do you think? I'm all for sharing the bounty that comes out of the home or farm garden. Hopefully next year we will be overflowing with fruit and vegetables we can share at the Crop Circle. Hope everyone has had a great Thursday. I know I certainly have.