It’s that time of year and the damp has produced an interesting crop. Haven’t seen the blue one yet and I have to figure out a light source as the low light in the bush makes for grainy photos – but here are a few
.. and yes I have named the alien – Zebo and it is an illegal overstayer. I thought if I get to swallow the camera to find the little bugger I will draw a line on my tummy with little claws trying to get out.
Not much fun but I am pleased it’s done. Nothing like being squeaky clean inside and out 😳 hopefully on to step 2 now. Next appt with specialist on 4th and in the meantime keeping warm and trying to fit in some good walks. My only criteria is not too much uphill as my alien is not so happy about that. Decided to take a look at the kaituna river after the heavy rain we have had over the past few weeks. the volume of water going through has definitely increased and I was really surprised to see a couple of hardy rafters headed out to give it a ride. Grade 4 on normal days, no idea what it is at this level.
That’s what I haven’t been…well that is. So tired I just don’t get much done in a day, one task then all bets are off. Was told it was just chronic fatigue and would just have to learn to live with it. But that really didn’t explain the pain and the basketball gut that looks and feels like I am giving birth to an alien and it clawing it’s way out. So finally had a chat with Barney’s specialist and he sent me to the Gastro Raj. Within days I have a diagnosis and plan and someone who actually takes me seriously – it’s such a relief. SIBO – apparently quite common, gives you brain fog and fatigue and one hell of a guts ache, now going on 3 years. So a colonoscopy next week, antibiotics, a capsule camera to map small intestine if the antibiotics don’t completely cure it. So… perhaps you might hear from me a little more often if it all goes to plan.
The storms have stripped most of the lovely autumn colour but I did get a few grey day photos before the worst of it.
The weather has not been conducive to the biking beginner not wanting mud and puddles or I have had too much on to even think about the hill from hell. Sunday was perfect tho and a good 20km out to Sulphur Point through the thermal Manuka swamp and coffee in town before heading back to confront the hill. I got all the way up in one go this time, a tiny wee bit of fitness must be creeping in. All set today to head out again and the rain showers decided to put an end to that. So it’s coffee, the paper and the code cracker followed by a bit of word feud while I stare at the hairy hedges and try and convince myself they can manage just a bit longer till they dry out. Just too tall for me to cut without a stool and it keeps sinking in the dirt when it’s too wet.
However finished the formula and design for the Badass Bike Balm, now it’s figuring out the costs and plan. Watch this space.
Who knew rats like tomatoes, I thought it was birds but no it’s rats. Between the rats and the blight I am giving up on growing tomatoes. Last year they were tasteless. So if you see me sneaking in some tomato plants remind me they are more trouble than they are worth. But now how do I get rid of the rats? I have cages on the plums, paper bags on the grapes, I didn’t realise gardening was like warfare. Bloody blight is next!!
Everything in the garden is all ripening at the same time but I am still not beating the birds to most of it. They get the tomato’s and plums before I do. The ones you don’t recognise are the white cucumbers and the Kamo Kamo (delicious roasted) the cranberries and passion fruit will be another month and the apples and pears are just ripening. I love designing the meals around what is ready. Tonight I think a tray bake, roast the plums as well to make a sauce for the chicken but steam the beans. White cucumbers, green apple and chilli will get pickled. Yum..
Yep I surprised myself too, mountain biking capital of NZ but with my wee short legs I couldnt find a bike that I could touch the ground on. Then suddenly a hybrid e- bike stepthru turned up and I couldnt make any more excuses.
Problem is I live up a very very steep hill so getting out and about is wonderful but getting home is still pushing the bike uphill. I am hoping as my fitness improves I might get up the hill from hell on my own but for now I am just lucky that the bike has a walk function – e bikes are heavy!
The garden is keeping me busy, it’s hard to find homes for all the courgettes (zucchini) before they get too big. I have planted another potato crop which I hope will be ready before the first frost and I am going to put some more carrots in this weekend.
Only one gherkin plant and it’s already produced a good crop with lots of little ones on the way, only problem is they come at different stages so I have huge ones and tiny ones and little in between. I pickled all of these today and I will know in a couple of weeks if my spice recipe is right. It’s been so long since I attempted dill pickles and there are so many different recipes out there. But my dill keeps flowering before it is even 10cm tall and then dies off, it’s my 3rd planting and I still haven’t figured out the best place for it where it will give me a nice green plant. It’s a challenge but so rewarding to go out and pick something for dinner. Tonight it’s leftover chicken with green beans, broccolini, carrots, in a lemon herb sauce. All except the chicken is from the garden. …… and the wine but it doesn’t count cos I like to sit in the garden to drink it 😁🥂
Passion fruit, the weirdest most alien looking flowers and the most delicious fruit, so lucky they are growing in my garden.
The largest exotic forest in New Zealand with what appears to be the most prolific exotic noxious weeds – dark green pine contrasting with the golden yellow broom looked absolutely amazing sparkling in the sunshine for kilometre after kilometre on the drive to Murapara.
The Traveling Kiwi 