As you can see they lead a pretty laid back life, hence the end result quite delicious!
I have visited this farm quite a few times, and there is plenty to love, the pigs wallowing in the forest, or the paddocks, just strolling around, but Southern Alps as the background, pretty spectacular and the friendly disposition of those that work there!
and yes before any of you say it, I need to get a job..... but this is so much more fun!
Duchess
We were especially happy to welcome Tanya from Sydney, Natalia from Wellington, Nicola from Tauranga and Kirsten from Auckland.
A collection of pics from the Happy Crew
AND SO TO BED
Well the first week of June has brought an array of surprises, the biggest being the first snow fall at the Vicarage, and what a fall it was. The significance was three pronged. Firstly it was a few hours later than the rest of Canterbury. It was predicted by 'the weather gurus', however when I woke on Wednesday morning, I was not woken to the pristine view of snow out my window, but by the phone of other Cantabrian relatives with 'isnt is gorgeous? dont you love it? have you started taking photos yet?' My reply to the 20 odd phonecalls and similar amount of texts before midday was IT ISN'T SNOWING HERE, to which I heard disbelief. I was feeling a little cheated with only sleet and rain. However about 3sh it kicked in, great big flakes like candy floss, and I was in the perfect place to appreciate it.
Secondly, it snowed into the evening, but on Thursday morning, the sun shone, and made the snow sparkle and picture perfect. Cautiously I dressed to kill, an absolute knockout (just cant work out why a farmer has swept me off my feet) head to toe wool, quite sheep like, camera in hand and ventured out for those pics.
Although the snow covered church and garden are the classic photos, and just gorgeous, a little photographic licence, I really enjoyed these ones around the village.
However, thirdly, and gladly for me it had gone in 24 hours, no worry about nasty ice and broken trees etc, like so many other areas, who even today still had snow/ice in some areas. I guess it comes from being reasonably close to the sea, my own little micro climate, I like that idea!
My second week has been pretty cool too, but more of that next time
The Duchess
It is home to the Anderson Clan (Andree's family). They are a clan, a group, a family, but they are a number of terrific rural folk! Carol, Gary and I were delighted to be invited and attend Bruce Anderson's (Andree's father) 80th birthday.
The last time Andree, Carol and I were at Timbercombe together was for Andree's sister Louise's wedding, which was about 10 years ago.
Like all good dos, when you go and stay, there are jobs to be done, which makes it all the more fun, to be involved, even in a small way. Gary captained the hor d'vers and Carol and I followed suit.
It was like yesterday with the welcome we received from her family, Bruce, Trish, Jo, Louise and all the extended family.
In true style the birthday took on far more than one day, one bottle of whiskey, and one social gathering. We had 48 hours of hilarity, friendship, and for some a similar amount of whiskies - I stuck to wine, and very nice it was too!
A lunch for 130 down at the Golf Club, with friends and family travelling from far and wide, a few poignant speeches, but the essence was to celebrate one of South Canterbury's great men, and in our eyes a great Kiwi.
and just because I can a couple of arty shots to top my weekend!
They were all so cute, the serious faces and moves, and the gorgeous teacher. It warmed the cockles of my heart, this will be my Tuesday date with Olivia!
