We have been back on Norfolk Island a month now and are in the midst of renovations, land clearing. and fencing. We intend to import from Australia a small herd of Boer goats and a small flock of Wiltipol sheep, but they wont arrive, I should not expect, until after Christmas - lots to do to get the land ready. As I type I can hear the dulcet, mellifluous tones of hammers, drills and chainsaws, I have no doubt it will go on for months.

It is great to be back and settling down properly. I have already been given boxes of the hugest grapefruit I have ever seen, they were growing on a massive tree at one of my favourite restaurants "Norfolk Blue", I can pick as many as I want. I have started 3 batches of grapefruit wine destined to be Grapefruit champagne. Next batch will be lemon champagne, from huge juicy lemons given to me by Caine the digger driver, also in the offing strawberry guava champagne from the strawberry guavas I froze over summer, yum! Each batch of wine amounts to 26 bottles of bubbles.

We went for a drive onto a private farm the other day and I saw the most amazing banyan tree, see photo below, bear in mind I am not the best of photographers. The tree was so huge I could not get it in one frame.

I love Norfolk Island!!!

Back In New Zealand, we have just spent a week picking fruit and gathering nuts at our place in Murchison. The photos below are from this afternoons walk along Lake Rotoroa, autumn here, although I see it is still 24 C on Norfolk Island. We head down to Okuku, Canterbury tomorrow to sell our small herd of highland cows, a few of our boer goats and possibly our place in Canterbury. We have lots of stuff to pack up to ship to Norfolk Island, we return there in two months. Lots to do!!!

Beech Forest, Lake Rotoroa, Sth Island New Zealand

Lake Rotoroa, Sth Island New Zealand

Lake Rotoroa, Sth Island New Zealand

Below is my new stove! All ovens here must be gas and not electric and this is my new euro fan forced gas stove, it does have an electric grill. The kitchen is having a makeover and first move is the stove :)