Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Final Summer Harvest

Our final summer harvest... we had a good frost on Saturday which pretty much killed off the plants that were hanging on. So ready or not... today is harvest day.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Maybe Volunteering

Since Parkinson's joined my life, I'm now pretty much retired at 45, so I spend a great deal of time by myself... and to the annoyance  of my sheep, a lot of that time is spent trying to be their best friend.

Recently our council has been advertising a volunteer expo and I thought what a great idea, so I would pop in to see what is on offer.

I rechecked the details this morning... 8th March, 8am to 7pm at Rangiora library. 

What a long day for the volunteers to be at an expo, so I decided to go about 3pm as hopefully it should not too busy then. 

So I arrived at 3pm and it was dead quiet. There was nothing there but a sign advertising expo from 5pm to 7pm. 

Of course it is! That makes a great deal more sense!

I was 2 hours too early. Parky brain has been at it again. 🙄 

I'm blaming Parkinson's, whether it is or not, I don't know,  but this sorta thing happens to me a lot these days. Seeing and miss reading or interpreting things.

I decided I might as well head home...as I wasn't feeling that charitable to wait around for 2 hours.

I haven't completely given up on the idea, and I will keep looking.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Parky Brain Discounts

I've been kicking myself all evening.

A customer collected his gates today and he got me when my brain wasn't sparking on all cylinders.

When I finish a gate, I type up an invoice with all the gate specifications and the price quoted and the amount due. More for my own benefit as my memory is terrible.

Once I have done that,  I message the customer to advise their gate is ready. I send them a photo of the gate, along with directions for collection and I advise them that I have eftpos available for payment.

Eftpos comes at a cost, but it would cost me $15 in petrol for a trip to the bank and I don't like having cash about incase I lose it, so the cost for convenience, is really a saving.

Today's customer took me by surprise when he said that he would pay by cash. Normally 99% of people pay on eftpos. 

I said to him that I couldn't remember what was due so I ran inside to get the invoice. I advised the customer that $430 was due. He said "here's $450". This again took me by surprise as I didn't have any change, but he said I can keep the change.

So here I am... confused as fuck, as I was still trying to work out what the difference in my head. So I thanked him, still confused and I then thought to myself... just put the money inside before I lose it. So I did that.

When my brain shuts down... things become very singular.

So I farwelled the customer and then decided to mow the lawns.

Have you realised what I have forgotten to do?

At this point in time I was still none the wiser until a couple hours later...as I was finishing up outside it dawned on me... COUNT THE MONEY YOU DICKHEAD!!!

Yup... he only gave me $250. 

He was a Facebook customer, so I have messaged him and he said he will fix me up. My fingers are crossed that he does, as there's not much I can do if he doesn't.

Thanks Parky Brain... that was a $180 discount I really couldn't afford... 3 days labour for free!! You stupid brain.

UPDATE.... CUSTOMER PAID! THANKYOU 🙏😊🙏😊

Drama over nothing... phew!!

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - A Proud Shepherd Moment

Today my small flock of Arapawa ewes put their trust in me, and I have not been prouder of my girls.

It's been a hot dry summer with the El Nino this year and the grass in the main paddocks has all dried up and withered to very little fodder for my sheep.

So I have been taking the flock across the dry creek bed, through the paddock and across a second swampy type creek, that still has water in it and at least one eel that I spotted while possibly accidentally standing on it. We are heading to the farthest corner that has really gone wild due to no vehicle access to maintain it, but there is plenty of grass. 

The girls love it and the lambs jump with joy playing in their food.

Well today as we headed across the first creek, the girls leading the way... when all of a sudden I hear my ewes snorting, which is an alert sound they make to warn the rest of the flock. There was a wandering wolf... ok a dog... ok... a small fox terrier running towards the flock. The mumma sheep snorted and turned around and the entire flock promptly came running back across the creek and went behind me, so I was standing  in between them and the ferocious wolf.

The flock turned to me and looked to me for help. Ohhh! I am so touched... my sheep respect me... my sheep love me! I have been waiting my entire life for this day!

Don't worry girls... I got you! 

I ran towards the wolf scaring it away!

After all the kerfuffle, it took a little coaxing to encourage the sheep to continue on with our walk to the farthest corner... but we made it, all safe and sound.

I'm feeling very proud of my girls. We worked together to stay safe.

On a serious note wandering dogs, especially pet dogs are a real concern around sheep, especially with lambs at foot. 

Sheep being killed by wandering dogs is a very real thing.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Life With Parkinson's 4 Years On

Firstly I very much dislike the term Parkinson's Disease... I dislike it as much as the disease itself.

Is it really a disease? I didn't catch it, I wasn't infected with it. I prefer to think of it as a "condition" or "disability", whereby my body is failing me, very much the same as age does to ones hairline, which I am inflicted with that condition too.

So how am I doing, 4 years in from my diagnosis? I am doing alright I guess. I have some regular issues that are constantly with me... tremors, walk/shuffle, balance and stiffness. There are another 30 or so issues that present themselves randomly from time to time. The issues can range from crying for no reason to struggling with spacial awareness when trying to park the car. So no two days are the same with Parkinson's.

Medication has been interesting. The main purpose of the medication is to try to replenish your dopamine levels that my body isn't producing. However the medication comes with some nasty side effects, and after 3 attempts with 3 different medications, with all 3 affecting me badly, I am currently off medication, by choice. I have a fourth medication here with me at home to start, but I am very hesitant. See the attached picture below with the very real side effects. The last issue was vomiting, violently. So my current position is that I can live a relatively ok lifestyle unmedicated. I can manage my symptoms day to day. So why do I have to gamble with the side effects of medication. The medical professional has advised me that I am over thinking it... really?? A neuro degenerative condition that is not curable... bloody oath I am going to over think it. From diagnosis I believe that you only have 10-15 good years, so I don't want to be adding to my issues with additional side effects. Plus the neurologist said that the medication will do nothing for my tremors.

My Parkinson's is very visual and for that when I meet a new person I am having to introduce myself and my Parkinson's. My line is "don't mind me, I have Parkinson's and my tremors have a mind of their own". I think I do this as I don't want to be mistakenly viewed as a junkie or alcoholic. For the record I don't really drink and have never done illegal drugs.

Parkinson's is also a very lonely condition. When I am on my own my issues are generally very minimal. However as soon as I start interacting with people it sets things off, and Parkinson's is extremely exhausting when it's all go. Even when a customer collects  a gate, just the 5 minute interaction can drain my energy levels. I believe it's an anxiety issue. So when I do leave home I generally have a precise plan of attack. I'm winning when I can get in and out of the supermarket with out any interaction with people. Hallelujah for the self checkouts. So yeah it's the quiet life that helps me cope and I'm ok with that.

Parkinson's is mentally challenging, in that it's an extremely frustrating condition. There's no cure, medication may or may not help you, you may have a long life or not, and you never know what one day will be like to another. 

A good example of this is Gary might suggest on Wednesday to have lunch with friends on Saturday.  Well that's 3 days away... I just can't foresee that far ahead as to what Parkinson's has instore for me. This requires a restuarant reservation and a commitment to our friends... that  is a lot of anxiety for me to make a decision. 

Parkinson's is very frustrating for me, but sometimes I feel more so for Gary as he looks to me for an answer... and I just don't have one this time. I am a very calculated person, and I generally always have a plan in life, but Parkinson's has taken that away from me.

Another very real daily challenge is Apathy. Parkinson's effects your emotions  and your interest in daily life... the lack of energy and willpower to care about anything. The "why should I bother?" I find with myself I'm constantly challenging myself to stay motivated and interested in life. 

So yeah, 4 years in... I just wish that the people studying Parkinson's would bloody hurry up and find a cure!

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - 300!

The last 50 gates seemed to take forever...

but today I finally knocked out Gates # 300 & 301.

A slightly different design to my standard gates. I try not to stray to far off from my standard style farm gates as my Parkinson's brain just doesn't compute. It's a bit like watching a movie with  slow internet, my brain is forever "buffering". So there tends to be a lot of standing around and wondering "what am I doing". 

The above X style gates took me 3 full days to make. If I had been making my standard design it would have been a 2 day job. I don't know how I can monetize the Parkinson's factor when building the gates a little different.

But hey... it got me to 300 gates! 

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Arapawa Fertility

We have had a couple little surprises this morning.

This ewe is Karen... and she only just had twins in early January 2023.

We are now mid August 2023, and she has popped out another set of twins.

I only put the ram, Whiskers back into the ewe flock at the end of June 2023.

So who is the Daddy?

Playboy,  Party boy Blake... who is supposed to be a whether, but he is obviously a total charmer.  I did have my suspicions that he might be functional... and now we have the proof. Blake doesnt really take any interest in the ewes so he runs with the ewe flock all year, but that might have to change.

Interestingly, so Karen has given birth to 2 sets of twins in 8 months. A busy lady.

Arapawa's are very good breeders but I prefer to only let them become pregnant once a year... as the ewes need a break.

The only question that remains... is how many more little Blakes can we expect?

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Considering A Flock of Arapawa's? Ya will need some kit....

Every year when it comes to rehoming our last year's lambs, we receive a number of questions from people who are new to livestock ownership. I don't have any problems in helping people out... but there is a lot of information to share in one conversation and with my Parky brain, often I forget things.

Also, there is also a misconception that as Arapawa sheep are a feral breed and they can manage on their own with little input. Well... sheep are sheep, and sheep come with sheep problems, no matter what the breed. In protecting the breed from eradication, we have taken Arapawa sheep away from their Island home, the habitat they have adapted to, so we are possibly introducing them to new issues.

So, this post is a little guide to basic care and some kit you will need. Disclaimer... I am not a veterinarian, and I have no formal training, this is purely based on my personal experience raising Arapawa Sheep for the last 10 years or so.

Basic Care:

• Shearing once a year October/November. $10 per sheep plus a callout/setup fee around $100. At the same time, we ask the shearer to drench and check all feet. Take note of the type of drench they are using. This is generally the only time I drench the entire flock at once. The rest of the year is a case-by-case basis. Come March/April if the sheep behinds are dirty, we get the shearer back to crutch them, shearing away any daggs etc.
• Flystrike prevention. During the warmer months November to March, I apply a product called Cyrex. I use a 5-litre garden pump spray to apply, and this prevents flystrike and kills lice. Cyrex is also used to kill off a strike. I like it as it works really well and is not as toxic as some other treatments. A small bottle of Cyrex is about $129. Just keep the sheep clean and give them some shade in summer.
• Feet... Just keep an eye out for limping. I feel at times Arapawa's can be a little dramatic, and put on a good display, and so I get them in the yards to inspect and it's like they have just chipped a nail. But the hoof can get a little overgrown due to soft ground, so just tidy it up a little. Watch the shearer or google how to do it. I have only ever had one actual foot rot issue. There is a very good spray that you can get FIL. See pic below.
• Feed... Think about where Arapawa's have come from and what their diet might have been. I personally don't feel our farm paddocks of lush green rye grass is good for them as a sole diet. I find Arapawa Sheep are like goats and nibble on everything. They love clover, dandelion, dock, apples, most trees, and they go crazy for sheep nuts. My sheep also eat hay and they love the fallen grass seeds at the bottom of the trolley. I have even seen them eat the thistle roots as I was wandering around the paddock's grubbing them up.  Ideally you want their poo to be little raisins. You want to avoid the scour's or runs. Dirty sheep attract flies. So, a varied diet with plenty dry matter during the wet months. Feed is expensive, so plan wisely.
• Know what bottle jaw is, and act quickly. Drench & monitor.
• Scours, try to work out whether it is caused by fresh green grass or worms. If worms drench. If you feel it is due to something they have eaten, I find an Apple Cider tonic works well but just add some dry food to their diet. Sheep love breed.... but too much and it gives them the runs.
• Rams Horns... make sure they curl away from the head. During summer check for flystrike at base of horns. The ram lambs will sometimes knock them off... apply betadine to the wound and monitor. They heal quickly... sometimes regrow.
• Clean drinking water.
• Shelter from summer heat.
• Yards or pen, which can be as simple as a few gates cable tied together. 

Get to know your sheep... learn their normal behaviour, as you will soon know when something is wrong. Sick sheep tend to stay away from the flock. So, if you have 1 lonely sheep on its own, investigate.

We don't castrate our rams or dock the tails. For several reasons, but I think I have covered that in a previous post.

Some Kit You Will Need:

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Rehoming Last Seasons Lambs

It's that time of year when we need to sell our lambs. 

After trying various ways to sell our lambs, homekill, stock yard auctions, and even becoming licensed to be able to sell fresh meat from the farm... in the end given our small flock, we now just sell via online sales.

Sometimes the lambs are purchased for meat and other times they are sold for breeding or adding to people's flocks.

Whatever their fate... we try to give them the best lives while in our care.

Recently we rehomed a ram lamb to the West Coast, where the lamb will be living a rams dream life... he will have 3 ladies to look after. He was chosen for his colour and is called Charlie Brown.

It's  not often we receive an update from a customer once the lambs have left our care, but below are the photos from the customer, showing Charlie Brown in his new home.

Customer: "Charlie Brown with his ladies. He is such a lovely chap.Thanks for breeding and raising a really nice animal".

Charlie is one of Whiskers off spring. We decided that Whiskers would be our main breeding "Daddy" ram. He has the more traditional Arapawa colouring, a fantastic set of horns, he is a good size/build  and he's great with the ladies. But most importantly he has a great calm character. He is a cruzy kinda dude, very easy going, but he will not tolerate any mischief or fighting in his presence.  When two sheep are fighting/head butting, and Whiskers is present, he rushes in and stops the fighting by head butting one of the offending sheep... then calm is instantly restored. 

I'm hoping Whiskers character is being picked up by his offspring... he is such a great ram.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - A Reminder To Myself...

Down Wattle Lane is our home, and like the beautiful yellow blossoms of a Wattle tree, we have found our little piece of paradise here in the Canterbury sunshine, in New Zealand. For us living on a lifestyle block is a way of life and it’s the pinnacle of our Kiwi dream. Living rurally you soon discover the air is cleaner, the grass is greener, and life operates at a far more relaxed pace. 

Down Wattle Lane is also the home of a rare heritage breed of sheep, the Arapawa Sheep, in which we farm a small flock. We are extremely passionate about this breed of sheep. They are a versatile, hardy breed with plenty of personality & character. Their origins remain a mystery but they have been living in the wild on Arapawa Island long before most early European Pioneers started immigrating to New Zealand. For that one reason, they get my vote in being the most Kiwi of sheep. 

Down Wattle Lane is also the NZ home of Unicorn Fibre Cleaner’s. An earth friendly solution to your fibre cleaning needs. We love everything about wool, it’s such an amazing natural fibre. So whether you are a home based crafter or a carpet manufacturer, Unicorn Fibre Cleaner’s can help you. 

Oh, and not to forget, we also make Farm Style Gates!

Welcome to our home, Down Wattle Lane… pop on in and say hi!"