swimming and a shepherd

We started off the day with swimming at the Gore multi-sport centre, a new complex that’s been the subject of several newspaper articles on environmentally-friendly heat pump technology – the heat from cooling the ice rink is used to warm the pool and spa building.

The place was overrun with school children, and we almost didn’t even go in, but it turns out they were confined to one lane of the pool so we were still able to swim. I taught Miva how to aquajog and we had some fun with that, but the highlight was definitely the spa!

After swimming, we went to visit Graham’s black lab Blaze, who’s staying at the vet’s while fighting stomach cancer, and then had coffee at a cute little café in Gore.

I was feeling a little guilty about not contributing anything in terms of work, so I was glad when Miva told me about her plans to build raised-bed vegetable gardens to grow stuff for home consumption. Graham had driven posts in earlier, so we just had to select somewhat-matching boards from an old treehouse and nail them onto the posts. All three of us were out working on the beds when a huge hail storm came up, so we ran inside….so much for helping out!

Turns out I did have something to contribute – since the weather wasn’t cooperating, we decided to come up with a business plan for the farm. We got out a white board (oh, the memories!) and started brainstorming. I even made a PowerPoint slide when we were done – more memories of cubicle life! Then I wrote an ad for a shepherd – now that was something new and different!

“A full-time position is available on Marama Farm in South Otago, a 1,200ha organic property with 6,600 ewes and 400 cattle.

A 3-bedroom house is provided for accommodation. Hunting and fishing on the doorstep, skiing nearby. Single or couple applicants welcome – potential opportunities available for partner.

Ideal applicants will have good working dogs, excellent stock skills and a cheery disposition.

For further information contact: ___________________"