When did my boys grow up?

Today is Fortnum and Mason's 9 month birthday. It's hard to believe that they've been part of our household for over 6 months now. I can hardly remember what life was like before the bassets came along.

A quick review of the basset pics shows just how much they've grow from those cute bundles of mischief into the lolloping hounds who lounge around the house creating havoc and upset.

It's fair to say it's been a learning curve, some of which I'd rather consign to my memory banks not to be resurrected again.

One thing is for sure, they've gone through beds like children go through shoes. Just when you think they've got the size to fit they wake up the next morning and don't fit any more. They started on a small cushion that fitted them both then progressed gradually to their enormous size day bed that they love to curl up in. That's of course when their not blowing hot air onto my ankles under desk in Domestic Executive HQ.

As they've grown they've kept their cheeky faces but their habits get more disgusting all the time. Can't wait till they start slobbering as mature boys. It's bad enough at the moment when they've had a quick drink and then want to share the excess by shaking their heads.

Still every day they make my heart melt in some way. Today it was Fortnum bounding across the grass at Tunnel Gulley when we were out for their walk. Also when Mason stuck out his lizard like basset tongue to since he'd obviously decided it was time my face needed another wash. Oh gross. I know where he puts that tongue!!

I wish they hadn't grown up so much it would be so handy just to scoop them up like we could when they first arrive. I'm afraid I'm not that strong to lift dead weights of over 30kg - regardless of the waratah bashing training done this weekend!

All hands and paws for tree planting!

Although a little earlier than I was expecting our second delivery of trees came on Friday. It's been all hands and paws on deck for tree planting as these trees came bare root so there was no time to waste before getting them into the ground.

Given there was 40 to plant I brought in the lovely John from the landscaping firm to dig the holes and help with the planting and staking. He did a sterling job and got us ready for what turned out to be a late in the day delivery.

You just can't do justice photographing the trees as they are simply sticks in the ground. You'll just have to take my word that it's starting to transform the place and give much needed structure to the landscape around the house. I can't wait till spring when they start to come into life. Then I'll be able to share the tree vistas.

Anyway, here's some photoblogging to show our efforts of the last couple of days.

MT taking five after digging holes and planting

Note the difference in pose - me getting stuck in!

Some of the smaller trees lined up for planting in the new area cleared after the gorse harvest

People say that they start to look like their dogs - can you see the resemblance?

Talking about the bassets, you might be wondering what they've been contributing to the horticultural endevours.......

"So what's this hole, can we put our bones in here?"

"Do you mean this hole I'm stuck in?"

"Hmm, much safer just sniffing the breeze"

"You talking to us? We're not doing anything, honest!"

"Nah, I think this hole is better for the bones. He seems better at digging them than her. Closer to the house too!"

We have planted all the trees but they need staking to be protected from the Wellington winds heading our way. Staking trees, that's a whole different story. Tune in bloggers for the next installment!

Clear and crisp and freezing

A freezing blast has hit Kaitoke. It was -1 degrees on the car temperature this morning.

The irony is that whilst we're freezing here the ski fields of New Zealand are closed because the weather is not cold enough. Apparently that's set to change this weekend with snow in the high mountains so that the ski season can get underway.

For us living in the hills we need sunshine and nice soft ground. We've got more trees arriving tomorrow and the last thing we need is more freezing temperatures.

Doing my chores this morning was a little more fun than normal with all the frost to admire and see how the chickens and bassets behave in these less hospitable conditions.

As I write this blog the sun is out and the frost is melting from the roof. So good job I've got some photoblogging to remind me of this morning's adventures.

Frost on the lawn

Frost on my majority planting - thistles!

Frost on my Cordyline Australis

Frost on my kiwi hedge and soon to be salad and herb bed

Layered landscapes from frosty grass to native bush

"Morning George!" says Fortnum

Hot breakfast on a cold morning (last night's shepherds pie!)

George - tall and proud

George leading his ladies to the outside world of free ranging

Mason drinking the frost from the fence!

Memories of a sunny day

Seems that MT brought the rotten weather with him back from Auckland yesterday and spoilt my day. It's been raining and blowing a southerly gale. Definitely fire lighting weather again.

Still I won't be put off by a bit of cold wind I've got my memories of a sunny day from yesterday when the bassets were our having a wonderfully playful walk.

The simple pleasures of Domestic Executive life, sunny skies and playful bassets. Who needs the rat race?

Hey, chase me......

So you want a go?

Not quite, you're pointing the wrong way

That's it, we can do it together!

A beautiful day for a walk

Today was a beautiful day. Bright sunshine, almost clear blue skies and a light breeze. Just the day for taking Fortnum and Mason for a walk.

As I strolled along there was plenty of time to admire the views. You've got to understand the bassets need to take time with their sniffing you know. I still have to pinch myself sometimes that we live in the place we do. It's stunning in its vastness and the almost pre-historic vegetation makes it all the more wonderful. Not to mention that all this is right over my garden fence.

Shame MT was up in Dorkland in the cold, mist and rain!

Typical NZ fern trees

View down to Tunnel Gully

The boys dragging their paws to make the most of the day

Intensive sniffing at play

On the run to catch me up!

Aha, caught you!

Is is much further home, we're a bit tired and hot!

Home sweet home - just another five minutes walk away

Mammoth gorse harvest

The bassets and I have had a very productive afternoon. Exhausting but very satisfying and we had glorious weather to brighten our day.

After a couple of wet weekends it was important to restart the gorse harvest. We've got trees to put in but can't do so until some of the gorse is cleared. So the boys and I set to and we cleared about 20 m of gorse and as if by miracle we finally find the boundary to the land at the bottom of the garden.

The only problem with gorse harvesting is what to do with the gorse harvested. Although my friend Gill mentioned that she knew someone who made wine from gorse, I'm not sure that this is a good idea since our gorse has been exterminated with industrial strength killer spray.

I've created a massive pile to be burned tomorrow. I think if we set light to it as it is we'd probably take the rest of the bush with it so there'll need to be some careful planning and fire building skills.

It's fair to say that my hands, arms, legs and back ache after all the physical exertion but I'm so pleased to have made it to the bottom of the garden at last. If those living in the northern hemisphere get woken by a bright light in the middle of the night, don't worry it's just us burning our gorse!

Fortnum admiring the growing gorse mountain

Rubbish picture (sorry, it was getting dark) but if you squint you can see the bottom of the garden.

Yes there are still plenty of gorse stumps we've got to deal with!

My basset boys on guard protecting the gorse mountain

Domestic Executive neat stacking of the gorse!

Honest, this isn't a line of gorse bushes. My gorse mountain in all it's glory!

Tomorrow when I crawl out of bed complaining of the muscle ache I shall think of my father-in-law who started this whole gorse thing off in the first place. After his marathon spraying efforts during his holiday with us earlier in the year it would be rude not to follow through and clear the dead gorse. I keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end. Won't it?

Bassets brave the river - not!

Our bassets are not the bravest of creatures. Mason has a particularly endearing quality that when he sees something he doesn't like or not sure of he'll jump back on all four paws and hide, either behind us or behind Fortnum.

It was an adventure to see how they coped with one of the walks at the Kaitoke Regional Park that has two bridges to cross and a river to explore.

Much to my amazement that walked the bridges without any hestitation. They were very interested in what was going on under where they were walking. When it came to investigating the river itself there was a bit more reluctance and not much paw wetting going on!

I wonder how they are going to cope when we go on a beach holiday next month!