Winter diary.
Winter is birthday season on the farm and is without a doubt our busiest time of the year. Almost everyday we welcome a new baby farm animal which keeps our hands busy and our hearts full. I love winter in freshwater creek, it’s all about open fires and red wines.
Here’s a diary documenting Winter 2018 at
Freshwater Creek Cottages.
August 28st 2018
“Spring is near... all our plum trees are starting to bloom. I have a vase full of blossoms on the dining room table that brighten up the room. These gorgeous delicate blossoms hold so much promise for juicy fruit in the Summer. Walking through our orchard, enjoying the fresh perfume really does leave me in awe of the wonder of Mother Nature.”
August 25th 2018
“Glorious day today. Was outside for most of the day enjoying the sunshine. Loving all the yellow flowers in bloom at the moment, daffodils, wattles, banksias to name a few. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.”
August 23rd 2018
“So, we’ve had a few days off the farm, and everyone has been asking who looked after the farm. Well I am very lucky to have a HUGELY supportive family, whom all drop everything in a heartbeat and come to takeover so we can take a break. My brother Patrick and his partner Ainslie came to help out mum and dad whilst we were away. Over the past few weeks whenever a new baby has been born, he has rang me instantly to confirm that the lambing, calving etc has finished. You see, he is not real good with that kind of thing. Off course we reassured him there would be no births whilst he was here. Day 2, I get a frantic call from him. A guest has just informed him that something is coming out of a sheep in the paddock. I assured him it was a lamb, and that when that one is out another one may come. He asked for the vets number. I proceeded to recite his own number back to him. He started stressing that this was no joke and by no means was he up for the job. I told him to just “scrub up” just in case and watch and wait. 32 phone calls later we hear that twin baby lambs were born. Ainslie assured me that mother and babies are doing well, Patrick meanwhile has gone to bed feeling queasy!!!”
August 17th 2018
“Buttercup and her baby calf are doing so well. We have had our concerns with the calf over the week, we were not sure that she was getting enough nourishment, and seemed a little lethargic. I am happy to report that we are worrying less and proud that Buttercup is being a great my. “
August 16th 2018
“Woke up this morning to this gorgeous little girl.... our smallest heifer had her baby whilst we were sleeping. We have been really anxious about her birth as she is such a small heifer, that became pregnant earlier than we would have liked. Feeling very relieved and thankful that she did so well without our supervision or help. Such a wonderful surprise to find in the paddock this morning. Both mumma and baby doing extremely well.”
August 15th 2018
“Baby piglets.... these 6 little newborns are not enjoying this wind today. It’s blowing an absolute gale today, and even their shelter is not cutting it in these conditions.”
August 14th 2018
“What a cracker of a day! Forecast top of 18 degrees, sunny skies and 8 x 15kg loads of washing hung out with another 9 patiently waiting for some line space. Should have all this dry by 1pm today.”
August 10th 2018
“After a long and difficult labour, Farmer Phil assisted Miss Buttercup in delivering this little girl. It was a long night, the calf was breach so we had to help her as she had no chance of delivering it on her own. It was touch and go for a while as to whether the calf would survive, but I am happy to let you all know that the beautiful little girl is healthy, and Buttercup is doing an amazing job with her. So proud of Farmer Phil and Buttercup. I am now inside trying to defrost my toes by the fire. Thank you for all your well wishes, we needed them!”
August 1St 2018
“Needless to say absolutely no housework or book work getting done on this glorious day. I have been in the paddocks for the past couple of hours enjoying watching the baby lambs and the baby calves. Seriously loving every moment with them. How’s this lamb in the back ground photo bombing? This is Willow’s little lamb that was born last Saturday..”
JULY 31ST 2018
“I know, I know, another day another baby!!! As newbie farmers we still get so excited every time a new life is born. Well this little bull calf was born during the night. He’s a little Murray Grey calf, and has the thickest coat on him. We are so happy at how our little farm is growing by the day.”
JULY 27th 2018
“Can’t help but be cheery with all the daffodils in flower at the moment. Out of the over 300 bulbs, I think nearly half are flowering. This time next week should look even more spectacular.”
July 25tH 2018
“Our fruit orchard has been giving us bumper crops each year of beautiful organic fruit. We are so lucky to have a fruit orchard and to be able to share the fruit with our guests. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep it producing so well. 50+. Cubic meters of mulch and compost per year, chooks and ducks aerating and fertilising the soil, and plenty of man hours pruning, watering, weeding etc. Pruning our 30 plus trees takes approximately 50 hours a year.... I won’t even attempt to count the watering and weeding hours!!!”
July 13tH 2018
“Pretty sunset trying to shine through the low laying clouds. Been a very sporadic day, fog, sunshine, clouds, but luckily no rain.”
July 11tH 2018
“Twin baby lambs arrived today. Typically on the most coldest day in weeks, this mumma decided it was time. Another great experience for our school holidays guests to witness and be part of. We have moved this mumma and her babies in to a barn to keep them warm and give them time to rest and gain much needed strength for the Winter days ahead.”
July 9tH 2018
“Our latest addition, Miss Roxette, is doing just fine. A gorgeous little calf with lots of energy. She sure is a crowd pleaser and loving all the attention. Mum Roxy is still very protective of her but giving her a little more freedom each day.”
July 11tH 2018
“Welcome little baby Roxette!! Roxie gave birth about half an hour ago to this gorgeous girl we have named Roxette! Such a pretty little calf. Roxie wouldn’t let Phil leave her side. Every time he mover she tried to get up to follow him. Such a special bond. Loads of guests here for the school holidays getting to witness this beautiful birth.”
JUNE 30tH 2018
“After a light drizzle to start the day, we were then bathed in glorious sunlight all day. Wattle in full bloom brightens the farm beautifully.”
JUNE 15tH 2018
“The aftermath... very stormy night last night. Glad to see everything is looking ok this morning. Our patio was filled with animals last night, baby the lamb, Jess the kangaroo, Charlie, Millie and Charlotte the three dog, all took refuge on the patio....”
June 13th 2018
“As our Golden Elm trees on the driveway continue to drop all their leaves, the graceful dietes iris comes in to full bloom. Such a great decision of mine to underplant the trees with these gorgeous flowering plants. All year round the driveway planting’s put on a lovely display.
June 13th 2018
“So that’s where she’s been laying them!! Just found this stash in the garden amongst the canna pillows and chrysanthemums.”
June 12th 2018
“Sunrise.... in for a mixed week weather wise, so grateful for any sign off sun. Hope everyone has a great week.”
June 11th 2018
“Winter sunsets. Every night seems better than the last. We’ve had such a busy 72 hours on the farm. We seem to just be going non stop, but every evening we try and take a walk around to check on all the animals. Such a rewarding part of the day, especially when Mother Nature turns it on.”
June 5th 2018
“Winter flowering Wattle just about to go boom!! I just love how Mother Nature gives us these sunny bright yellow flowers in the middle of Winter. Stay tuned for more photos in the coming weeks.”
June 1st 2018
“Nice chilly start to the first day of Winter. 3 degrees here, but in for a glorious day! Happy Friday everyone!”