All the Rivers Run...

This week has been one of highs and lows. Unfortunately one of our ewes broke her leg and we had to put her down. I think she broke it trying to get through a fence so next working bee one of the tasks will be to review the new fencing.

The yellow Yamaha is determined not to be kicked to the kerb by the threat of some interlopers so fired up dutifully this week.

As the flock were being tempted to jump the low fence we opened the gate to allow them through to the other side. I have erected the portable electric (minus the electric) fence to prevent them from going down the tree line in front of the house.

Thankfully this week also had a high. All thanks to YHVH, we received 105mm of rain over two days, which I think has been unprecedented in the time we've been here. Already the native pasture is showing signs of a nice green pick which I'm sure the cows and flock will enjoy. The breeder we bought Don Pedro from remembers a day about 15 years ago when just over a metre of tropical rain fell in January and the flooding that occured. I used to agist a horse down the road and due to that immense rainfall a great gouge was created down their hillside. That rain event may even have created the run off below our bottom dam.

This morning the amorous tones of the pobblebonk frog heralded the fact there was water in the dam. The top dam went totally dry last week in the 40+ heat but this week it's now half full again. Two of the peppercorn trees that Neal planted there a couple of months ago have taken well and shooting new leaves so in a couple of years we'll have some lovely shade there as well.

The bottom dam's level also increased and will now most likely last until the autumn rains arrive. All the tanks are now full again so I think a few long showers are in order!

Gulliver and Don Pedro were a bit puzzled today as to how those sheep managed to get over the other side of the fence today and needed a bit of assistance to remember where the gate was. Don Pedro is now quite a bit bigger than Gulliver so hopefully when the next drop of lambs arrive in a few months he'll be ready to assume his guardian duties, having been mentored by Gulliver.

Next week we will fellowship together and worship the Maker of heaven and earth, magnifying His Name here in the Adelaide Hills. What a blessing and privilege it is to be able to do so on a property that has been purchased so that we can celebrate the feasts here and prepare for the times ahead.

Until then ...

shalom to you and yours

Comments

Blessed Dry Times

In Australia it's summer time. In South Australia it's particularly dry and there is a real possibility of below average rainfall for the autumn season as well. This is not unusual for our part of the country. It's part of the natural cycles and here at Hebron we take the necessary preparations. The dams are drying up but we have plenty of rainwater in the tanks and a bore that draws up water from 60 metres below, so for a short dry spell we are well prepared. We have enough dry feed in the paddocks and bales of hay for the flock of sheep to get us through this dry season. I'm actually grateful for this dry spell this month because it means that the evil caltrop has not germinated, saving me from a lot of work. Caltrop (think the most evil version of a three-corner jack!) needs higher temperatures and good spring rains to germinate - usually in early December. Caltrop and I will continue our battle if we get rain before the summer ends though! B...

Sheep of His Pasture

The guys have been out fixing fences so that our flock can move into the paddock. The roos have a tendency to break fences and dig holes so it's an ongoing chore unfortunately. Whilst it's rather nice to see them out in the paddocks, and to see when the joeys emerge from the pouch, it can be frustrating as well. Moving the flock into a different paddock is always one of my favourite things to do because you get to give them a closer check and they're always excited about going into a fresh paddock. So late in the afternoon last Friday I thought, why not share it with you as well. Enjoy a quick visit to Hebron and I pray that wherever you are, in whatever pasture our Father YHVH has you, that you are blessed and experiencing His overshadowing kindness.

Joy Comes in the Morning

For over a year South Australia and Victoria have been in drought. Dams are dry, crops have failed and trees are dying. When the community bought the property 19 years ago we invested in sinking a bore to ensure water security. The water quality is good enough to water the stock and our gardens. We also have large rainwater tanks which have kept water to the house. However, if the drought had of continued we would have hooked the house up to the bore water as well. We had stored enough hay to feed our sheep and alpacas and they were well fed. Investment in the infrastructure has been a big expense in both finances and labour over the years, but it's in years like this that it's well worth it. It brings so much joy to see the green grass and gardens when the paddocks are bare and dry. Praise YHVH, the rains came last week! We have received 40ml over the last couple of weeks and more is on the...

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