elm

One of the people I met at the Woodturners Guild recommended i check out a timber supplier in Onekawa. I called in on Thursday morning and discovered he had a large supply of elm. I have never worked in elm. It is a rare wood in Europe now but apparently there is a good local supply in New Zealand!

I will plan a few test pieces of furniture and call back in a couple of weeks to pick up some boards to experiment. Caroline wants a wine-rack so maybe that will be the material I will use!

woodturning

I have joined the Hawke's Bay Woodturners Guild at Waiohiki. They meet every Wednesday.

So now I will be producing lots of bowls!!!!

When I improve, you can place your orders! Will let you know. And maybe I'll post a photo.

a new herd

About 2 weeks ago, J bought 5 new steer calves. We have loads of grass with the wetter summer and it should continue growing through the winter months if it does not get too cold. Most nights it gets down to about 10 degrees.

J plans to sell the herd in October / November when prices should be good.

autumn

It's well into autumn in Hawke's Bay with most of the fruit picked and all grapes harvested. The autumn reds and golds on the trees are great but not as good as usual as 3 hard frosts two weeks ago brought down a lot of leaves.

I will be posting an update on the garden story shortly.

As we approach the shortest day, a new planting season is nearing. I am preparing garlic in the fridge to plant on 21st June.

recipes

Some of my readers out there have been trying the recipes I have posted.

My friend, Caroline wants to try some of the newest recipes. I will post more in next few days.

orienteering update

J was competing this weekend in the Hawke's Bay schools championships.

He came first in his group, beating the nearest competitor by 12 minutes.

Next major competition in the New Zealand schools championships in July.

His school won all six of the categories they competed in!

statins

I have been recommended to start a course of statins but have so far resisted. I remain to be convinced that they are a solution. Somewhere out there the pharmaceutical companies have control of the media just like the oil companies.

Some research out last week raises new doubts on advantages of statins.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7745438/Statins-raise-chances-of-kidney-failure-and-cataracts.html