The weather during the lambing season was generally drier resulting in many lambs being born into the sunshine and warmer temperatures.

The only snow falling was up in the mountains, this proved for us to be a busy time with accommodation in our rental Lone Cottage with plenty of skiers staying.

The cottage is a fully restored Kiwi home with modern amenities, it took us three years to restore. There is no nightlight pollution here and the stars look amazing. Set in a mature garden it offers a peaceful rural stay from the usual hustle-bustle of daily life for folks from all over the world and locals alike. We set it aside as accommodation for our woofers and helpers at peony harvest time.

The flower season started as the last few merino ewes had their lambs, we had 25 pets to feed which was lucky that we had some early assistance with our woofers. These guys came to learn about lambing time as well as peony harvest. This year our helpers came from Holland, England, Japan, USA and Germany, so alongside our local staff and an abundance of peonies we were well on track for a bumper crop and language lessons. Young overseas visitors often are multilingual which makes us slightly ashamed. As we can only speak English. The positive side is they want to improve theirs!

Music has no boundaries and we share and sometimes enjoy all types from Japanese rock, Dutch Carnival, and Disney in German! With a few farewell parties in between equates to a good time and hard work done by all.

By late October lambing was finished and the crop was looking great!

Then we had a southerly come through……….aaaaaargh!!!

A dusting of snow and freezing temperatures knocked our beautiful blooms back. We expected some damage but had to wait and see. Mother Nature is very fickle, and we just must deal with whatever she throws at us! Three days later and we had temperatures of 30 degrees.

After losing our mainstay border collie Ted last year, a new puppy had been ordered carrying our bloodlines. Everyone needed something to smile about so off we went to see the litter and choose oe .

Puppy arrived and was to become the ‘Peony Puppy”

What to name her? A working dogs name must be short and sharp and not sound like any of the commands she will receive in future training. Furthermore, she must like it and be responsive to it. …… she was tried with so many names from Gyp – to Pip plus many suggestions from social media and was not responsive to anything.

As all new-borns, she sleeps a lot. Not a single name that we had received and despite her being called everything (use your imagination here!) did not appear to be jelling with her! Then we had a major breakthrough. A friend that comes over and stays with us from the Yorkshire Dales, he shears sheep here in New Zealand and was talking to his girlfriend on the speakerphone, her name was ‘Sal’ when peony pup heard the name ‘Sal ‘she pricked her ears up and waddled over. Again we repeated ‘Sal’ and we had a similar response Eureka! she was thus named …… Sal.

Late October and the harvest of our flowers had begun we had damage to 80% of our crop. This created more work initially as we had to maintain the quality of the remaining flowers.

Command Performance huge flowers that seem to last forever in a vase

Stuart for a little entertainment decided to take to his proud heritage roots and wear his Murray tartan kilt for the day.

Mac the dog was a little confused to see the boss is in his kilt and stood on a deer post with a bunch of beautiful peonies!

Many Brides were happy this year as our peonies bloomed and graced their ceremonies.

The peony must be the most beautiful flower in the world for celebration of any kind but none more than that as a wedding flower

Etched Salmon Angel Cheeks and Command Performance

Our new variety had a light pick this year and is exceptional. Many Happy Returns or as we call it ‘Fireburst’ really showed the beauty of its red shard of petals with flashes of golden yellow edging in its centre and proved to be a cracker!

Many Happy Returns , ‘My thought exactly’ said Mr Bee

Family members came to visit and stay for Christmas from Yorkshire and helped towards the end of our harvest and sale season. It was lovely to have them all.

Ella jumping for joy as we finish picking the flowers

Some of our Cheviot rams are sold in December and can be quite a contrast alongside the flowers. Buy a ram and get a bunch of Peonies for free!!

Joking apart these guys would love to eat the flowers given half a chance!

Both the Honey and Bumble bees are always present on the flowers and it is a pleasure to work alongside these incredibly busy creatures, swarms often pass overhead, and we just drop down low to the ground till they pass by.

This year however was a little different we had one Queen that loved the Fireburst that much she decided to stay and have a rest. Our local beekeepers came to return them to their hive.

Sal is getting to learn it is hard work following up and down the rows of Peonies

One day Bess the big Huntaway got a little too excited and rough in playing with Sal and accidentally broke her leg.

This means confinement so she will spend the next 3 weeks in a crate and only allowed out for toileting. Sad but resulting in………. even more cuddles.

Angel cheeks are the last of our 2020 crop to go

These are a wonderful fragrant flower that matches up with our huge white Henry Sass for wedding bouquets.

Angels ,soft funky feminine and fragrant

Newsletter 2019/2020