We have had a steer butchered, and as a result will be short of freezer space, so .. the rabbit skins had to come out.
It seems criminal to just throw them away, the pelts are so soft and beautiful colours . And in the spirt of using the whole animal we decided to tan them. We  defrosted all thirty two of them and set to work. Eileen washed them in warm soapy water to get any blood off the fur and rinse away any loose hair. We then made up a solution of salt and alum and are soaking them for two days.  Next we clean off any fat or meat residue, and recharge the solution with fresh alum and salt. Another week of soaking and agitation. Then we will keep you informed.

Forgot to pay the domain name and the email and webpage link died, all sorted now.
The other night we  dropped in to a friend to provide a little poddy lamb first aid (hope it is still alive). We were given a bag of  full of home made goodies for our trouble. I love trying other peoples preserves, pickles and jams. We make our own and are always looking to improve and perfect our own produce,  tasting other people's efforts provides inspiration and ideas to include in future attempts. This package contained pineapple pickles, unexpected and surprisingly good. Yum.

On Monday we spent an interesting and educational day at the junction of the Shoalhaven and Mongarlow Rivers near Braidwood. The coastal saltwater Aboriginal tribes last met here according to their oral history 200 years ago. The local group decided as part of rediscovering their history to meet again at this significant site. We were invited to attend and learnt so much about artifacts and the difference between a stone axe and a rock, local bush tucker, family stories and the tracks that the tribes took to come together. Hard to comprehend that the grooves in the river rocks could have been made 20,000 years ago by humans sharpening their axes and spear points chatting away and exchanging stories, as we were.  

Unfortunately , inspired by the success of the Pergola, Bodgie Bros has created another blot on the landscape. What was formerly an open wired duck enclosure, has been converted to weird looking Pavilion affair. Perfectly good hardwood was used to create the pitched roof, which has been clad in a patchwork of corrugated iron, (most pieces look as though they have travelled around the country on the edge of a tornado!) 
With absolutely no idea what we will use this structure (a euphemism  for this thing) for, the sheep have adopted it as a toilet and sleeping place. Sure we will be glad of it next time we have snow when lambs.

It is very dry here at the Flat, no rain to speak of for weeks and none forecast. Dorpers like this kind of weather as long as there is plenty feed. Our ewes are all in excellent condition going into the winter, which will stand them in good stead when the sheep graziers alerts start rolling in. But for the moment the days are beautiful, sunny and just the right temperature once the fog lifts. 

The meat chickens are in their fourth week, growing, eating, but they are such pathetic little creatures. I am moving them on to fresh grass morning and night and they love a pick at the fresh green. They also love the sun in the morning. 
They grow so fast that their feathers can't keep up and they have big bare bits and great big feet, just shows what selective breeding can do. They are supposed to be a processing size in another two weeks but I am sure they will need longer. There must be a more natural type of meat bird out there. If you know of one let me know.

Bodgie Brothers have pulled out all the stops and finished the pergola. Now we need to organise the opening event, something involving rabbit in beer and roasted pastured chicken. It is amazing how a little strong language can assist with the erection. Martin seems to have an almost mystical way in this dire