June 2025 Updates

June 2025

Written by Katrina Miller

Cheeky trip to the ED for ED

Nothing like a relaxing picnic on top of our favourite hill on the farm. We have shared many happy memories whilst relaxing on the iconic ‘Bald Hill’. It is a place where we spend a lot of time enjoying sunsets, wine and cheese with friends and family. It’s also where we got engaged. Lately, we haven’t made the time to hang out on that hill. A little too engrossed with our farm and cellar door projects perhaps. Though tonight we devoted some time to chat and sip some wine atop this special mound. After sunset we cruised back to the cottage, happy and little dazed from a few wines, Evan decided to set the fireplace. This involved a very sharp axe and some very hard timber, ending in a deep slice to the palm of his hand. I heard the commotion and quickly got into action by cleaning and bandaging his wound. Our relaxing Friday night abruptly ended. After some time, we boosted to Perth, rejected by the doctor at the only open urgent care we could find, we were directed to the hospital. ED was grim. We waited 9 hours for treatment. Evan needed 9 stitches to his hand. Fortunately, the healing process was rapid. Evan was back working on the farm almost immediately aided by some very thick gloves. It was a good reminder of how easily accidents can happen on a farm. 

Wine

●      Our 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2024 Shiraz and 2025 Rosé were bottled. FINALLY.

●      No better way to celebrate having more than one wine to drink, than having friends over for tastings of all four (Chardonnay included)!

●      The arrival of our wines was very timely as we hustled to prepare for our Destination WA filming at the cellar door. We paved the front cellar door entrance area, painted, cleaned, hung new lights, restored antiques, arranged floral bouquets – all these jobs had to be done with one week of notice after being selected by the Gingin Shire. June was a wild month for us.

Flowers

●      We also finally finished planting out the flower farm. Some tube stock that we ordered, arrived very late and we were forced to plant late in the season. This makes us unsure of the success of these plants. We can only hope they survive the cold.

●      Growth has slowed now with the cold weather. Species planted early to mid-autumn did some growth when first planted but that has now halted. The grevilleas are also a bit tired so we are now holding off on sales until spring.

●      The weeds (mostly cape weed) are starting to take over so we are constantly trying to think of ways to minimise weed cover without using strong chemicals and plastics.

Sheep

●      Lambing is in full swing. There are freshies everywhere! So far, we only have 1 poddy lamb (named Sugar), which is a lot less than last year.

●      The paddocks are green and beautiful. There still isn’t substantial growth. It seems a lot colder than last winter though it is just as dry.

●      We are still planting and tending to the crops for the summer feed. There has been a bit of germination with the commencement of the winter rains.