Yes, I admit I've been absent, I've neglected you. How have you coped without your weekly lesson on life as a hunter's wife!? I apologise. I guess sometimes life gets in the way of life! So much has happened I don't know where to begin. Perhaps as a prelude (and to motivate me to come back and write some more) I could give you a quick summary...
Winter came and went, quite quickly for us in Central Otago this year. The heavy snow we were regularly forecasted rarely lived up to its hype. There was a bit of pig hunting, duck shooting and quailing to be had. My hunter sustained a nasty injury slipping on some ice down a rather steep hill... woops! And I went out on a semi-successful parry (Paradise duck) shoot at 5am in minus 5degrees! Quailing proved hard on our number one dog this year, not only having surgery to remove a Matagouri thorn from his leg but also being semi-retired due to an old injury flaring up and developing into Arthritis.
Spring arrived, so hunting went a bit quiet - lambing season means hunting territory is massively restricted. Quail season ended, along with mallard season.
I tried my hand at Taxidermy... and failed. In fact, I didn't even get to the taxidermy, the tanning of the hide was a bit of an issue... lucky it was just a stinky goat. Better luck next time!
The chickens survived the winter, and didn't even come off the lay. Until one (Fatty) got sick and nearly got the chop. Still recovering now (from the illness, not the chop!).
I amazed some of my work colleagues with my Thai rabbit patty recipe (I think you lot in the states call them rissoles? or burgers?). Recipe to follow of course.
We impressed friends with our incredible outdoor wood-fired oven - roast leg of wild pork.
We did a bit of fishing on our local lakes with relative success, and yes I had a crack at cooking a trout in the wood-fired oven, incredible result!
The hills have greened up and as soon as lambing is over, the freezer will be filling up with venison as the deer come down to fill up on rich grasses and shrubs.
So there's a wee teaser for you, hopefully that will keep you going till I can write the next chapter... The tale of how to remove a layer or three of skin by sliding down an icy hillside on your arse! Complete with photos, though I don't know if I tell it as well as he does.
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