We have always grown our own vegetables — usually the main varieties are carrots, parsnips, cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuce.
We put up with the challenges from white butterfly, aphids, beating the frosts in the spring and autumn and sometimes a rabbit coming in that scratches out some newly planted seeds. I often wonder about the economics of keeping a garden when there are so many things working against the system.
The tomatoes are usually safe in the tunnel house but there’s a bit work and timing involved to get a decent crop.
Growers are renowned for a bit of banter about who grows the best.
One of the upsides of the vegetable garden is if you have a surplus, someone is usually grateful for a cabbage or a few carrots from your abundance.
But on these cold winter days we tuck into our lunch of a big bowl of hot vegetable soup and a couple of cheese rolls which make a very satisfying lunchtime meal.
The conversation at lunchtime is limited because it is almost compulsory for farmers to listen to The Country, hosted by Jamie Mackay, as it takes precedence.
There is no need for me to spell out the success of his radio show. Starting from Gore in 1994 he has used his entrepreneurial skills, seized opportunities to expand his company to now giving nationwide coverage and has become the voice of rural New Zealand.
He has been made an Officer of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and rural community which also recognises some of his charity work. He has received other national awards as well.
Jamie engages a wide range of people in science, marketing, economics experts in their field who give up-to-date information which helps listeners form an educated opinion. He knows his audience well and most take an interest in rugby to varying degrees and as he is an avid student of the game delights in reliving some historical moments of the sport.
Then there is politics and he accommodates all the main parties and enjoys "playing the devil’s advocate" which is part of his game.
It is noticeable that when it is a party leader’s turn they always show up as they know the size of his radio audience, and it is not all rural. I wonder what’s next for Jamie’s country radio world. He will have to write a book, too.
