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With my energy levels fully restored it’s been a nonstop day Chez Mima. And it’s been a day out of the box: blue sky, gentle breeze, low-20s.

Last week the hens were culled. The five of them were all getting on, and giving me one egg a day if I was lucky. I can’t afford to keep chooks that aren’t producing. There’s no room for sentiment when you’re reliant on home-produced food.

Next weekend I collect six point of lay pullets, so I have a week to give their quarters a very thorough clean.

I made a start today digging out some of the soil / chook poo which will give the compost heap a massive boost. There’s much more to extract tomorrow, to be replaced by some less than wonderful soil from elsewhere on the property which the new girls will gradually enrich.

Bean and I walked way up Paradise Gully Road at lunchtime. She stopped off for refreshment in creeks that we passed en route.

The final couple of dozen plums are now picked, as well as all the Buerre Bosc pears.

And a massive property-wide line-trim has started. I aim to get round all the long grass in the next week; rain permitting. I try to do the whole place twice a year: in spring and again early autumn.

The lawn needs a cut, but it’ll be tomorrow before I fire up the mower: I’ve knocked off for the day. A friend arrived with a huge slice of apple pie for me earlier, which looks as if it should be eaten very soon.

A good day.