Hey there, Te Waka Ako, in particular. It is great to see some of the things you have been up to on your blogs. I thought I would share some of the activities I have been doing during your lockdown period in Auckland. Of course study has been happening too, but the call of the outdoors is strong! Also Ginger and Apache (my two cows) like attention. I have added some video clips of some of the food they get as extra to their grass, as the cold wet weather means the grass doesn't grow very quickly and they get hungry. Plus they like variety like people and any other animals.
I have also made a fire pit, a stepping stone path and two seats around it. Then I developed the land with new soil, bricks and pots etc. It was a very muddy frustrating job at times but I am happy with the finished product and have had one fire so far. The cows like it! I need to sort the wood that is in the paddock before I can have another! I didn't realise I would need a drain underground when I first made the fire pit so had to go back and dig one in after some torrential rain created a fish pond of my fire pit! Here are some pics of the process.
Well that is a bit of a marathon post! Enjoy being back together in the syndicate. Take care of each other and stay safe. You got this. Kia kaha. Laters. 
Talofa Lava Te Waka Ako! Its Angelina from Waitemata! I really liked you blog post about what you have been doing in your Lockdown Period Ms Sands! It reminded me of when I went to camp for a church activity there was lots of cows and animals. Also it was a big place with lots of grass and land! Maybe next time you could add a bit more information! This has lots of videos and photos which took a while but I would have loved to read more about your lockdown adventures!
ReplyDeleteBlog you later!
Kia ora Angelina, glad you liked the post. It took me ages to remember the process of loading the video clips! Haha. I will do another post with some more information in a couple of days. Enjoy your week.
DeleteTalofa Ms Sands, we are happy you blogging while in Waipu. And Kia Ora Te Waka Ako, It is Shreyas from Hauraki, I really liked Ginger eating the Biscuit, same as Apache. I even like Carrots, they might like it too that's why Ginger wanted more,
ReplyDeleteBut I liked that you are having fun at Waipu with your Cows. Where you were at was that a hotel with Ginger and Apache. Good luck with the Covid-19 situation. Blog you later! :)Shreyas
Hi ms Sands this is Dev I like your cows a lot they look so healthy and the farm is looking so cool the house is big and the fire beside the house winter is almost over and you will not need to put fire. I also like the fence the are good for the cows and anyone can feed the cows. I love how the cows were eating carrot and when you were feeding the 2 cows carrot the first cow came to have more but there was no more. Hope you are having fun and come back soon we miss you so much Ms sands. Bye bye!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dev. It will be lovely to see you all again. The cows really love carrots and would eat loads of them, but they can have too much. They try to beat each other to whatever extra food I give them! Very competitive.
DeleteThank you Ms Sands for the comment
DeleteSalaam Miss Sands
ReplyDeleteIt's Ayana from Waitemata
I like how you put lots of videos and pictures of you and your cows in lockdown.
I remember when we went to a farm in our country and saw lots of bulls, cow's goats and many more animals we even saw a wild cat!
I also remember when we went to amber farm and many cows were trying to go through the electric fence.
Maybe you should tell us more about what you did in lockdown hope you have a wonderful day in sabbatical bye!!
Cheers Ayana, I will create another blog post about some of my other activities. It is good to visit with farm animals as you learn so much. Have fun this week.
DeleteHi Miss Sands it is Indie from waikowhai primary school. I love your blog post. How are you? We had a fire in lockdown too. I like what you have been doing over lockdown. I loved how you put so much photos and videos in. Did you do anything else over the lockdown period? I am surprised that you have done that so much stuff over lockdown.
ReplyDeleteBlog you latter Miss Sands
Hey Indie, I am great thanks and really enjoying my time to develop my property. I love fires, I have ordered a brazier as well for when it is windy as my home is on a hill. I have also been painting pictures, going to the beach, running, school research etc. Enjoy your week.
DeleteKia Ora Ms Sands
ReplyDeleteIt is Amara from Waitemata. I really liked your photo's and video's about Ginger and Apache in lockdown. It reminds me of when I went to a farm and it had lots of cows. Maybe next time you could add a bit more inforamtion about your adventures. Do you have other cows or is it just Ginger and Apache?
Have a nice day in Waipu
Blog you later!
Hi there Amara, I only have the two cows as I only have enough land for two. Cows use a lot of land and you have to make sure you have enough grass for them. Take care.
DeleteTalofa Lava Te Waka Ako.
ReplyDeleteIt's Brittany for Waikowhai Primary School, in Waitemata. I really liked your blog post. I liked how you told us a lot about your cows and a little bit about some of the things you have made at your house. It reminded me of when I went up to a friends house and there was lots of animals. There was also a big yard of grass that the animals lived on. How long have you had the cows for? Thank you for sharing your amazing work with us. I can't wait to see more things you do in the furture.
Stay safe and be kind!
Blog you later
Hi Brittany, I have had the cows for about 18 months, but they are nearly 2 years old. My sister has a very big farm in Pakiri so I bought them from them. They raise them from a few days old, which is why they are so friendly. I will create another blog with some of my other activities in a few days time. Great to hear from you.
DeleteKia Ora Ms Sands, it's Hosanna from Waikowhai Primary School. I liked all the videos, it was really cool to see what the cows were up to. Do you like being back up in the farm with your cows? It reminds me of when my family did a fire pit, and
ReplyDeletewe toasted marshmallows. Anyway thank you for sharing what you have been doing, I hope your sabbatical is going amazing. Blog you later!
Hey Hosanna, I am loving being up at my property for sure. I am looking forward to having fires with marshmallows and roasted bananas in the embers. Have a fab week.
DeleteHi Miss Sands,
ReplyDeleteWe really miss you.
I like how you are keeping active with your cows, they looks so cool! How do you get so much hay, do you buy it from Bunnings?,
maybe next time you could make the font more bolder. But your blog is awesome,great job Miss Sands.
Kia ora Nerys, I get the hay from my sister and brother-in-law, who have a very large farm and leave paddocks empty for several weeks in spring and summer to grow then cut the hay every year. Take care, keep smiling.
DeleteHello Ms. Sands! Tristan here! I really enjoyed reading the post and watching the videos. I liked how you made a fire in the fire pit and fed your cows carrots. I found it funny that you said carrots are like chocolate to cows. Thank you for writing this post Ms. Sands. Blog ya later! -Tristan (Link to blog: https://wpstristanr.blogspot.com/)
ReplyDeleteHey Tristan, glad you liked it. The cows also love apples and silverbeet. They will come running from way down the paddock if I call their names. Micah came to stay and he could call them and they would come which he loved. Have a great week back with your friends.
DeleteNi hao Mrs sands,
ReplyDeleteIt is Brayden from waitemata and I really liked your videos. Next time you could add some cool background music and you could also make your videos longer.
Hello Ms Sands, It's Nicholas from waitemata. My grandfather also owns some cows or at least did. You look to be having fun over there with the cows. Those videos make it look so fun, how do you like the fire pit. The adio on the videos was a bit bad but that might be because you were outside.
ReplyDeleteBlog ya later!
Heya Nicholas, I love the fire pit and are keen to have more fires. I need to sort the wood out that is an old tree cut down in the paddock so I can have them regularly. When it is not too windy as well as I live on a hill and it has been a windy winter. I didn't really think about the videoing enough when I did them and it was windy often, but I will in future. Have a good week.
DeleteTalofa Ms Sands, it's Rael!
ReplyDeleteIt is good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. It seems like you are having a great time. I love the new fire pit, it looks great. I really like the videos too. It reminds me of when I went on a holiday trip. There was a farm with cows infront of the house. Your blog post is amazing. It is very detailed and informative. I am looking forward to seeing what other activities and tasks you will do.
Overall, fantastic blog post. I hope you will have a lovely afternoon.
Blog you later!
Thanks Rael, I am having a lovely time away. I will create another blog with some of the other things I have been doing. Tonight I am back in Pukekohe visiting Shannon, Catherine, Micah and Bellamy as I missed them for 3 weeks. Bellamy is growing fast. She roles and pushes herself up, watches everything and smiles a lot. Very cute. Have a lovely week back with your friends.
DeleteHello Miss Sands Thank you for sharing what you have been doing for the last few days. I really like the way that you showed us some wonderful cows named Ginga and Pache they are very superb animals. Maybe next time you can show us some more animals. The thing that is magnificent thing was feeding Gingi and Pache that very cool because the eat grass and that's very awesome. I hope you are enjoying your time Blog you later!!! By Jacob.
ReplyDeleteHeya Jacob, I am enjoying this time in the North thanks, I only have the two cows, but I could video my neighbours sheep which are white with black faces. They look pretty cool. Kia kaha
DeleteKia Ora Ms Sands!! It’s Maddison in Hauraki, Te Waka Ako. You look like you are having a lot of fun with your cows and building the campfire. The names are amazing. I think they suit the cows. Do you have any other farm animals? Did anyone else help you with the campfire? How long did it take you to build the campfire? What did you do in Lockdown 2.0? How old are Ginger and Apache?How much food do you have to feed Ginger and Apache?
ReplyDeleteKia Kaha Ms Sands
Heya Maddison, I only have the two cows as they can be left alone when I am in Auckland the easiest. Other animals need more attention. The farm next to me has many cows so they hang out with them over the fence line! My other neighbour has sheep with black faces that I will post about. I did the fire pit by myself and it took several days as it kept raining so the ground got very very muddy. I loved playing with mud pies as a young girl so I was having fun. Ginger and Apache are nearly 2 years old. It depends how well the grass is growing as to how much I asm feeding them. At the moment I usually give them one of the things I showed you, each day. So either the hay, grain, wheelbarrow of weeds. Then the carrots, apples, silverbeet are just treats. Have a lovely week back with all the crew.
DeleteGuten tag all of Te Waka Ako and Ms Sands, Marcus way here from waitemata. I really like your blog post it is fun watching the cows eat because it is not everyday you see one. I also admire your fire pit it look's hard to build. I like ginger the most.
ReplyDeletegoodbye. good luck
Aslamualikum Miss Sans I hope you are having a great time in your farm. I really liked how you add beautiful pictures of your farm. I really liked the fire pit too it looks so amazing.I cant wait to see you at school again.
ReplyDeleteKia ora, Ms Sands
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! I liked the way that you added lots of photos and videos. It was like you were telling us what you were doing in lockdown; but through a video. It was cool how you built a fire pit too. Is there anything other than carrots that your cows see as a treat, or chocolate?
Maybe if you make another fire pit, you could make a video in time-lapse of you building it? That would be cool!
Feel free to visit my blog by clicking here.
Blog ya later!
Hey there Jaimie, glad you liked the post. The cows also love apples and silverbeet. I have grown lots of silverbeet from seed so they can have more to eat. They also like pears and weeds like dandelion and thistle. A time lapse sounds cool but I forget when I get involved in the creating to even take photos. Keep smiling and enjoying life!
DeleteHi miss Sands it was kind of cool how you built a fire place by your house. how long have you had ginger and Pachy? it was kind of satisfying when ginger and Pachy eating the carrots. It was creative how you built a path made out of rocks and grass. did you buy the heart or did you make it? I really like how you gave them mixed seads. I hope I see you soon miss Sands.
ReplyDeleteHeya Tayzsar, I have the girls for about 18 months. I really like the rock path too. I have made gardens with rock edges and I am making a large rock garden as well. I will show you some pictures of these in a few days. I take my trailer to the quarry to get the rocks so they are very cheap. No I didn't make the heart, my niece gave it to me last Christmas. I think it is very cool. Kia kaha
DeleteGood afternoon Ms Sands! I really liked the fire pit, it looks amazing! I really can't wait to see you again at school! How are Ginger, and Apache? I'm sure there wealthy, some things has been changed, but when you get back, i'm sure everything will be normal! Kia Kaha! Blog you later!
ReplyDeleteKia ora everyone, Erana here in Hauraki. Ms Sands I love your cows they have awsome names and much more. I loved the videos that you did. That fire pit looks cozy I wish on the cold nights I was there. I would also like to see your cows. It reminds me of the two little lambs that my Aunty and Uncle and their children (my cousisns) are looking after for a while. How old are Ginger and Apache?
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you again.
Erana
Heya Erana, they are nearly 2 years old and like being around people or other cows so they call out to the neighbours cows and hang out together by the fence. I am looking forward to having more fires and roasted marshmallows. Take care and keep being kind.
DeleteKonichiwa Ms Sands, this is Daniel. I liked seeing the videos of your cows. How did you come up with the names? They look very greedy! How is it in Level 2? Also what has been your favourite part of being on a sabbatical? You cows look very healthy and fit. Do the cows like all the delicious food you give them? Anyway this is my blog comment. I hope you enjoy level 2. Bye!
ReplyDeleteKia ora Daniel, I bought the cows from my sister who has a large farm. Ginger was already named by my niece so I kept that name. Apache I named myself for all the different colours she has that make her look patchy but also are the colours of American rock and soil in some of the areas I visited years ago so seemed appropriate. They LOVE food and will eat lots and lots of treats if you gave them to them. Level 2 is pretty good really. We can still visit places and interact a bit. I went to a tree planting session along the local bike track last weekend with about 80 people so some events can still happen. especially outside. The shops have their shields up and hand sanitiser everywhere, as well as signing into every place you visit. I love the Covid app, it is so easy to use. About half the people wear masks. Take care of others as you always do.
DeleteThanks Ms Sands,
DeleteThat is very interesting information to know. I hope your sabbatical doesn't get interrupted by lockdown again! Anyway this is it from me.
Bye!
Hi, I'm Ari! I go to Waikowhai Primary and I am in fact, in Te Waka Ako! Nice to see you Mrs. Sands! It's great to see Ginger and Apache in action. I really enjoyed the fact that you added videos, because then I got to see all you feeding cows carrots. This reminded me of the time I was in Kerikeri and me and Dad were staying with friends. One of our friends, Jenna, took me on her quad bike down from their farm to another one close by. At this farm they had a shed full of calf's, and I got to feed them. I named one Ari, because it reminded me of well, me. He kept on annoying the other cows by jumping over them (and kicking them in the back in the process) and being overall REALLY annoying. At one point, I offered him two of my fingers, because calfs suck on your fingers when you do that, and Ari bit me!
ReplyDeleteAnyways, loved reading about your time.
From; Ari
Hey Ari, cool story. These cows came from my sisters farm and she and my niece raised them from calves which is why they are so friendly. Their farm is very steep in places and very large so they use quad bikes everyday. They are a heap of fun. They have a unit that is a bit like a golf cart but for farmland and it has a baby seat in it so my niece can do the farming with the baby strapped in! Enjoy your week.
DeleteHello Mrs Sands. How are you doing? It's sounds like you are having a great time on the farm with Apache and Ginger. I am glad to see the cows and the stepping stones by the bench and fire. I looks like you are really busy. Do cows really like carrots the same amount that we like chocolate? I wonder if I can one day see Ginger and Apache and feed them carrots or should I say choclate. Ha ha. By Mrs Sands see you soon.
ReplyDeleteHeya Fariha, they really do LOVE carrots and will fight over them. Ginger gets bossy and tries to steal Apache's. I am very well thank you, but was getting a bit sick of my own company as in lockdown by myself. Luckily we could go more places than you in Auckland so I saw my sister a couple of times and visited neighbours as well. Take care and stay safe.
DeleteKia Ora everyone, Its Chrystelle here from Hauraki. I liked your blog post Ms Sands. I really like your cows.This reminds me of when I went to farm with my family and saw lots of animals and there was lots of grass and it was muddy. Next time maybe you could add a bit more information about anything else you've been doing during lockdown. I enjoyed reading your blog post. Chrystelle
ReplyDeleteKias ora Chrystelle, I will add a new blog post with more things I have been doing. The paddocks are getting very muddy with all the rain we have been having and the cows have muddy legs! I live in my gumboots outside. Enjoy being with your friends.
DeleteKia ora Ms Sands!
ReplyDeleteIt’s Arielle from Waitemata! Loved to see what is going on at the farm! I learnt two things from your blog 1. You have two cows on the farm 2. Cows are big eaters! And the photos are really interesting. I saw every last one of them! And I am very impressed with your work at the farm. I can see that it is very hard! The weather here hasn’t been great here. But I hope you are having a great time there! If you want to see my blog go to https://wpsariellem.blogspot.com/ Well gotta go blog ya later!
Thanks Arielle. The work has been hard especially after the rain as the ground is so muddy and slippery, but that can be fun too! But it is very satisfying to walk around the yard when the jobs are finished and to sit by the fire etc. Take care.
DeleteHi, Mrs sands! I liked the videos and feeding the cows the weeds is an a efficient and creative way. I remembered when my brother had a trip to a farm in kindergarten, apparently he saw lots of cows. Say hi (or moo) to Ginger and Apache from me.
ReplyDeleteSee you next term!
P.S Mrs law suggested saying moo
From Jonathan
Hi Jonathan, sounds like Mrs Law! The cows love the weeds and it means I don't have to use toxic sprays! Cheers
DeleteIt sounds like a win win, for you, the cows and the earth. The cows remind me of the time I made a silhouette of a cow in art. Blog ya later
DeleteBuenos tardes Te Waka Ako 🔆🐬,
ReplyDeleteAww those cows are extremerly cute! I can see that Ginger and Apache love eating! I mean, who doesn't. The videos reminded me of the time I went to a farm in my old country (Costa Rica) and gave the cows something to eat! Thank you so much for this lovely blog post!
C ya!
Hi my name is Taj I go to Ahipara really liked your garden it reminds me of our one.
ReplyDeleteKia ora my name is Nikau I go to Ahipara school liked the videos I hope that you had a good time blog ya later.
ReplyDeleteHola! I'm Samantha from Ahipara School! I really enjoyed watching all your cool videos and loved reading your info. Anyway I don't have much to say other then that so blog ya later!!!
ReplyDeletehi my name is Tillie those cows are so cute. I would love to jump in the big thing of hay ok bye
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Bryson from Ahipara school and I really liked how you made videos of what you feed your animals.
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Taylor from Ahipara school. This looked so fun I wish I was there this reminded me of camp last year any way blog ya LATER!:)
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Miki i´m from Ahipara School.I like your fire pit it so pretty.It looks so fun.I wish I was there.
ReplyDeleteHello my name is Jaxon am from Ahipara school. I Just want to say your school garden is very well and pretty.
ReplyDeleteHi I'm Abby from Marshland School
ReplyDeleteand your fire pit looks so cool no wonder this has 61 Comments!!! also your cowys are so CUTE!!! your cows remind me of my pony Sylvie how she loves her food. Your fire pit and cows are so cooollll.
Hi i'm Honey from Marshland School!
ReplyDeleteI love every picture of yours, you seem to be very busy during lock down. I love love love your cows sooooo cute!!! Very cool fire pit as well I just have so many things to say wow! Next time maybe describe more about your holiday or the process of making the fire pit than just photos? i don't really know because its just so amazing! This post reminds me of when I visited a farm. Ok that's enough talking bye :)
Hi my name is Ashlyn and I go to Ahipara school. Being on the farm with Ms Sands sounds like a lot of fun. I liked the part when you feed the carrot to Ms Sands. He would of loved it. Maybe next time you could make it on a slide or a dock so it did not take up a lot of room. Great job
ReplyDeletehi my name is Lochlan from Ahipara school. I enjoyed the part when the cows were sharing the food. Did you think about the cow and covid 19? Why did you make farm videos?
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Layla from Ahipara school.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the part when Mr Sand ate the food he looked very hungry.You brought me back to when we feed granddads cow and we got to pat it.To improve, you could add more words and more detail.
Hello I am Jaxon I am from ahipara school. I want to just that I like your farm because it looks so so good and Amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Hunter and I'm from Ahipara school and i liked how your cow came running up to you just to eat the carrot
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Hunter and I'm from Ahipara school and I liked how your cow came running up to you just to eat the carrot.
ReplyDeletekia ora my name is Taj I go to Ahipara school.I really liked how you ran to eat a carrot.
ReplyDelete