There’s been a constant hum of machinery at work this week as the landscaping got underway. The beds have been dug and top soil spread after gypsum goes down to help break down the clay. The lawn and herb garden are also being done.With the resculpting going on... Phew back where a country mouse can feel more comfortable after two days hacking into town. Boy is life as a domestic executive much more appealing.After doing my stint this week I’m all ready to down shift into a slower pace. I fear that this is unlikely to be... Our landscape designer is taking no chances – he’s carefully marked out the areas for landscaping and to avoid any doubt, he’s labelled some areas clearly!They are due to start this week laying the lawn and digging the flower beds. This will at least... One of the misnomers about New Zealand is the clean and green substance behind its image. We’re trying to do our bit though with our solar water heating, sheep wool insulation, heat pump heating and rainwater capture. MT has eyes for a wind turbine too!The thing... Part of the domestic executive plan was to get some home companions in the shape of Basset hounds. Well now were in it seemed prudent to start the search for our new additions to the household.As luck would have it there were puppies born in the Coramandel on 16... 