I was wandering along my favourite bush track, at peace with the world, when that catchy tune by the Monkees popped into my vacant head… 'Then I saw her face, now I'm a retriever…”
Yeah yeah, it occurred to me, I've not actually retrieved much lately. That is if you exclude possums from trees, hedgehogs from the orchard, and most importantly, food from the cupboard.

Do not despair, as far as getting ducks out of the freezing water, I am the head canine around here and as such I issue the orders. This is where the mad German, Ady, comes in, as I have imparted all my worldly knowledge on the dark arts of retrieving on to her.
Among other things, like drinking out of the fish pond, sleeping and eating, picking your own avocados and how to give the cat the death-stare. It is up to her, when the boss and the apprentice actually make something fall out of the sky, to launch herself out of the maimai into the water and swim out and latch on to a floater. This is all theory of course, as (a) the lads have to actually, hit something that flies, and I do not mean planes or stars lads, (b) she is not stupid, so if she actually lets her ancestry take hold, or if she just joins me on the couch, only time will tell, but I am already gearing myself up for a language education.
Nevermind though, as I will have a full report next week, and I am sure the twoleggers will have a little fun, and if Ady will not get into the water, I guess, that's why they are taking the young twolegger Ben with them. He gets to hit the drink (and I do not mean the bloody hip flask).
On to other things, and it was with great sadness that one of the original gang moved into the big kennel in the sky this week. Brandy, little guy, you can now annoy the hell out of ‘Lassie' and ‘Rin Tin Tin' up there, and all the posties and delivery people down here can now sleep easily. We never did see eye to eye, mainly because I would have had to lie down to look him in the eye, and as the ‘Chocolate Crusader' bows to no-one, (well unless they have food that is) we never got to spend quality time together. But rest in peace little guy, we will miss you.
Now that butchers shop in Gate Pa, namely the Aussie butcher, has some great specials in store this week, so get along and see him, and it really is fast approaching the time for those good hearty winter stews, so make sure you get in to see him and get the best and tastiest meat in town.

Moroccan roast

Ingredients
2kg fresh New Zealand pork roast
2 orange kumara, peeled and cut into wedges
225g red and yellow capsicum, seeded and coarsely chopped
½ cup dried fruit mix (apricots, plums and sultanas)
1 (400ml) can lite coconut milk
½ cup orange juice
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp curry powder
1 Tbsp olive oil

Method
Preheat oven to 180C. Trim visible fat from roast. Drizzle with soy sauce and rub all sides with curry. Brown the roast in hot olive oil in a Dutch oven. Add remaining ingredients around the roast, cover with lid and place in oven for 1.5 to two hours or until roast and potatoes are tender.
Transfer roast and vegetables to a serving platter. Return pan with sauce to stove top and bring to a boil, cool for about five minutes or until slightly thickened. Coarsely shred meat and serve with orange kumara, capsicum and sauce. Serve over cooked rice or couscous.
Well that's all for me folks, I must be off to issue some more training to Ady. Remember all you twoleggers out there if you are all dressed up nice and warm on opening morning, do not forget your faithful companions and make sure you have somewhere warm and dry for us, with food and drink supplied. Remember you look after us and we will do our best to please you. Okey dokey, be safe, a loaded gun is a dangerous gun. Take it easy and have some fun.