Quarterly Newsletter

Hello Everyone

Saxon Lodge was in mourning in late Spring. Our beautiful dog, Possum, died in October 2006. She was 15 years old and we had had her since she was six. Possum will continue to welcome guests on our homepage for another year

In January 2007 we were fortunate to get Sophie. When Rowena went to see Sophie her breeder, Evelyn and Rowena quickly realised that Sophie was Possum's great grand daughter. Sophie looks and behaves very like Possum and for some time Rowena often called her "Possum". Sophie very quickly fitted in at Saxon Lodge and let the local fauna know that she was around. It was noticed that suddenly the Pukekos took to the wing even before Sophie appeared. Pukekos are reluctant flyers and the birds realised very quickly that Sophie was significantly faster than Possum.

Last winter Rowena had a call from a neighbour about an exotic visitor. A Ruffed Pheasant had wandered around the neighbour's backyard. It was very tame and stayed for a few weeks. We do have wild English Pheasants around but this visitor was tame and had not been seen before in the area. It is suspected it was let loose or escaped from and aviary.

In February 2007 Rowena and Rex went to Rewa for a family wedding. The weather was magnificent, the bride was beautiful and the bridegroom handsome. The marriage ceremony was on a cliff top overlooking the bridegroom's parent's farm. The photo below is that farm. The river runs around at the base of the cliffs in the distance.

Finally a word about Tara - our cat. Three weeks ago she had an accident - we don't know what. She did not drink for three days, eat for a week and only moved when she had to. Two visits to the vet resulted in hope, painkillers and antibiotics. She is now much better and eating well. She still keeps an eye on things and gets on well with Sophie.

Best wishes for the rest of 2007.

Regards from Rowena and Rex.