Overview
Sat. Dec. 23.
Up at 5.30 + as we are practically out of water owing to four weeks drought, I excavated the main spring at head of the swamp + got a good pond of clear sweet water, carrying a supply to the house, filling copper, tub + Kerocene [sic] tins. At 7.45 rode uo to Sonoma - pulled foxgloves on Leighton p[addock], collected some dead wool + fired heaps on "1st burn" there being a good wind. Carried home an old bath
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tub to line pond at spring in head of swamp. In afternoon split + sledged up a supply of firewood. In evening Alice + I drove to Levin to celebrate Xmas Eve. Sweltering hot night + very big crowd in town. Shops doing a roaring trade. Father got 17 1/4 d for his hoggart's [sic] wool + 17d for his ewes wool, 16 + 11 bales respectively.