Manderley Sheep Farm with Ross & Mary Millar

 

Nestled in the stunning hills of Lake Forsyth Banks Peninsula on the east coast of the New Zealand's South Island about 40 minutes from Christchurch, Manderley Farm offers an authentic and immersive glimpse into New Zealand’s traditional farming lifestyle. Owned and operated by Ross and Mary Millar, this working sheep farm is a 750-acre farm with stunning bush clad hills and spectacular vistas plus Ross and Mary's warm hospitality. Stocked with 180 beef cattle "somewhere up in the hill", Ross quipped, there are also over 100 sheep that graze the hills all year round. They are mustered by clever sheep dogs especially bred for this purpose, including Ross's collie's Maggie and Mollie. From watching Ross's expertly trained sheepdogs herd flocks on his whistle commands to witnessing the art of sheep shearing, every moment is a celebration of rural life. Strolling through Mary's manicured gardens, we were invited onto their historic homestead to enjoy her homemade sausage rolls, shortbread and a hot cup of tea, all the while surrounded by nature's beauty, and the 'bahing' of Merino sheep.

Ross with his rescue dog Maggie is one of his best sheep herders

Lovely Maggie with her paws crossed like a little lady, she is just 2 years old and very good 
at responding to Ross's whistle and herding sheep from high in the hills

Trained to respond to specific whistles, the sheep dogs are told where to find the sheep in the hills,

and to direct them to Ross

Maggie has succeeded in bring the herd of Merino Sheep from up the hills

Ross explaining the nature of Merino Sheep who love to keep together in tight groups

One of the Merino Sheep - such sweet faces and gentle temperaments

Ross demonstrating how he shears sheep, first securing the head and back 

to keep it safe and secure while shearing

This is the sheep's first shear so her coat is very soft but she's not sure

what's going on, but seems relaxed in Ross's expert hands

In less than ten minutes the Merino sheep is shorn and certainly less fluffy

Merino wool commands the highest price, however Australian wool production has been falling, 

with forecasts predicting it could hit its lowest level in over 100 years by mid-2026

Mary and Ross's historic homestead built in 1876 from Totara timber grown on the property, 

and surrounded by her beautifully tended garden

The garden shed surrounded by tall Tigerlilies

Purple Agapanthus are a robust, clump-forming perennial and found all around New Zealand, 

and although very showy they are actually an invasive weed

Invited into the house for Mary's homemade sausage rolls, shortbread and a hot cup of tea,

we sat in her beautiful garden after a very special day indeed

www.manderley.co.nz/farm

Mary Millar's Sausage Rolls

Makes 24

Recipe courtesy of Manderley Cookbook by Mary Millar

1 apple, grated

1 onion, chopped fine

1/4 tsp curry powder

1 lb sausage meet

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 small egg

1/2 tsp chilli sauce

Flakey puff pastry

Preheat oven to 400°F. Blend all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl, and form into a long sausage. Layout a long rectangle of pastry, long edge closest to you. Brush egg along one long edge. Place the filling on top and shape into a long log shape down the middle of the pastry. Ensure the meat is tight and compact, without gaps. Brush edge of pastry with egg, then roll up, finishing with the seam side down, moistening the edge with water. Slice into 1/2-inch pieces and place on a baking tray, and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.