We've reached the six month mark and it feels like we've been here forever....but in a good way. Gone are many of those big city stresses and we are settling into some sort of rhythm. The antenna guys came yesterday to attempt to fix our ongoing problem with Austar, the McArthurs are due today to help lay out our new veggie gardens, the craftsman is here on Monday to fit our second wardrobe, as is the power company to replace a pole just outside our gate, and the much-awaited bathroom reno starts in 9 days. Not like I'm excited or anything...Winsor is off to Canada for 3 weeks and I get to stay here with a gutted bathroom and all the joys of a 3 week building project, but IT WILL BE WORTH EVERY MINUTE. We are so grateful the winter has been mild, as the bathroom is a hideously cold and dank room and at 11 cubic metres, a large, cold and dank room with no storage cupboard. All the linen and towels are stacked on metal garage style shelving, a superb decorative feature.... The genuinely most attractive component, is the beautiful claw foot bath. Unfortunately, it has to go as it is too large to fit once the shower is installed - it might be a large room but it is narrow. Mind you, after 6 months of the complete impracticality of showering in a claw foot bath, with all the flooding, the myriad of experiments to find a way to have soap and shampoo nearby, the glorious sensation of the shower curtains sucking around and into my body, gotta say, I'll even be happy to part with that and hopefully get a bit of money towards the floor tiles, I that are waaaayyyyyyyyyyyy over budget!
Once the bathroom is complete, there's a wardrobe and bookshelf to come in the guest bedroom, which may be partly made with Baltic pine from the bathroom walls and then we'll be done. Yipee! Probably need to get a full-time job to pay for it all now though...thought there was something we forgot..
Spring is in the air, the forecast is for 17 degrees today. The yard has blossoms bursting out all over the place and bulbs have sprouted in every corner. It is a joy to wander out to see what has developed today and also a joy to see my fierce hacking away at the rose bushes a few months ago, did not kill them. In fact, I haven't managed to kill any established plant (or weed for that matter!). It has been unseasonably dry except for one day this week when parts of the north of Tassie flooded (the street where we almost bought a house in in Evandale has been closed due to flooding)and we got 2.5 inches in 24 hours here. We needed it but I'm also happy it stopped.
All the critters are doing well. The Spice Girls, our Sussex style bantams, have started to lay small, cute white eggs. We've had a nice, steady stream of egg production when many around here have had almost no eggs during the winter - trust our lot to be contrary! We took Floyd for an adventure into the bike park yesterday where he loves to hunt for rabbits. Apparently, he high tailed after one recently but not surprisingly, the bunny left him for dead! I do worry about him poking his nose into the brush and blackberry bushes in the vain hope of catching a rabbit, as in no time the snakes will be waking from their slumber and he may get more than he bargained for. I have heard that every snake in Tassie is deadly. Don't know if that is true or not, but I'm not keen to test the theory out either! Yesterday, we, but especially he, were bombarded by Plovers. Clearly, they have a nest or chicks nearby. Floyd thought this was the best game and it was most amusing watching him trying to bite a bird that was in turn, trying to peck him. He never seemed that brave and tough when the Indian Miners terrorised him in Sydney parks. There seems to be something intrinsically moronic about the Plovers while Indian Miners, seem evil and cunning to me - that's how I see them, whether that's right or not, I don't know.
Tried the new menu at the RVL (Red Velvet Lounge) last night and it was stunningly good - scallops with leeks and truffles followed by slow-cooked duck with lentils, mash and spinach. I just love this place! Now I'm off to walk the dog and to buy a 2 KG+ bag of fresh Pink Lady apples for $2. We also have new season spuds appearing all over the place - King Edwards, Kennebecs, Dutch Creams - $1 a kilo. If only they knew what Sydneysiders pay for this sort of, nowhere near as fresh produce... Cheers!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Days have got away from me - 17th July
Chilly today...but the winter, so far, has not lived up to the hype - thank goodness! I had visions of hibernation, though that would hardly be possible in this house, with the bathroom from hell! Still waiting for a final quote from the builder that visited on 17th April. If he wants the job, he has a funny way of showing it, so a second opinion has been sought and builder number 2 is visiting this afternoon.
Been a few weeks since my last update. I've been pleased to have avoided any of the usual winter ailments but I have had a really bad period with tendinitis in the elbows and back spasms 3 of the past 4 weekends. Bloody frustrating - there's still much to do around the house but my body (and husband) just won't let me...
In spite of the body protests, we had a gourmet weekend in the Tamar region a few weeks ago. It included meals in 2 of Launceston's best restaurants - Black cow & Stillwater, lunch at Daniels Alps at Strathlynn (soon to change its name to Strathlynn, as Daniel has moved on), visits to the ginseng/salmon farm - 41 degrees South and several wineries. The highlight for me, was the truffle farm. It was absolutely fascinating. I even got to dig up a truffle - back spasm or not, I just couldn't resist! On one hand, it is unfortunate that there isn't a "finders keepers" rule. On the other hand, and just my luck, the truffle I dug up was rotten! We bought a small truffle which we kept in a jar with 2 eggs that I used in omeletes. Talk about a decadent dish...Winsor scored the first omelete 10 out of 10. The amazing fresh ingredients in this state continue to impress.
Finally had one couple around for dinner the following weekend. We have been slow to reciprocate after several meals at various people's houses but it's not through lack of motivation, just timing, with Winsor away various weekends and a myriad of other excuses. The meal I prepared was to showcase some of the fabulous local ingredients, the majority from our immediate area. Smoked trout(with salmon from the north), wild rabbit (with local Pink Eye potatoes and Huon valley mushrooms) and Cygnet Pink Lady apples in the dessert. (I think they liked it.) We have really landed in the best spot for people who love food and cold climate wines! Rumour has it, that scallops and abalone may soon land on our back doorstep - can't wait, scallops are my absolute favourite. And tonight, I am attempting venison satay - strange but true.
I have been working extra hours lately as my boss was overseas for a flying visit. That was another thing that was painted as horrendous, the daily drive to Kingston or Hobart. The road is windy and can be covered in frost or black ice or rain or fog or such bright sunshine, you can't see - but I have thoroughly enjoyed the drive (so far). No 2 days are the same and it's fascinating to watch the thermometer on the dash fluctuate, as you drive from the flat, up a rise, down into a valley.... It's 35km by this route and 45 via Huonville (which is a good alternative in dire conditions) and it's normally at least 6 degrees warmer at work than home. I guess I'm lucky, starting at 9.30 I travel after peak hour and most days, don't see another car going my direction until the end of the 20 km windy road. You really know you're alive in these conditions and there's little chance of dying from boredom!
Time for a doggy walk and to let the chooks out to ruin my garden. Until next time...
Been a few weeks since my last update. I've been pleased to have avoided any of the usual winter ailments but I have had a really bad period with tendinitis in the elbows and back spasms 3 of the past 4 weekends. Bloody frustrating - there's still much to do around the house but my body (and husband) just won't let me...
In spite of the body protests, we had a gourmet weekend in the Tamar region a few weeks ago. It included meals in 2 of Launceston's best restaurants - Black cow & Stillwater, lunch at Daniels Alps at Strathlynn (soon to change its name to Strathlynn, as Daniel has moved on), visits to the ginseng/salmon farm - 41 degrees South and several wineries. The highlight for me, was the truffle farm. It was absolutely fascinating. I even got to dig up a truffle - back spasm or not, I just couldn't resist! On one hand, it is unfortunate that there isn't a "finders keepers" rule. On the other hand, and just my luck, the truffle I dug up was rotten! We bought a small truffle which we kept in a jar with 2 eggs that I used in omeletes. Talk about a decadent dish...Winsor scored the first omelete 10 out of 10. The amazing fresh ingredients in this state continue to impress.
Finally had one couple around for dinner the following weekend. We have been slow to reciprocate after several meals at various people's houses but it's not through lack of motivation, just timing, with Winsor away various weekends and a myriad of other excuses. The meal I prepared was to showcase some of the fabulous local ingredients, the majority from our immediate area. Smoked trout(with salmon from the north), wild rabbit (with local Pink Eye potatoes and Huon valley mushrooms) and Cygnet Pink Lady apples in the dessert. (I think they liked it.) We have really landed in the best spot for people who love food and cold climate wines! Rumour has it, that scallops and abalone may soon land on our back doorstep - can't wait, scallops are my absolute favourite. And tonight, I am attempting venison satay - strange but true.
I have been working extra hours lately as my boss was overseas for a flying visit. That was another thing that was painted as horrendous, the daily drive to Kingston or Hobart. The road is windy and can be covered in frost or black ice or rain or fog or such bright sunshine, you can't see - but I have thoroughly enjoyed the drive (so far). No 2 days are the same and it's fascinating to watch the thermometer on the dash fluctuate, as you drive from the flat, up a rise, down into a valley.... It's 35km by this route and 45 via Huonville (which is a good alternative in dire conditions) and it's normally at least 6 degrees warmer at work than home. I guess I'm lucky, starting at 9.30 I travel after peak hour and most days, don't see another car going my direction until the end of the 20 km windy road. You really know you're alive in these conditions and there's little chance of dying from boredom!
Time for a doggy walk and to let the chooks out to ruin my garden. Until next time...
Monday, June 7, 2010
Day 100 and something, 8th June 2010
Whoohoo! Drum roll...It may have been a frosty 1 degree when hubby ventured into Poultry Palace this morning, but there before him, in the purpose designed laying box(not really, just an old box...)was our first, perfectly formed, lightly speckled, brown egg. Can't actually believe (after ensuring WD wasn't pulling a prank) how chuffed I was. Amazing how the smallest things are so interesting nowadays, give me an egg over an Ipod any day. Perhaps I'm demented or maybe just a simpleton but this is such fun!
The Rabbitoh visited again a few days ago, though not with bunnies this time but with bits of Bambi. Having never roasted venison before, I was a little intimidated. It was a small piece of leg and turned out pretty well for a first attempt. I marinated it in a combo of red wine, garlic, juniper berries, dried herbs and pickled cherries. Think the cherries gave the meat a bit of a tapernade taste. Not bad and the leftovers made pretty decent sandwiches. Needs practise though - still have a small piece of leg and some small steaks - it will be interesting to see what I can do with those.
The local bakery has reopened and is selling delightful fare such as sauceage rolls -wonder if they are anything like sausage rolls or a completely different delight. Hard to tell really, as the 3 visits we have made, they were caught short and looked a bit like they'd been raided with almost nothing left for sale. Mind you, everything we've been able to buy has been great, which bodes well for a future time when they are more organised. They also managed to advertise their opening days incorrectly. Just hope they get it together before they turn off the whole populace and go broke.
Perhaps, along with makeup, I have to drop my habit of being a bit of a pedant...it clearly doesn't work in this environment. People seem to accept that it takes an age to get anything done or buy something they need. They also seem content that what they see in print is not necessarily (Tony Abbott-like) truth. So just turn up to the bakery and if they're open they're open and if they're not they're not!
Having said all that, a near-perfect evening was spent recently during the Savour Tasmania festival at Me Wah Chinese Restaurant in Hobart. Me Wah is renowned as one of Hobart's finest restaurants and they hosted visiting chef, Alvin Leung from Hong Kong. Weird name, pretty weird dude too...Chinese Canadian, I think I recall and quite the comedian. He put on a show suggesting he was just muddling along but what came out on the plates was a genuine first-class dining experience. It clearly was all an act, nothing was left to chance and an insider mentioned that there was endless experimentation and tweaking to achieve the end result. An 8 course degustation with 9 wines, bubbly to start, plus wines to match each course - truly memorable and absolutely stunning. The service was impressive too.
It's officially winter - June and cold and time to test the mettle. The newsagent has forecast snow for tomorrow. I'm hoping he's wrong. Arthur, our mid-week handyman is busy trying to patch all the holes in this house - it's like Swiss cheese! We also just got our first power bill which was about 50% higher than anticipated. The next one could be really scary.
Today is my 5th day off -just enough time to get over horrible, painful tendinitis in both elbows and back to work tomorrow for 3 days, then 4 days off. Isn't that what we all wish for - 3 days on, 4 days off? Suits me just fine but maybe not the electricity bill....
The Rabbitoh visited again a few days ago, though not with bunnies this time but with bits of Bambi. Having never roasted venison before, I was a little intimidated. It was a small piece of leg and turned out pretty well for a first attempt. I marinated it in a combo of red wine, garlic, juniper berries, dried herbs and pickled cherries. Think the cherries gave the meat a bit of a tapernade taste. Not bad and the leftovers made pretty decent sandwiches. Needs practise though - still have a small piece of leg and some small steaks - it will be interesting to see what I can do with those.
The local bakery has reopened and is selling delightful fare such as sauceage rolls -wonder if they are anything like sausage rolls or a completely different delight. Hard to tell really, as the 3 visits we have made, they were caught short and looked a bit like they'd been raided with almost nothing left for sale. Mind you, everything we've been able to buy has been great, which bodes well for a future time when they are more organised. They also managed to advertise their opening days incorrectly. Just hope they get it together before they turn off the whole populace and go broke.
Perhaps, along with makeup, I have to drop my habit of being a bit of a pedant...it clearly doesn't work in this environment. People seem to accept that it takes an age to get anything done or buy something they need. They also seem content that what they see in print is not necessarily (Tony Abbott-like) truth. So just turn up to the bakery and if they're open they're open and if they're not they're not!
Having said all that, a near-perfect evening was spent recently during the Savour Tasmania festival at Me Wah Chinese Restaurant in Hobart. Me Wah is renowned as one of Hobart's finest restaurants and they hosted visiting chef, Alvin Leung from Hong Kong. Weird name, pretty weird dude too...Chinese Canadian, I think I recall and quite the comedian. He put on a show suggesting he was just muddling along but what came out on the plates was a genuine first-class dining experience. It clearly was all an act, nothing was left to chance and an insider mentioned that there was endless experimentation and tweaking to achieve the end result. An 8 course degustation with 9 wines, bubbly to start, plus wines to match each course - truly memorable and absolutely stunning. The service was impressive too.
It's officially winter - June and cold and time to test the mettle. The newsagent has forecast snow for tomorrow. I'm hoping he's wrong. Arthur, our mid-week handyman is busy trying to patch all the holes in this house - it's like Swiss cheese! We also just got our first power bill which was about 50% higher than anticipated. The next one could be really scary.
Today is my 5th day off -just enough time to get over horrible, painful tendinitis in both elbows and back to work tomorrow for 3 days, then 4 days off. Isn't that what we all wish for - 3 days on, 4 days off? Suits me just fine but maybe not the electricity bill....
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The first 100 days - 22nd May
The first 100 days. What can I say? I just hope the rest of you are having as much fun.
Sadly, I'm back at work. At least it is 3 days on and 4 days off but work is work. Back to the drudgery of routine. Routine? Rut? Is there a difference? It's not that bad (really) and the drive is nothing like routine, rain one day, fog the next, 50 km an hr one day, 100 km the next.... It was a stunning 3 degrees when I got home last night and there was a cute quoll in the drive to greet me. It's yet another glorious sunny day today - but don't think the temperature cracked double figures. Maybe winter has started now, maybe not. Finally got into the garden with the camera today. Let's see if I can rise to the challenge of uploading any of them. Learn something new every day. (Showing my age now!)
Heating being installed on Monday. Can't wait!
Sadly, I'm back at work. At least it is 3 days on and 4 days off but work is work. Back to the drudgery of routine. Routine? Rut? Is there a difference? It's not that bad (really) and the drive is nothing like routine, rain one day, fog the next, 50 km an hr one day, 100 km the next.... It was a stunning 3 degrees when I got home last night and there was a cute quoll in the drive to greet me. It's yet another glorious sunny day today - but don't think the temperature cracked double figures. Maybe winter has started now, maybe not. Finally got into the garden with the camera today. Let's see if I can rise to the challenge of uploading any of them. Learn something new every day. (Showing my age now!)
Heating being installed on Monday. Can't wait!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Day 95 - Monday May 17th
Some sort of aircraft just flew overhead and Floyd barked like a maniac...short memory I must say. If he did that when we lived in Leichhardt, he'd have worn out his vocal chords by now! Took him for a walk to the bird reserve at Port Cygnet yesterday morning. The town was bathed in glorious autumn sunshine and he was at his mischievous best until the walk home, when once more he proved his eyes are bigger than his little legs and he ran out of puff on the slight incline back to the house.
It was too lovely a day and the curry at the Lotus Eaters, too much of a temptation to do the usual baked beans on toast at home yesterday so we took our place in the courtyard and had a huge, warming Thai organic beef curry with a copious amount of veg and crunchy macadamia halves on top - superb. We had a view of Mal's Pumping Services' truck with it's cheery slogans - "Your business is our business" and "Yesterday's meals on wheels" emblazoned on the sides - it conjured up truly tasteful images over lunch.
There is less sun in the Lotus Eaters' courtyard at lunchtime now. A few weeks ago, we'd be bathed in sunlight, now it is in shadow and winter is creeping in. Some locals are finding this unusually pleasant autumn weather disconcerting. No prizes for guessing how we feel about it.... The town was absolutely abuzz with locals and tourists visiting the restaurants and market. The Red Velvet Lounge was fully booked out after Steve's recent award and the Lotus Eaters was flat out but the bakery was conspicuous in its absence. Don't know the reason, but it has been closed since mid-week with no explanation. We also heard the Bits and Pizzas pizza shop has finally sold so perhaps we will see some changes there too.
Being a local in Cygnet yesterday afternoon made me feel positively glad to be alive - and in this place at this time. It just doesn't get much better than this.
On Friday, we drove to Cradle Mountain Lodge for a wine dinner. Geena, "perform a u turn when possible" GPS, sent us down country lanes lined with beautiful autumnal trees, through Coal River wine country and along about 30 kms of gravel roads through the Highland Lakes. We'd probably still be trying to find the place if we left her to it! Once we got to the destination, she was still screaming for us to "perform a u turn when possible" and declared we still had 177 kms to go. Who knows what she was thinking! However, the landscape was breathtaking in places - with the lakes the most memorable - the grass fluorescent green, the water a brilliant blue and the banks a rosy pink.
We stopped in Deloraine for petrol and asked for further directions - all we needed was a fourth opinion in the car! He warned me that as dark was not far away, the critters would soon be out to play fish with the traffic so we should take the more main road route. That was all I needed, the thought of roadkill added to an already much longer than anticipated drive up a windy mountain road in possible icy conditions. Luckily, all went well and the temperature was a temperate 3 degrees when we finally arrived at our destination.
It was a fabulous dinner of Barringwood Park wines skillfully matched with four plates of food. We walked back to our room after dinner, well plied with alcohol under the most amazing canopy of stars and what seemed like an endless Milky Way - perhaps I was just seeing double (and feeling no pain, as 3 degrees didn't feel that cold). We stayed in an enormous stunning suite. When Winsor and I stayed there before, about 20 year ago, I seem to remember a rudimentary sort of bunk room. There is quite a range of different rooms and this was true luxury at the top end. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then gave Geena the day off and took a more direct route home with a few shopping stops on the way.
We came home to find team McArthur had reconstructed our collapsing woodshed, chopped down some tree limbs and had a bonfire on the go. These guys are amazing! They also supplied the mushrooms for a big pot of really good soup. Only problem is, they had to move out some of the firewood and as I now have a nasty case of tennis elbow, have little inclination to put them back. Must be getting old, the fingers don't work really well without pain in the mornings now either....
Found out later, that our friend from the B&B saw the smoke emitting from our yard and came to make sure all was well. It is reassuring and pleasing to know there are such lovely people looking out for our welfare and Floyd's wellbeing.
After Seeking on the internet and trawling the newspapers for months, I have finally started a part-time job after asking the people who cleaned our chimney flue if they needed staff for their new heating shop. In spite of my jibes about Kingston (Hobart light), I now have a job there, Tuesday to Thursday. It's a way to go but so far so good and with Friday and Monday off, the hours are pretty ideal as far as I am concerned.
The local grapevine has been working overtime lately and resulted in a knock at the door recently. There was a man with a bag of freshly skinned bunnies. Surprise, surprise - he shot 8 of them but doesn't actually eat them....We now have 2 in the freezer and 2 went into the pot for a delicious stew and dumplings. It was a completely different animal to the farmed version I cooked for Winsor's birthday (that cost a small fortune). We've now had the Veggo, the Fisho and the Rabbitoh. I really love the way the new world meets the old world in this town. Can only be a good thing for those of us who love to hunt and those who love to gather! Wonder what other surprises are in store for the doorstep in the future....Maybe a chook that actually lays eggs!
It was too lovely a day and the curry at the Lotus Eaters, too much of a temptation to do the usual baked beans on toast at home yesterday so we took our place in the courtyard and had a huge, warming Thai organic beef curry with a copious amount of veg and crunchy macadamia halves on top - superb. We had a view of Mal's Pumping Services' truck with it's cheery slogans - "Your business is our business" and "Yesterday's meals on wheels" emblazoned on the sides - it conjured up truly tasteful images over lunch.
There is less sun in the Lotus Eaters' courtyard at lunchtime now. A few weeks ago, we'd be bathed in sunlight, now it is in shadow and winter is creeping in. Some locals are finding this unusually pleasant autumn weather disconcerting. No prizes for guessing how we feel about it.... The town was absolutely abuzz with locals and tourists visiting the restaurants and market. The Red Velvet Lounge was fully booked out after Steve's recent award and the Lotus Eaters was flat out but the bakery was conspicuous in its absence. Don't know the reason, but it has been closed since mid-week with no explanation. We also heard the Bits and Pizzas pizza shop has finally sold so perhaps we will see some changes there too.
Being a local in Cygnet yesterday afternoon made me feel positively glad to be alive - and in this place at this time. It just doesn't get much better than this.
On Friday, we drove to Cradle Mountain Lodge for a wine dinner. Geena, "perform a u turn when possible" GPS, sent us down country lanes lined with beautiful autumnal trees, through Coal River wine country and along about 30 kms of gravel roads through the Highland Lakes. We'd probably still be trying to find the place if we left her to it! Once we got to the destination, she was still screaming for us to "perform a u turn when possible" and declared we still had 177 kms to go. Who knows what she was thinking! However, the landscape was breathtaking in places - with the lakes the most memorable - the grass fluorescent green, the water a brilliant blue and the banks a rosy pink.
We stopped in Deloraine for petrol and asked for further directions - all we needed was a fourth opinion in the car! He warned me that as dark was not far away, the critters would soon be out to play fish with the traffic so we should take the more main road route. That was all I needed, the thought of roadkill added to an already much longer than anticipated drive up a windy mountain road in possible icy conditions. Luckily, all went well and the temperature was a temperate 3 degrees when we finally arrived at our destination.
It was a fabulous dinner of Barringwood Park wines skillfully matched with four plates of food. We walked back to our room after dinner, well plied with alcohol under the most amazing canopy of stars and what seemed like an endless Milky Way - perhaps I was just seeing double (and feeling no pain, as 3 degrees didn't feel that cold). We stayed in an enormous stunning suite. When Winsor and I stayed there before, about 20 year ago, I seem to remember a rudimentary sort of bunk room. There is quite a range of different rooms and this was true luxury at the top end. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then gave Geena the day off and took a more direct route home with a few shopping stops on the way.
We came home to find team McArthur had reconstructed our collapsing woodshed, chopped down some tree limbs and had a bonfire on the go. These guys are amazing! They also supplied the mushrooms for a big pot of really good soup. Only problem is, they had to move out some of the firewood and as I now have a nasty case of tennis elbow, have little inclination to put them back. Must be getting old, the fingers don't work really well without pain in the mornings now either....
Found out later, that our friend from the B&B saw the smoke emitting from our yard and came to make sure all was well. It is reassuring and pleasing to know there are such lovely people looking out for our welfare and Floyd's wellbeing.
After Seeking on the internet and trawling the newspapers for months, I have finally started a part-time job after asking the people who cleaned our chimney flue if they needed staff for their new heating shop. In spite of my jibes about Kingston (Hobart light), I now have a job there, Tuesday to Thursday. It's a way to go but so far so good and with Friday and Monday off, the hours are pretty ideal as far as I am concerned.
The local grapevine has been working overtime lately and resulted in a knock at the door recently. There was a man with a bag of freshly skinned bunnies. Surprise, surprise - he shot 8 of them but doesn't actually eat them....We now have 2 in the freezer and 2 went into the pot for a delicious stew and dumplings. It was a completely different animal to the farmed version I cooked for Winsor's birthday (that cost a small fortune). We've now had the Veggo, the Fisho and the Rabbitoh. I really love the way the new world meets the old world in this town. Can only be a good thing for those of us who love to hunt and those who love to gather! Wonder what other surprises are in store for the doorstep in the future....Maybe a chook that actually lays eggs!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Day 84 - Thursday 6th May
Picture this Sydneysiders (if you dare...). Headed to the airport on Tuesday night to retrieve the husband from his latest sojourn and arrived 20 minutes early (unheard of, I know) and found an area specifically dedicated to pick ups and drop offs. That was the first shock to the system. But then I parked my car and sat in it...and sat and sat and sat.... I was passed by no fewer than 4 parking Nazis (disguised as Security) several times, and not one tried to move me on or even hint I was doing something wrong. The defences were up, I was ready to bolt, or stay and fight, I wasn't prepared to be left alone. Took all my self control not to roll down the window down and confront one of them about their lackadaisical work ethic...was I invisible? It was distressing, where's the fun in being left alone and not being hassled by some jobsworth, should be ashamed of themselves.
The adventurous drive home made up for the Zen airport incident. A lumbering wombat from the left, about to tempt fate, followed by a possum that tempted fate and lost. Slowed down for it...gave it the opportunity to keep going, instead it stopped - and signed its own death certificate! Sorry guys, notched up my first road kill...When it comes to possums, plenty more where that came from. But if they're all that stupid..maybe not! When we got home a bunny bounded across the backyard, the endless array of critters here is never ending. Bunnies appear to be quite active at the moment. Floyd and I did a scout around the bike park a day or so ago and it is full of rabbit attempts to dig holes and build warrens - great sport for a Jack Russell Terrorist to wear himself out.
Also when we got home, we found the fairy god father had been and left us a big basket of fresh field mushrooms. (His wife had already made dinner and he only likes his mushys fresh! What a perspective...fresh here means picked that day. Fresh in my past, could have been snap frozen a year ago and transported across the planet!) Organic eye fillet and mushrooms on the menu tonight. Getting horribly spoilt here, I tried eating some packet food recently. It was either dire or just tasted artificial (because it was?)...probably a combination of both. Having a good supply has done nothing to curb my desire to go hunting for mushys. Think I must have been reincarnated from a truffle dog.
The disbelieving husband had me doubting my ears when he got back. What rooster? It was just a neighbouring critter or I was hearing things when I counted 22 cocka doodle dos at 4.51am on Monday. He had just about convinced me, when Mel C let rip in the yard yesterday morning and left us in no doubt whatsoever. Had we bothered to take a decent look at she/he in the past few days, there would have been no doubt earlier. Mel C has progressed from Spice Girl to tranny to the full sex change op. Malcomb, as I know him as now, has a wonderful strut, a cute little comb, a very impressive waddle (is that what we call the red flabby bits off his chin?), some gorgeous turquoise tinted tail feathers and a confident rooster chant. That's the trouble with roosters, they're so impressive, it's hard to part with them for the pot. And how disappointing would this Sussex bantam be? Picked 3 of them up recently and they are barely a handful. Would have to be the most expensive over sized quail to hit a dinner plate. Though I'm not sure how letting him hang around makes him any better value for money. They continue to confound me with how much they eat and shit (and refuse to do any work!). Even life as a chook here is great.
RVL (Red Velvet Lounge) chef, Steve Cumper has won Country Style magazine's Country chef of the year award. His reputation and restaurant were already on the map, with diners heading from Hobart on Fridays and Saturdays to enjoy his fare. Now the rest of the country will get to know about his restaurant and our little town. We're keen for him to be a success to ensure we continue to have some fabulous (and some not so fabulous) dishes at our doorstep. If he keeps producing delights like the Nicholls (local) chicken in masterstock with Shittake mushrooms like I had the other day, he will have me as a fan forever! Well done Steve.
On that note...Winsor keeps spreading the gospel about Cygneture chocolates and seems to be addicting followers, one at a time. He says I should approach her to do her marketing. What does she need me for, Winsor is doing a fine job and she can't keep up as it is. Another thriving local industry...bring it on.
Have an interview today (a job I applied for 6 weeks ago) and several more coming up. My unemployed days may soon be at an end. Time to get on with it. Cheers.
The adventurous drive home made up for the Zen airport incident. A lumbering wombat from the left, about to tempt fate, followed by a possum that tempted fate and lost. Slowed down for it...gave it the opportunity to keep going, instead it stopped - and signed its own death certificate! Sorry guys, notched up my first road kill...When it comes to possums, plenty more where that came from. But if they're all that stupid..maybe not! When we got home a bunny bounded across the backyard, the endless array of critters here is never ending. Bunnies appear to be quite active at the moment. Floyd and I did a scout around the bike park a day or so ago and it is full of rabbit attempts to dig holes and build warrens - great sport for a Jack Russell Terrorist to wear himself out.
Also when we got home, we found the fairy god father had been and left us a big basket of fresh field mushrooms. (His wife had already made dinner and he only likes his mushys fresh! What a perspective...fresh here means picked that day. Fresh in my past, could have been snap frozen a year ago and transported across the planet!) Organic eye fillet and mushrooms on the menu tonight. Getting horribly spoilt here, I tried eating some packet food recently. It was either dire or just tasted artificial (because it was?)...probably a combination of both. Having a good supply has done nothing to curb my desire to go hunting for mushys. Think I must have been reincarnated from a truffle dog.
The disbelieving husband had me doubting my ears when he got back. What rooster? It was just a neighbouring critter or I was hearing things when I counted 22 cocka doodle dos at 4.51am on Monday. He had just about convinced me, when Mel C let rip in the yard yesterday morning and left us in no doubt whatsoever. Had we bothered to take a decent look at she/he in the past few days, there would have been no doubt earlier. Mel C has progressed from Spice Girl to tranny to the full sex change op. Malcomb, as I know him as now, has a wonderful strut, a cute little comb, a very impressive waddle (is that what we call the red flabby bits off his chin?), some gorgeous turquoise tinted tail feathers and a confident rooster chant. That's the trouble with roosters, they're so impressive, it's hard to part with them for the pot. And how disappointing would this Sussex bantam be? Picked 3 of them up recently and they are barely a handful. Would have to be the most expensive over sized quail to hit a dinner plate. Though I'm not sure how letting him hang around makes him any better value for money. They continue to confound me with how much they eat and shit (and refuse to do any work!). Even life as a chook here is great.
RVL (Red Velvet Lounge) chef, Steve Cumper has won Country Style magazine's Country chef of the year award. His reputation and restaurant were already on the map, with diners heading from Hobart on Fridays and Saturdays to enjoy his fare. Now the rest of the country will get to know about his restaurant and our little town. We're keen for him to be a success to ensure we continue to have some fabulous (and some not so fabulous) dishes at our doorstep. If he keeps producing delights like the Nicholls (local) chicken in masterstock with Shittake mushrooms like I had the other day, he will have me as a fan forever! Well done Steve.
On that note...Winsor keeps spreading the gospel about Cygneture chocolates and seems to be addicting followers, one at a time. He says I should approach her to do her marketing. What does she need me for, Winsor is doing a fine job and she can't keep up as it is. Another thriving local industry...bring it on.
Have an interview today (a job I applied for 6 weeks ago) and several more coming up. My unemployed days may soon be at an end. Time to get on with it. Cheers.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Day 80 - Sunday 2nd May
Awoke yesterday morning to the unmistakable sounds of a rooster...cocka doodle do!And to leave me in no doubt, there were 9 further chants of "cocka doodle do". All quiet on the southern front this morning....a reluctant rooster or someone else's? Time will tell but I was sure it was one of our "girls" yesterday and I bet it's Mel C from the Spice Girl team.
Yesterday was a hard slog in the garden and a couple of quick walks with Floyd. I'm so classy nowadays, I noticed when I got home from the first walk, not only was my t shirt on back to front but inside out as well. God help me if I ever get another job, I'll need a refresher course in my personal appearance!
I found a fairytale toadstool in the garden - one of those cute red ones with white spots. Wonder if there are pixies at the bottom of the garden too....(feral cats would probably eat them.)
Came across a fish stand selling mutton birds the other day. Being keen on trying most foods (that brought back memories of dire alpaca), I asked about it. She said don't cook it indoors as it stinks but it tastes delicious! Ughhhhhhhhh. Seems somewhat incongruous to me. Arthur tells me he used to catch them - they are full of oil and so revoltingly smelly that once he finished preparing them, he had to throw his clothes away. How hungry would you have to be? How good can they taste? I can safely say I won't be experimenting with it anytime in the near future.
The other interesting snippet I heard recently is that about 50% of fishermen in Tassy can't swim. This is because they reckon the water is so cold, the cold would kill you before drowning...interesting logic. Apparently, they're not that fond of life jackets either. Its a risky business.
Winsor is in South Australia and I'm now at the picture hanging stage. It's all coming together well and there's light at the end of the tunnel. Only the work front has been slow - not a lot about and not easy to secure something. No doubt once I'm successful with one application, I'll get offered another. Will worry about that if it happens. Til next time....
Yesterday was a hard slog in the garden and a couple of quick walks with Floyd. I'm so classy nowadays, I noticed when I got home from the first walk, not only was my t shirt on back to front but inside out as well. God help me if I ever get another job, I'll need a refresher course in my personal appearance!
I found a fairytale toadstool in the garden - one of those cute red ones with white spots. Wonder if there are pixies at the bottom of the garden too....(feral cats would probably eat them.)
Came across a fish stand selling mutton birds the other day. Being keen on trying most foods (that brought back memories of dire alpaca), I asked about it. She said don't cook it indoors as it stinks but it tastes delicious! Ughhhhhhhhh. Seems somewhat incongruous to me. Arthur tells me he used to catch them - they are full of oil and so revoltingly smelly that once he finished preparing them, he had to throw his clothes away. How hungry would you have to be? How good can they taste? I can safely say I won't be experimenting with it anytime in the near future.
The other interesting snippet I heard recently is that about 50% of fishermen in Tassy can't swim. This is because they reckon the water is so cold, the cold would kill you before drowning...interesting logic. Apparently, they're not that fond of life jackets either. Its a risky business.
Winsor is in South Australia and I'm now at the picture hanging stage. It's all coming together well and there's light at the end of the tunnel. Only the work front has been slow - not a lot about and not easy to secure something. No doubt once I'm successful with one application, I'll get offered another. Will worry about that if it happens. Til next time....
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Day 76 - 28th April
That's it folks - I'm a Tasmanian! I have parted with my NSW licence and number plates and am now proudly sporting a pair of new white and blue stunners. Haven't had much time to contemplate such things but that felt like some sort of milestone - it only scared me for a few seconds! That was Monday, a public holiday on the north island, but not here - we like to be contrary. No wonder I fit in so well. Next I can get on the electoral roll and join the confusion of the Tassy system.
On Anzac Day itself I watched the parade and speeches at the local war memorial through the front/back fence. I was drawn to it as I was working in the garden. It's never been my thing, it always seemed like a glorification of war but I think I am changing my view. It felt quite poignant in a small town and small state. One speaker mentioned that for one war, 3500 Tasmanians went to fight and something like 2300 returned. When you live in a town of 800, it's hard to imagine how devastating any losses must have been.
On a cheerier note, a large flock of tiny, olive green finches (or wrens) have dropped by a couple of times - darting through the trees and bathing in our bird bath - what a racket and what a sight. I've also seen a bluebird - reminiscent of the bluebird of happiness from my childhood. There are birds here I didn't know existed -they are such a pleasure.
On Monday we rose to our first frost and zero degrees according to our highly inaccurate outdoor thermometer. Today has been cold, windy and wet, which though well above zero, has felt like the coldest day so far. We really do weather here - winter is truly on the way now and it's time to get serious about the heating.
What is it about looking like crap that draws out all the people you know? Winsor insisted we go to the Red Velvet Lounge for (a quick) lunch yesterday and there they were...just about every person I know and would prefer not be seen by in a dirty tracksuit, with filthy hair and no makeup. They were busy and there was plenty of socialising so a quick lunch took 2 hours. To add insult to injury, I have started on the last frontier - the hobby room. Half the house was turned upside down, and we've had 3 people in the past day drop by for a look at the house. There clearly is no place for pretence in this town...perhaps I need to let go. (Nooooooooo, don't think I'm ready for that yet..)
Winsor keeps coming home with dangerous treats - warm baguettes (should be a law against that!)and handmade chocolates by Cygneture that he appears to be gaining a real appetite for (thankfully, I can stop at one....or two). Mick has brought me a supply of fresh eggs and Bruce has dropped off some fresh smoked trout. Food, glorious food..there's so much of it here and not a packet in sight! Good thing I'm working hard or I'd be the side of a house.
We have been invited to dinner again tonight by a couple we ran into at lunch yesterday and Winsor knows from the Hunter. They also have a house nearby and are moving between the two. I have always loved dinner parties and this is our third in 10 days. The only problem is the drink/driving issue - Tassy police are not to be trifled with, they are everywhere.
Enough chatter, time to get ready. Will update again soon.
The chooks continue to be barren and eating their weight in food everyday. We had 3 Spice Girl escapees the other day and struggled to find them at dusk. There they were, perched on the front/back fence. Good thing we found them, before a feral cat did.
Our local craftsman (supplier of the Spice Girls) fitted doors to the kitchen fireplace today. He made them from recycled timber from the Old Woodstore in the city. They look fantastic and its great to know the provenance of the timber.
On Anzac Day itself I watched the parade and speeches at the local war memorial through the front/back fence. I was drawn to it as I was working in the garden. It's never been my thing, it always seemed like a glorification of war but I think I am changing my view. It felt quite poignant in a small town and small state. One speaker mentioned that for one war, 3500 Tasmanians went to fight and something like 2300 returned. When you live in a town of 800, it's hard to imagine how devastating any losses must have been.
On a cheerier note, a large flock of tiny, olive green finches (or wrens) have dropped by a couple of times - darting through the trees and bathing in our bird bath - what a racket and what a sight. I've also seen a bluebird - reminiscent of the bluebird of happiness from my childhood. There are birds here I didn't know existed -they are such a pleasure.
On Monday we rose to our first frost and zero degrees according to our highly inaccurate outdoor thermometer. Today has been cold, windy and wet, which though well above zero, has felt like the coldest day so far. We really do weather here - winter is truly on the way now and it's time to get serious about the heating.
What is it about looking like crap that draws out all the people you know? Winsor insisted we go to the Red Velvet Lounge for (a quick) lunch yesterday and there they were...just about every person I know and would prefer not be seen by in a dirty tracksuit, with filthy hair and no makeup. They were busy and there was plenty of socialising so a quick lunch took 2 hours. To add insult to injury, I have started on the last frontier - the hobby room. Half the house was turned upside down, and we've had 3 people in the past day drop by for a look at the house. There clearly is no place for pretence in this town...perhaps I need to let go. (Nooooooooo, don't think I'm ready for that yet..)
Winsor keeps coming home with dangerous treats - warm baguettes (should be a law against that!)and handmade chocolates by Cygneture that he appears to be gaining a real appetite for (thankfully, I can stop at one....or two). Mick has brought me a supply of fresh eggs and Bruce has dropped off some fresh smoked trout. Food, glorious food..there's so much of it here and not a packet in sight! Good thing I'm working hard or I'd be the side of a house.
We have been invited to dinner again tonight by a couple we ran into at lunch yesterday and Winsor knows from the Hunter. They also have a house nearby and are moving between the two. I have always loved dinner parties and this is our third in 10 days. The only problem is the drink/driving issue - Tassy police are not to be trifled with, they are everywhere.
Enough chatter, time to get ready. Will update again soon.
The chooks continue to be barren and eating their weight in food everyday. We had 3 Spice Girl escapees the other day and struggled to find them at dusk. There they were, perched on the front/back fence. Good thing we found them, before a feral cat did.
Our local craftsman (supplier of the Spice Girls) fitted doors to the kitchen fireplace today. He made them from recycled timber from the Old Woodstore in the city. They look fantastic and its great to know the provenance of the timber.
Friday, April 23, 2010
She's back.....24th April
Hello all, I'm back!
Mum, in Geelong, had a few days in hospital and I flew to the north island to look after her at home for a few days around Easter. In order not to suffer too much home sickness, I organised a skip and a few friends to empty the rubbish out of her garage and also got stuck into a big "boy" prune in part of her garden. Needless to say all that lead to a back spasm....but that's another story. All in all, the trip was quite fun, caught up with an old friend, my sister and nephew and tried my damnedest to look after my stubborn Mum. Thankfully, she seems to be almost back to normal now and happily celebrating her 88th birthday today.
Tis mushroom season now and I have been a bit obsessed after finding a couple early on - getting out into the paddocks looking for them. Anyone would think I was truffle hunting, they're pretty elusive - worth it though, they are delicious when they are that fresh. Getting a bit spoilt here - it's fresh everything. The Mcarthur team have brought us more veggies today. Winsor just described the carrots as small island nations, then there's the leeks, silverbeet, squash, pumpkin, tomatoes, spuds, apples - you get the drift. Our pears are dropping from the tree and the lemons are finally turning yellow. It's hard to use it all. The chooks have helped with leftovers and we know how good veg is for their eggs. Now that's a touchy subject - WHAT EGGS? Seldom have we seen critters that eat so much and not a sign of an egg! We're contemplating putting an axe in eyesight to see if they get the hint! Mel C is looking more and more like a rooster every day and Winsor is confident one of the Dixie Chicks also has questionable gender. They might as well all be boys if all they do is eat and shit! One train of thought is that if they haven't done so yet, they won't lay now until spring as there's too little daylight in the winter. Pays to be patient...they will be very expensive eggs by then!
Speaking of patience, we've had a constant stream of tradesmen. It's proving difficult to get a bill from one or a quote from another but good progress has been made. The sheds and carport are built, the water tank is installed (had to cut down a Council fencepost to get it in - imagine doing that in Sydney!), all the fences are done. Heating is next and then I can push to get the bathroom underway - 3 weeks without a bathroom - can't wait!
The Indian summer has continued but the weather is starting to turn and today has just about had it all. 2 tonne of wood has been delivered - wasn't that fun to lug and stack in the woodshed.... The bird life has changed in the garden, we now have daily visits from a solo olive green & yellow honey eater, as well as a bunch of robins with eye-watering red breasts. Smelling the roses, watching the birds, picking wild mushrooms...all beat the daily commute. This is the life!
Mind you, not all guests are welcome with a dead starling in the bedroom fireplace and a family of mice scurrying around the house. Must have beat some sort of record, I caught 6 in traps filled (with crunchy peanut butter) over a few days and now the squeaking and trail of mouse turds seems to have been abated. I feel reassured we are not the only ones housing rodents but there are many gaps in this house so numerous places to enter. The past owners stuffed the gaps with aluminium foil because of the misguided view that mice can't eat the stuff. Funny how they managed to munch through foil to eat an Easter egg! I have an aversion to whistling winds indoors, I plan to handle the issue of gaps with something more robust than a bit of tinfoil...(and something more robust to deal with mice, as well). Can't imagine how hideous this house was for past owners - barely any heating, insulation or lighting and then spaces in the walls that you can see daylight through...clearly they are made of sterner stuff than us.
Last night we had dinner with even fresher residents of Cygnet. A lovely couple, Ian and Anne, who have only been here for 2 weeks and are friends of my ex-boss in Sydney (talk about 6 degrees of separation!). They clearly are a damn sight more organised than me, as they turned on a delightful Indian feast in their beautiful architecturally designed home overlooking the water. Tonight, we're off to another dinner party...perhaps we are looking a little underfed! It's time for me to pull my finger out and invite some new friends over...
Floyd is still having a fantastic time and is now proudly sporting his Huonville Council tag. He seems to have become a bit blase, not even bothering to react to the enormous possum we saw in the yard when we got home last night. He gave one of our chooks a nudge yesterday. I'm sure he'd love to rip its head off but wouldn't dare try anything with us watching. He's have the time of his life, time to give him another adventure and look for some mushys. A dog smiling....absolutely priceless.
Mum, in Geelong, had a few days in hospital and I flew to the north island to look after her at home for a few days around Easter. In order not to suffer too much home sickness, I organised a skip and a few friends to empty the rubbish out of her garage and also got stuck into a big "boy" prune in part of her garden. Needless to say all that lead to a back spasm....but that's another story. All in all, the trip was quite fun, caught up with an old friend, my sister and nephew and tried my damnedest to look after my stubborn Mum. Thankfully, she seems to be almost back to normal now and happily celebrating her 88th birthday today.
Tis mushroom season now and I have been a bit obsessed after finding a couple early on - getting out into the paddocks looking for them. Anyone would think I was truffle hunting, they're pretty elusive - worth it though, they are delicious when they are that fresh. Getting a bit spoilt here - it's fresh everything. The Mcarthur team have brought us more veggies today. Winsor just described the carrots as small island nations, then there's the leeks, silverbeet, squash, pumpkin, tomatoes, spuds, apples - you get the drift. Our pears are dropping from the tree and the lemons are finally turning yellow. It's hard to use it all. The chooks have helped with leftovers and we know how good veg is for their eggs. Now that's a touchy subject - WHAT EGGS? Seldom have we seen critters that eat so much and not a sign of an egg! We're contemplating putting an axe in eyesight to see if they get the hint! Mel C is looking more and more like a rooster every day and Winsor is confident one of the Dixie Chicks also has questionable gender. They might as well all be boys if all they do is eat and shit! One train of thought is that if they haven't done so yet, they won't lay now until spring as there's too little daylight in the winter. Pays to be patient...they will be very expensive eggs by then!
Speaking of patience, we've had a constant stream of tradesmen. It's proving difficult to get a bill from one or a quote from another but good progress has been made. The sheds and carport are built, the water tank is installed (had to cut down a Council fencepost to get it in - imagine doing that in Sydney!), all the fences are done. Heating is next and then I can push to get the bathroom underway - 3 weeks without a bathroom - can't wait!
The Indian summer has continued but the weather is starting to turn and today has just about had it all. 2 tonne of wood has been delivered - wasn't that fun to lug and stack in the woodshed.... The bird life has changed in the garden, we now have daily visits from a solo olive green & yellow honey eater, as well as a bunch of robins with eye-watering red breasts. Smelling the roses, watching the birds, picking wild mushrooms...all beat the daily commute. This is the life!
Mind you, not all guests are welcome with a dead starling in the bedroom fireplace and a family of mice scurrying around the house. Must have beat some sort of record, I caught 6 in traps filled (with crunchy peanut butter) over a few days and now the squeaking and trail of mouse turds seems to have been abated. I feel reassured we are not the only ones housing rodents but there are many gaps in this house so numerous places to enter. The past owners stuffed the gaps with aluminium foil because of the misguided view that mice can't eat the stuff. Funny how they managed to munch through foil to eat an Easter egg! I have an aversion to whistling winds indoors, I plan to handle the issue of gaps with something more robust than a bit of tinfoil...(and something more robust to deal with mice, as well). Can't imagine how hideous this house was for past owners - barely any heating, insulation or lighting and then spaces in the walls that you can see daylight through...clearly they are made of sterner stuff than us.
Last night we had dinner with even fresher residents of Cygnet. A lovely couple, Ian and Anne, who have only been here for 2 weeks and are friends of my ex-boss in Sydney (talk about 6 degrees of separation!). They clearly are a damn sight more organised than me, as they turned on a delightful Indian feast in their beautiful architecturally designed home overlooking the water. Tonight, we're off to another dinner party...perhaps we are looking a little underfed! It's time for me to pull my finger out and invite some new friends over...
Floyd is still having a fantastic time and is now proudly sporting his Huonville Council tag. He seems to have become a bit blase, not even bothering to react to the enormous possum we saw in the yard when we got home last night. He gave one of our chooks a nudge yesterday. I'm sure he'd love to rip its head off but wouldn't dare try anything with us watching. He's have the time of his life, time to give him another adventure and look for some mushys. A dog smiling....absolutely priceless.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Days since my last update - 29th March
She's back......sorry to anyone that cares that I have been off the air for 2 weeks but in spite of still being unemployed, life has been pretty frantic! I can venture into our garden in the morning and disappear into a mire of weeding, pruning and burning until dark. Also, there's been a constant stream of tradesmen and a couple of trips to the big smoke.
One trip to Hobart was to see Mary Gautier in a pub in North Hobart. We stayed the night and in the morning drove to Bushy park to buy 4 point of lay chickens to join the Spice Girls - so then there were 8. It was a lovely drive about half an hour north of Hobart, through New Norfolk, through the hops crops and up a country lane. These girls are older and larger than the Spice Girls and a blend of 3 breeds in varying shades of red. Welcome the Dixie Chicks...So far so good but there is the occasional evidence of rooster behaviour. Not an egg in sight either so time will tell the gender of our brood. Also, I stand corrected - the breed isn't Wine Dot, as I wrote in my last blog. Wine Dots are something I see when I close my eyes after a few too many, it's apparently Wyandotte.
The removalist finally arrived with the last of our stuff - one month after our house was emptied. The insulation has finally been installed, the electricians have finally finished all the tasks on my list, the slab has been laid and 2 3x3 mtr sheds are being assembled by the McArthur team. This is our creative way of getting enough shed space without needing council approval - His with the wine, Hers with the tools and firewood...hmmm. David, the craftsman of Spice Girl fame has quoted to do our built-ins and will do a spectacular job - just can't start until June (2010, I hope!). Have also had a visit from a plumber/builder to get a quote for the bathroom reno - have to pray for rain to get their attention on our job but at least progress is being made. Water tank installation is scheduled for the 12th. The new lights and the insulation have made such a noticeable different, I've had to start opening some windows. Mind you, we have just broken some sort of record with 100 mild days in a row. Apparently that means 100 days of 17 degrees +. Think my idea of mild is probably more like 21 but we've had some real stunners and summer just refuses to end.
On one such HOT day, I went to the Taste of Huon in Ranelagh which I believe is an annual 2 day event. Sort of like Seafood & Semillon in the Hunter crossed with a market. I was looking forward to trying something new but was sadly disappointed with the small goat pie - could have been any sort of dark coloured meat. The piece de resistance was alpaca. Can't believe I waited half an hour for this massacre! It was a real shame an animal had to die for such an inedible piece of meat. I thoroughly enjoyed the apprentice chef competition with judges that included Matthew Evans. There was much talk of what an incredible food bowl this region is and from the freshness and quality of the produce we have enjoyed already, I tend to agree (though I'm not sure alpaca should be used for anything other than wool products.Not with those cooks anyway!). Apart from apples, berries, cherries and the amazing beef we have tried, there's the salmon farms, the chesseries, saffron, truffles, mushrooms and much more. If only we could buy fresh fish somewhere (very odd) and had some sort of spicy food restaurant, we'd have it all!
My last venture to Hobart was for a job interview - my first. I was in 2 minds about a full-time job as a Rep and luckily they made the decision for me. I made it to the final 3 but didn't get the job. While I was in Hobart, I ran into an old neighbour from Leichhardt...small world. He works in Hobart during the week and has generously offered us the use of his Hobart unit on the weekends.
We made it into the social pages of the Mercury from a previous Hobart trip - the Cascade party. They got Winsor's name and our suburb wrong but it definitely looked like us and we were there. They changed names of others at the party too - clearly the Mercury doesn't worry too much about minor details.
The election has passed without our vote and by all accounts without a result so far. Don't think we got out all day though we heard lots of hustle and bustle in the main street. In the evening, we went to a barbecue at the home of the lovely people who run the post office. They live across the road from the sailing club. Lovely MILD weather, great views, good company, wine & food. A delightful time was had by all.
The new life continues to be wonderful and the small things still amaze me. I was weighed down with some bags for the charity bin recently and lo and behold, a teenager who was mucking about in the park with his mates, called out and asked if he could help me with my bags! Unheard of in Sydney, London, Paris.....
Tomorrow night is book club for me - another first. No one can tell me what the book is, which is a good thing as I don't remember the last time I read one. I will sign off now before I write one and will endeavour to update again sooner than 2 weeks...
One trip to Hobart was to see Mary Gautier in a pub in North Hobart. We stayed the night and in the morning drove to Bushy park to buy 4 point of lay chickens to join the Spice Girls - so then there were 8. It was a lovely drive about half an hour north of Hobart, through New Norfolk, through the hops crops and up a country lane. These girls are older and larger than the Spice Girls and a blend of 3 breeds in varying shades of red. Welcome the Dixie Chicks...So far so good but there is the occasional evidence of rooster behaviour. Not an egg in sight either so time will tell the gender of our brood. Also, I stand corrected - the breed isn't Wine Dot, as I wrote in my last blog. Wine Dots are something I see when I close my eyes after a few too many, it's apparently Wyandotte.
The removalist finally arrived with the last of our stuff - one month after our house was emptied. The insulation has finally been installed, the electricians have finally finished all the tasks on my list, the slab has been laid and 2 3x3 mtr sheds are being assembled by the McArthur team. This is our creative way of getting enough shed space without needing council approval - His with the wine, Hers with the tools and firewood...hmmm. David, the craftsman of Spice Girl fame has quoted to do our built-ins and will do a spectacular job - just can't start until June (2010, I hope!). Have also had a visit from a plumber/builder to get a quote for the bathroom reno - have to pray for rain to get their attention on our job but at least progress is being made. Water tank installation is scheduled for the 12th. The new lights and the insulation have made such a noticeable different, I've had to start opening some windows. Mind you, we have just broken some sort of record with 100 mild days in a row. Apparently that means 100 days of 17 degrees +. Think my idea of mild is probably more like 21 but we've had some real stunners and summer just refuses to end.
On one such HOT day, I went to the Taste of Huon in Ranelagh which I believe is an annual 2 day event. Sort of like Seafood & Semillon in the Hunter crossed with a market. I was looking forward to trying something new but was sadly disappointed with the small goat pie - could have been any sort of dark coloured meat. The piece de resistance was alpaca. Can't believe I waited half an hour for this massacre! It was a real shame an animal had to die for such an inedible piece of meat. I thoroughly enjoyed the apprentice chef competition with judges that included Matthew Evans. There was much talk of what an incredible food bowl this region is and from the freshness and quality of the produce we have enjoyed already, I tend to agree (though I'm not sure alpaca should be used for anything other than wool products.Not with those cooks anyway!). Apart from apples, berries, cherries and the amazing beef we have tried, there's the salmon farms, the chesseries, saffron, truffles, mushrooms and much more. If only we could buy fresh fish somewhere (very odd) and had some sort of spicy food restaurant, we'd have it all!
My last venture to Hobart was for a job interview - my first. I was in 2 minds about a full-time job as a Rep and luckily they made the decision for me. I made it to the final 3 but didn't get the job. While I was in Hobart, I ran into an old neighbour from Leichhardt...small world. He works in Hobart during the week and has generously offered us the use of his Hobart unit on the weekends.
We made it into the social pages of the Mercury from a previous Hobart trip - the Cascade party. They got Winsor's name and our suburb wrong but it definitely looked like us and we were there. They changed names of others at the party too - clearly the Mercury doesn't worry too much about minor details.
The election has passed without our vote and by all accounts without a result so far. Don't think we got out all day though we heard lots of hustle and bustle in the main street. In the evening, we went to a barbecue at the home of the lovely people who run the post office. They live across the road from the sailing club. Lovely MILD weather, great views, good company, wine & food. A delightful time was had by all.
The new life continues to be wonderful and the small things still amaze me. I was weighed down with some bags for the charity bin recently and lo and behold, a teenager who was mucking about in the park with his mates, called out and asked if he could help me with my bags! Unheard of in Sydney, London, Paris.....
Tomorrow night is book club for me - another first. No one can tell me what the book is, which is a good thing as I don't remember the last time I read one. I will sign off now before I write one and will endeavour to update again sooner than 2 weeks...
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Days 24 - 31 Monday 15/03/10
It was just too good to be true! The Electrician that was coming Thursday 2 weeks ago, dropped by late on Friday and agreed to be here at 8 this morning to start work. The man with the phone phobia rang at 7.50 to advise they had an emergency and would be over late morning...won't hold my breath! However, the carpenter arrived as promised to measure up for built-ins. Unfortunately, he is probably too busy to fit the work in but will prepare a quote. Have just rung the heater man and there is some hope of insulation being completed this week. Still haven't heard from the plumber after we accepted his quote to install a water tank and divert all the downpipes...Progress is slow but we are confident our efforts to single-handedly hold up the local economy will result in a near perfect abode one day.
The McArthur team continues with their home handymen skills and have built the chook pen. It looks so cosy, might be a good place to sleep one night if things get too unpleasant inside! Winsor was so excited that even before completion, he was trying to source some pullets to reside in said chook house. Feeling we would fail the Cygnet grapevine if we didn't talk to David, the craftsman about chooks, we headed up to his house yesterday morning - me on foot with Floyd and Winsor in the car, to chose a brood. Our effort to find 4 girls was hardly lead by any scientific criteria. The flock(?) was a range of Sussex and Wine Dot bantams of various ages and sizes - all of them white with black accessories, the Wine Dots with yellow feet and the Sussex with white. David's family wanted to keep the yellow footers and we wanted to ensure we got girls...Who knows what we have ended up with - I call them the Spice Girls and I'm already pretty convinced that Mel C is a rooster. Chook selection must be one of those rare occasions in nature that people prefer the female gender (though Winsor would happily settle for a rooster - all that noise and inbreeding, never mind the population growth!)- this isn't India or China! So before the chook house was even finished, the girls were reluctantly ensconced in their new home. They managed to find the cosy bedroom last night that Mick and Arthur built for them and were happily scratching the ground in the run this morning. I think the trauma has passed - as long as Floyd can resist the urge to torment them too much.
On Saturday, Floyd located a stunning blue tongue lizard in the garden that had him transfixed for hours. Had we not been there, he may have ripped its bloody head off. Come to think of it, he may have done that since but I hope not! There are so many distractions in the yard, not the least being a number of balls of various sizes, colours and squeakability that keep him amused for long periods of time when he's not wallowing in the dirt! One day recently, Floyd turned himself into a lamington...a quick dip in the creek on a warm day, a nice meaningful roll in the ashes of the bonfire, topped up by a covering of dry, cut grass. Truly delicious. As I was busy with a number of other things, it took a few days to bath him and in the meantime, every time I stroked him, I came away with hands covered in a layer of filth. He clearly loves it! He clearly loves living here, his skin problems have gone, he's lost weight and even stopped moulting (or you see his shedding less in this house!). He seems to have a permanent smile on his face unless he's sleeping off all the day's activities - often whimpering at some pademelon or possum in his sleep. What a life as a pampered mutt!
Electrician has rung to say he's on his way. Will update again later when the power (and hopefully, the wireless connection) comes back on....
The McArthur team continues with their home handymen skills and have built the chook pen. It looks so cosy, might be a good place to sleep one night if things get too unpleasant inside! Winsor was so excited that even before completion, he was trying to source some pullets to reside in said chook house. Feeling we would fail the Cygnet grapevine if we didn't talk to David, the craftsman about chooks, we headed up to his house yesterday morning - me on foot with Floyd and Winsor in the car, to chose a brood. Our effort to find 4 girls was hardly lead by any scientific criteria. The flock(?) was a range of Sussex and Wine Dot bantams of various ages and sizes - all of them white with black accessories, the Wine Dots with yellow feet and the Sussex with white. David's family wanted to keep the yellow footers and we wanted to ensure we got girls...Who knows what we have ended up with - I call them the Spice Girls and I'm already pretty convinced that Mel C is a rooster. Chook selection must be one of those rare occasions in nature that people prefer the female gender (though Winsor would happily settle for a rooster - all that noise and inbreeding, never mind the population growth!)- this isn't India or China! So before the chook house was even finished, the girls were reluctantly ensconced in their new home. They managed to find the cosy bedroom last night that Mick and Arthur built for them and were happily scratching the ground in the run this morning. I think the trauma has passed - as long as Floyd can resist the urge to torment them too much.
On Saturday, Floyd located a stunning blue tongue lizard in the garden that had him transfixed for hours. Had we not been there, he may have ripped its bloody head off. Come to think of it, he may have done that since but I hope not! There are so many distractions in the yard, not the least being a number of balls of various sizes, colours and squeakability that keep him amused for long periods of time when he's not wallowing in the dirt! One day recently, Floyd turned himself into a lamington...a quick dip in the creek on a warm day, a nice meaningful roll in the ashes of the bonfire, topped up by a covering of dry, cut grass. Truly delicious. As I was busy with a number of other things, it took a few days to bath him and in the meantime, every time I stroked him, I came away with hands covered in a layer of filth. He clearly loves it! He clearly loves living here, his skin problems have gone, he's lost weight and even stopped moulting (or you see his shedding less in this house!). He seems to have a permanent smile on his face unless he's sleeping off all the day's activities - often whimpering at some pademelon or possum in his sleep. What a life as a pampered mutt!
Electrician has rung to say he's on his way. Will update again later when the power (and hopefully, the wireless connection) comes back on....
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Days 20, 21, 22, 23 - Wed - Sat 06/03/10
I'm hot, no not that sort of hot! Either I'm already acclimatised or it is muggy and hot today. When J Lo (my car) was pulled out of a ditch this morning, the thermometer said 31 degrees. I was accused of sounding like a local yesterday when I commented on the day's warmth....I should be so lucky! It has been uncommonly humid the past 2 days, and as winter follows autumn, I'm sure I'm going to be particularly sensitive to the cold this winter, best enjoy the heat while I can.
I don't really know about Floyd, I assume a lot, but I was bored with the 3 different combinations of blocks we have walked recently. Someone suggested visiting Wattle Grove (7 kms), so we headed west and took an early stop, taking a right onto Missing Link Rd. It was glorious at 8.30 am with the misty clouds across the hills/mountains vanishing into bright, hot sunshine. I parked the car by a farm gate and we walked up and down the road, taking in the view and collecting yet more blackberries. In spite of all the prophets of doom around here that the last big wind or the most recent cold snap would see the end of the blackberry crop, they just keep coming! Thought we might still make it all the way to Wattle Grove after Floyd relieved himself but my attempt to do a U turn landed J Lo with her left front wheel down a ditch and the right rear wheel hanging half a metre above the ground...interesting predicament. Took the whole of the morning and $150 but we made it home eventually relatively unscathed (I hope the car is OK?). Great way to spend a wedding anniversary but the other half is in South Australia - not a lot to celebrate today - maybe tomorrow.
Ventured to the Town Hall yesterday for a Beginners' Class of Tai Chi. It is only across the road but I was still late - pathetic really! Friend Jasmine also joined this week and invited me in for a coffee - delightful it was too. As I left, we saw a perfectly restored Morris Minor leaving the local car park, followed by a ute parking out the front of the B&B that was literally held together by rust.
It was so bad, even the roof was freckled full of rust! Clearly, annual roadworthies are not compulsory here...
I took the journey into "town" on Wednesday, passing the 2 other "towns" to reach the 3rd - Huonvillle, then Kingston and finally Hobart - a drive of all of 45 minutes. Had almost convinced myself Kingston would be a good compromise for work, rather than commuting all the way to Hobart. It's 11 kms from Hobart! What's that all about? Hobart light? Hard to get my head around the thought of work at the moment, much less the commute...
Now do be warned fellow citizens, when Tasmanians insist on a ludicrously low speed limit for non-existent roadworks, they are serious. Mercifully, the Police had their hands full when I rounded the bend at the end of the freeway as I was probably about 10 km over the limit. I met Winsor at the beautiful Islington - a private hotel in a very leafy part of the city. What a magnificent setting with an infinity pool blending into the view of stunning houses nestled into the bushy hills and the rear courtyard and conservatory bathed in afternoon sunshine - it was hard to drag myself away but the reason for the trip was a party and it beckoned...
Winsor arrived in Hobart very early in the day as a guest of Cascade for something to do with beer and hops. Not really my area of interest but he had a good day with a particularly note worthy lunch and tastings of some vintage beers. In the evening there was the aforementioned party at the Cascade Brewery - a truly magnificent setting and apparently not only the oldest brewery in Australia but the oldest working factory in the land as well. There were several politicians at the party - none I recognise yet. We are in election mode here. I have listened to some commentary on the radio though the faces are not yet familiar. There were a number of TV types too, looks like half the ABC's TV personalities live in Hobart - perhaps the only place they can afford on ABC wages! The party was fun and the wine flowed as well as the beer. It was hard to wrench myself away from home but worth it in the end. I can still string a few words together - but only just.
Took myself off shopping in Hobart on Thursday and walked for miles. Winsor got home a few hours before me relieved to find the dog had survived his first night home alone. Winsor was just home for the evening and back at the airport to fly to SA for 2 days on Friday morning. At least someone in our household can still manage to drag themselves away from home to earn a living. I'm a kept woman - what a concept! Must start to think about work one day soon...
I don't really know about Floyd, I assume a lot, but I was bored with the 3 different combinations of blocks we have walked recently. Someone suggested visiting Wattle Grove (7 kms), so we headed west and took an early stop, taking a right onto Missing Link Rd. It was glorious at 8.30 am with the misty clouds across the hills/mountains vanishing into bright, hot sunshine. I parked the car by a farm gate and we walked up and down the road, taking in the view and collecting yet more blackberries. In spite of all the prophets of doom around here that the last big wind or the most recent cold snap would see the end of the blackberry crop, they just keep coming! Thought we might still make it all the way to Wattle Grove after Floyd relieved himself but my attempt to do a U turn landed J Lo with her left front wheel down a ditch and the right rear wheel hanging half a metre above the ground...interesting predicament. Took the whole of the morning and $150 but we made it home eventually relatively unscathed (I hope the car is OK?). Great way to spend a wedding anniversary but the other half is in South Australia - not a lot to celebrate today - maybe tomorrow.
Ventured to the Town Hall yesterday for a Beginners' Class of Tai Chi. It is only across the road but I was still late - pathetic really! Friend Jasmine also joined this week and invited me in for a coffee - delightful it was too. As I left, we saw a perfectly restored Morris Minor leaving the local car park, followed by a ute parking out the front of the B&B that was literally held together by rust.
It was so bad, even the roof was freckled full of rust! Clearly, annual roadworthies are not compulsory here...
I took the journey into "town" on Wednesday, passing the 2 other "towns" to reach the 3rd - Huonvillle, then Kingston and finally Hobart - a drive of all of 45 minutes. Had almost convinced myself Kingston would be a good compromise for work, rather than commuting all the way to Hobart. It's 11 kms from Hobart! What's that all about? Hobart light? Hard to get my head around the thought of work at the moment, much less the commute...
Now do be warned fellow citizens, when Tasmanians insist on a ludicrously low speed limit for non-existent roadworks, they are serious. Mercifully, the Police had their hands full when I rounded the bend at the end of the freeway as I was probably about 10 km over the limit. I met Winsor at the beautiful Islington - a private hotel in a very leafy part of the city. What a magnificent setting with an infinity pool blending into the view of stunning houses nestled into the bushy hills and the rear courtyard and conservatory bathed in afternoon sunshine - it was hard to drag myself away but the reason for the trip was a party and it beckoned...
Winsor arrived in Hobart very early in the day as a guest of Cascade for something to do with beer and hops. Not really my area of interest but he had a good day with a particularly note worthy lunch and tastings of some vintage beers. In the evening there was the aforementioned party at the Cascade Brewery - a truly magnificent setting and apparently not only the oldest brewery in Australia but the oldest working factory in the land as well. There were several politicians at the party - none I recognise yet. We are in election mode here. I have listened to some commentary on the radio though the faces are not yet familiar. There were a number of TV types too, looks like half the ABC's TV personalities live in Hobart - perhaps the only place they can afford on ABC wages! The party was fun and the wine flowed as well as the beer. It was hard to wrench myself away from home but worth it in the end. I can still string a few words together - but only just.
Took myself off shopping in Hobart on Thursday and walked for miles. Winsor got home a few hours before me relieved to find the dog had survived his first night home alone. Winsor was just home for the evening and back at the airport to fly to SA for 2 days on Friday morning. At least someone in our household can still manage to drag themselves away from home to earn a living. I'm a kept woman - what a concept! Must start to think about work one day soon...
Monday, March 1, 2010
Day 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Thur - Tuesday 02/03/10
I have decided hydrangeas are just like children, when they're not yours, they are hideous, when they're yours, they're just amazing. When we moved in, they were an eye-watering bluey purple and now they are fading and turning a whole range of colours from pale blue to crimson melting into an antique green - they are exquisite. Either I'm getting old and starting to appreciate these things or I've just got time to smell the roses. I have to admit to only ever loathing hydrangeas from a distance...perhaps I just needed to take a closer look. Little wonder people love to garden, you really see the most extraordinary things in nature. I'm completely besotted by the little birds in the garden and the nests I keep discovering while removing the overgrowth. Spring must be an absolute delight..
The gutter man finally returned to finish the job he started about a month ago. He said that the gutters haven't been cleaned for many years - it took all my self control not to suggest that that's because they were waiting for him to turn up! There's been a constant stream of worker bees here the past few days. The fencing boys put in the posts yesterday to start the outer fence, while the heater people were here measuring up for insulation, sealing up a chimney and discussing the options available to us. Paul, the heater man commented that he felt a discernible drop in temperature when he walked into the house (we weren't even arguing!) and has confirmed warming the place will be a challenge but can be achieved. The insulation is of very poor quality, badly fitted and almost completely ineffective, so that's a good place to start.
The last day of summer, Sunday, was stunningly chilly and dropped to 7 degrees with the sun. I have been resisting the urge to rug up or light the open fire - it was bloody summer! Now that psychological hurdle has been passed, I stoked up the first fire in the lounge last night while the fire brigade made light work of the bonfire pile in the backyard. Unlike, our amateur effort of a few days ago, they had a lovely calm evening with a full moon, a fuel can and a few beers to assist them. It was just a smouldering heap after about 90 minutes.
On the weekend, Mick & Arthur (I've nicknamed them, the Mcarthurs) cleared a few more trees and branches, created an area for the veggie patch (can't imagine how long that job would have taken me by hand) and started on plans to build our chook run and sheds. We need to get Council approval for any shed over 3 mtr x 3 mtr, which costs about $900 and takes some time. Instead we have decided to build 2 3x3 mtr sheds - a His and Hers. His will have the wine, mine will have the tools - go figure.
Mick also supplied us with a new load of fresh veggies from his property, along with a bucket of apples. The baby spuds went perfectly with the steak and kidney stew (also full of his veg) I made on Saturday. Hardly a summer dish but it was anything but a summer's day - top of 17! We ventured off to the organic beef farm on Saturday morning (only open Saturday mornings) and couldn't resist buying enough beef for about 7 dishes. The casserole beef was absolutely melt in the mouth and when it comes to food miles, you can't do better than 2 kms from home! Last night the leftovers were turned into a pie, followed by apple and blackberry crumble. Mick's apples and wild blackberries picked from the bushes growing on every other corner in the region. This is the life....
After the organic beef farm, we took a detour to familiarise ourselves with the local tip. We asked the guy in the gatehouse a question and he responded by handing us a brochure. Winsor quipped..."bet he was the debating champion at school!" Certainly was a man of few words. Fortunately, we were saved from making a second trip out there with our rubbish, as once more, Mick came to our rescue and took away the empty cartons. I'm sure we'll have to use the tip one of these days as collections are minimal, but not this weekend.
Sunday hosted a visit from a tiler to help inspire me about the bathroom and before he could depart, the removalist arrived with the wine from storage which he put in our collapsing woodshed. Doesn't look like 60 dozen to us - perhaps we over-estimated...We'll never drink it all anyway, in the 8 days Winsor was away, including a weekend - 57 bottles arrived...Certainly the move has not scared too many off!
I've officially lost patience with the removalist as the moron he sent to empty our two storage units at Kennards only emptied the wine unit and as they don't get to Sydney very often, we probably won't get the rest of our stuff until the 9th - one month after the house. Hardly what we were promised, they were supposed to pick it up on the 11th of Feb and now we really need some of that stuff! Can't stay angry for too long though, we just smile at each other now and zone back into "Cygnet time". At this rate, by the time we get the stuff, we won't want it anymore!
The town has a constant stream of visitors, from van loads of dread locked types to groups of young French women. Many have been here for a while, first for cherries and now for apple picking. Some have been brave enough to stay at the camping ground. I wonder how many will remain over the next few weeks as the temperature drops.
I'm now off to experiment with a new hairdresser for the 1st time in 8 years - feel a little apprehensive, I must say. Tomorrow, I venture to the big smoke, Hobart, for the first time - should be interesting.
The gutter man finally returned to finish the job he started about a month ago. He said that the gutters haven't been cleaned for many years - it took all my self control not to suggest that that's because they were waiting for him to turn up! There's been a constant stream of worker bees here the past few days. The fencing boys put in the posts yesterday to start the outer fence, while the heater people were here measuring up for insulation, sealing up a chimney and discussing the options available to us. Paul, the heater man commented that he felt a discernible drop in temperature when he walked into the house (we weren't even arguing!) and has confirmed warming the place will be a challenge but can be achieved. The insulation is of very poor quality, badly fitted and almost completely ineffective, so that's a good place to start.
The last day of summer, Sunday, was stunningly chilly and dropped to 7 degrees with the sun. I have been resisting the urge to rug up or light the open fire - it was bloody summer! Now that psychological hurdle has been passed, I stoked up the first fire in the lounge last night while the fire brigade made light work of the bonfire pile in the backyard. Unlike, our amateur effort of a few days ago, they had a lovely calm evening with a full moon, a fuel can and a few beers to assist them. It was just a smouldering heap after about 90 minutes.
On the weekend, Mick & Arthur (I've nicknamed them, the Mcarthurs) cleared a few more trees and branches, created an area for the veggie patch (can't imagine how long that job would have taken me by hand) and started on plans to build our chook run and sheds. We need to get Council approval for any shed over 3 mtr x 3 mtr, which costs about $900 and takes some time. Instead we have decided to build 2 3x3 mtr sheds - a His and Hers. His will have the wine, mine will have the tools - go figure.
Mick also supplied us with a new load of fresh veggies from his property, along with a bucket of apples. The baby spuds went perfectly with the steak and kidney stew (also full of his veg) I made on Saturday. Hardly a summer dish but it was anything but a summer's day - top of 17! We ventured off to the organic beef farm on Saturday morning (only open Saturday mornings) and couldn't resist buying enough beef for about 7 dishes. The casserole beef was absolutely melt in the mouth and when it comes to food miles, you can't do better than 2 kms from home! Last night the leftovers were turned into a pie, followed by apple and blackberry crumble. Mick's apples and wild blackberries picked from the bushes growing on every other corner in the region. This is the life....
After the organic beef farm, we took a detour to familiarise ourselves with the local tip. We asked the guy in the gatehouse a question and he responded by handing us a brochure. Winsor quipped..."bet he was the debating champion at school!" Certainly was a man of few words. Fortunately, we were saved from making a second trip out there with our rubbish, as once more, Mick came to our rescue and took away the empty cartons. I'm sure we'll have to use the tip one of these days as collections are minimal, but not this weekend.
Sunday hosted a visit from a tiler to help inspire me about the bathroom and before he could depart, the removalist arrived with the wine from storage which he put in our collapsing woodshed. Doesn't look like 60 dozen to us - perhaps we over-estimated...We'll never drink it all anyway, in the 8 days Winsor was away, including a weekend - 57 bottles arrived...Certainly the move has not scared too many off!
I've officially lost patience with the removalist as the moron he sent to empty our two storage units at Kennards only emptied the wine unit and as they don't get to Sydney very often, we probably won't get the rest of our stuff until the 9th - one month after the house. Hardly what we were promised, they were supposed to pick it up on the 11th of Feb and now we really need some of that stuff! Can't stay angry for too long though, we just smile at each other now and zone back into "Cygnet time". At this rate, by the time we get the stuff, we won't want it anymore!
The town has a constant stream of visitors, from van loads of dread locked types to groups of young French women. Many have been here for a while, first for cherries and now for apple picking. Some have been brave enough to stay at the camping ground. I wonder how many will remain over the next few weeks as the temperature drops.
I'm now off to experiment with a new hairdresser for the 1st time in 8 years - feel a little apprehensive, I must say. Tomorrow, I venture to the big smoke, Hobart, for the first time - should be interesting.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Day 14 - Thursday
Twas an uneventful day, only marked by the electrician keeping his word and coming back to finish replacing the seals in the oven and a letter from the ANZ with a survey about our recent home loan experience which prompted me to call them as they are still holding some of our funds. Seems the wounds are still raw - needless to say my answers to their survey are probably not the sort of critique they were hoping for.....did thank them for asking though. (That's nice, isn't it?)
Didn't mention a visit to Phoenix Creations recently. David is an artisan who makes the most beautiful furniture from, primarily, Tasmanian recycled timber. He's just up around the block from us and has a gallery open 2 days a week. After a brief conversation, he remembered I rang him a few months ago about a butcher's block and the house we have bought. Great memory - especially as we have never met. Apparently, the guy who owned our house before the last owner (he moved to France) sold David some of the cedar lining from our house. Coincidentally, I was looking at the beam in the middle of the lounge the night before and wondered then if it was once 2 rooms. He had also heard we are planning to have a chooks and was keener to offload a few of them rather than a piece of furniture. As it happens, he has very little in his gallery and is very busy with commissions - and we're not yet ready for chooks. He also pointed out that it is snake season, some of them even deadly - great news, as he encouraged Lord Floyd and I take a shortcut home (the path we needed, the day I had to carry the heifer hound up the hill). The path is partly across private property but with some sort of public access rights. Initially. we wandered into someone's backyard (that'll get back) as the directions were vague. It was quite slippery, so really had to let the terrier off his lead or his tugging would have me flat on my face in no time! He couldn't stay on the path, constantly darting into the undergrowth! Needless to say we did survive unscathed but now I have snakes to add to the list of paranoia. A few days ago, I had a stranger stop me in the hardware shop to ask if the dog finally came back to me. We really are in a small town now - forget big brother, all 800 odd locals seem to be watching us...
Didn't mention a visit to Phoenix Creations recently. David is an artisan who makes the most beautiful furniture from, primarily, Tasmanian recycled timber. He's just up around the block from us and has a gallery open 2 days a week. After a brief conversation, he remembered I rang him a few months ago about a butcher's block and the house we have bought. Great memory - especially as we have never met. Apparently, the guy who owned our house before the last owner (he moved to France) sold David some of the cedar lining from our house. Coincidentally, I was looking at the beam in the middle of the lounge the night before and wondered then if it was once 2 rooms. He had also heard we are planning to have a chooks and was keener to offload a few of them rather than a piece of furniture. As it happens, he has very little in his gallery and is very busy with commissions - and we're not yet ready for chooks. He also pointed out that it is snake season, some of them even deadly - great news, as he encouraged Lord Floyd and I take a shortcut home (the path we needed, the day I had to carry the heifer hound up the hill). The path is partly across private property but with some sort of public access rights. Initially. we wandered into someone's backyard (that'll get back) as the directions were vague. It was quite slippery, so really had to let the terrier off his lead or his tugging would have me flat on my face in no time! He couldn't stay on the path, constantly darting into the undergrowth! Needless to say we did survive unscathed but now I have snakes to add to the list of paranoia. A few days ago, I had a stranger stop me in the hardware shop to ask if the dog finally came back to me. We really are in a small town now - forget big brother, all 800 odd locals seem to be watching us...
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Day 13 - Wednesday
The best laid plans went awry as before I got away from the house, Mick, the good Samaritan arrived with offsider Arthur. Mick works as a fencer in his day job with his first cousin, Peter. Their fathers who are brothers happened to marry women who are sisters....I still struggle to work out all the combinations with this scenario. Your brother is also your brother in-law etc. Mick assures me there's nothing unhealthy about these unions and it is Tassie after all. Anyway, back to the point, Peter was at a funeral and there was no fencing for the rest of the day, so Mick & Arthur took to our fence with a spanner again and drove the tractor in and started chainsawing dead wood and removing a very substantial felled wattle tree. We now have a nice stack of firewood which I am assured is not ideal as it becomes powdery once burnt but what the hell, open fires are messy, this stuff will just be a bit more messy than usual.
It seems the more you look and with the wattle gone, it appears there are a number of dead trees and huge branches here. There are 3 dead poplars but 2 are far too tall for this pair to tackle. They cleared out a number of smaller trees in the same corner and will be back (as the tractor and various other tools are still here) to continue the destruction. This would be unheard of in Sydney (not the only taboo the guys crashed through) ..they took away some of the bigger branches in the ute and then returned to set fire to an enormous pile of debris! Apparently this is perfectly legal if the fire is confined to 1 metre by 1 metre....don't know who was measuring but it got well beyond that size (not helped by the fact that I kept feeding it with my pruned material).
I brought coffee to the guys around 2 pm - how then, could I resist? Mick kept asking me about what I wanted done and there was nothing for it, I had to join in. I don't think there is a plant in this yard that doesn't bite! My hands are already like sandpaper, they now look like sandpaper with holes worn through it and splinters throughout. Not only did Mick start a bonfire, he set up the sprinkler against a huge gum so the fire didn't spread to it. Wow, tree lopping, fires, sprinklers - feel like I've returned to the days of my childhood in Portarlington (Much about Cygnet reminds me of Portarlington but that is another story for another day). He told me that the boys from the fire brigade visit locals' properties on Monday nights and do this sort of controlled burning for practise. Might be an option we take up after the next tractor outing, but right now, Mick was too impatient to get this bit out of the way. Floyd wasn't going to miss out on the fun either. Perhaps because we are next to a park which is next to a school, or a previous owner with dogs or kids but there were all sorts of balls uncovered in the process and Floyd at near 10 years old, played with them like he was a puppy. He particularly enjoyed the tug or war with the miniature squeaky American football. He missed out on an afternoon walk but he was completely stuffed after his adventures in the back/front yard.
Mick eventually went home, leaving me with a raging fire with the wind constantly changing direction in the twilight. He really wanted me to let it smoulder all night, eventhough he wasn't entirely sure he could do that himself. He was convinced it was well confined and couldn't do any harm but wasn't sure he'd sleep that well worrying about it. What a bunch of mixed messages.... Went to check it at midnight. What a stunning night...a pademelon bounded across the yard and any number of critters were making critter noises. The stars were as clear as 3 carat diamonds and the moon was a bright shining crescent. It was really mild. Turns out it was one of the warmest nights of the year, whilst the previous night was the coldest... this is Tassie after all! Anyway, how could I possibly sleep (probably quite well considering how stuffed I was) with the thought of an ember from this still very active fire landing in the park next door and setting fire to half of Cygnet. I could make a true impact on my new home. How to win friends and influence people.....so I set to it with the hose...and slept like the living dead until almost 9 am.
It seems the more you look and with the wattle gone, it appears there are a number of dead trees and huge branches here. There are 3 dead poplars but 2 are far too tall for this pair to tackle. They cleared out a number of smaller trees in the same corner and will be back (as the tractor and various other tools are still here) to continue the destruction. This would be unheard of in Sydney (not the only taboo the guys crashed through) ..they took away some of the bigger branches in the ute and then returned to set fire to an enormous pile of debris! Apparently this is perfectly legal if the fire is confined to 1 metre by 1 metre....don't know who was measuring but it got well beyond that size (not helped by the fact that I kept feeding it with my pruned material).
I brought coffee to the guys around 2 pm - how then, could I resist? Mick kept asking me about what I wanted done and there was nothing for it, I had to join in. I don't think there is a plant in this yard that doesn't bite! My hands are already like sandpaper, they now look like sandpaper with holes worn through it and splinters throughout. Not only did Mick start a bonfire, he set up the sprinkler against a huge gum so the fire didn't spread to it. Wow, tree lopping, fires, sprinklers - feel like I've returned to the days of my childhood in Portarlington (Much about Cygnet reminds me of Portarlington but that is another story for another day). He told me that the boys from the fire brigade visit locals' properties on Monday nights and do this sort of controlled burning for practise. Might be an option we take up after the next tractor outing, but right now, Mick was too impatient to get this bit out of the way. Floyd wasn't going to miss out on the fun either. Perhaps because we are next to a park which is next to a school, or a previous owner with dogs or kids but there were all sorts of balls uncovered in the process and Floyd at near 10 years old, played with them like he was a puppy. He particularly enjoyed the tug or war with the miniature squeaky American football. He missed out on an afternoon walk but he was completely stuffed after his adventures in the back/front yard.
Mick eventually went home, leaving me with a raging fire with the wind constantly changing direction in the twilight. He really wanted me to let it smoulder all night, eventhough he wasn't entirely sure he could do that himself. He was convinced it was well confined and couldn't do any harm but wasn't sure he'd sleep that well worrying about it. What a bunch of mixed messages.... Went to check it at midnight. What a stunning night...a pademelon bounded across the yard and any number of critters were making critter noises. The stars were as clear as 3 carat diamonds and the moon was a bright shining crescent. It was really mild. Turns out it was one of the warmest nights of the year, whilst the previous night was the coldest... this is Tassie after all! Anyway, how could I possibly sleep (probably quite well considering how stuffed I was) with the thought of an ember from this still very active fire landing in the park next door and setting fire to half of Cygnet. I could make a true impact on my new home. How to win friends and influence people.....so I set to it with the hose...and slept like the living dead until almost 9 am.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Day 12 - Tuesday
Tuesday saw an unannounced visit from the electrician. He offered some advice and opinions for heating and lighting but wasn't terribly reassuring. He has worked on the house over the years for various owners and confirmed it is both difficult to light and to warm because of the uninsulated Baltic pine covered walls and high ceilings. He also suggested the fuse for the computer equipment is close to meltdown...joy of joys. This is hard on the heals of the light shower we had on Monday resulted in a leak in the hallway...what happens when it really rains? Well apparently, unbeknown to me, it bucketed down at about 2.30am and it had no impact on the leak. Perhaps it's one of those freaky things, that the rain must be coming from a certain unusual direction? Fingers crossed....
The electrician took off with the door from the oven so he can replace the seals and just as I was leaving the house to visit the Margate Tip Shop (on his recommendation), he was on my doorstep again....this man has a phone phobia. Unfortunately, the seal he found in "the shed" was unsuitable so I have to wait until Thursday, after he has been to "town". I have to qualify this with the specific Cygnetite. Town for the electrician is Hobart (60 kms?). For the lovely lesbian ladies who delivered a most unusual pantry to me, also on Tuesday, town is Kingston (35 kms?). For me, town is Huonville - 17 kms, but I imagine that will change. Hobart seems like the end of the earth to me at the moment!
Floyd and I enjoyed our trip to the Tip Shop on the outside of Margate in a place called Bereta(?). It's about 35 kms each way on a windy road. You need to travel some distances but it only took 20 - 25 minutes. Managed to pick up a whole bunch of multiple light fittings and shades for the princely sum of $25...perhaps they will brighten up these rooms that currently have single globes and no shades hanging from a wire from the ceiling - clearly not a priority in the past.
Took a quick left on the way back, as I saw water and we headed to a marina - not sure but think this is where the Bruny Island ferry departs from. Here, we were slowly and noisily approached by the fattest Blue Heeler imaginable. The noise wasn't barking, it was the poor dog breathing like a blocked vacuum cleaner - poor mutt! Made Floyd look like a whippet and made me vow not to let him get any heavier.
There wasn't much to see so we moved on and on Floyd's insistence, made a brief stop in Snug. What a delightful name for a town...The butcher's window said they specialised in dog treats...at $50 per kilo, they will have to wait until I'm employed. I used to make them for Floyd and since I'm a lady of leisure now, I could get back to that again..... We did a lap of the block where they are building a housing estate - dread. There's some low cost housing there, perhaps the new style of commission houses that look like extra long nissen huts - like a log cut horizontally across the middle and look like they are made from corro in a variety of colours - very interesting. I really like the letterboxes...wonder if you can buy a Snug letterbox. Bought one from Mitre 10 the other day but the blandness is so overwhelming, I will return it on my next trip to town (Huonville) and wait til I find a more attractive option.
Stopped at the local servo to exchange an empty gas cylinder for the cooktop - only LPG here - and to fill up. Imagine my surprise, I was actually served! Adam introduced himself and advised me to relax into Cygnet time and accept service. SERVICE? I must have looked a bit uncomfortable. Adam, an NZeder, who lived in Melbourne for 10 years and is married to Teresa, lives high on a mountain outside town, where it snows every winter (which he is so looking forward to - freak!) and is building a B&B out of stone. The lesbians are also moving to Nicholls Rivulet to build their Utopian biodynamic farm & B&B. Good on 'em. Adam has several part time jobs and suggests that's how most locals enjoy the simple and many varied attractions of Cygnet and surrounds, this is so much fun!
Just before dark, decided to move my newly purchased (in Sydney) pre-loved bicycle. Can't describe the disappointment - I'm too bloody short to get my leg over the bar and reach the peddles - bugger! I was so looking forward to riding that bike....Will put that on the shopping list. I then tried to get the full gas bottle out of my boot...empty is one thing...Luckily, Mick, the good Samaritan turned up just in time to give me a hand and a verbal quote for the new outer fence.
The electrician took off with the door from the oven so he can replace the seals and just as I was leaving the house to visit the Margate Tip Shop (on his recommendation), he was on my doorstep again....this man has a phone phobia. Unfortunately, the seal he found in "the shed" was unsuitable so I have to wait until Thursday, after he has been to "town". I have to qualify this with the specific Cygnetite. Town for the electrician is Hobart (60 kms?). For the lovely lesbian ladies who delivered a most unusual pantry to me, also on Tuesday, town is Kingston (35 kms?). For me, town is Huonville - 17 kms, but I imagine that will change. Hobart seems like the end of the earth to me at the moment!
Floyd and I enjoyed our trip to the Tip Shop on the outside of Margate in a place called Bereta(?). It's about 35 kms each way on a windy road. You need to travel some distances but it only took 20 - 25 minutes. Managed to pick up a whole bunch of multiple light fittings and shades for the princely sum of $25...perhaps they will brighten up these rooms that currently have single globes and no shades hanging from a wire from the ceiling - clearly not a priority in the past.
Took a quick left on the way back, as I saw water and we headed to a marina - not sure but think this is where the Bruny Island ferry departs from. Here, we were slowly and noisily approached by the fattest Blue Heeler imaginable. The noise wasn't barking, it was the poor dog breathing like a blocked vacuum cleaner - poor mutt! Made Floyd look like a whippet and made me vow not to let him get any heavier.
There wasn't much to see so we moved on and on Floyd's insistence, made a brief stop in Snug. What a delightful name for a town...The butcher's window said they specialised in dog treats...at $50 per kilo, they will have to wait until I'm employed. I used to make them for Floyd and since I'm a lady of leisure now, I could get back to that again..... We did a lap of the block where they are building a housing estate - dread. There's some low cost housing there, perhaps the new style of commission houses that look like extra long nissen huts - like a log cut horizontally across the middle and look like they are made from corro in a variety of colours - very interesting. I really like the letterboxes...wonder if you can buy a Snug letterbox. Bought one from Mitre 10 the other day but the blandness is so overwhelming, I will return it on my next trip to town (Huonville) and wait til I find a more attractive option.
Stopped at the local servo to exchange an empty gas cylinder for the cooktop - only LPG here - and to fill up. Imagine my surprise, I was actually served! Adam introduced himself and advised me to relax into Cygnet time and accept service. SERVICE? I must have looked a bit uncomfortable. Adam, an NZeder, who lived in Melbourne for 10 years and is married to Teresa, lives high on a mountain outside town, where it snows every winter (which he is so looking forward to - freak!) and is building a B&B out of stone. The lesbians are also moving to Nicholls Rivulet to build their Utopian biodynamic farm & B&B. Good on 'em. Adam has several part time jobs and suggests that's how most locals enjoy the simple and many varied attractions of Cygnet and surrounds, this is so much fun!
Just before dark, decided to move my newly purchased (in Sydney) pre-loved bicycle. Can't describe the disappointment - I'm too bloody short to get my leg over the bar and reach the peddles - bugger! I was so looking forward to riding that bike....Will put that on the shopping list. I then tried to get the full gas bottle out of my boot...empty is one thing...Luckily, Mick, the good Samaritan turned up just in time to give me a hand and a verbal quote for the new outer fence.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Day 11 - Monday
A forgettable day. Lots of unpacking, attempting to stuff 5 wardrobe fulls into 2 tiny wardrobes. The doll's house in Leichhardt surely had rubber walls! The temperature dropped and light rain started when we visited the hardware store with bare shelves and went to the Post Office to collect 6 parcels. Soon after arriving home, the drip started - bloody hell, we had a leak onto the rug in the hallway. Stuck the bucket under it and it stopped as soon as it started - bizarre. Hopefully, just like Leichhardt, when the stars are aligned and the wind blows in a certain direction, the rain comes to visit indoors, maybe once every five years or so. I live in hope!
Days 10 - Sunday
How do I do this with a dog on my lap...can't - bye,bye puppy!
Late Saturday night brought high winds and what sounded like fireworks or was that someone spotlighting for rabbits? Fireworks? Cygnet? Event? Could hear that wild wind and see it out the window but the house was impermeable. Floyd did his usual barking act with the bangs but with little enthusiasm and gave up on it pretty quickly.
Good Samaritan Mike, dropped by on Sunday ready to take to our yard with all sorts of equipment with his mate Arthur. His saintly wife, Gail, ,was concerned that I might have been scared by the firecrackers that the local hoones let off in the main street on Saturday night. Thankfully I am made from sterner stuff (or grown a thick city skin). Mick took out a fence panel to get his ride-on mower into the yard and in an hour (would take me a week with a hand mower) - when the whipper snipper fell apart; the place was transformed. Now we saw dead trees and Mick introduced me to trees in our yard we didn't know about...2 cherry trees - YES! A lemon tree with a ripe lemon. How did I miss it? In my defence, I haven't had the time yet to investigate the garden and the temptation is huge - especially when it is a bit cool, just to get in there and transform it. Strange really, as I'm such a non-gardener. But this is robust tree pruning and branch loping, no fiddly flower beds and weeding, this is no nonsense, skin tearing, boy pruning. Must control myself. Took the liberty of releasing the arbour from the overgrown mass that enveloped it and though it was a thorny and ripped my hands to bits, it felt great...just remember the bloody gloves next time!
Rewarded Mick and Arthur with a beer each. They were so impressed they were offered Crown Lager - means nothing to me. They even souvenired the bottles for the collection as they were engraved with: to Winsor, thank you for your support in 2009.They were already overwhelmed with Winsor's importance, and off he went now, into the stratosphere! Funny how we're impressed by people who can do things we can't. I think Winsor would be equally as impressed by their skills with tools as they are impressed with Winsor and his tools. Today I was told that 20% of Tassie's population
is illiterate. What they lack in formal knowledge (from what I have seen so far) they make up for with heart.
Late Saturday night brought high winds and what sounded like fireworks or was that someone spotlighting for rabbits? Fireworks? Cygnet? Event? Could hear that wild wind and see it out the window but the house was impermeable. Floyd did his usual barking act with the bangs but with little enthusiasm and gave up on it pretty quickly.
Good Samaritan Mike, dropped by on Sunday ready to take to our yard with all sorts of equipment with his mate Arthur. His saintly wife, Gail, ,was concerned that I might have been scared by the firecrackers that the local hoones let off in the main street on Saturday night. Thankfully I am made from sterner stuff (or grown a thick city skin). Mick took out a fence panel to get his ride-on mower into the yard and in an hour (would take me a week with a hand mower) - when the whipper snipper fell apart; the place was transformed. Now we saw dead trees and Mick introduced me to trees in our yard we didn't know about...2 cherry trees - YES! A lemon tree with a ripe lemon. How did I miss it? In my defence, I haven't had the time yet to investigate the garden and the temptation is huge - especially when it is a bit cool, just to get in there and transform it. Strange really, as I'm such a non-gardener. But this is robust tree pruning and branch loping, no fiddly flower beds and weeding, this is no nonsense, skin tearing, boy pruning. Must control myself. Took the liberty of releasing the arbour from the overgrown mass that enveloped it and though it was a thorny and ripped my hands to bits, it felt great...just remember the bloody gloves next time!
Rewarded Mick and Arthur with a beer each. They were so impressed they were offered Crown Lager - means nothing to me. They even souvenired the bottles for the collection as they were engraved with: to Winsor, thank you for your support in 2009.They were already overwhelmed with Winsor's importance, and off he went now, into the stratosphere! Funny how we're impressed by people who can do things we can't. I think Winsor would be equally as impressed by their skills with tools as they are impressed with Winsor and his tools. Today I was told that 20% of Tassie's population
is illiterate. What they lack in formal knowledge (from what I have seen so far) they make up for with heart.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Day 9 - Saturday
Slept in today - 8.40am - unheard of! Floyd and I visited Mick and his family to thank him. Further along, we were invited in to meet another George St resident's bird menagerie. He had some exotic types from South America...wondered if they were actually legal...Couldn't stay, as his boisterous puppy was pissing Floyd off and I felt it wise to move on before he did something we'd regret.
It was in the 30s today with a milky sky. Before the evening chill, I grabbed the mutt and took off on another discovery tour. Thought we'd try to find Matthew Evans's house. We passed cows, pigs, llamas and even white donkeys. I think I identified the house just after the road turned to gravel, when a bloody great huntsman spider crawled across the windscreen and over my side window. Harmless maybe but still capable of freaking me out. Cygnet is full of spiders and flies....one of these 2 critters is failing in their food-chain cycle responsibilities - perhaps the huntsmen feed on humans here instead..
We continued on past Lymington to a spot called Poverty Point. There were actually 2 vans (one unregistered and it looked like something of a permanent fixture)and a car - refreshing to see some people on a beach here - 3 adults and 3 kids. The kids were throwing reddy/brown jellyfish out of the water by stabbing them with sticks - charming. Never seen jellyfish anything like them, don't know if they are nasty or not but they probably didn't deserve the "stab and chuck" treatment!
On the way back, couldn't resist the urge to follow a gravel road called Drip Beach Rd. What a charming little bay at the end of this road. A huge tree had toppled into the water, some time ago by the look of it and a young family was having a fabulous time playing on the huge tree. Floyd raced up and down the sandy shore and was completely incapable of keeping his eyes open on the way home..he'll sleep well tonight. My souvenir was a bunch of yellow wildflowers.
Noticed on the way back that the my car's average speed has increased from 26 kms to 68 - definitely not in Sydney anymore....also I must change the CD - Norah Jones is on about her 5th rotation. I really miss my favourite Sydney radio station - the choice here is minuscule and the reception poor - small price to pay(but I must change that CD).
Got back to the house and hosed the bird poo and gravel dust off my car. What a novelty...don't think I've used a hose on a car of mine since we were in Balmain in the 80s! No recycling, no picking up of dog poo (hasn't that caught me out - prefer the shells and wildflowers as souvenirs)and no water restrictions (I think. Somewhat ironically, our water is almost undrinkable but I am assured this is a problem unique to us in Cygnet.
No news from the final part of our removal, no call from the antenna man or the electrician from a request from days ago, no visit from the chimney sweep to discuss heating options and finish the job he started. The gardener guy confirmed he didn't complete the cleaning of our gutters about a month ago and should be around early next week to complete the job. The IT guy still hasn't sent his bank details so I can pay him...hard to get them here but they don't seem to be on a hurry to be paid either..Welcome to Cygnet time - it's hard to get upset by them......
It was in the 30s today with a milky sky. Before the evening chill, I grabbed the mutt and took off on another discovery tour. Thought we'd try to find Matthew Evans's house. We passed cows, pigs, llamas and even white donkeys. I think I identified the house just after the road turned to gravel, when a bloody great huntsman spider crawled across the windscreen and over my side window. Harmless maybe but still capable of freaking me out. Cygnet is full of spiders and flies....one of these 2 critters is failing in their food-chain cycle responsibilities - perhaps the huntsmen feed on humans here instead..
We continued on past Lymington to a spot called Poverty Point. There were actually 2 vans (one unregistered and it looked like something of a permanent fixture)and a car - refreshing to see some people on a beach here - 3 adults and 3 kids. The kids were throwing reddy/brown jellyfish out of the water by stabbing them with sticks - charming. Never seen jellyfish anything like them, don't know if they are nasty or not but they probably didn't deserve the "stab and chuck" treatment!
On the way back, couldn't resist the urge to follow a gravel road called Drip Beach Rd. What a charming little bay at the end of this road. A huge tree had toppled into the water, some time ago by the look of it and a young family was having a fabulous time playing on the huge tree. Floyd raced up and down the sandy shore and was completely incapable of keeping his eyes open on the way home..he'll sleep well tonight. My souvenir was a bunch of yellow wildflowers.
Noticed on the way back that the my car's average speed has increased from 26 kms to 68 - definitely not in Sydney anymore....also I must change the CD - Norah Jones is on about her 5th rotation. I really miss my favourite Sydney radio station - the choice here is minuscule and the reception poor - small price to pay(but I must change that CD).
Got back to the house and hosed the bird poo and gravel dust off my car. What a novelty...don't think I've used a hose on a car of mine since we were in Balmain in the 80s! No recycling, no picking up of dog poo (hasn't that caught me out - prefer the shells and wildflowers as souvenirs)and no water restrictions (I think. Somewhat ironically, our water is almost undrinkable but I am assured this is a problem unique to us in Cygnet.
No news from the final part of our removal, no call from the antenna man or the electrician from a request from days ago, no visit from the chimney sweep to discuss heating options and finish the job he started. The gardener guy confirmed he didn't complete the cleaning of our gutters about a month ago and should be around early next week to complete the job. The IT guy still hasn't sent his bank details so I can pay him...hard to get them here but they don't seem to be on a hurry to be paid either..Welcome to Cygnet time - it's hard to get upset by them......
Friday, February 19, 2010
Day 8 - Friday
Hard to believe I only arrived in Cygnet a week ago but, then again, if you saw the state of the house, you probably wouldn't agree!
Floyd and I took an early morning walk up to the old part of the cemetery. Clearly at the beginning of the 20th century, the most important thing a woman could do was be a wife, with headstones bearing inscriptions like - HELEN, wife of PETER O'ROURKE - you'd be forgiven for thinking Peter was the corpse - it was the theme throughout and they died a lot younger too. Further along our walk, we saw a dead pademelon....wonder if it was the one Floyd chased from our yard a few days ago. On the main street we passed a proud redish chook outside the Nutt Gallery. This is possibly the same chook that stopped traffic both ways, a few days prior to arrival. Certainly not the sort of bird that would stop traffic in Sydney.....
Our afternoon adventure was to Lymington Beach, about 5 kms south of Cygnet. There's no sand, just pebbles and endless shells that looked like paua (mother of pearl), oysters (I think) and scallop. A few metres from shore, there's an apple tree with tiny apples on it - instant afternoon tea and a sizeable geranium bush - very odd. The surrounding area is a combination of Christmas trees, saltbush and gum trees - also very odd. All sorts of things (or seeds) must be blown in on those Southerly busters! Couldn't resist bringing a few apples and shells home with me - a bad habit of mine, don't know what I'm going to do with 6 mother of pearl shells when I have far too much clutter already....perhaps a good excuse to return to Lymington Beach sometime soon.
Came home to find, Mick, the good samaritan had dropped by in my absence and gathered up all the cartons and the garden waste I'd dumped in the back/front yard. What a man!
Floyd and I took an early morning walk up to the old part of the cemetery. Clearly at the beginning of the 20th century, the most important thing a woman could do was be a wife, with headstones bearing inscriptions like - HELEN, wife of PETER O'ROURKE - you'd be forgiven for thinking Peter was the corpse - it was the theme throughout and they died a lot younger too. Further along our walk, we saw a dead pademelon....wonder if it was the one Floyd chased from our yard a few days ago. On the main street we passed a proud redish chook outside the Nutt Gallery. This is possibly the same chook that stopped traffic both ways, a few days prior to arrival. Certainly not the sort of bird that would stop traffic in Sydney.....
Our afternoon adventure was to Lymington Beach, about 5 kms south of Cygnet. There's no sand, just pebbles and endless shells that looked like paua (mother of pearl), oysters (I think) and scallop. A few metres from shore, there's an apple tree with tiny apples on it - instant afternoon tea and a sizeable geranium bush - very odd. The surrounding area is a combination of Christmas trees, saltbush and gum trees - also very odd. All sorts of things (or seeds) must be blown in on those Southerly busters! Couldn't resist bringing a few apples and shells home with me - a bad habit of mine, don't know what I'm going to do with 6 mother of pearl shells when I have far too much clutter already....perhaps a good excuse to return to Lymington Beach sometime soon.
Came home to find, Mick, the good samaritan had dropped by in my absence and gathered up all the cartons and the garden waste I'd dumped in the back/front yard. What a man!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Day 7 - Thursday
Had our first drop of rain yesterday afternoon. Ventured to lunch after some heavy lifting, in a sleeveless dress - it was a decision I regreted 45 minutes later. We really do weather here. The restuarant of stripey trumpeter fame served us a delightful lunch, throwing in a very tasty amuse bouche, involving a wasabi leaf as a wrap for morsels of cured ocean trout, blended with dill cream and wasabi - delicious!
Floyd, much to our dismay has taken to self-mutilation again. Consensus, (including the Vet)was that the hotspots would stop when we moved but he continues to confound us. Back to the chemsitry set....At least the moulting has almost stopped.
Hubby left early this morning for 8 days away in Fiji via lunch at Tetsuya's in Sydney. Coveniently the lunch invitation was timely, as the flight for Fiji departs from Sydney tomorrow. Not to be outdone, I took myself off to the Commercial Hotel for the much awaited scallop pie. Hmmmm, should have stayed home with the tin of sardines...
It was a beautiful day and Floyd and I enjoyed our outing with visits to the hardware store with near bare shelves, the Post Office for our daily parcel/s and the newsagency that doubles as an ANZ, where news of settlement on our Leichhardt house came through. Hard to believe, we are now officioally out of the Sydney property market - there's no turning back now.....
Had a visit from Mick, (the Handyman with the pink eye potatoes) stopped by, with his clan of kids (or are they grandkids?) to discuss our fencing needs. He even volunteered to take away all my empty cartons. Could have kissed him, that's 3 or 4 trips to the tip I don't need to make on the weekend.
No sooner did I get back to the computer, when Bruce from the B&B stopped by with info about heating and an offer to supply me with smoked Ocean Trout - I love this place! Bruce tells me there's a black market in empty cartons here, though he knows not for what. I don't care if they smoke them or use them in a black magic ritual - all I know is that there's no collection & no recycling so Mick can have them.
Until tomorrow....
Floyd, much to our dismay has taken to self-mutilation again. Consensus, (including the Vet)was that the hotspots would stop when we moved but he continues to confound us. Back to the chemsitry set....At least the moulting has almost stopped.
Hubby left early this morning for 8 days away in Fiji via lunch at Tetsuya's in Sydney. Coveniently the lunch invitation was timely, as the flight for Fiji departs from Sydney tomorrow. Not to be outdone, I took myself off to the Commercial Hotel for the much awaited scallop pie. Hmmmm, should have stayed home with the tin of sardines...
It was a beautiful day and Floyd and I enjoyed our outing with visits to the hardware store with near bare shelves, the Post Office for our daily parcel/s and the newsagency that doubles as an ANZ, where news of settlement on our Leichhardt house came through. Hard to believe, we are now officioally out of the Sydney property market - there's no turning back now.....
Had a visit from Mick, (the Handyman with the pink eye potatoes) stopped by, with his clan of kids (or are they grandkids?) to discuss our fencing needs. He even volunteered to take away all my empty cartons. Could have kissed him, that's 3 or 4 trips to the tip I don't need to make on the weekend.
No sooner did I get back to the computer, when Bruce from the B&B stopped by with info about heating and an offer to supply me with smoked Ocean Trout - I love this place! Bruce tells me there's a black market in empty cartons here, though he knows not for what. I don't care if they smoke them or use them in a black magic ritual - all I know is that there's no collection & no recycling so Mick can have them.
Until tomorrow....
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Day 6 - Wednesday
What a surprise, due to more ANZ incompetence our house in Leichhardt will not settle today and we need to wait another day. No news on pre-settlement inspection either - guess no news is good news.
What else could we do but go shopping - calling into to the two secondhand furniture stores in Huonville. We came away with receipts for 4 new/preloved peices and can envisage the empty hallway and corners filling up in our new/preloved house - the Manse. There's a chance I can get a part-time job in one of the shops and no doubt will spend more than I earn! Neil would like a lady who can clean and arrange the furniture - sounds just like home!
This morning's adventure with Floyd was a long walk up past the Fruit Processing Factory (built in 1936 so the plaque says and probably seen better days) in glorious sunshine to the Port Cygnet Sailing Club. As usual, one way was enough for Floyd so the journey home was a slow one. There are blackberries growing wild along the roadside - found out the hard way that they're pretty thorny plants. Winsor has already brought home a huge bowlful, some of which he had for dessert last night with ice cream. He's clearly more adept at berry picking than I. This area is one huge fruit bowl. We have trees straining under the weight of ripe nectarines and two varieties of plum. We also have pears that appear to need a few more weeks before they will be ready to eat. Seems a shame but I think a lot of fruit will go to waste this season. Unpacking continues and with more on the way - it could be my full time job getting our house in shape, for a while longer.
Yesterday a broken window was replaced, the antennae man is on the roof as I write and the computer tech is due tonight to finalise the wireless set up. The plumber has rung with a hefty quote to install a tank and redirect the downpipes, while the chimney sweep company is also due to finish off some work and quote on insulation and more heating. All of this before the electrician to put in some decent lighting, the fence man to finish the outer boundary fence and the all-important bathroom renovation. More established locals have already introduced us to the concept of Cygnet time - they do get to you eventually but it pays to be patient (and they love cash). Many of the tradespeople have some link with the town or our house and having been built in 1890, it appears to have a very interesting history. When time permits, I may investigate it more. Surprisingly, city life already seems like a distant memory and it hasn't been a difficult adjustment - yet! Life is anything but routine at the moment....I will be alone from tomorrow for a week - that will be a test....I'm looking forward to scallop pies at the Commercial Hotel!
What else could we do but go shopping - calling into to the two secondhand furniture stores in Huonville. We came away with receipts for 4 new/preloved peices and can envisage the empty hallway and corners filling up in our new/preloved house - the Manse. There's a chance I can get a part-time job in one of the shops and no doubt will spend more than I earn! Neil would like a lady who can clean and arrange the furniture - sounds just like home!
This morning's adventure with Floyd was a long walk up past the Fruit Processing Factory (built in 1936 so the plaque says and probably seen better days) in glorious sunshine to the Port Cygnet Sailing Club. As usual, one way was enough for Floyd so the journey home was a slow one. There are blackberries growing wild along the roadside - found out the hard way that they're pretty thorny plants. Winsor has already brought home a huge bowlful, some of which he had for dessert last night with ice cream. He's clearly more adept at berry picking than I. This area is one huge fruit bowl. We have trees straining under the weight of ripe nectarines and two varieties of plum. We also have pears that appear to need a few more weeks before they will be ready to eat. Seems a shame but I think a lot of fruit will go to waste this season. Unpacking continues and with more on the way - it could be my full time job getting our house in shape, for a while longer.
Yesterday a broken window was replaced, the antennae man is on the roof as I write and the computer tech is due tonight to finalise the wireless set up. The plumber has rung with a hefty quote to install a tank and redirect the downpipes, while the chimney sweep company is also due to finish off some work and quote on insulation and more heating. All of this before the electrician to put in some decent lighting, the fence man to finish the outer boundary fence and the all-important bathroom renovation. More established locals have already introduced us to the concept of Cygnet time - they do get to you eventually but it pays to be patient (and they love cash). Many of the tradespeople have some link with the town or our house and having been built in 1890, it appears to have a very interesting history. When time permits, I may investigate it more. Surprisingly, city life already seems like a distant memory and it hasn't been a difficult adjustment - yet! Life is anything but routine at the moment....I will be alone from tomorrow for a week - that will be a test....I'm looking forward to scallop pies at the Commercial Hotel!
Off and running
Day 1 – 12th February After 2 kilometres of packing tape and countless cartons – the day arrived. The drive to Melbourne was mercifully uneventful until the last 15km when torrential rain slowed the journey to a crawl and I made it to the ferry with 5 minutes to spare!
Awoke to views of Devonport and soon after drove off the ferry with Sting’s dulcet tones singing Brand New Day…someone fitting I thought. A brisk 11 degrees, stopped at the first servo and filled up on petrol and organic produce – excited but also wondering what the hell we had done – truly was a brand new day!
The drive was tough…..sore all over and completely knackered – stopped for a brief nanny nap and a mug of the world’s worst coffee in Campbell Town. Seems they’d had a bit of weather themselves the night before – it was all the talk in the local café. What a lovely, clean café, a throwback to another time ….shame about the coffee.
Genna GPS insisted on taking me on the scenic route out of Kingston – probably a good thing, the windy road kept me awake. Finally arrived around 1pm to a husband & dog waiting on the front/back porch. Would love to bottle that feeling. That yelp of delight from Floyd that I thought was exclusively reserved for his dad after long trips, his stump wagging so hard looked like it might drop off.
The journey begins on the front/back porch….
To celebrate my arrival, dinner was had in the best restaurant in town – the Red Velvet Lounge. I enquired as to what sort of fish stripey trumpeter was – the response from Chef was “there is no description for stripey trumpeter, but it’s nice.” Hmmmm, we’re in the country now!
Day 2 - Saturday
Up at 8 and at 8.30, the semi is in the front/back setting up to unload. I call this the back of the house – it clearly looks like the back of the house. It’s just that the back faces George Street, our address, and the front is behind the Cygnet Museum and faces Mary Street but there is no access. Gets a little confusing –especially when advising removalists either front or back bedroom etc. A few breakages along the way – including a mirror and a magnum but thankfully moving in is a breeze compared to moving out! Having said that, there’s more to come from the storage units in Sydney – no hurry guys!
Unpacking begins…….
Winsor, having already befriended a number of locals handed me a box of pink eye potatoes, a bucket of Dutch crème potatoes, bunches of baby carrots and parsnips, a number of pumpkinny/squashy veggies and a handful of green beans. Here goes nothing – no idea how the electric oven works, all the symbols have been scrubbed off over the years. Not as hard as I thought, managed an interested mélange of garlicky roasted root veggies with a stuffed organic roast chook from the IGA. The gas cooktop took a little more swearing and coxing. Not really sure what I did but the gas finally started and we were cooking with gas!
Eventually fell asleep in a lounge chair and was horrified to wake to ice in my veins. Can it really be this cold in summer?
Day 3 - Sunday
I’m an unpacking machine! Might be surrounded by churches but all I can hear is feint hymn singing in the air. Pretty chilly today and Floyd is forlorn. Don’t know why but he looks a little lost. Hope he snaps out of it.
Ventured across the road for a late lunch at the Lotus Eaters Café. The pies and curries on the weekends are highly recommended. Pies were finished so 2 curries coming up. Not like any curry I’ve ever had but absolutely delightful – basmati rice piled high with shredded chicken, lentils, cauliflower, courgettes, coriander, green chillies with a ladle full of yoghurt, topped with a crown of 3 crisp pappadums. Not bad for $19 and leftovers for Floyd. We’ll be back, but it will pay to be earlier – it’s a very popular spot and only open late in the week.
Whipped up scrambled eggs from local free range eggs, donated by some kindly soul to Winsor prior to my arrival. He surely didn’t look malnourished, did he? Wasn’t hungry but tried a few mouthfuls – haven’t tasted eggs that creamy and tasty or looked as buttercup yellow since we had our own chooks. This is what life is about. Fresh air and fresh fabulous food, not stress and pollution!
Day 4 – Monday
Grabbed Floyd and headed off on a left block into rural suburbia. What a glorious morning. Lots of school buses, kids and mums heading off to school and work, dogs barking. Took another left turn thinking it might be a block. Sign said to Church St which I stupidly assumed would end up near a church and since our house is in the church precinct….. The road seemed to go off into the sky, steeper and steeper. Bugger that, Floyd’s running out of puff. Tried cross country through a vacant paddock heading downhill and turned around to see a very sad-faced dog not going anywhere. All the encouragement and treats in the world wouldn’t get his stump awagging or his paws amoving! Unnoticed by me, the paddock was rife with some sort of thistle weed. Nothing for it but to carry the 12 kg canine back up the hill and back on to the road – good thing I’ve been doing some heavy lifting lately.
Headed in to Huonville to Woolies for a big shop….food is dearer here. $7.95 for green capsicums, $5 for bananas…..good thing we have trees full of nectarines, plums and pears in our yard and Winsor has been out collecting wild blackberries. We will need plan a little better. The request for dinner was sweet & sour pork. Wasn’t a good day for pork, finally found some pieces at the 4th butcher…..pork is delivered on Tuesdays in this region. There endth today’s lesson…..
Day 5 – Tuesday
Last day before settlement of the sale on our Leichhardt doll’s house. They had better be impressed – I worked really hard, with some help from Pam and Les, to get it to this point and it’s far cleaner than the house we have bought. Fingers crossed, all goes well….
Floyd and I took a decent walk to the Barton’s Wildlife Reserve and the bird viewing platform. He got the scent of some critter, probably a rabbit and had quite the adventure sniffing the ground from one end of the reserve to the other. Can’t imagine where he would end up if I let him loose. Soon after arriving home, he nosed his way under a bush in the front/backyard only to rouse a pademelon (like a small rock wallaby) that took off at great speed and thankfully for it, managed to pass through our newly strung fence wire. I wasn’t that keen on the choice of fencing wire with holes that are about 4 inches square but I’m sure the pademelon was more than grateful for the quick getaway route and I’m much happier with the fence.
Winsor has just set up my blog. We are planning to go wireless any day soon and then my daily blog will, in fact, be daily.
Awoke to views of Devonport and soon after drove off the ferry with Sting’s dulcet tones singing Brand New Day…someone fitting I thought. A brisk 11 degrees, stopped at the first servo and filled up on petrol and organic produce – excited but also wondering what the hell we had done – truly was a brand new day!
The drive was tough…..sore all over and completely knackered – stopped for a brief nanny nap and a mug of the world’s worst coffee in Campbell Town. Seems they’d had a bit of weather themselves the night before – it was all the talk in the local café. What a lovely, clean café, a throwback to another time ….shame about the coffee.
Genna GPS insisted on taking me on the scenic route out of Kingston – probably a good thing, the windy road kept me awake. Finally arrived around 1pm to a husband & dog waiting on the front/back porch. Would love to bottle that feeling. That yelp of delight from Floyd that I thought was exclusively reserved for his dad after long trips, his stump wagging so hard looked like it might drop off.
The journey begins on the front/back porch….
To celebrate my arrival, dinner was had in the best restaurant in town – the Red Velvet Lounge. I enquired as to what sort of fish stripey trumpeter was – the response from Chef was “there is no description for stripey trumpeter, but it’s nice.” Hmmmm, we’re in the country now!
Day 2 - Saturday
Up at 8 and at 8.30, the semi is in the front/back setting up to unload. I call this the back of the house – it clearly looks like the back of the house. It’s just that the back faces George Street, our address, and the front is behind the Cygnet Museum and faces Mary Street but there is no access. Gets a little confusing –especially when advising removalists either front or back bedroom etc. A few breakages along the way – including a mirror and a magnum but thankfully moving in is a breeze compared to moving out! Having said that, there’s more to come from the storage units in Sydney – no hurry guys!
Unpacking begins…….
Winsor, having already befriended a number of locals handed me a box of pink eye potatoes, a bucket of Dutch crème potatoes, bunches of baby carrots and parsnips, a number of pumpkinny/squashy veggies and a handful of green beans. Here goes nothing – no idea how the electric oven works, all the symbols have been scrubbed off over the years. Not as hard as I thought, managed an interested mélange of garlicky roasted root veggies with a stuffed organic roast chook from the IGA. The gas cooktop took a little more swearing and coxing. Not really sure what I did but the gas finally started and we were cooking with gas!
Eventually fell asleep in a lounge chair and was horrified to wake to ice in my veins. Can it really be this cold in summer?
Day 3 - Sunday
I’m an unpacking machine! Might be surrounded by churches but all I can hear is feint hymn singing in the air. Pretty chilly today and Floyd is forlorn. Don’t know why but he looks a little lost. Hope he snaps out of it.
Ventured across the road for a late lunch at the Lotus Eaters Café. The pies and curries on the weekends are highly recommended. Pies were finished so 2 curries coming up. Not like any curry I’ve ever had but absolutely delightful – basmati rice piled high with shredded chicken, lentils, cauliflower, courgettes, coriander, green chillies with a ladle full of yoghurt, topped with a crown of 3 crisp pappadums. Not bad for $19 and leftovers for Floyd. We’ll be back, but it will pay to be earlier – it’s a very popular spot and only open late in the week.
Whipped up scrambled eggs from local free range eggs, donated by some kindly soul to Winsor prior to my arrival. He surely didn’t look malnourished, did he? Wasn’t hungry but tried a few mouthfuls – haven’t tasted eggs that creamy and tasty or looked as buttercup yellow since we had our own chooks. This is what life is about. Fresh air and fresh fabulous food, not stress and pollution!
Day 4 – Monday
Grabbed Floyd and headed off on a left block into rural suburbia. What a glorious morning. Lots of school buses, kids and mums heading off to school and work, dogs barking. Took another left turn thinking it might be a block. Sign said to Church St which I stupidly assumed would end up near a church and since our house is in the church precinct….. The road seemed to go off into the sky, steeper and steeper. Bugger that, Floyd’s running out of puff. Tried cross country through a vacant paddock heading downhill and turned around to see a very sad-faced dog not going anywhere. All the encouragement and treats in the world wouldn’t get his stump awagging or his paws amoving! Unnoticed by me, the paddock was rife with some sort of thistle weed. Nothing for it but to carry the 12 kg canine back up the hill and back on to the road – good thing I’ve been doing some heavy lifting lately.
Headed in to Huonville to Woolies for a big shop….food is dearer here. $7.95 for green capsicums, $5 for bananas…..good thing we have trees full of nectarines, plums and pears in our yard and Winsor has been out collecting wild blackberries. We will need plan a little better. The request for dinner was sweet & sour pork. Wasn’t a good day for pork, finally found some pieces at the 4th butcher…..pork is delivered on Tuesdays in this region. There endth today’s lesson…..
Day 5 – Tuesday
Last day before settlement of the sale on our Leichhardt doll’s house. They had better be impressed – I worked really hard, with some help from Pam and Les, to get it to this point and it’s far cleaner than the house we have bought. Fingers crossed, all goes well….
Floyd and I took a decent walk to the Barton’s Wildlife Reserve and the bird viewing platform. He got the scent of some critter, probably a rabbit and had quite the adventure sniffing the ground from one end of the reserve to the other. Can’t imagine where he would end up if I let him loose. Soon after arriving home, he nosed his way under a bush in the front/backyard only to rouse a pademelon (like a small rock wallaby) that took off at great speed and thankfully for it, managed to pass through our newly strung fence wire. I wasn’t that keen on the choice of fencing wire with holes that are about 4 inches square but I’m sure the pademelon was more than grateful for the quick getaway route and I’m much happier with the fence.
Winsor has just set up my blog. We are planning to go wireless any day soon and then my daily blog will, in fact, be daily.
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