We have had a hydraulic log splitter for a number of years, probably since I had some joints replaced in my arthritic hands such that the doctors recommended would not handle heavy work such as swinging a sledge or block buster (though I still do). I think it was rated at about 8 tonnes when […]
It’s Not My Fault: Self-help before you despair. I had this post The Parting of the Ways (Below) in which I hinted that not only may there be a small group of themes which inform our lives but that there may be a small group of delusions which drag them down. As an example of
The poachers of yore endowed us with so many gems of wisdom such as, ‘Stolen fruit taste best,’ ‘Little fish are sweet,’ ‘Putting meat on the table’, ‘Feeding the family’, etc. Traditionally the ‘poacher’s moon’ in the UK is the first full moon after the autumn equinox, when poachers could get out and harvest wounded
This was one of my father’s favourite sayings, by which he meant you must stand on your own two feet and ‘shift’ for yourself. Never delegate such responsibility to someone else. So, for 40 years I have been fixing my own cars. For example I have been rebuilding a sequence of Subarus since circa 1978
It is lambing time again here (Aug 2023) and it is so nice to go out and around the ewes and lambs on the hill to find they are all alive and well – none eaten by foxes (though we had one stolen by an eagle yesterday). This is why: our entire property is ringed
We have had a spate of burglaries on rural properties around here. Even our next door neighbour had a break-in and a car stolen recently , so we decided it was past time to upgrade our front gate security (at least). We are also thinking about security doors and window screens in the future as
(Della): Sharing some winter joy in my garden. When I first created my rose garden 30 years ago, I was sad to see it so bare and drab during the colder months. After retirement, I worked on finding things that would add winter interest, and this afternoon’s warm, setting sun helped to reward me for
Our green overlords long ago banned the sale of these in Oz but they are still available on Ebay, Aliexpress & etc (for less than $20). They allow you to use about a third less wood yet produce more heat from your wood stove. Very easy to install, just drill two holes in the pipe
(Della) Nice little crop of orange pumpkins – well done Steve! We opted for a quick-maturing variety this year due to the late summer season; I suspect that my preferred Queensland Blue variety would not have ripened in time! Cherry tomatoes are producing nicely now, although the larger varieties are only going to get to
People need to be more widely dispersed in the back country, the very opposite of the (Nuts to) Leave No Trace folk, who have got it all wrong. I know you may not want to hear this, but please read on. Just camping alone with my dog, Spot in the trackless Victorian Alpine wilderness (2021).
