Tail-less Skinks

After xmas was over we headed up to the hills again. Everything has grown so much with all the rain we have had. Our neighbour was up in December, when we had a large rain event and she said it was incredible to watch. Gully's turning into rivers. Her dam was full, the highest it has ever been. Lots of wildlife around and lots of weeds, a full day weeding the paths and beds. The weeds are constant but are good for filling the compost bins, then mulching the trees and plants. I think we can expect a large population of frogs next year, as there were thousands of fat tadpoles in the dam next door. That may keep the mosquitos down next year, voted the most annoying this trip. Lots of small skinks this time without their tails courtesy of our small fox terrier. I told her that one day the tail sticking out may not be what she thinks, and she may be lucky to come away with hers.

Halloween

Late Spring

Summer has nearly started. With record rain and cool weather this spring the insects are slow to start their infestation of the landscape. Something tells me they are still coming and in large numbers. We arrived Friday night of the long weekend and found the shed as we left it. When we left last time we had to bug bomb the shed as there was an infestation of bugs and spiders living in and on it. Nine Huntsman, large Centipedes, European wasps, Cockroaches and a few bugs I have never seen before marched on there way. One Huntsman stood out as it was the size of an adults hand.

We love the fact the "shed" is in a healthy environment but there is a point where one thinks this is ridiculous, there was more life inside than outside. We where happy to find a bug free home. We spent one day weeding and one day checking out the local markets. A large kangaroo passed the kitchen window one evening to everyone's surprise. The vegie garden is going well with the carrots doing the best. Next time we go up we will dine on organic carrots hopefully before the bugs find them (locust).

"Timbbber"

The problem with trees is sometimes they fall down or are blown down as was this case. A large storm passed across the state recently and blew one of our large trees down. You don't realise how tall these trees are until they hit the ground. We spent the weekend cutting it up for firewood and burning the branches. We also had some crushed stone delivered and spread it around the shed and paths. The fire season is coming soon and we are slowly cleaning up the the fallen branches.

The real shed

The shed went up in 1 day after plenty of help from the children. It was a team effort. Even though they learnt a few new words it was a successful day. Finished off with a spectacular camp oven roast lamb and a bottle of wine. The secret we found (after a google search) is to put the oven close to the fire and 2 shovel full of hot ash on top. No hot ashes underneath. It worked great then a little flour in the juices for gravy.

To put the finishing touches to the shed we will need couple of metres of crushed stone around the outside. Something else to save up for.

The vegie garden is doing fine. We thought it may not be getting enough sunlight but everything seems to be growing. We are looking forward to spring.

They're here, they're here.

Another successful weekend away with friends. Even though the Dinner (camp oven style) was not a huge success. Another night of cooking marshmallows on the fire and finishing off a few reds. Our friend is a fantastic photographer (http://www.juliancowley.com/) so I have included this great photo he took. There are Powerful Owls sharing our forest and they are huge. Two sighting so far. They are said to feed on Brush Tail Possums and judging from the size of them they are right. We now have to be careful with our little Jack Russell at night as she would be smaller than a BTP and might become a BLT.

Not Muchroom

As the shed is small the thought was to buy a cheap caravan to house children particularly teenagers that like a sleep-in. So ebay to the rescue and finally a decent clean caravan was found. It has 240 volts lights, power points and bunk beds and is a 6 berth. Friday night Anzac weekend and we headed up, lucky the van was picked up on the way up. A little rain overnight and we woke to a very wet landscape. Saturday was spent in town checking out the many great shops. Then cleaning caravan and fixing broken things in the van. Sunday we were up early to attend the Anzac Dawn Service in town then home for bacon and eggs. We lit a large fire and cleaned up the block. Monday morning we found mushrooms and had a feed, then home.

Vegi Garden

The shower Part 2

The Shower Temp was now nearing completion it has hot and cold water and a bit breezy as the weather cools. The positive side is no shower screen to clean and no need to install exhaust fan. A little 50 litre electric unit was installed and does a beaut job for 2-3 showers. It is very exhilarating to shower outside while parrots watch on. A privacy screen is required and will also cut wind chill.

Weekend with friends

A great weekend spent with friends. After setting up the tents we all set off for a 5 km walk. The friends we had stay bought with them 2 girls from Japan (homestay). The girls had only been in Australia for 4 weeks and where very good at adapting to the rough living. We cooked BBQ on an open fire and taught them a few slang words like "Fair Dinkum" and so. At night fall we walked down the front and caught a glimpse of a few kangaroos. The next day we had a sit down lunch and then cleaned up and headed home.

Hard Days Work

After a long time away we finally headed up to the hills. This time we took a chainsaw to "trim" a few dead trees. Also it was a good chance to clean up a few camping sites as we have a weekend planned and a friend and his wife are coming to stay. As there is very little room in the shed they are bringing their tent along. A cold beer was welcome after swinging from the chainsaw all day. A short break for lunch and short stroll to the dam next-door. We threw in a Yabby net with sausage in it. No luck just a tadpole. Next time we might need to try rump steak A quick clean up in the afternoon then back to the city. Dreaming of our next visit.

Firewood

Firewood and tonnes of it. The previous owner had collected a fair pile of firewood and was situated at the rear of the "shed". We want to put in a vegetable patch and the firewood was in the way. So we decided to move it. A huge job to move a mountain of firewood and huntsman's as well. Plenty of splinters and lots of "look out spider on your leg" Ha Ha just joking. As mentioned the vegetable patch is the next project complete with a picket fence and chicken wire to the ground to keep snakes and kangaroos out. A old gate was purchased on ebay. A post hole digger will need to be hired for the posts as digging is a challenge. Plenty to think about. The beds are to be made out of corrugated colourbond 400mm high and filled with organic matter. If there is one thing we have learned over the years is good soil is important. The inside will be painted with malthoid to prevent rusting.

The Shower

Many hours of thought was needed but not required as a trip to Bunnings sorted it out. There was the answer in aisle 21. The way the previous owner set the house up was there is no combustable material around the house with-in 2 metres brick footing that go to ground then mud-brick above that. So we wanted the (temp) outside shower close to the house but non-combustible. Not easy to do but there in aisle 21 was aluminium pool fencing perfect for the screen and we also purchased a little electric hot water service 50 litre. Five hours of digging though the clay proved a challenge and after 3 blisters the water line was run. The connections were all attached and after 15 min we had running hot water. We notice some bugs are more dominate in numbers than others on different visits. This time the March Fly had the vote as the most annoying. Unfortunately for them it requires a slap as they sting. The youngest child was on the trail off a little Skink next to the compost bins. The Skink ran under one of the lids and as she turned it over and out ran a massive huntsman. I wish I had a video camera the scream, the jump, and the run all in one. A truly classic moment.