tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59847481091874691412024-02-19T04:04:22.679-08:00Tenderbreak Permaculture FarmTenderbreak Permaculture Farm, is located in Dixons Creek (65km NE of Melbourne,Australia). Andrew & Heather have almost completed their mud brick home, and are establishing 3 acres of food production gardens. They also run Permaculture in Action tours on the property. The aim of this blog is to tell their story, with particular emphasis on how permaculture principles have assisted them in this project.Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-13914056277226883332015-03-07T08:32:00.002-08:002015-03-07T08:32:59.768-08:002014 Our Annus Horribilis
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 1992
Queen Elizabeth declared that year to be “annus horribilis”. In a similar vein,
we declare 2014 to be our “annus horribilis”. It has been a real shocker in
terms of health issues. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The year got
off to a bad start in January, when our son had an accident that left him with
a very badly broken ankle which took six months to start to come right. In
April, Andrew banged his head which lead to</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> the development of a </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">subdural haematoma, an emergency
operation and four months of recovery period. In May, Heather had a bad fall
whilst walking, causing a disk in her spine to bulge and put pressure on a
nerve; causing almost continual pain in the lower back and elsewhere. Although
there has been some improvement, a couple of subsequent falls have meant
Heather is still often suffering serious pain.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Without
going into all the details, other members of our family have also suffered from
medical issues including heart operations, acute neck pain, bowel operations, bad
backs from burst disks and a car crash that left the car in an unroadworthy
state (but thankfully no medical damage). Even our dog managed to tear a nail
off his foot, which lead to a visit to the vet, a course of antibiotics and a
couple of weeks of care for his foot. We are living proof that the old saying
that “bad things come in threes” is not true- they can come in much higher
numbers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All these
health issues have not only caused a great deal of physical pain, but also
stress and anxiety and innumerable visits to doctors, hospitals, specialists,
radiologists, osteopaths, physios and other therapists. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During all
of these horrible events we have tried hard to focus on the positives, knowing
that the alternative was very depressing. The main positive is that we are so
lucky to live in a time and place where we can seek and get medical help when
needed. As a result our son is up and about and his ankle seems to have
repaired itself. (Hopefully this will be confirmed in January when he goes for
his final check-up). Andrew’s hair has grown back where it was shaved off for
the operation and apart from the usual age related aches and pains is back to
work on the property. Heather’s back is getting stronger every week and (apart
from the odd relapse) the pain is gradually getting less intense. We are so
grateful that the other members of our family who have had operations have also
all come through them with flying colours and are on the mend.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other
big positives are our main building project (our cottage) is once again moving
ahead and we are getting back the motivation to update our blog. Hopefully we
will get out some posts in the next few weeks showing what we have been up to.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a result
of all of the above and our present workload, this blog (and our tours of
Tenderbreak) will be temporarily placed on hold. Hopefully later this year we
will be able to start posting about some of our more positive stories again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-81607654184919338772015-03-07T08:19:00.000-08:002015-03-07T08:19:21.214-08:00Autumnfest 2015This year Autumnfest will be held in River St., Healesville on Saturday March 21, 2015. In addition to the regular market stalls, there will be dance and drumming workshops, face painting, a photography competition, kids activities, community group displays, farm animals, organic food to eat and talks on sustainable living.<br />
<br />
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-35261841572878578942013-10-14T04:11:00.001-07:002015-03-07T08:13:06.469-08:00Tours of Tenderbreak on October 20th & November 24th, 2013<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We are running tours of Tenderbreak
Permaculture Farm on Sunday October 20 & November 24, 2013</span><br />
</o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3v1CaLI4OVftoPf_eUe4T7LVqe5w9AsInJzhh6Vdslcqdy1H0h0ryNIKt-5x43C5VNgyHYKICe0ruLNb_GE49gJe439T_CNnah3E-PLJ9VCIsyrow9Jyg0z367mblXlWfyE6I_ntJUw/s1600/House+from+Dam+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3v1CaLI4OVftoPf_eUe4T7LVqe5w9AsInJzhh6Vdslcqdy1H0h0ryNIKt-5x43C5VNgyHYKICe0ruLNb_GE49gJe439T_CNnah3E-PLJ9VCIsyrow9Jyg0z367mblXlWfyE6I_ntJUw/s320/House+from+Dam+Wall.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the house from the dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Features explored on our tours
include:-</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<ul><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Passive solar house design using thermal mass to control temperature</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Earth bermed walls, mudbrick construction and radial sawn timber</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> including a peek at our new mudbrick cottage (under construction)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Oat roller and motorised grain grinder (using an old washing machine motor)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Designing houses to resist fire </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">& bushfire defence strategies</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> including a fire shelter</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Solar power system that provides power to our house (No mains grid connection)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Grey and black water worm farm treatment system.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Wood stove for cooking, heating, ironing and hot water supply</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Fresh water and garden irrigation reticulation systems </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Large organic veggie garden and use of compost to build soil depth from 10mm to 300mm.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Seed saving and companion planting.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Organic orchard with over 100 varieties of fruiting trees and bushes</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Less common plants include yakon, lemonade tree, white sapote, shatoot mulberry</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Free range hens and ducks</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Fences, gates, trellises, hothouse and outbuildings made from recycled materials.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Our plans to use a steam engine as a back-up power supply for our solar system</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Fish stocked multifunction dam, and much more </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
</span></span></ul>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y-su3N5j-BNa_CcUIpe9FIsKrF4s7Z9uLw2C_-vOseNjIOSh402TTcvOPlLAGc0U2viMh_xTYAaByviMhZwAMoS1K4kkn2-fsV7iMxE1yAK7re3bNsfKPZr3_XBuuHS6Be5T_fhWCQw/s1600/October+blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y-su3N5j-BNa_CcUIpe9FIsKrF4s7Z9uLw2C_-vOseNjIOSh402TTcvOPlLAGc0U2viMh_xTYAaByviMhZwAMoS1K4kkn2-fsV7iMxE1yAK7re3bNsfKPZr3_XBuuHS6Be5T_fhWCQw/s320/October+blossoms.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully all the blossoms will turn into plenty of fruit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Our property is in the Yarra Valley,
65km from Melbourne. If you would like to join our tour, you are very welcome.
Bookings are essential as we have a limit of 20 people. The tour runs from 1:30
to 4:30 and the $15 per adult cost includes afternoon tea. Email us for more
information and how to get here at <a href="mailto:tenderbreak@bigpond.com"><span style="color: blue;">tenderbreak@bigpond.com</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you cannot make it on these days, email us,
and we will let you know when the next tour is on. Hope you can come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span> </span>Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-42883863817513671272013-10-03T22:06:00.000-07:002013-10-03T22:06:34.039-07:00We're Back!
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We haven’t
been anywhere, but we decided to have a break from blogging for a while- a sort
of hibernation over winter. We have not been sitting on our laurels though –
here are some of the things that have kept us busy.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our main
focus has been on finishing our mud brick cottage. Completion has become urgent
as we have just gained another 6 month extension to our permit and the
authorities made it clear that they do not want to keep extending the permit.
We are equally keen to finish the project so we can get on with other tasks,
and are now aiming to finish by February next year. (Even though the permit
gives us until April).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVHBgfw_bO0GADnDKZKaN-CIcjsGrA_-qkB6xZv-cvyb4zwMgryXc7cCwyac5YF5rYR4AsIcC7ZlDLrp3lSpHIDGAnExGmutt7gcivptPE8e_HL7R-vIRahLisNnBo317u_9xrnJbEg0/s1600/Cottage+from+Sth+October.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVHBgfw_bO0GADnDKZKaN-CIcjsGrA_-qkB6xZv-cvyb4zwMgryXc7cCwyac5YF5rYR4AsIcC7ZlDLrp3lSpHIDGAnExGmutt7gcivptPE8e_HL7R-vIRahLisNnBo317u_9xrnJbEg0/s320/Cottage+from+Sth+October.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cottage is taking shape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So far we
have laid over five hundred mud bricks and have about 250 to go. Most of the internal
timber frame is up and ready to be cladded. The external west wall has been framed
and has been clad with corrugated steel. We couldn’t use mud brick here because
it gets the full brunt of the western sun. Our solution is to have a cavity
wall with insulation and use mud bricks on the inside to provide thermal mass to
help moderate internal temperatures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We haven’t
done much in the veggie garden apart from planning out our summer crops,
mulching, building four big compost heaps, laying down sawdust on paths and
transplanting a few plants. However, we have had a steady supply of food right
through winter- including carrots, parsnips, cabbage, kale,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>silver beet, warragul greens, parsley,
spinach, rhubarb, pumpkin and the asparagus is providing a steady supply now
too.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TeTExEwKXENcIKmrRM2m-O3wxyehJg9ShT1cSpNAXT9ZX1lDAd7Lv-dUW4RO3BSw7HL-7dRwc6vuU4XqVjx5F8kghVlPXgjD0LDI09JRY16C5I8gZeJtvVsFD6SLXmK7QoYk8w1fogo/s1600/Garden+in+October.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TeTExEwKXENcIKmrRM2m-O3wxyehJg9ShT1cSpNAXT9ZX1lDAd7Lv-dUW4RO3BSw7HL-7dRwc6vuU4XqVjx5F8kghVlPXgjD0LDI09JRY16C5I8gZeJtvVsFD6SLXmK7QoYk8w1fogo/s320/Garden+in+October.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are plenty of greens in the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It took over
a week to prune deciduous trees in the orchard, and this year we focussed on
reducing the height of many trees to keep the fruit within reach. We are not
expert pruners but judging by the blossoms, we have got potential for some great
fruit crops this year. We won’t get too excited yet though, as there is a long
way to go before all those flowers turn into ripe juicy fruit. The citrus trees
have produced masses of lemons, limes, mandarins, tangelos and grapefruit which
we eat fresh or in tangy citrus drinks- plenty of vitamin C. The amazing thing
is that they are already starting to flower again and hopefully produce an
equally good crop next year.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4fpvqAMFpgGtlq4g5AuWpOxyKy2Nb52FXr0apN6vFtulHvr3vxnaqSINknsQRbp_jLYHjX1eVU81-M3_A-gf_3feCWBHLmxelFdqh-yYI254uh7kKJoOkLKfgMwTrd45gqqgGe7EIEM/s1600/Tangelos+in+Oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4fpvqAMFpgGtlq4g5AuWpOxyKy2Nb52FXr0apN6vFtulHvr3vxnaqSINknsQRbp_jLYHjX1eVU81-M3_A-gf_3feCWBHLmxelFdqh-yYI254uh7kKJoOkLKfgMwTrd45gqqgGe7EIEM/s320/Tangelos+in+Oct.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tangelos make a very refreshing drink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We spent
another week giving the hothouse a makeover by cleaning out unwanted growth,
adding compost and planting some early summer crops and seedlings. So far we
have planted five varieties of tomato, capsicums and several varieties of
lettuce in the ground. The seedlings include zucchini, silver beet, cucumbers,
pumpkin and more tomatoes.</span></span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_U5tuhUe02EDAzgfc-eHSi7ZRNviW5k1j0KA3H8qS-EP-tX0kgUA7WapqgC2T2xG4-7m9lZQZfMXVwJhIa4cotMP4LFUSTDFX4f5HVjpzABqz1VEHO92SDrjwNKTMl-Ehu41k9X-50d8/s1600/Hothouse+Oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_U5tuhUe02EDAzgfc-eHSi7ZRNviW5k1j0KA3H8qS-EP-tX0kgUA7WapqgC2T2xG4-7m9lZQZfMXVwJhIa4cotMP4LFUSTDFX4f5HVjpzABqz1VEHO92SDrjwNKTMl-Ehu41k9X-50d8/s320/Hothouse+Oct.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tomatoes in the hothouse are going well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Early spring
is also our main time to start preparing for the coming fire season- hopefully
it won’t be a bad one, but we have to do as much as we can every year- just in
case. Since August we have spent one or two days each week clearing our
firebreak areas of fallen timber. Logs and large branches are sawn up for
firewood and the grass is kept mown in these areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another area
that has had a makeover is our shade house. This area had become a real tangle
and apart from the fact that it was all overgrown was also a worry in terms of
fire risk. Luckily for us, our daughter Kathy offered to help get it under
control. We have now positioned a seat in this area (a wonderful Kathy idea),
so we can sit and enjoy it from time to time.</span></span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3ACMTxsQnYun2IlYYeB6F8RzhwQSn3FwPvI1HWfkhsnlNFO5zDpVylcFAD5EBfCxSQrYOR-8DjTRBEaLmXiEGRrzaeMqeDL1vkqe-HuvCOTXx7O56JLoNA6ydgEKBC4N9e1RqyAQ3a0/s1600/Shady+shadehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3ACMTxsQnYun2IlYYeB6F8RzhwQSn3FwPvI1HWfkhsnlNFO5zDpVylcFAD5EBfCxSQrYOR-8DjTRBEaLmXiEGRrzaeMqeDL1vkqe-HuvCOTXx7O56JLoNA6ydgEKBC4N9e1RqyAQ3a0/s320/Shady+shadehouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our shady Shadehouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course life
is not all about projects and work. Each day we walk Cobber (our dog) around our
track and enjoy the beauty, peace and quiet of our recovering environment. This
year the wallabies seem to be particularly prolific, the swallows do their
daily displays of incredible aerobatics and the wombats and echidnas snuffle
about doing their “thing”. At the moment we are just starting to see the first
of the native orchids coming up and the mass yellow flowering of the wattles
was spectacular this year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">August was a
very exciting time for us, because our new grandson Logan was born. We have been
making regular trips to Heathcote (about 120kms) to visit Sally, Liss and
dearest beautiful baby Logan. </span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv4Ibvu0eHJDuhDGSBF0QvDKI1V7aouggwrlnxqqeG8kY271qX7Eo4D63DGypIO2Cr3oZZyakON79BZ1nkPq-V1chtk5bsPVVz9JIGVfjy9nIfjti3RgGzPYPHmo-i5Edfv-k_atALJ4/s1600/Baby+Logan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv4Ibvu0eHJDuhDGSBF0QvDKI1V7aouggwrlnxqqeG8kY271qX7Eo4D63DGypIO2Cr3oZZyakON79BZ1nkPq-V1chtk5bsPVVz9JIGVfjy9nIfjti3RgGzPYPHmo-i5Edfv-k_atALJ4/s320/Baby+Logan.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Baby Logan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During our
hibernation we haven’t taken on many helpers, but did have two wonderful
helpers (Kido and Tim) from Taiwan. Some lifelong friends of ours from
Queensland dropped in for a few days whilst on their holiday. We had a
wonderful catch up time and they were also eager to help with collecting
firewood and building the cottage.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysqxAWGqGFqaXZk2UUNRSUkH5dbuTuY4k_iAVuXCNp3It2F70mfrpOMABtjB5ZWg2LgCkwpk8H2ktVOSqwU9u0V0iK3M4Xwdu28ChWS4iD7wEDzjkQZRjb-nq6st-Pg55VCcrMkZeEkk/s1600/Michael+working+on+cottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysqxAWGqGFqaXZk2UUNRSUkH5dbuTuY4k_iAVuXCNp3It2F70mfrpOMABtjB5ZWg2LgCkwpk8H2ktVOSqwU9u0V0iK3M4Xwdu28ChWS4iD7wEDzjkQZRjb-nq6st-Pg55VCcrMkZeEkk/s320/Michael+working+on+cottage.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That roof will never fall down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have only
had one tour of Tenderbreak over winter and that was a visit by the Dibble and
Hoe Garden Club from Seville. They were a lovely group of people and we had a
great day enjoying their company as we talked and walked around our property. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that we
are “out of hibernation” we are going to run another tour of Tenderbreak on
October 20. We will post all the details in our next post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-13024027412897827752013-03-31T02:21:00.000-07:002013-03-31T02:21:18.342-07:00A Challenging Summer: Planting an “Insurance Garden”
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every year is different in the
garden. Some things do well and others don’t. Amongst the mix, there are usually
a few disasters and a couple of successes. This is one reason why it is so
important to diversify. If one or two crops fail, you can focus your efforts on
the other crops and still get by. </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Disasters first</u></strong></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnuvya5PZZn5V0KM25DIHwfIiQH_2L9ldurACGHzQZEzdp8fRr0IT-kjW03JLPfTZSS7mgDLHzA-pQBe8iFDi0twDTTJGe2fOj3gPZd-ELy8svEKFdQt83PyTND8dZvij10lBy9QaRc8/s1600/Pears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnuvya5PZZn5V0KM25DIHwfIiQH_2L9ldurACGHzQZEzdp8fRr0IT-kjW03JLPfTZSS7mgDLHzA-pQBe8iFDi0twDTTJGe2fOj3gPZd-ELy8svEKFdQt83PyTND8dZvij10lBy9QaRc8/s320/Pears.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pears looked great at the start of summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year was our driest summer since
we have been keeping records (19 years). December rainfall was low and then the
rains virtually dried up until the <u>last </u>day of summer, when we got some
relief. It was also our warmest summer ever, so evaporation rates have been
high too. The heat did not stop with summer, as Melbourne is likely to have its
hottest March on record too. This hot, dry weather was very disappointing
because at the beginning of December everything pointed towards a bumper season
and harvest (See <a href="http://tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=27">We have gone Crazy this Year!</a>). Most of the apple trees
were loaded with huge crops. It looked like we would be getting our best crops
of avocadoes, macadamias, pears, nectarines, nashis and so on. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh79wPODX1IYaFaT2juT4HSqTfrQsFVwmilhzx91XAtyMdB3OsDNyyEJAajFHbFk42m95cyIBTCEYh-uG2A5x8nA6wGU3HOdX-bHl-freP2UfaQbe9TrPFIm7iICelkVOZAWrzKgKepI/s1600/Nashi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh79wPODX1IYaFaT2juT4HSqTfrQsFVwmilhzx91XAtyMdB3OsDNyyEJAajFHbFk42m95cyIBTCEYh-uG2A5x8nA6wGU3HOdX-bHl-freP2UfaQbe9TrPFIm7iICelkVOZAWrzKgKepI/s320/Nashi2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so did the nashis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But then the big dry set in. We tried
keeping up with the watering but as each week became drier and drier it became
harder. By early February we had to let some plants go and survive the best
they could. We didn’t have the time, were exhausted with the total workload (and
heat) and had to maintain good quantities of water in reserve in case we had to
deal with fire. Some areas of Victoria have had terrible fires again this year
and they took weeks to get under control, so that possibility was always on our
mind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our beautiful apple crop started
dropping off the trees well before they were ripe, and our lovely crop of
nectarines and plums started to burn and shrivel on the tree and other crops
suffered too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH3HhM5mK-s7UAy1WO_rJc7rfCIn6AfpvVNMJoUlqJXwN4OhdV_orHZqN8TEZtm-ym1fIhKC8a_kdPp-bk0iJvaelOdXqZROB41mg-YInzsV2mbRfq00CX_zPtzdFsNlJhU8vr2LeqWk/s1600/Five+crown+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH3HhM5mK-s7UAy1WO_rJc7rfCIn6AfpvVNMJoUlqJXwN4OhdV_orHZqN8TEZtm-ym1fIhKC8a_kdPp-bk0iJvaelOdXqZROB41mg-YInzsV2mbRfq00CX_zPtzdFsNlJhU8vr2LeqWk/s320/Five+crown+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five Crown is one of our most productive trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although all the apples trees did
suffer, some managed better than others. The five crown dropped a large amount
of fruit but kept perhaps 50% (about 20kg). The Opalescent once again produced
a crop of large juicy red fruit and being on a dwarf rootstock we were able to
cover it with bird netting. The Orange Cox’s Pippen produced its best crop yet.
The fruit is not very big, but their flavour is delicious with a distinctive
taste- almost a lemony touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our total apple crop would have
amounted to several boxes of fruit, which was more than enough for our needs.
There was plenty to eat fresh, stew and the hot dry conditions were perfect for
drying. Our pantry has a good store of dried apples for use after the season
finishes.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHhcGbr152fha6nIZP1CV9Bn_EQyWXwC7u4ViKnQ6OCl5Qu5Yum5QGl9E3uX3HyGaO6fdQoKj2lD-CHLK6iVyyIvfPA12BF5OhxWebakOuyouHCLLYSCIjFULuw8lLr4sEVx0LcISpns/s1600/Drying+apples+of+clothes+horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHhcGbr152fha6nIZP1CV9Bn_EQyWXwC7u4ViKnQ6OCl5Qu5Yum5QGl9E3uX3HyGaO6fdQoKj2lD-CHLK6iVyyIvfPA12BF5OhxWebakOuyouHCLLYSCIjFULuw8lLr4sEVx0LcISpns/s320/Drying+apples+of+clothes+horse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>The clothes horse made a good drying frame</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>There was plenty of other good news too.</u></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most of our berry crops such as
blackberry, blueberry and currents withered on the plants. However the
raspberries came in, just before the hot spell with its withering, dry northerly
winds, so we were able to turn our harvest into enough raspberry jam to last
the year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We planted 5 varieties of pumpkins and
although 3 patches struggled to survive, we focussed on the two strongest ones.
We kept the water up on these patches and they have produced a reasonable crop
– enough to last us through to next summer. What we lack in variety we’ll make
up for in quantity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our carrots, parsnips and beetroot are
just springing out of the ground and we will have our best crops yet. Our two
small successive crops of corn have kept us supplied with corn for six weeks
now and there are quite a few cobs still left. Cucumbers grew almost faster
than we could pick them. The self sown parsley has produced around one hundred
good sized bunches (which we sell at our organic market) and is still going
strong.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XHXUHxcKbWhtVdHQJtQSKdXP9dxXdwTiEPnZObxr04fGycu3XYFCUdWihUXt10WrdFlnuDrFKe7pjTpkRUwIhjM7IstZYg5OrpoVbK5n5i6S7YdYDdrHIN5FL6aY_IdZAUQoq1DLQxY/s1600/Bean+Teepee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XHXUHxcKbWhtVdHQJtQSKdXP9dxXdwTiEPnZObxr04fGycu3XYFCUdWihUXt10WrdFlnuDrFKe7pjTpkRUwIhjM7IstZYg5OrpoVbK5n5i6S7YdYDdrHIN5FL6aY_IdZAUQoq1DLQxY/s320/Bean+Teepee.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bean tepee was very productive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have been feeding off our climbing
beans for over eight weeks now. We planted 3 small crops about 3 weeks apart.
We are just starting to pick the third crop and have already harvested about 20
kg. The first crop which was planted around a tepee frame is still flowering so
we should be getting many more.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcMH9F-jycyEeqHe_XEBgOgwNqSMNN0YimXtGRHEB_eg85i1TwsZKH2E3BWSS-Qwf832jPJU006622Xq8ZhIbWBsTSUUXq1cVenYP49N3Frkb3q9zeWjkqm8m0ZKvIiDGtrnO-kfHEuM/s1600/Strawberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcMH9F-jycyEeqHe_XEBgOgwNqSMNN0YimXtGRHEB_eg85i1TwsZKH2E3BWSS-Qwf832jPJU006622Xq8ZhIbWBsTSUUXq1cVenYP49N3Frkb3q9zeWjkqm8m0ZKvIiDGtrnO-kfHEuM/s320/Strawberry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing beats summer strawberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our biggest thrill though was our
strawberry bed. Although only a fairly small bed we have had 3 or 4 feeds of strawberries
every week for over around 2 months. They have been so flavoursome and
delicious.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We planted 6 tomato varieties and
over 50 plants. We lost a few and some did not come to much, but most produced
huge crops. The two best performers were Tommy Toe (our favourite for salads)
and Principe Borghese<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(a first timer
for us). Altogether we have had plenty to eat in salads, soups and other meals,
as well as enough to bottle for sauces and soups during the year.</span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhvmMj69IJDefHNgLx1Xj9iv3HTRiOac-Z85K8ew2IrJGS3mr3x3pM3-vDoCaQzhE95i1XZ_GVunJY4fu_q_HMtVQ9VQYU3fcTbURNu1xO2vC8vJDiuHaYHlbxGGVWIE7dIObCpRnqaM/s1600/tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhvmMj69IJDefHNgLx1Xj9iv3HTRiOac-Z85K8ew2IrJGS3mr3x3pM3-vDoCaQzhE95i1XZ_GVunJY4fu_q_HMtVQ9VQYU3fcTbURNu1xO2vC8vJDiuHaYHlbxGGVWIE7dIObCpRnqaM/s320/tomatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prince Borghese tomatoes were a big success</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having diversity in the garden is
great for variety, but it is also like an insurance policy. If extreme weather
events are going to be more frequent, planting an “insurance garden” is a
pretty good idea!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-49242605794889893302013-03-26T23:35:00.001-07:002013-03-26T23:35:52.482-07:00Autumnfest: Healesville’s Big Day Out
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Autumn solstice is always a bit
“iffy” in terms of the weather and this year was no exception. A few days ago
we had gale force winds, heavy rain and cool temperatures. However, those who
worked the weather magic smiled on Autumnfest again this year, and gave us the
most pleasant day possible.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-Q9SnUasx4c3sbt1qh4J2L3mjywuhoNZ4jXDMkfePqrGewoHjA_gRecMD0voXcDZ75HHvoVed0eJlKvfJMERBKJzjgVAyFFk1VJyj-hYynN2wLEpYcDA52tzsumJidxhJAkZdE-VqMA/s1600/Food+stalls+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-Q9SnUasx4c3sbt1qh4J2L3mjywuhoNZ4jXDMkfePqrGewoHjA_gRecMD0voXcDZ75HHvoVed0eJlKvfJMERBKJzjgVAyFFk1VJyj-hYynN2wLEpYcDA52tzsumJidxhJAkZdE-VqMA/s320/Food+stalls+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of delicious gourmet food & drink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
All the hard work, months of preparation and organisation paid off with our
best Autumnfest yet- possibly 2000 visitors over the course of the day. There
was a wonderful ambience and sense of community under the century old oak trees
of Coronation park as individuals and families came together to enjoy the
various activities, glorious food, talks, performances, demonstrations and opportunities
to share information and knowledge. Our photos show some of the day’s
activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iL3gCTvq_y1WZZLVj12gKykaGsC6jS8bqUvyfIAtIQmCM-gz8z6zdwAkB_N4_OX0U5orY4K-DeAJUHwxgTpXe0W2ec3m0BsPgX-3X1DKwtBORoxxCisyChfSxhyn8-j3md1prG-4wKE/s1600/Luna's+veggies+sold+fast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iL3gCTvq_y1WZZLVj12gKykaGsC6jS8bqUvyfIAtIQmCM-gz8z6zdwAkB_N4_OX0U5orY4K-DeAJUHwxgTpXe0W2ec3m0BsPgX-3X1DKwtBORoxxCisyChfSxhyn8-j3md1prG-4wKE/s320/Luna's+veggies+sold+fast.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luna's veggies were popular</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpoMcnYY-QvfE26W4kxem085jbdUSRUx4Gcta5b52TTafc0ZU23Tzzi3CKlhA4P0de6L6CTRq5iIdMKnjZNDTBlQec6-XZyqEt6H2fRnycBJlAze9IsgyX2pgepzqyPOMx5aGBAFo7Bk/s1600/Irish+Dancers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpoMcnYY-QvfE26W4kxem085jbdUSRUx4Gcta5b52TTafc0ZU23Tzzi3CKlhA4P0de6L6CTRq5iIdMKnjZNDTBlQec6-XZyqEt6H2fRnycBJlAze9IsgyX2pgepzqyPOMx5aGBAFo7Bk/s320/Irish+Dancers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowd enjoyed the Irish Dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RHD9IwtzwU8IQamKKTl9nRcj3SsbJ7BkeqoK5DjVhjUtHtWR8pLhROAGwPnKgfRYryrz0bus-OVHC1VVlA307ebfRxol8GVc8xgogJOKi1mjnUdmSOmRoMj8zhnyf7iu1AXh5nvHJAY/s1600/Popular+goats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RHD9IwtzwU8IQamKKTl9nRcj3SsbJ7BkeqoK5DjVhjUtHtWR8pLhROAGwPnKgfRYryrz0bus-OVHC1VVlA307ebfRxol8GVc8xgogJOKi1mjnUdmSOmRoMj8zhnyf7iu1AXh5nvHJAY/s320/Popular+goats.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The goats received lots of loving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PtEBL4WD4hNN-_bTK20SGME2lTteogZoRhBT2FFG8ZHsymgvl1FnJifacj510wB6fumDvsluCULyA7Tz7GiN0tRSm2wneNnVuDiTnf5AzIBFWEwJxAKuIyOhGDr5oZFuRrEGwvHyx2s/s1600/Pure+organic+olive+oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PtEBL4WD4hNN-_bTK20SGME2lTteogZoRhBT2FFG8ZHsymgvl1FnJifacj510wB6fumDvsluCULyA7Tz7GiN0tRSm2wneNnVuDiTnf5AzIBFWEwJxAKuIyOhGDr5oZFuRrEGwvHyx2s/s320/Pure+organic+olive+oil.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm! Pure Olivetto Oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiqHZE6rv0kiwYrr5TTPUbFCqVkR7dfo22V0p52I2IJQ7MMsMMNB42_epeWnrjVyurrvCkHQ3MQT6aug34o7xltYFK2Y9q0kD1LtC5ExQnAvqhyphenhyphen8jP8Y83y9uOGMuJtW07jSrBLENquA/s1600/Food+stalls+2+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiqHZE6rv0kiwYrr5TTPUbFCqVkR7dfo22V0p52I2IJQ7MMsMMNB42_epeWnrjVyurrvCkHQ3MQT6aug34o7xltYFK2Y9q0kD1LtC5ExQnAvqhyphenhyphen8jP8Y83y9uOGMuJtW07jSrBLENquA/s320/Food+stalls+2+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="display: none; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hide: all;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the day we met and chatted to
dozens of people and were lucky enough to meet several readers of our blog.
Everyone we spoke to, seemed to be enjoying the day and gave positive feedback
and happy responses. Thank you to all helpers, participants and visitors for
joining in and making it such a successful and special event. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ9CDqcCUDctwP5d3Y0u_e-Ef5tgR1ulaL91A8Mftlkc2r-2N6ErO72JOu_UpDc3PM16Zwj8A-KjdPSy0OlTbIqk15XRjic9x-iddkNP6VtgnKYdZdl4GZQw2xaCd6pXMm41F0QI4Nts/s1600/Tenderbreak+Permaculture+Farm+Stall+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ9CDqcCUDctwP5d3Y0u_e-Ef5tgR1ulaL91A8Mftlkc2r-2N6ErO72JOu_UpDc3PM16Zwj8A-KjdPSy0OlTbIqk15XRjic9x-iddkNP6VtgnKYdZdl4GZQw2xaCd6pXMm41F0QI4Nts/s320/Tenderbreak+Permaculture+Farm+Stall+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was great interest in our Permaculture Tours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hopefully it will all be happening
again next year close to the Autumn equinox in March. If you want to join in as
a stallholder or volunteer or just be kept informed about the event, keep an
eye on this blog or send us an email (</span><a href="mailto:tenderbreak@bigpond.com"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">tenderbreak@bigpond.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
and we will add you to our mailing list. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcrj5RIm9hhhDMFZGDLnSu1UKF0es58p-50ClTngafQGBfXKt4P54FK-8Wu9z-9o2TiB6I7YHzDuefT8N6-OBW8JLAq6wAbuzEJVM7QickuIPuqbfjdsgDXcLyzc9OEC4p_TmnYDVtjU/s1600/Winsome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcrj5RIm9hhhDMFZGDLnSu1UKF0es58p-50ClTngafQGBfXKt4P54FK-8Wu9z-9o2TiB6I7YHzDuefT8N6-OBW8JLAq6wAbuzEJVM7QickuIPuqbfjdsgDXcLyzc9OEC4p_TmnYDVtjU/s320/Winsome.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winsome's Crepes & waffles went well with Yarra Coffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwzFpYqv73OFC-ensLXQ3NlnBTaJ7pjGX9bbY2dfC5Mmqf5u2G9WRMJ1A-svLClrlQFhJ_nerbI1AQx8LvQVdTQXJX52m6u-q_Lh287GQc2pComosf4SHIioShxBWlOS0v208BXS4RIg/s1600/Which+Apples+takes+your+fancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwzFpYqv73OFC-ensLXQ3NlnBTaJ7pjGX9bbY2dfC5Mmqf5u2G9WRMJ1A-svLClrlQFhJ_nerbI1AQx8LvQVdTQXJX52m6u-q_Lh287GQc2pComosf4SHIioShxBWlOS0v208BXS4RIg/s320/Which+Apples+takes+your+fancy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm! Which apple shall we choose?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d8L9KFL1udzC7l7_yy4qVfYh5bdxnFOvRN4Br1U-O7IuJ_HrFpbs0J3NHRIdcJb-0LONmBT1Mo5xsjrlRAqyuJuizNl3d-ajvBUN70-fufiWzHp4GewyhJ0FJOSqUuVz4Vb_JG8szuE/s1600/Telopea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d8L9KFL1udzC7l7_yy4qVfYh5bdxnFOvRN4Br1U-O7IuJ_HrFpbs0J3NHRIdcJb-0LONmBT1Mo5xsjrlRAqyuJuizNl3d-ajvBUN70-fufiWzHp4GewyhJ0FJOSqUuVz4Vb_JG8szuE/s320/Telopea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete the Permie had plenty of advice about fruit trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveaFIiyJVc3HqxF_PBNLrLols3d20XtyQoP9bytSiRQ0RdcyKaHyutBe-faLQ2rTuoG1xnC7G1EljOTRneymhmxDIaq9wEuGQTSxTiDorxprT8G9FZBbUlzduGZou4yNEfPFiyZz50_Q/s1600/Suzann+and+Paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveaFIiyJVc3HqxF_PBNLrLols3d20XtyQoP9bytSiRQ0RdcyKaHyutBe-faLQ2rTuoG1xnC7G1EljOTRneymhmxDIaq9wEuGQTSxTiDorxprT8G9FZBbUlzduGZou4yNEfPFiyZz50_Q/s320/Suzann+and+Paul.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzann and Paul demonstrated their skills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRRE7zfAUrOSyFyrsoFKxhpIkltp27K1wkgfqSJ_KWYsfz9fQ1_ZTIYHjioCzs-aT4wpiB8Esf06gSFmNrM6cj1bC8YerDokS9b-PJDGDbMFBOl5m29w9gF-cQ1kE4Z-v1kU2a3drUMg/s1600/Skipping+stones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRRE7zfAUrOSyFyrsoFKxhpIkltp27K1wkgfqSJ_KWYsfz9fQ1_ZTIYHjioCzs-aT4wpiB8Esf06gSFmNrM6cj1bC8YerDokS9b-PJDGDbMFBOl5m29w9gF-cQ1kE4Z-v1kU2a3drUMg/s320/Skipping+stones.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skipping Stones Circus skills for youngsters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: blue;">Tour of Tenderbreak Permaculture Farm
on Sunday April 7<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you happen to be near the Yarra
Valley on April 7 we are holding a tour of our property in the afternoon. Tours
cost $15 and bookings are required. Email us for more information.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-26793190742588386802013-03-09T19:11:00.000-08:002013-03-13T00:07:14.226-07:00Healesville Autumnfest 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>HEALESVILLE AUTUMNFEST</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>Saturday, 23rd March, 2013</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Healesville
Autumnfest 2013 is going to bigger and better than ever. With over 40 stalls
and displays there will be something for everyone to enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuXF0iSfHKQOrmaM-sS15lIiedSCxhZC-_TbBmTJKW7aEOpEXBpIL3bLihSNzQIc-eLBhbTyWgYPdeXx3_gLOqcYHUB3Uzh7cKwRD4TUMq72IUjyBZN-R8Y2CB3kR4ll6C8KQlsvca78/s1600/Autumnfest+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuXF0iSfHKQOrmaM-sS15lIiedSCxhZC-_TbBmTJKW7aEOpEXBpIL3bLihSNzQIc-eLBhbTyWgYPdeXx3_gLOqcYHUB3Uzh7cKwRD4TUMq72IUjyBZN-R8Y2CB3kR4ll6C8KQlsvca78/s320/Autumnfest+2013.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our regular
market stalls are famous for their organic locally grown food and they will be
joined by others selling an even wider range of fresh local produce. There will
be tastings of various heritage apples and if you discover a variety that
really appeals you can even buy a potted tree so you can grow it yourself.
Apart from produce there will be stalls selling clothes, wooden toys, wooden
furniture, jewellery, preserves, woollen products, soaps, natural body
products, seeds, books and lots more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOiEUn4X1Cf2ZyvcBxo8QU6aqxXtsC8XxoKubyupSIJ5_fFrcMHQ5MiLvVgthiNjHhwY61-ZrDjOW8DnzU3c_HuosVGeDCz2jX_LepeCnZGC9EYLRqlKw5oRvr6sRoH67k5vGSAr5eWM/s1600/Community+Groups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOiEUn4X1Cf2ZyvcBxo8QU6aqxXtsC8XxoKubyupSIJ5_fFrcMHQ5MiLvVgthiNjHhwY61-ZrDjOW8DnzU3c_HuosVGeDCz2jX_LepeCnZGC9EYLRqlKw5oRvr6sRoH67k5vGSAr5eWM/s320/Community+Groups.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There will
be plenty of entertainment for all ages. The Healesville Music Festival has a
line up of local acts on its stage and Skipping Stones Dance is running a
series of activities called “Adventure<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fun - Circus, Dance & Ephemeral Art” for children. There will be
milking goats to pet and Edd or Amanda will be happy to answer any questions about
these friendly animals. Emily will be there again doing delightful and creative
face painting, but you’ll have to be quick because she had a queue all day last
year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jWfBLUBrWVUED_rBeCv63dnQFrbyl7RfnOgmfvN7RW-BhvezDeIUoC3PIpr0hPi4nwl1nqdJUaHUSkFp6WZRb7sp0DCEE4CGDL4PRQzR3QX5vOxKphMi2JrauwbHT054a-nF5zo5z7o/s1600/Goats+at+Autumnfest+smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jWfBLUBrWVUED_rBeCv63dnQFrbyl7RfnOgmfvN7RW-BhvezDeIUoC3PIpr0hPi4nwl1nqdJUaHUSkFp6WZRb7sp0DCEE4CGDL4PRQzR3QX5vOxKphMi2JrauwbHT054a-nF5zo5z7o/s320/Goats+at+Autumnfest+smaller.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As the event
is organised by Permaculture Yarra Valley there will be plenty of information
about Permaculture and topics related to sustainability. There will even be a
demonstration Permaculture Garden in the Community Garden area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>A program of talks will include a talk about
Edible Weeds by local author Doris Pozzi, and you can purchase her book if you
wish. Other topics of talks include Seed Saving, Designing a Permaculture Garden, Climate Change, Tenderbreak Permaculture Farm and Propagating your own Plants (along with a propagating activity for children). Many community groups will also be setting up
displays to demonstrate their fantastic work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH7cBbM-WIHnkKuIcEDpmlzJ1BLNYxQt6MQVgMH0uLoXvJzIW8TWrKm00IABn97P9anbz6CSs8nbAR0NpVA865WDpfe3qoMDeF3oKfp2xr2xX1Yy5TFtFaPrwz6eDVkEf9gS6skS2t54/s1600/Wood+Fired+Pizza2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH7cBbM-WIHnkKuIcEDpmlzJ1BLNYxQt6MQVgMH0uLoXvJzIW8TWrKm00IABn97P9anbz6CSs8nbAR0NpVA865WDpfe3qoMDeF3oKfp2xr2xX1Yy5TFtFaPrwz6eDVkEf9gS6skS2t54/s320/Wood+Fired+Pizza2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There will
be a number of stalls selling yummy organic food to eat, so forget breakfast and lunch
and enjoy a meal of fresh, locally made food under the shade of the
gorgeous Coronation Park trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Autumnfest is
sponsored by Permaculture Yarra Valley and Yarra Ranges Council and entry is
free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Email
<a href="mailto:autumnfest2013@gmail.com">autumnfest2013@gmail.com</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for more
information. If you happen to be in the locality we would love to see you there.</span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-38214203113526212292013-03-05T01:38:00.000-08:002013-03-05T01:38:58.674-08:0012 YEARS WITH A COMPOSTING WASTE WATER DISPOSAL SYSTEM<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhe-DoApGDU_o2D17_rljGFuSwiDpKNW3EKGif1S5uO6TpZldANqK4WEjXXWKMNf1sZNVc0iREAawbAGEQO9AWC1SoQgVELV0WNadviAU0qfz8wcJrKb3jWv51J887LY7w0qAfxnNGzQ/s1600/Worm+farm+system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhe-DoApGDU_o2D17_rljGFuSwiDpKNW3EKGif1S5uO6TpZldANqK4WEjXXWKMNf1sZNVc0iREAawbAGEQO9AWC1SoQgVELV0WNadviAU0qfz8wcJrKb3jWv51J887LY7w0qAfxnNGzQ/s320/Worm+farm+system.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The system's main components</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As mentioned in the last post we recently
had trouble with the pump that moved water from our worm farm waste water
disposal chamber to the underground distribution system. As many people who
come on our permaculture tours are interested in the system, we thought we
would elaborate on how it works and review its performance over the past 12
years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The system is called the A&A Worm
Farm Waste System (designed and built in Australia) and we are very happy with
it. All waste (bathroom, toilet and kitchen) flows by gravity to a storage
chamber (the worm farm). Solids form a compost heap in the tank and liquids
gradually drain through into the sump. A submersible pump activated by floats takes
a couple of minutes to pump the liquid to the disposal area where the waste is
dispersed underground. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Our plan is to one day run this waste
water through reed beds and then use it to water fruit trees. It is possible on
some sites (in fact desirable) to have the whole system run by gravity. This
would negate the need for a pump, and the only need for power would be to
charge the battery on the alarm system which lets you know if the system is not
working properly.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpimoD4rrwZM2IWmGk4jEzEfg2hslmfFxWtq6VI6p49_ktJphYDM0EnlRQVqoOZ5zYwhUlrlALzopOk2CHBAQG9scm4-olLQxIRbAJd5Nf8_nqTwGHlt3Xtv36efNQzKyFk8cwPqRW1c/s1600/Electric+alarms+and+warning+system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpimoD4rrwZM2IWmGk4jEzEfg2hslmfFxWtq6VI6p49_ktJphYDM0EnlRQVqoOZ5zYwhUlrlALzopOk2CHBAQG9scm4-olLQxIRbAJd5Nf8_nqTwGHlt3Xtv36efNQzKyFk8cwPqRW1c/s1600/Electric+alarms+and+warning+system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpimoD4rrwZM2IWmGk4jEzEfg2hslmfFxWtq6VI6p49_ktJphYDM0EnlRQVqoOZ5zYwhUlrlALzopOk2CHBAQG9scm4-olLQxIRbAJd5Nf8_nqTwGHlt3Xtv36efNQzKyFk8cwPqRW1c/s320/Electric+alarms+and+warning+system.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="212" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rechargeable alarm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a compost bin on top of the
chamber for adding other organic matter. We dispose of cardboard boxes and
invasive weeds through this, to give the worms some variety in their diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Over 12 years we have had some large
parties and events and the system has coped well. The solids in the chamber have
reached about the halfway mark and seem to have stabilized at this level. As the
solids are broken down by microbes and worms, small particles get flushed out
with the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We see the system’s main advantages
as:-</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
waste water can be put to use in orchards or grassy areas</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Minimal
power use (Almost nil if gravity is used instead of the pump)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
cost of the system is reasonable with no ongoing maintenance contracts (like
some other systems)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
is virtually no odour – even when the access lid is lifted up</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
simple design that doesn’t require specific technical knowledge and problems
are easy to diagnose and fix</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most
of the time there is no maintenance required at all</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
compost chamber allows easy disposal of persistent weeds and other organic matter</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7USMZCCJfpWH3tU5mojnS2mVlrcUTEk4JQA6KkLu8n7pYnOk3J51-P6BRiyMMILRiXMjJQ7NhB2GhHYYH9vPM9NAabQx-vTiUik3ZL_HxjkbBmQ-ZzweX1Wlrf48Pd9YDMdCCvXGry5A/s1600/Looking+into+the+comosting+chamber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7USMZCCJfpWH3tU5mojnS2mVlrcUTEk4JQA6KkLu8n7pYnOk3J51-P6BRiyMMILRiXMjJQ7NhB2GhHYYH9vPM9NAabQx-vTiUik3ZL_HxjkbBmQ-ZzweX1Wlrf48Pd9YDMdCCvXGry5A/s320/Looking+into+the+comosting+chamber.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a compost heap inside!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How has it performed? </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though we have had occasional
issues that need attention, we think its performance over the 12 years has been
excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this period it has largely
operated day in and day out without us giving it a second thought.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The issues
that have arisen with the system have mostly been of a minor nature and were
easily fixed.</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stuck floats. A couple of times the floats that turn the system off and on have become stuck. Usually the solution is to give the sump outflow pipe a shake and this frees them up.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Build up of sediment. Every year or so we pull the pump out of the sump, wash it down, inspect it and empty any sediment that has built up in the bottom of the sump. The pump is not designed to cope with sediment so this is more of a precautionary measure.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pumps have a limited lifespan. Our issue with the pump was detailed in the last post</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blocked Disposal trenches. This took a bit of effort to solve, but was very site specific. During the drought (years of very dry conditions) the ground surrounding our disposal trenches dried out to such an extent, it had set like concrete, and lost the capacity to absorb water. We would have had the same issue with any system of underground distribution of waste water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In these conditions our soils were just not capable of absorbing the required amounts of waste water quickly enough. We replaced the first few metres of the installed underground distribution channels with Plastic Domed Drain Material which had a much bigger capacity and was capable of holding the waste water long enough for it to be absorbed over a longer period of time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzjYdVPtV9Hx8bMcIOhQe30Gt4DqNQbX4lJwVk_QYvufJjL_ABZH9jA1p4Oh7X53l73OXqs10lCtZ7WWQVU_clLyXYPzgUvYEjNhlBux-jcOPZE6IanmPL_cyT3ulaZMaPONc4tlXoxc/s1600/re+laying+the+absorption+trenches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzjYdVPtV9Hx8bMcIOhQe30Gt4DqNQbX4lJwVk_QYvufJjL_ABZH9jA1p4Oh7X53l73OXqs10lCtZ7WWQVU_clLyXYPzgUvYEjNhlBux-jcOPZE6IanmPL_cyT3ulaZMaPONc4tlXoxc/s320/re+laying+the+absorption+trenches.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Domed drainage added to each absorption trench</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most of our issues were relatively
easy to solve in retrospect. They were also part of the process of learning about
how the system works, its limitations and maintenance needs. This last point is
part of our basic philosophy – to take responsibility where possible for
growing food, generating power, harvesting rain water and disposing of our own
waste. Life has become one huge learning experience!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-48447017921971495602013-02-23T00:24:00.000-08:002013-02-23T00:24:49.758-08:00Fixing our Worm Farm Waste Water Treatment System
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At about the worst possible time
(between Christmas and New Year) one of our electrical safety switches
activated, switching off power in the house. After a few minutes of plugging
appliances into various power points, we narrowed the problem down to the circuit
that supplies the back half of the house. </span></span></span></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdIr1r7wP7vEjpcqfJosM1RcQWZKE27ZAv7vcNCslodeR2F7S1UPYlVkb6JJb8TU-R6Bekz53U6OgZXRC_5YaqeHIEq91cdQkvI7fC8AwV6pJ2sgt0E_jJFRbycUxP3w79PrCq5Z8B-c/s1600/Grey+water+worm+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdIr1r7wP7vEjpcqfJosM1RcQWZKE27ZAv7vcNCslodeR2F7S1UPYlVkb6JJb8TU-R6Bekz53U6OgZXRC_5YaqeHIEq91cdQkvI7fC8AwV6pJ2sgt0E_jJFRbycUxP3w79PrCq5Z8B-c/s320/Grey+water+worm+farm.jpg" width="238" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Further investigation showed the
problem was in the submersible pump that pumped waste water out of our worm
farm waste water tank. This system processes all our effluent from the kitchen,
bathroom and toilet. The waste water filters through a compost heap, where the
solids sit until they decompose and the pump empties excess water that builds
up in the sump. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is no odour in the worm farm
tank but the waste water entering the sump does have a mild smell. (Mild
compared to that in a traditional septic system.) Still there is an odour and
it is not the best time to be working with it, in the middle of our hottest
summer for many years. This timing was also unfortunate because during this
period most plumbers, plumbing suppliers and pump repairers were on their
annual holiday. We decided that our only option was to have a go at it
ourselves. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU5PVJ9KdCGlYVlXGGxts4ihcfDakKJOTx-C6yg-fxJC-agV_au0C2QuGkbCNzrpQtS_zN1uCOLU1QcbcuMnIiFcAR-6hgqqZ3Ah-axrnlr0JgMFSVKJmNbAhUgOfco5pIt8HCbR9ldU/s1600/View+down+into+the+sump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU5PVJ9KdCGlYVlXGGxts4ihcfDakKJOTx-C6yg-fxJC-agV_au0C2QuGkbCNzrpQtS_zN1uCOLU1QcbcuMnIiFcAR-6hgqqZ3Ah-axrnlr0JgMFSVKJmNbAhUgOfco5pIt8HCbR9ldU/s320/View+down+into+the+sump.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After checking the power point it was
clear that the fault lay in the actual pump. It was time to get our hands dirty
and extract the pump. It is fairly heavy at 15kg and a reasonably tight fit
with the attached floats, but we managed to disconnect the wiring and piping
and haul the unit up to the surface. We worked through many of the obvious
possible problems trying it out again and again after each time. We even left
it for a few days in the hope that if moisture was causing a short circuit it
would dry out and at least work for another week or more. No luck!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then we got on the phone and managed
to find a pump repairer who worked from home. He did a few tests and told us
that it was indeed faulty and would cost more to repair than buy a new one. The
next day we went to Water Pros, an irrigation supplier in Lilydale (by now the
holidays had finished). They were very helpful and to our amazement had a new
pump for us within 2 days at a better price than I could find on the internet.
We highly recommend them for their service and price on irrigation and pump
equipment.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMQgg30s4XT4meSGrmo05aljCnj0GzSJHOS7eoqe60PWnXYRde4OPwzh_iebPiskjKXisTPjCDXeujWEy0Uyx5iYHTq3KWEzvMt9L5MpBAXGGhN2ZHNWC0iMioVonw9SW8PFRWg5Cwlo/s1600/Electric+alarms+and+warning+system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMQgg30s4XT4meSGrmo05aljCnj0GzSJHOS7eoqe60PWnXYRde4OPwzh_iebPiskjKXisTPjCDXeujWEy0Uyx5iYHTq3KWEzvMt9L5MpBAXGGhN2ZHNWC0iMioVonw9SW8PFRWg5Cwlo/s320/Electric+alarms+and+warning+system.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once home we removed the piping,
floats and wires from the old pump and transferred these to the new pump. After
a few trials and tribulations we turned it on and it worked (no tripping of safety
switches) and as the water level rose, it activated the shut off float and
turned itself off. We were back to normal at last!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Altogether it took over a week to get
the system working again. That was a week with minimal showers and working out
ways to dispose of kitchen and laundry water onto the lawn (not a bad idea in
summer anyway). The main worry was the fact that if water levels built up in
the tank, the composting worms that process the waste, would all drown.
Therefore emptying the waste water in the sump by hand (using a plastic ice
cream tub screwed to the end of a pole) became a daily ritual. It took around
30 minutes to lift out about 200 litres. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ31mvXApjVlDKcTheo7Ba5O1FePw8clSIn-S0GqniouEDua0DhWRcQQjKTYH641YFH85nP9ZS4WqIdw3yehbwEXnDrGGr0iNWz_jN9_1SDnrwCRXWHMVOJlJ9kW6BmgxaeMhDFPZaG7I/s1600/Emptying+the+sump+by+hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ31mvXApjVlDKcTheo7Ba5O1FePw8clSIn-S0GqniouEDua0DhWRcQQjKTYH641YFH85nP9ZS4WqIdw3yehbwEXnDrGGr0iNWz_jN9_1SDnrwCRXWHMVOJlJ9kW6BmgxaeMhDFPZaG7I/s320/Emptying+the+sump+by+hand.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pump has now been working well
for around six weeks, so we are hoping it will do so for many more years yet.
However, both the pump repairer and the irrigation shop staff said you are
lucky to get 5 or 6 six years out of a submersible pump in our situation (the
old one was 9 years old). When we get time we will take the old one apart and see
if we can repair it and keep it as a spare for emergencies.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the years we have found that it
is possible to give things ago ourselves. As owner builders we frequently come
across issues that are beyond our existing knowledge. We are by no means technically
minded, but often find that doing some research on the web, asking around for
information and taking things step by step helps. The process takes longer, can
be a bit frustrating but it saves money and we learn new skills at the same
time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-87125880954003799122013-02-13T20:48:00.000-08:002013-02-13T20:48:01.007-08:00Back at work on the Cottage
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though
it has been a hot dry summer with regular temperatures in the thirties, we have
been steadily at work on “Tenderbreak Cottage” (formerly our barn). Several
helpers have helped us get the mud brick walls started and they are close to a
metre high already. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1hWrAsUwfMz48x6hbiNx26Wve6CKEwkyMqDzJ2BWrGqzoYAxXuNcbZ7xyFinPJDmLtwBKk2Bqdabbima_usVPk712EUQwjlqCX1K-2WzLn1G9e8pr1sQZ07_LgaRTa1i6t3ppHhIdJY/s1600/Andrea+with+saw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1hWrAsUwfMz48x6hbiNx26Wve6CKEwkyMqDzJ2BWrGqzoYAxXuNcbZ7xyFinPJDmLtwBKk2Bqdabbima_usVPk712EUQwjlqCX1K-2WzLn1G9e8pr1sQZ07_LgaRTa1i6t3ppHhIdJY/s320/Andrea+with+saw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our latest
helper is Andrea from Italy and he has helped us do one of the trickier parts
of the retrofit, which is to strengthen the roof frame to make it strong enough
to support a solar hot water system. This involved installing heavy duty beams
to support the extra loading on the roof and bolting these into place.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUovBPWRn2wIe99nD8OH17VhicL-ZVPCIow7KLvz_noYfPmPjiv0ULl0sNzB90U3brPgh7ffQ-9X57jPjaciZhM9bE-BhSE-ZGXuSkSPp6HP_icV4rO7vspJHssG8pax6aMZWOaR3JE0/s1600/Andrew+banging+nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUovBPWRn2wIe99nD8OH17VhicL-ZVPCIow7KLvz_noYfPmPjiv0ULl0sNzB90U3brPgh7ffQ-9X57jPjaciZhM9bE-BhSE-ZGXuSkSPp6HP_icV4rO7vspJHssG8pax6aMZWOaR3JE0/s320/Andrew+banging+nails.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next
step was to use recycled chipboard to make a temporary floor on top of the existing
collar ties so that we had a stable working platform to walk on. Once this was
in place we cut the extra rafters to size, installed them beside the existing
ones and bolted them in place. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWqGBseiXrBK5aRWs97Lv32eClGIoF5L_F7JhQhbdh-l3k8vfRXbNRscWLWPWs8asId285tvC2rw4VFmmrRU7Y1p9yOz8FVio_1DVtq-JOnalKQf8KDTjPZckqBfRzFd8L8ZCCOv75DQ/s1600/Bolting+the+beams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWqGBseiXrBK5aRWs97Lv32eClGIoF5L_F7JhQhbdh-l3k8vfRXbNRscWLWPWs8asId285tvC2rw4VFmmrRU7Y1p9yOz8FVio_1DVtq-JOnalKQf8KDTjPZckqBfRzFd8L8ZCCOv75DQ/s320/Bolting+the+beams.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This job would
have been quite difficult to do alone, and it was great to have an enthusiastic
helper like Andrea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was happy to help
to lift the long timber beams and work in the reasonably confined space (which was
quite hot up under the roof). </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He cheerfully contributed his muscle power, helped
work out methods to overcome problems that arose and made a good working
companion. In fact he was so keen, that on his last day when we suggested we
could take him for a drive and look at some of the local sights, Andrea said he
would prefer to finish off the roof frame because as he said “when he starts a
job, he likes to do a good job and finish it”.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyNaSewxl96RTzJ-wZOxON0rf0-vHPZKTz5SxD1bBVfGzaq99-r3lhyeGI_CYaEAoe4n9NSpg0OY5u1794UxJWGZMoznj_NYMqt3TzWtezuSXeJDttE1yd1jnO8vv5WIZyMeUnA9gbME/s1600/Andrea+bolting+rafters+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyNaSewxl96RTzJ-wZOxON0rf0-vHPZKTz5SxD1bBVfGzaq99-r3lhyeGI_CYaEAoe4n9NSpg0OY5u1794UxJWGZMoznj_NYMqt3TzWtezuSXeJDttE1yd1jnO8vv5WIZyMeUnA9gbME/s320/Andrea+bolting+rafters+together.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks to
Andrea our little cottage has moved one step closer to completion!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-42902063531107506942013-02-08T22:19:00.000-08:002013-02-08T22:19:50.891-08:00A Simple Pet Carry Crate made from Recycled Materials
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our family has a new member called
“Cobber”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cobber* is a Red Heeler or
Australian Cattle Dog puppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady
who sold us Cobber suggested we buy a puppy carry crate so he could ride in the
car. We were not keen on spending money on a commercially made crate, which we may
only use once, so we thought out a much cheaper (free) alternative, using an
old grass catcher from a lawn mower.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeyXiLtdKZG6wVJh0UvZILdMyvXMcPGnbtMFQfyYJd-cF124ixeRdWcYP0i9J0dgQfjJhpASXuPNI7128TaCUoEIRauhPajhmf6ieRKlqV6ohjKtXWAeYSHiM9ZKWE0PJSCjunZc6AQQ/s1600/Open+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeyXiLtdKZG6wVJh0UvZILdMyvXMcPGnbtMFQfyYJd-cF124ixeRdWcYP0i9J0dgQfjJhpASXuPNI7128TaCUoEIRauhPajhmf6ieRKlqV6ohjKtXWAeYSHiM9ZKWE0PJSCjunZc6AQQ/s320/Open+box.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The grass catcher was perfect for
the job because it was reasonably light, had a built in handle, was secure and strong,
had good air circulation, allowed the puppy to see out, was safe without rough
edges and easy to clean.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The door was made from an old
refrigerator shelf. It was strong being made from stainless steel, easy to
clean and without rough edges. It was cut to size with bolt cutters and bent to
shape to fit over the grass catcher opening.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9iFXTgEuzbl7z_YkB03BLu2zCOtdBQ87Ziyv_da50DEvvPri4uuC7Bc-Qow-bhEqGOsONCISIxhBWUFBQLCZFNUGEIGhtk4JTF27pngneG_Vsi5kV2OhmteMBe-TuuVxBKXxuXPzPR8/s1600/Box+with+lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9iFXTgEuzbl7z_YkB03BLu2zCOtdBQ87Ziyv_da50DEvvPri4uuC7Bc-Qow-bhEqGOsONCISIxhBWUFBQLCZFNUGEIGhtk4JTF27pngneG_Vsi5kV2OhmteMBe-TuuVxBKXxuXPzPR8/s320/Box+with+lock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We bolted a piece of wood to the top
of the catcher as a base for a door hinge mechanism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To enable the door to open freely we
used what we had on hand, which were <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“U”
shaped staple nails, but could have used wire or “U” bolts to make a neater
job.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We made a simple toggle locking
mechanism out of a piece of scrap wood, which rotates to lock or open the door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5De9a7pDELzmDEXV2282gdXIWxLzGpDgXDE4wJHsjR94FLwx451MrV-1N_qLq2rnYy9534NPADZi2TiCKJAupropqSYdy53SMFtR3AML5I-w36oiZ8B2zof-Sazw4cXh33rU7j77kcg/s1600/Cobber+in+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5De9a7pDELzmDEXV2282gdXIWxLzGpDgXDE4wJHsjR94FLwx451MrV-1N_qLq2rnYy9534NPADZi2TiCKJAupropqSYdy53SMFtR3AML5I-w36oiZ8B2zof-Sazw4cXh33rU7j77kcg/s320/Cobber+in+box.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The whole job took less than an hour.
The carry box could be used to transport a variety of small animals such as
cats, puppies, rabbits, guinea pigs, large lizards and small poultry. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span> </o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Well how did it work in practice?
Cobber travelled happily and of course we made regular stops to give him a
toilet break and a walk around. We are unlikely to use it for Cobber in the future
though, as he has already grown bigger in the past couple of weeks.</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Cobber is an Australian
colloquialism meaning "mate" or "friend".</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-41415653119255620802013-01-25T22:41:00.000-08:002013-01-25T22:41:42.937-08:00In Memory of “Blue”
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the hardest and saddest blog
entry to write for us. It has been five months now since our dear dog “Blue”
passed away suddenly.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blue was only six years old (not old
for a Blue Heeler) when he developed bowel cancer. It all happened so quickly
that we were all in total shock and heartfelt pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even now we still feel overwhelming sadness
with a huge hole of emptiness in our hearts. It seems he is still here and each
morning and dozens of times each day we are expecting to see his smiley face or
waggy tail, but of course we cannot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blue was our very first dog and in
his short life he became a very special member of our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of our family members developed their own
personal relationship with him. This dear dog gave so much to so many people who
met him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The adage that “a dog is
man’s best friend” is so true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blue was handsome, loving, loyal,
absolute fun, cheeky, obedient (except when sniffing out rabbits), “ratter”
extraordinaire, watchdog, friend to children and adults alike, playful
(especially with other dogs) and much, much more. Most of all though, he was a
real character, so easy to love and he gave love back unconditionally. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have asked ourselves how we can
move on without a constant feeling of loss and the gnawing heartache that goes
with it, but never forgetting the special place that Blue holds in our lives.
Blue would have loved a puppy mate to play with, and we did contemplate another
dog to grow up with him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your mate is coming Blue; a little
red heeler pup called “Cobber”. He is your best mate and will continue to keep
the essence of you alive in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy9JHJR7iA0hucw8azZmbzPII5ZmEFqPYF1gkjcFfoeLSqWd8pyZ8oL9jQpc0UsRE7aIgcvOATW5keSh2DToQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our daughter Sally compiled the
attached video clip to celebrate Blue’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-73640176035268835892013-01-19T17:58:00.000-08:002013-01-19T17:58:23.393-08:00We’ve hit a century!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex9cr2yxOHbkrAhGelLmtvWpNfRfomb8rRJasBLzWBqmOMXWAJkMn4KfqtY4frSfry89vkb79Ye5DsfneCttGdqx9Z_h89FRsoYVZdn2K10DhqCubFOTNTVqkmgpQ7bo87cvaxCle0xY/s1600/Open+day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex9cr2yxOHbkrAhGelLmtvWpNfRfomb8rRJasBLzWBqmOMXWAJkMn4KfqtY4frSfry89vkb79Ye5DsfneCttGdqx9Z_h89FRsoYVZdn2K10DhqCubFOTNTVqkmgpQ7bo87cvaxCle0xY/s320/Open+day+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first open day. The crowd "blew us away".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not in age,
but in the number of posts we have done on this blog! We actually passed this
milestone without even realising it, but now we know, it is a good time to
reflect over the four and half years of our history that is recorded in our
blog. More detail about the events below can be found by clicking on the links
or using the blog index on the right hand side.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYFoKxnaWqd7qTyn9geQVUDhSCPXvmp43kcmalIGTVcf83sG2GpYzYnuWzFtIX7UtxwXzxALm2ld61XEGJ55DmWyoJ1_z1N-BGHlQau777zlMBavuCCFgtGO_rkbdZfS1d2cNbh_duVw/s1600/Open+Day+front+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYFoKxnaWqd7qTyn9geQVUDhSCPXvmp43kcmalIGTVcf83sG2GpYzYnuWzFtIX7UtxwXzxALm2ld61XEGJ55DmWyoJ1_z1N-BGHlQau777zlMBavuCCFgtGO_rkbdZfS1d2cNbh_duVw/s320/Open+Day+front+yard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beautiful day it was.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2008 posts
started with a report about our first public </span></span><a href="http://www.tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/search/label/open%20day"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">open day</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> on 21 September. It was held in
conjunction with Permaculture Yarra Valley as part of a project to celebrate 30
years of permaculture in Australia. As it was an “open” event we had no idea of
the number of people who would turn up and were blown away (stunned!) when over
500 people came to do a tour. Apart from the wonderful day, this event was the primary
motivation for starting the blog. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmE5sDsmzLWF-0yu3ljFOD8eK9TN2zf4wJdParVcyj1Yo9wjlAiSQDeEDqEIw5QGnabEZzv8w-5IR3ouZ6VuaA8YJf2uI2idzOiP18zOQzpvV_YSz4Gn0Sza1pg5Yen2CE7LHtNlhF18/s1600/Front+Yard+before+fires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmE5sDsmzLWF-0yu3ljFOD8eK9TN2zf4wJdParVcyj1Yo9wjlAiSQDeEDqEIw5QGnabEZzv8w-5IR3ouZ6VuaA8YJf2uI2idzOiP18zOQzpvV_YSz4Gn0Sza1pg5Yen2CE7LHtNlhF18/s320/Front+Yard+before+fires.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden looking towards the dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next
three posts went back in time and told about our background and how Tenderbreak
Permaculture Farm came into existence (our vision and permaculture design, our
owner builder experience and setting up our gardens. See building related
posts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbi8I4SiI2xsV7lnuBEzpI65cLHUSntyNVKOU3o6YvgcpP9NT_y5r1JBuwv_ZTY0EhQZhZNURsorDyyf3HRpDx6wB2vz3sydZBvFZ0pt2oSJr7GLFotZnD6Psmg4PM-dDSC8PvgbFRzY/s1600/The+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbi8I4SiI2xsV7lnuBEzpI65cLHUSntyNVKOU3o6YvgcpP9NT_y5r1JBuwv_ZTY0EhQZhZNURsorDyyf3HRpDx6wB2vz3sydZBvFZ0pt2oSJr7GLFotZnD6Psmg4PM-dDSC8PvgbFRzY/s320/The+frame.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The frame went up fairly quickly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2009 started
off really well with posts about the start of our regular small group tours
(which we still run from time to time) and about the wonderful wildlife that
shares this property with us. Then things turned ugly with the devastating </span></span><a href="http://www.tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/2009/02/victoria-burns.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Black Saturday bushfires</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> that burned much of Victoria as well
as 90% of our bushland. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt_BQCafTpPTQeZQOVQj8KqY1bi4F_Z10_7UihYulVEL42TvPgbJpVfWTteoWq8BFg7XLQf80Xxla00vokoPbfZ-xxzZT6ijKKFbRd3IuduaVs-MZ2gbTKzOCKvcBMH5v6Hld79fasDQ/s1600/Our+new+landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt_BQCafTpPTQeZQOVQj8KqY1bi4F_Z10_7UihYulVEL42TvPgbJpVfWTteoWq8BFg7XLQf80Xxla00vokoPbfZ-xxzZT6ijKKFbRd3IuduaVs-MZ2gbTKzOCKvcBMH5v6Hld79fasDQ/s320/Our+new+landscape.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful forest became a changed landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
several posts about our experience in the fires, we tried to get back to normal
with posts about other topics. They included a post on our first “WOOFER” a
lovely French girl named Emilie, several posts about the design and building of
our </span></span><a href="http://www.tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/2009_04_01_archive.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">passive solar mud brick house</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and how we turned our garage into a </span></span><a href="http://www.tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Yarra%20Valley%20Open%20Studios"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">temporary art gallery</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> for our photographer daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB6sHTQHm5EPJIozUe6EbIJkKlop0N-pd9qMMyg6ovpwTYk92XcLoxaVnwBW-5sUrroBVLOy-hrwvqPcz9aJ35Roy1jaw75lIA7_4S4A9G6lj7wCWQyLjQAIa1ZrSRt_Y4csZtdcZTAk/s1600/Gardens+with+burnt+forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB6sHTQHm5EPJIozUe6EbIJkKlop0N-pd9qMMyg6ovpwTYk92XcLoxaVnwBW-5sUrroBVLOy-hrwvqPcz9aJ35Roy1jaw75lIA7_4S4A9G6lj7wCWQyLjQAIa1ZrSRt_Y4csZtdcZTAk/s320/Gardens+with+burnt+forest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden with burnt forest in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2010 was
fairly light on for posts. One reason was because this was the year our
experience with the fires caught up with us. We made a trip to Europe to catch
up with family members that we hadn’t seen for many years, but when we returned
to our still blackened landscape, many deep emotions came to the surface. For
several months we were feeling low and it took quite some time before we could
get on top of it. Even today the sight of wild fires on the news brings a lump
to our throats. Amazingly, not long after that, we went through what we call </span></span><a href="http://www.tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Rainfall"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">“The big wet”</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> where for weeks on end we were
getting really good rains- so much so, there was flooding through much of the
Yarra River including across our access road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7zKB9bpkMbfUm24WJx3Nyf2COrOJ97lRAPZL7pnlFdT9k5gSUaTICx8VkOouyJswVv6DBLEhSrO30PmPc268DV9yZgxqFP-AjM_0-5K1TD7U5dkhJ1q15_Rz2_fldFV785nWT-hnU6E/s1600/A+very+full+dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7zKB9bpkMbfUm24WJx3Nyf2COrOJ97lRAPZL7pnlFdT9k5gSUaTICx8VkOouyJswVv6DBLEhSrO30PmPc268DV9yZgxqFP-AjM_0-5K1TD7U5dkhJ1q15_Rz2_fldFV785nWT-hnU6E/s320/A+very+full+dam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Big Wet"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011 in
retrospect was a really good year. There were lots of posts about our
developing gardens, visiting helpers, new infrastructure and our future dreams
(including our plans to use </span></span><a href="http://www.tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Steam%20Engines"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">steam</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> to generate electricity).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnBZDcLWmDzNgnYWFMfbSxOMptfnpEk9h3knuBJULNniRyTPFD_qBAf_2Cjr4xroPxKB0VxXNCNfOe3lCGi5s4zvXcUJuxwGn9uKUxJwOMh78csgDega60jFisqJzu8rZpc8fciYuCRc/s1600/Our+new+Verandah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnBZDcLWmDzNgnYWFMfbSxOMptfnpEk9h3knuBJULNniRyTPFD_qBAf_2Cjr4xroPxKB0VxXNCNfOe3lCGi5s4zvXcUJuxwGn9uKUxJwOMh78csgDega60jFisqJzu8rZpc8fciYuCRc/s320/Our+new+Verandah.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new verandah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2012 was
largely summarised in the last post. As for 2013, well that is a story we
cannot tell yet, but we will tell it as soon as it reveals itself to us. If the
past is anything to go by, there will be surprises (some good and some bad),
there will be many, many things to learn, much to do and many wonderful people
to meet (in person and over the web). Life is certainly a rich tapestry!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-43345290696423155932013-01-13T02:57:00.000-08:002013-01-13T02:57:32.407-08:002012. Not the end of the world, but the start of a new journey
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For us 2012 became the year we got
fully into Helpx and started a new journey. The Helpx website links hosts with
travellers who would like the opportunity to stay and work with local people and
gain practical experience and cultural exchange in return for free board.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJYvxQMWtWsoZvxg0u4ec4Ak_naNu_-3E2hUgyOPpXzsf6LOiyWwnc_yAWQHzLj-aCqIvaR2wMh4IUg3Ms4KSFfTIbU5c6bQlcrfc57SZgIyNnm_ieoGeTnL6_ycimrg2vt53uYwTTBg/s1600/Karen+%2526+Alex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJYvxQMWtWsoZvxg0u4ec4Ak_naNu_-3E2hUgyOPpXzsf6LOiyWwnc_yAWQHzLj-aCqIvaR2wMh4IUg3Ms4KSFfTIbU5c6bQlcrfc57SZgIyNnm_ieoGeTnL6_ycimrg2vt53uYwTTBg/s320/Karen+%2526+Alex.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex & Karen </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Tenderbreak is a large rural
property and as we are still building its key infrastructure, there is a list
of jobs “a mile long”. We also try to grow as much of our own food as possible,
so there are continual tasks associated with this process, from preparing and planting
the crop, right through to harvesting and storage. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5162B14sqFjUxvFy6WCesa1s15Lh_CJZWVhxrwaTnsTAdGAJ43F055R3-odOh7xjvmAxRsussxdEMjqqBXQPYuKCQJPm_hY2W1JvFkP2OZ53WaWqdXaYLsO0oE4rr4d_BqzrM6nZUcqk/s1600/Sarah+in+the+garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5162B14sqFjUxvFy6WCesa1s15Lh_CJZWVhxrwaTnsTAdGAJ43F055R3-odOh7xjvmAxRsussxdEMjqqBXQPYuKCQJPm_hY2W1JvFkP2OZ53WaWqdXaYLsO0oE4rr4d_BqzrM6nZUcqk/s320/Sarah+in+the+garlic.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah weeding the garlic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now
that we are in our sixties, sometimes our bodies have the odd objection to the
ideas in our minds, so we end up with the occasional ache or pain to slow us
down. The perfect solution is to welcome Helpers who have the energy,
enthusiasm and interest to help us out. In return we provide free board, share
our knowledge and skills and hopefully give them an enjoyable experience on
their travels.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwINxOgZxshECvOEagCyWmSfUvlfj857lIxAQjQ3NYLQwd9RPcr5j5K-Jeo6DruqKmVtb4GsgX6D7dT7joSIskLqkOM819y3685kWyC3bwtWGnSs-h8Xmaj-VMPS5ghfalNjEdpNW8Sg/s1600/Jeff+helping+out+with+mubricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwINxOgZxshECvOEagCyWmSfUvlfj857lIxAQjQ3NYLQwd9RPcr5j5K-Jeo6DruqKmVtb4GsgX6D7dT7joSIskLqkOM819y3685kWyC3bwtWGnSs-h8Xmaj-VMPS5ghfalNjEdpNW8Sg/s320/Jeff+helping+out+with+mubricks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff shifting mud bricks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This year we have had a total of 14 helpers
from seven different countries. Every one of them are lovely people with whom
it was a joy to share our lives. And they have all been instrumental in helping
us do many important tasks that would have been much more difficult and
slow-going, if we had to do them all by ourselves. We look forward to hosting
many more Helpx visitors during 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8FZTnBNZmuTDsu2IETqAV0FTMpUrbkvuMWlb7GXagpXOCqOa77QrJtgp-HH9sIwKBIGlTY0I9bgDFhUK56fTqirDgA-PQtZ1M5RxGKxm-qmagQyYXm6En_YoH3GoYNh2Q5rnH0eT8Fw/s1600/Jodie%252C+Valencia+%2526+Tia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8FZTnBNZmuTDsu2IETqAV0FTMpUrbkvuMWlb7GXagpXOCqOa77QrJtgp-HH9sIwKBIGlTY0I9bgDFhUK56fTqirDgA-PQtZ1M5RxGKxm-qmagQyYXm6En_YoH3GoYNh2Q5rnH0eT8Fw/s320/Jodie%252C+Valencia+%2526+Tia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jodie, Valencia & Tia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2012 was not all fun and games though.
There were a few issues that caused us pain. Andrew was “out of action” for
several weeks when he injured himself, and then there was some minor (but
expensive) damage to the car. However the event that caused us the greatest
pain (and still does) was the loss of our dear dog Blue (who starred in many photos
in this blog). Although his passing happened in August, it has been too painful
to do a post in memory of our friend. Perhaps we’ll do one in the new year when
our hearts have healed a bit more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d9uFHdDgfocBUhV0cjsTlhOyccGB0jaSLDs9Qy-unuXZ9iVWjvDH1mlwzfJQo4kLQuS31BjZD-Lc-ds84SM1-YCbT7k9MvrhQysv_9oQ0LA4FBWtABOpNA3X-wSU_6NXYIUrPoTHxjA/s1600/That+looks+cleaner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d9uFHdDgfocBUhV0cjsTlhOyccGB0jaSLDs9Qy-unuXZ9iVWjvDH1mlwzfJQo4kLQuS31BjZD-Lc-ds84SM1-YCbT7k9MvrhQysv_9oQ0LA4FBWtABOpNA3X-wSU_6NXYIUrPoTHxjA/s320/That+looks+cleaner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura using human energy to clean the rugs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-89933432880897486842013-01-05T19:08:00.001-08:002013-01-05T21:31:54.917-08:00Olivia and Bryant<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7jxbPsdBVSW_OFGYEdOkoXs0yeuFXNy6xZXFP4OcgtiHwAegHSboIM_CfXBSF7nbEQge1AOm0uT17MSDJrjHmbnH-A86hD_CfrSeya0FbySuka3LWynsQJPX27qoMF9vxZV_WpvSc7w/s1600/Xmas+dinner+looking+towards+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7jxbPsdBVSW_OFGYEdOkoXs0yeuFXNy6xZXFP4OcgtiHwAegHSboIM_CfXBSF7nbEQge1AOm0uT17MSDJrjHmbnH-A86hD_CfrSeya0FbySuka3LWynsQJPX27qoMF9vxZV_WpvSc7w/s400/Xmas+dinner+looking+towards+kitchen.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">As mentioned in our Christmas post, Olivia and
Bryant arrived soon after Ortzi, just in time for Christmas Day, and we had a
ball. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The first few days were largely spent preparing for the big day and
getting to know each other, but both Bryant and Olivia were so enthusiastic
about getting some work done, we did manage to squeeze in some jobs such as
watering the gardens (our summer is starting to get very dry), weeding and wood splitting. In any
spare moments, Olivia would be outside finding more places to weed and
harvesting these for our compost.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEnywxP4yMYXqm3KahIsnfmKZNwShIzsLe2p77jagICtEdfwQBYdR0KaLjcElUhWZaK7HF3Ortm5Ue01_Oydt2vzuG6wXrGaFdlpH6PYgk9uaFgYTms2gWWE0Z1egSImpAm_Hm9haMSg/s1600/Relaxing+on+the+verandah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEnywxP4yMYXqm3KahIsnfmKZNwShIzsLe2p77jagICtEdfwQBYdR0KaLjcElUhWZaK7HF3Ortm5Ue01_Oydt2vzuG6wXrGaFdlpH6PYgk9uaFgYTms2gWWE0Z1egSImpAm_Hm9haMSg/s400/Relaxing+on+the+verandah.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing under the verandah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Olivia
and Bryant turned out to be a good team on the wood splitter with Olivia
operating the lever that drove the hydraulic blade and Bryant manhandling the
logs, lining them up to be split in the right spot. Even though the weather was warming
up, we managed to get about a month’s supply of firewood stacked away, so it
will be completely dry by the time we need to use it.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tf8NmKsRDbIwVBjuTluVGxM8Ux69PcZ-RG2tJI_Hoj-J6-nrgDKDjWcoNcu66QpW2fhlXHdkL_QhsXsZOHfjrjsKidAuZE6tyavFqQPBYabjMDSMtjWogCsMVhc7PyebGyVKWbQLVSA/s1600/Weeding+the+concrete+tubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tf8NmKsRDbIwVBjuTluVGxM8Ux69PcZ-RG2tJI_Hoj-J6-nrgDKDjWcoNcu66QpW2fhlXHdkL_QhsXsZOHfjrjsKidAuZE6tyavFqQPBYabjMDSMtjWogCsMVhc7PyebGyVKWbQLVSA/s320/Weeding+the+concrete+tubs.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting some more lettuces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhp5UoeZ2LiaEGHWlzzfHy1LxJy1nrQwQWdqrEqn2clkMz-gyS_HqVra55GjULyfgNR_zbpOMX5GxmpUWkAqs__FFDLNy8W7Fwuepwl4FHP3d5CqzfG0LGwSKr26V_J5OBPEIp36YJtgk/s1600/Harvesting+broadbean+seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhp5UoeZ2LiaEGHWlzzfHy1LxJy1nrQwQWdqrEqn2clkMz-gyS_HqVra55GjULyfgNR_zbpOMX5GxmpUWkAqs__FFDLNy8W7Fwuepwl4FHP3d5CqzfG0LGwSKr26V_J5OBPEIp36YJtgk/s320/Harvesting+broadbean+seed.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olivia with our crop of broad beans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Together
we harvested the last of the broad beans. The stalks were cut off at ground
level and left on the ground to be used as a mulch, until we are ready to plant
brassicas (cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower) later in summer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We gathered
green pods to shuck for the beans to be used in a broad bean dip and the ones that
had dried out were collected for further drying, so they will be ready to be
used as seed for planting later in the year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuMe3qskSAb6t6yRRUSNCd9-gRqCOAiyRg369WLk4YqRezKDSfxdqbV5JuqCTMAPygZoVdxRu2OmyNh-zketEKXPopjELiXgEu3oXm4Z4Zsyll856yqrBU6uWImsu-72eYECkipAN7H4/s1600/Laying+mudbricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuMe3qskSAb6t6yRRUSNCd9-gRqCOAiyRg369WLk4YqRezKDSfxdqbV5JuqCTMAPygZoVdxRu2OmyNh-zketEKXPopjELiXgEu3oXm4Z4Zsyll856yqrBU6uWImsu-72eYECkipAN7H4/s400/Laying+mudbricks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryant shifting mud bricks. Phew!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">After
we had recovered from our busy and joyful Christmas we spent two days working
on our new mud brick cottage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Bryant helped mix up the mortar in the concrete mixer and
shifted a huge load of mud bricks close to the wall that we are building. With
his help, we have now laid a total of around 100 bricks (only 800 to go).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8-vnd50MVA8RGz90rz4CUVwk3EDnsUgEnIbZmAFDzelUyI7LlgZk324Ia4SUZR8xlDqPCtsPG-zExP45AAlEMYwCbBcO_skn1lkQsoyGvK0xstoHDqDo2RxeePxkh1AxAiWHPK-TZUU/s1600/Mixing+cement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8-vnd50MVA8RGz90rz4CUVwk3EDnsUgEnIbZmAFDzelUyI7LlgZk324Ia4SUZR8xlDqPCtsPG-zExP45AAlEMYwCbBcO_skn1lkQsoyGvK0xstoHDqDo2RxeePxkh1AxAiWHPK-TZUU/s320/Mixing+cement.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryant mixing mortar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Bryant
and Olivia were keen to show us some of their favourite recipes and we were
happy to oblige. They took a turn in the kitchen and not only produced some
delicious food, but gave us some great recipes too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodgRrGz3jfN574UNBax6Q8jOYq7i-iMAV1RxEUYt-jMAHjQRODQjInbj2Ep0Z9bNrCJgPYG9bBS1LqHMgAdsCuPgn5qsMfDXWyPjdUpZ2HMDl_gv6eGo4JMAJJHAijDh60QmjnpWdrTs/s1600/Delicious+Mexican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodgRrGz3jfN574UNBax6Q8jOYq7i-iMAV1RxEUYt-jMAHjQRODQjInbj2Ep0Z9bNrCJgPYG9bBS1LqHMgAdsCuPgn5qsMfDXWyPjdUpZ2HMDl_gv6eGo4JMAJJHAijDh60QmjnpWdrTs/s400/Delicious+Mexican.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy tortillas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The
meal of Tortillos was not only beautiful but very, very yummy. It may have been
the artichoke hearts that were added that made it SO tasty.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWikqoGqkZiMkQN2n3lyg4ta85MW_wURosmNDLAgK69n_t3Z3EXuocsySXgLYVhA7wETZUjTsLY6cZ4hwNGxrSgMtARw8jxecgKR_E6z_MPc7oKnud6mzX6kNPsuN-TQ8naiHZkGf9RZ0/s1600/Cooking+Mexican+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWikqoGqkZiMkQN2n3lyg4ta85MW_wURosmNDLAgK69n_t3Z3EXuocsySXgLYVhA7wETZUjTsLY6cZ4hwNGxrSgMtARw8jxecgKR_E6z_MPc7oKnud6mzX6kNPsuN-TQ8naiHZkGf9RZ0/s320/Cooking+Mexican+2.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At work in the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For
dessert they produced a “Dump” cake (a special recipe of Bryant’s mother),
which was absolutely delicious with its filling of blueberries and pineapple. Then
the next morning they made some delicious pancakes using, mashed bananas, eggs,
cranberries and using no flour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichW2t7Ajc7ScPz6Yhj1wCJRl-KNFGkh52q4QBazGfcnprU8WRwxi05ZML8SmGD8OK-S2NTAq3Fqtd9APVXOKVL2HAc8dtm9Wy53So-tintxs5YH5rny3s45PlxCFthZcIUAbj94VuzFo/s1600/Dump+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichW2t7Ajc7ScPz6Yhj1wCJRl-KNFGkh52q4QBazGfcnprU8WRwxi05ZML8SmGD8OK-S2NTAq3Fqtd9APVXOKVL2HAc8dtm9Wy53So-tintxs5YH5rny3s45PlxCFthZcIUAbj94VuzFo/s400/Dump+Cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The delicious "Dump" cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Apart
from the great company, we really enjoyed Bryant’s and Olivia's visit because of
their enthusiastic interest in learning about how permaculture principles can
help people develop sustainable lifestyles. As they learn more, they are passing
this information on through their blog and have plans to develop an online library
of articles, informative video clips and other resources. Ultimately they would
like to put all their knowledge into their own property. <u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyIxdqC7V1IaWiie0ITtpO1HxHNjvh8NKfEKlP4bV6NFMkNInycTx14awxubjfR3KDQ8q2lUkzr6miwXoB4xX3-wiNmuBr_-epo6U537vsIujV2ZKV0bUn7PXtlHQWKQ6VoNSIa74NzQ/s1600/Cooking+Mexican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyIxdqC7V1IaWiie0ITtpO1HxHNjvh8NKfEKlP4bV6NFMkNInycTx14awxubjfR3KDQ8q2lUkzr6miwXoB4xX3-wiNmuBr_-epo6U537vsIujV2ZKV0bUn7PXtlHQWKQ6VoNSIa74NzQ/s400/Cooking+Mexican.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm! I smell a tortilla coming up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Olivia
and Bryant have now returned home to Wellington in New Zealand and are back at
work, and Ortzi is staying for a few days in their flat. Hopefully one day we
will catch up with our wonderful helpers again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-41275859221816733702013-01-01T02:29:00.000-08:002013-01-01T02:29:36.637-08:00An International Christmas with Ortzi, Bryant & Olivia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ECblbxu5jmHgLpiwpxTsVxaHjK4hpiwLAbTVAJ7_mTy0KhB02hNj0vCriPmFPeruFX-CPqXyjoQ1ooK2eEr9ABmSw_q8Z6P0oGJzY2zsXT795hRXckKgO6sio4fmUOyAfCoRdF0NEa4/s1600/Changing+plastic+on+Hothouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ECblbxu5jmHgLpiwpxTsVxaHjK4hpiwLAbTVAJ7_mTy0KhB02hNj0vCriPmFPeruFX-CPqXyjoQ1ooK2eEr9ABmSw_q8Z6P0oGJzY2zsXT795hRXckKgO6sio4fmUOyAfCoRdF0NEa4/s400/Changing+plastic+on+Hothouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ortzi &Andrew replacing the hothouse plastic cover with shadecloth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ortzi
came to Australia from the Basque region of Spain as part of a study trip to
investigate sustainable developments in Australia and New Zealand. He managed
to include quite a number of interviews and visits into his short trip, including
a few days at Tenderbreak. He has been teaching at a university at home and
gained a small grant to fund the trip, so only had a limited amount of time to
complete his research, which he intends to publish when he returns home.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG4S7YY3W30wJixri4MakC_VW6W6NYovVLi1L9hlbDe0n60Q5ny64uG3rcLTnXaqUJqYIMaV-u6P3K3LirrnmuXY9SA7mP3eBDEjUXGgofFKlJY8BtrOnSqVibfouEEHl7f8UkMV8Ofk/s1600/Fetching+our+Xmas+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG4S7YY3W30wJixri4MakC_VW6W6NYovVLi1L9hlbDe0n60Q5ny64uG3rcLTnXaqUJqYIMaV-u6P3K3LirrnmuXY9SA7mP3eBDEjUXGgofFKlJY8BtrOnSqVibfouEEHl7f8UkMV8Ofk/s400/Fetching+our+Xmas+tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ortzi, Bryant and Olivia fetching our Christmas tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ortzi was a ball of energy and worked so fast and
efficiently that sometimes we had trouble keeping up with him. Within a day we
had cleared the over- grown sides of much of our long driveway- a job that would
have taken us a week to do alone.</span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G1Cp-jAnjQHKvgQwQNT7btsp-6kswIl61lsKOfYkJpuj5Csmp59EM9i5PFejSORnfATPCK8kZ-ND2efdsiKk9x2Hz9g43Z19hYkWMQJAMI5e2ViBmy3Q3v2A8B-uwUEy98Zx-8tLxe0/s1600/Decorating+the+Xmas+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G1Cp-jAnjQHKvgQwQNT7btsp-6kswIl61lsKOfYkJpuj5Csmp59EM9i5PFejSORnfATPCK8kZ-ND2efdsiKk9x2Hz9g43Z19hYkWMQJAMI5e2ViBmy3Q3v2A8B-uwUEy98Zx-8tLxe0/s1600/Decorating+the+Xmas+tree.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ortzi & Liss decorating the tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A
few days after he arrived here, two other helpers also joined us. Bryant and Olivia
are originally from Florida, US, but have been living and working in New
Zealand and were also interested in sustainable lifestyles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We all shared similar interests and passions
and within a short time we had developed a close friendship. Everyone was
blessed with a good sense of humour and our discussions and tales of the past were
filled with plenty of fun and laughter. Ortzi, Bryant and Olivia enjoyed their
time together so much that they have arranged to meet up again in New Zealand
to catch up on their respective adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihswTZySnp7bklcprgGwUGPpzH6Ira0hTYrpjQu8jEEo6Pdrqy_HGctPjK_eO88jrB2YoSASQXLlkSKQtLVv86z2RbXSiPU6_6mE1IaPuLhmW68cD7v6QhkHxK3LOEmjx_IMz3Pkt2kLA/s1600/Preparing+for+Xmas+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihswTZySnp7bklcprgGwUGPpzH6Ira0hTYrpjQu8jEEo6Pdrqy_HGctPjK_eO88jrB2YoSASQXLlkSKQtLVv86z2RbXSiPU6_6mE1IaPuLhmW68cD7v6QhkHxK3LOEmjx_IMz3Pkt2kLA/s1600/Preparing+for+Xmas+dinner.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liss, Sal & Ortzi preparing the feast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As
their visit coincided with Christmas it was a very international affair for us
this year. Our celebration actually started on Christmas Eve when we had a Christmas
Eve supper supplied by our son Greg. It was a great evening of conversation,
laughter and good cheer and continued well into the evening. Then it was all
hands on board early on Christmas morning, to get ready for lunch. We had a
total of 16 family and helpers coming for Christmas lunch so there was plenty
to do. Ortzi, Bryant and Olivia helped shift the furniture, arranged a series
of tables into a super long table, set up and decorated our very Australian Christmas
tree (a young eucalypt sapling) and helped Heather prepare the food.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsEM_4NZF7XiX1nuBKpvDV3K9V-H-_pY5osO6veqSU_-ntwIufvq3m1tnY_o3i_x3jzXfjfNP5JEdNgJzi72I2esv6Wb-vH9413DBjzbcqXhEk4pDxyLjCdctHG0CgKbDJQfDmhwzcpE/s1600/Xmas+dinner+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsEM_4NZF7XiX1nuBKpvDV3K9V-H-_pY5osO6veqSU_-ntwIufvq3m1tnY_o3i_x3jzXfjfNP5JEdNgJzi72I2esv6Wb-vH9413DBjzbcqXhEk4pDxyLjCdctHG0CgKbDJQfDmhwzcpE/s400/Xmas+dinner+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying Christmas dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">After
our sumptuous meal and a leisurely afternoon, we took Ortzi to the local
station so he could travel to the airport to catch his late night plane to NZ
for the final leg of his research trip. We continued on for a family gathering
and more food, drink and conversation at Andrew’s brother’s place. The next
morning we all had a much needed sleep in and then enjoyed a restful Boxing
Day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9rhYVZj9pSqSmdF71_AjMjkKI9FwzplzZxwiDjpzXMIsXvuKM2AYwcgnLPpL4SNmSpwRYGqjNId74aPb1rNMZiobPLYg1_YRrwhVZsYFygOJ3H3ggEg_gR9SkLItbhrYBwusRaD4xVo/s1600/Ready+for+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9rhYVZj9pSqSmdF71_AjMjkKI9FwzplzZxwiDjpzXMIsXvuKM2AYwcgnLPpL4SNmSpwRYGqjNId74aPb1rNMZiobPLYg1_YRrwhVZsYFygOJ3H3ggEg_gR9SkLItbhrYBwusRaD4xVo/s400/Ready+for+work.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-67661172008092002912012-12-29T03:46:00.000-08:002013-01-01T02:39:55.184-08:00We have gone Crazy this Year!<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Crazy
at planting vegetables that is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
organise and plant our food gardens to ensure we have a steady supply of
produce all year. However spring is always our main event, with many plants
supplying food for us in summer, autumn, through winter and into the following
spring. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBw6IUpQHJW4L-gP7Aj_3QkuH5UDbh6yK8Kz6YS6rr-IYgRLcw9d-W1WDW4tpb2oE42TTPaCf-_g1h2dmrL_x5eM4XjXiUFSszB1457oNVzWcMxMAaB7uL8sBfOqrIdQxwxQxRxKV2eU/s1600/Ortzi+planting+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBw6IUpQHJW4L-gP7Aj_3QkuH5UDbh6yK8Kz6YS6rr-IYgRLcw9d-W1WDW4tpb2oE42TTPaCf-_g1h2dmrL_x5eM4XjXiUFSszB1457oNVzWcMxMAaB7uL8sBfOqrIdQxwxQxRxKV2eU/s400/Ortzi+planting+beans.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ortzi planting beans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This
spring we have had a mad compulsion to plant even more than normal. We couldn’t
have done this by ourselves. During 2012 we have been hosts to many
enthusiastic and energetic helpers (such as Ortzi above) and this has inspired us to “stretch our
horizons”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the help of these wonderful visitors, we
planted most of the main garden beds, then we cleared out any underutilised smaller
areas and filled them with veggies too. To top it all off, we also established six
small vegetable beds in spaces in the orchard.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepDPQCRWO_vleiPf88pBnfZSIZJSX6-UEZ54Fa4a7JTinrEVP_2xXklqDnIPtYev95EiuQiXvqjU3MxNRmFoe2XUtpz6YRurC0olUs9vaLSi5Nrgl0jClJ31SO4R_2csTAgXd5NMS5RI/s1600/A+corner+of+our+hothouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepDPQCRWO_vleiPf88pBnfZSIZJSX6-UEZ54Fa4a7JTinrEVP_2xXklqDnIPtYev95EiuQiXvqjU3MxNRmFoe2XUtpz6YRurC0olUs9vaLSi5Nrgl0jClJ31SO4R_2csTAgXd5NMS5RI/s400/A+corner+of+our+hothouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cucumber, lettuce and basil in one corner of the hothouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Part
of our compulsion to plant, is because of the future results that we can see projected
in our imagination. When we plant a bed of sunflower seed, we don’t see 30
seeds or 30 little green plants- we see a forest of 30 tall plants covered in
huge yellow smiley sunflowers. And so it is with every crop – we can actually
see the future (in our minds) and that is one of the main driving forces behind
our compulsion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So
what have we planted this year? </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 varieties and over 50 plants. Heather grew
plenty of healthy seedlings and we tried our best to find “homes’ for as many
as we could. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Corn.
Two beds planted a month apart to give successive crops, with a total of around
80 plants (or 160 cobs if all goes well). </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Climbing
beans 3 plantings to give a continuous harvest over a longer period of time</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Capsicum<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- 14 plants</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Carrots
two large beds to supply us right into next spring</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Parsnip
one large bed</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Beetroot
one bed</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Celery
one large bed to allow side picking of stalks all next year</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Continuous
plantings of salad greens (too many to count) including varieties of several
varieties of lettuce, raddichio and rocket</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Cucumbers
2 varieties spread around 4 areas with plenty of space for them to climb</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Zucchini.
6 plants with 2 different varieties</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Silverbeet
and perennial spinach – too many to count </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Pumpkins
5 varieties in 8 separate small beds A few plants of each to give us plenty of
variety. We still have 3 pumpkins from last year and had one of these for Christmas
lunch</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Herbs
such as parsley, basil and many perennial ones</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZp1yRnTgKhkgF_FDaOkes9pXZHT_A_YVIACNZxV8w0YOn71An5fMpecOqZqTh3m5hSUfwg6btOTJkVRxgUB5TdVirYZGwY_UwXsRhATCMOMqKP0zsB4Vr3PBQDePPP44vr7F5tLbjz4/s1600/Well+used+concrete+tubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZp1yRnTgKhkgF_FDaOkes9pXZHT_A_YVIACNZxV8w0YOn71An5fMpecOqZqTh3m5hSUfwg6btOTJkVRxgUB5TdVirYZGwY_UwXsRhATCMOMqKP0zsB4Vr3PBQDePPP44vr7F5tLbjz4/s400/Well+used+concrete+tubs.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinnach,basil, lettuce & much more</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And
with all that, we still have a couple of garden beds left over. These will
provide room to start planting winter crops such as brassicas in summer. These
beds currently have other crops that are about to be harvested (two beds of
garlic and one large bed of broadbeans). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Of
course it would be a big mistake to “count our chickens before they hatch”. There
are so many variables, that no matter how hard we try to make our imagined
crops turn into reality, we know that there is a possibility that the results
won’t be as perfect as in our dreams. Over the years, there have been a variety
of reasons for harvests being less than what we hoped eg rodents eating corn,
heat and drought stressing plants, birds digging up seedlings etc. We know that
this is part of the journey, but it doesn’t stop us dreaming of bumper
harvests!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So
what do we do with the produce when we have excess, which we certainly hope
will be the case this year. Our family, friends and helpers will get a good
share and then we sell any excess after that at Healesville Organic Farmers
Market in Coronation Park every Saturday morning. Perhaps we will see you there
and you can share some of our harvest too!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOf7wduvLKoeKyMwdodCzkgMGqCtRPS7C7pMi67pX3Lde3lR5Iym5CTE9bVmuBgN1aXlF36WbNmPm8Xxf4Ic13dZrNFeDEnqZV5kscyBUCcJjY9sAnPwY8md_umuIsZ0U_4iPDEHhHQLM/s1600/Market+showing+Dec+produce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOf7wduvLKoeKyMwdodCzkgMGqCtRPS7C7pMi67pX3Lde3lR5Iym5CTE9bVmuBgN1aXlF36WbNmPm8Xxf4Ic13dZrNFeDEnqZV5kscyBUCcJjY9sAnPwY8md_umuIsZ0U_4iPDEHhHQLM/s400/Market+showing+Dec+produce.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our market stall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-83429830426631326402012-12-19T02:31:00.001-08:002012-12-19T02:31:46.726-08:00Eating our Green manure Crop!
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Each
year we aim to plant at least one of our vegetable areas with a green manure
crop. However, we often find that other tasks are more demanding and we don’t
always get a crop in the ground. This year though, we excelled in the green
manure department and actually planted three beds; two with barley and one with
broad beans. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpyrd4uiy4mTD4dGEUuCSo0I8KtcSgKP0steqmM_W29mzJztgWjK3gVuy-W1MVDZy306oRAUuhvYGjrCtFxL5Zk67VoT8bMjmHD2junSIZ9sVLWhRv7d4V6uFUSQFxtLi5locd-0dZpk/s1600/Hoeing+the+barley+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpyrd4uiy4mTD4dGEUuCSo0I8KtcSgKP0steqmM_W29mzJztgWjK3gVuy-W1MVDZy306oRAUuhvYGjrCtFxL5Zk67VoT8bMjmHD2junSIZ9sVLWhRv7d4V6uFUSQFxtLi5locd-0dZpk/s320/Hoeing+the+barley+in.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather hoeing in the barley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All
three crops germinated well and the plan was to cut the crops down when they
were still quite young and let all the organic material decompose; effectively
becoming a green fertiliser for the next crop. We cut the two beds of barley
back as planned, forked it in with a good sprinkling of blood and bone and left
it for 4-5 weeks to allow the decomposition process to work. This apparently
adds phosphate to the soil and encourages a rich life force of microbial
activity . Compost was added on top, then we planted two beds of tomatoes that
Heather grew from seed. The beds were well mulched. So far the plants look
stronger and more vibrant than previous crops, so our hopes are for a bumper
crop. We will have to do an update when they are ready to harvest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However
with the broad beans, things did not proceed as originally planned. When we saw
how beautiful the plants looked, we couldn’t bring ourselves to cut them down.
We love eating broad beans and our taste buds convinced us to let them grow to
maturity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31kpNCrPaQJY0_8cKaO4qVTjw8AqlDgTUsUXbz6BMD2DzmvcKCoxA6A4UCxfAPZNAnmLQ3PkCu0d1fvFfFMM5j3OAt9cTXTAo3QHetzYiJQKYfZC41cbATrDz3yqM0HzI2IKPIzREVIE/s1600/Broad+bean+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31kpNCrPaQJY0_8cKaO4qVTjw8AqlDgTUsUXbz6BMD2DzmvcKCoxA6A4UCxfAPZNAnmLQ3PkCu0d1fvFfFMM5j3OAt9cTXTAo3QHetzYiJQKYfZC41cbATrDz3yqM0HzI2IKPIzREVIE/s320/Broad+bean+crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The broad bean crop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
were not disappointed; we have been having feasts of broad beans for weeks now,
and still the beans keep coming. We have sold quite a lot at our market stall
but as they ripen when the weather warms up people tend to eat less cooked food
and more salads. So we have had an excess which has stimulated a bit of cooking
creativity. Our favourite recipes are Broad Bean Dip (Moroccan dip) and Broad Beans
with tomato, onion and basil sauce on gnocchi. The newest recipe Heather has
come up with is ....steamed broad beans, cooled, then tossed with olive oil and
lemon juice.....great with salads. Having eaten many kilos of broad beans we have
turned into “human beans”. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OxZPZx1-pZul10jyEwaTrP0vF5IPXM1JkRF0HLxecsDV9mw9X6xY0DWkXd4fz07VkQoE1AWYV5ThpuXNAhr9a3heheZjsR3hH8rDEATrDjA1xTSgppBG4lzwkKlPdBz55lIn1t8i-1c/s1600/broad+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OxZPZx1-pZul10jyEwaTrP0vF5IPXM1JkRF0HLxecsDV9mw9X6xY0DWkXd4fz07VkQoE1AWYV5ThpuXNAhr9a3heheZjsR3hH8rDEATrDjA1xTSgppBG4lzwkKlPdBz55lIn1t8i-1c/s320/broad+beans.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The growing pods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
have competitions to see who can prong the most steamed broad beans on their
fork, who can pod 1kg of broad beans in the shortest time, who can balance the
greatest number of broad beans seeds on on top of the other on a solid flat
surface, who can make a single broad bean spin for longer than 3 seconds.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjA_aaH5D7Mt9bXvLr75jIJuSa0aC-d-QAW-dY3CSK37vwAiC1jOr_t4aKBDKJxgmtGv4KM7tRAFiimkMAWYBm6eWEenPEr1V1xBVHomFL6eCJVHUh-y94WURHn6xyGNtzvxR4IzmR4M/s1600/broadbean+dip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjA_aaH5D7Mt9bXvLr75jIJuSa0aC-d-QAW-dY3CSK37vwAiC1jOr_t4aKBDKJxgmtGv4KM7tRAFiimkMAWYBm6eWEenPEr1V1xBVHomFL6eCJVHUh-y94WURHn6xyGNtzvxR4IzmR4M/s320/broadbean+dip.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious Broad Bean Dip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
looked forward so much to tasting and eating the first broad beans of the
season. Now we are really grateful that this wonderful bean is seasonal in our
climate, and it will soon be replaced in our diet by the delicious climbing green
bean......Can’t wait...Yum!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-60693555978723898292012-12-04T14:03:00.001-08:002012-12-04T14:03:16.959-08:00Sarah from Germany
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4307PLUw0FGcwotDuSWGNfaA4mRA8nrByYugnlPcfcNndByBN4wsAd43-EV6L2vufC2_t65hMcVa1zgOSr6s09XfV7eVjPX26EYCuFFL7Tbo-S_6HFPyIg-GE3WMvulA9iB9KJ-Ksk9s/s1600/Sarah+weeding+garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4307PLUw0FGcwotDuSWGNfaA4mRA8nrByYugnlPcfcNndByBN4wsAd43-EV6L2vufC2_t65hMcVa1zgOSr6s09XfV7eVjPX26EYCuFFL7Tbo-S_6HFPyIg-GE3WMvulA9iB9KJ-Ksk9s/s640/Sarah+weeding+garlic.jpg" width="480" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sarah is our first Helpx helper from
Germany. She is on a short working holiday in Australia and stayed with
us for the past couple of weeks. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the jobs she helped with included
weeding many areas of the garden (we have renamed Sarah - Wonder Woman Weeder),
helped with our market stall, collected firewood, planted our beetroot crop
(and it looks like all the seeds germinated), harvested berries, helped with
composting, helped clear around one km of tracks that had become overgrown
after the 2009 bushfires, helped out with most of the daily chores and more. She
was such a great worker and always asking if she could help. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVtIROHgp0gTzbi-GvvCXqXNNpq1V_ChfBuC2U6fZs928ax_GAv5muNn4KltPSiXPRPuVPJd-t2-Km4UMbDB92C2oL44nUUjCMQ8YmjjXX7auCPF9u9K_rMubeqsUhBa950ugTHPzysE/s1600/Harvesting+weeds+for+the+compost+heap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVtIROHgp0gTzbi-GvvCXqXNNpq1V_ChfBuC2U6fZs928ax_GAv5muNn4KltPSiXPRPuVPJd-t2-Km4UMbDB92C2oL44nUUjCMQ8YmjjXX7auCPF9u9K_rMubeqsUhBa950ugTHPzysE/s400/Harvesting+weeds+for+the+compost+heap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course she was very keen to meet
the local native animals, and had a close up encounter with an echidna. Whilst
here, she also saw mobs of kangaroos and many of our colourful parrots and
other birds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was some wildlife that Sarah
was not particularly fond of –spiders. We do occasionally come across these
beautiful creatures but she would rather they kept their distance. We think she
may not be quite as afraid now- in fact she may want to keep one as a pet!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yXfGR3XPc4M6yqoEoAwx8yRzncSL0uLFdBrYPwfwqjIQ8WvDP0e5a1vRSZjSm06yW9of2iKVTqDc6ikbxxXw0EQbFDDH7VvZbl_8r5UlRr8TvSReaD8DmZQwlkmba1jK8qLyKTavA50/s1600/Another+log+on+the+trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yXfGR3XPc4M6yqoEoAwx8yRzncSL0uLFdBrYPwfwqjIQ8WvDP0e5a1vRSZjSm06yW9of2iKVTqDc6ikbxxXw0EQbFDDH7VvZbl_8r5UlRr8TvSReaD8DmZQwlkmba1jK8qLyKTavA50/s400/Another+log+on+the+trailer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The stay was not all work of course. We
enjoyed each other’s company and spent much time sharing stories and laughing
together. Ruby the dog thought she was wonderful because Sarah took her for
walks around our tracks and spoiled her with loving pats and cuddles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She has now
left our place and managed to find paid work on a local berry farm to help fund
the rest of her adventures in Australia and New Zealand. Once again we have
enjoyed the company of a wonderful person and helper and we hope Sarah enjoys
the rest of her trip around Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0qa9HWTd0A2oAUEJ4rdPrb7xfm8RR12B_eTgMGwReNNqETAYODYuw1d-wCf4_WV_oUTuVPuzjJhuwPrnkSY5I2H47o8TV-JxuhI14CdARwJJsVKl8rK2SJvW_v9FcPjZfnQJ0b6F6EM/s1600/Some+more+wood+for+the+wood+shed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0qa9HWTd0A2oAUEJ4rdPrb7xfm8RR12B_eTgMGwReNNqETAYODYuw1d-wCf4_WV_oUTuVPuzjJhuwPrnkSY5I2H47o8TV-JxuhI14CdARwJJsVKl8rK2SJvW_v9FcPjZfnQJ0b6F6EM/s400/Some+more+wood+for+the+wood+shed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-15623716748669755512012-11-19T03:12:00.000-08:002012-11-19T03:15:16.035-08:00Our New Multi-Function Battery Room<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Earlier in the year we wrote about
the big solar shift when we moved our batteries and inverter from under the
solar panels outside, to inside the house at the back of our workshop. As the
workshop gets quite dusty from time to time when we are sanding or sawing wood
etc., we thought it would be wise to build a dividing wall to separate the
battery room from the workshop area.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzznZnp4Unjv0dnDgf2Lr2Mt0lJ7uytXPhflRZkeGDVkC8yEO2pyjXW4wpvTOldgrLz6bvvs3oO7bLoAjxmrKmRUd8C-lut_y9hwxYoxSJ523fLL20Z6_qLVp8qwkmCZDt7TKg8TZZLo/s1600/Empty+shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzznZnp4Unjv0dnDgf2Lr2Mt0lJ7uytXPhflRZkeGDVkC8yEO2pyjXW4wpvTOldgrLz6bvvs3oO7bLoAjxmrKmRUd8C-lut_y9hwxYoxSJ523fLL20Z6_qLVp8qwkmCZDt7TKg8TZZLo/s640/Empty+shelves.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battery room shelves under construction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fortunately, we were able to make use
of quite a bit of recycled material, most of which was completely free. The
whole project of creating our new battery room cost less than $200 made up of:-</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Door –purchased second hand</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Box for the battery set – second hand and left over timber from other jobs</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pine studs for the wall frame- gleaned from a skip behind a shop where they were remodelling. We asked first!</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Timber for the shelving. The uprights came from another shop makeover and the wood for the shelves from various free sources</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grain bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cupboard no longer wanted by a family member</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wall paint was half price because another customer was unhappy with the tint</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr7F6tsfZd9TBbpKsRNzmkOORAd7iyloUj2PNJtHu92NosbKCi2E-_eWpfFs96HnbqKZeXhCDe7LvUaXgf3TBC3-UTQvL0jPwmW9vzLphv0H7ue5qpr_EpcMbhAJA9CReDYjTw92I5QM/s1600/stocked+shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr7F6tsfZd9TBbpKsRNzmkOORAd7iyloUj2PNJtHu92NosbKCi2E-_eWpfFs96HnbqKZeXhCDe7LvUaXgf3TBC3-UTQvL0jPwmW9vzLphv0H7ue5qpr_EpcMbhAJA9CReDYjTw92I5QM/s400/stocked+shelves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shelves are filling up with produce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We built a wall of shelves in the
room, which now serves multiple functions including:-</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Storage for all our bottling and jam making equipment and supplies</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Storage our ginger beer making gear as well as the bottles of ginger beer</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Storage area for some long lasting crops including pumpkins (about 60 this year), potatoes, garlic and other produce</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_UWRIJRk534b_2ImY25YLTYhzReNqCMl1Ft1ZLmSgIDOkk-FDRNI7IrAK0CUTpjSVw1Ihxojx4vsDZdEkJfC5BNgJGO1rlUR8LKuGI7iRblh72ySKS0f_O9X_clOsv4SUIsQPLejf44/s1600/Power+setup,+battery+box+and+grain+centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_UWRIJRk534b_2ImY25YLTYhzReNqCMl1Ft1ZLmSgIDOkk-FDRNI7IrAK0CUTpjSVw1Ihxojx4vsDZdEkJfC5BNgJGO1rlUR8LKuGI7iRblh72ySKS0f_O9X_clOsv4SUIsQPLejf44/s640/Power+setup,+battery+box+and+grain+centre.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The power management system and battery box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Other uses of the room include</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Storage for our battery bank (in a vented cupboard) </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shelving for our inverter, regulator and associated equipment</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Space for our grain processing bench with oat roller and grain grinder attached (storage underneath)</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Provides a mouse proof storage area for bulk grains (oats and wheat)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The thermal mass in the slab and
mudbrick walls ensures temperatures in the battery room do not vary greatly.
Our new verandah helps in this regard, by keeping the sun off the external
walls. This makes it an ideal space for storing vegetables, grain and produce.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ0mvy08H9IXKEt8hqnneqDVj8iOVRNUJ5ufNYPCCeDFSXDjrgO8QXCNPwwWf0_iAILSpBYLKz0cNbSoPByzE5HBAL50Teiv692gNQz3fwHtq6ByGo8lnkZBktpnjJh6w37P9e8Opn18/s1600/Battery+room+dividing+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ0mvy08H9IXKEt8hqnneqDVj8iOVRNUJ5ufNYPCCeDFSXDjrgO8QXCNPwwWf0_iAILSpBYLKz0cNbSoPByzE5HBAL50Teiv692gNQz3fwHtq6ByGo8lnkZBktpnjJh6w37P9e8Opn18/s640/Battery+room+dividing+wall.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dividing wall with one side to be finished</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The dividing wall that separates the
battery room from the workshop has one other benefit. We intend finishing off
the project by building shelves on the workshop side of it, so all our tools,
workshop equipment and materials can be housed together in an orderly
fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This extra storage area will
massively improve the way the workshop functions as well. However, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we know from past experience that any spare
shelves will mysteriously fill up with objects we need to store, as well as
objects that we keep because we are sure they will come in handy one day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-32021085258590879412012-11-10T18:27:00.002-08:002012-11-10T18:27:13.531-08:00Karen & Alex<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQX_1EedLU6xgZMNdy-3n3fvvQdffD1Y35HEIEa_a8MNK2E2I84PTH8m1_khOOXVl_Kouz4O3vlO6GQ9XPnB3yfeFmmHq9YjSZ17JbjhPlHC2fOGl1Lcm543msy4ixdkl7iTZ6zXllXB0/s1600/Splitting+wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQX_1EedLU6xgZMNdy-3n3fvvQdffD1Y35HEIEa_a8MNK2E2I84PTH8m1_khOOXVl_Kouz4O3vlO6GQ9XPnB3yfeFmmHq9YjSZ17JbjhPlHC2fOGl1Lcm543msy4ixdkl7iTZ6zXllXB0/s400/Splitting+wood.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mastering the wood splitter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our latest helpers (via Helpx) were
Alex and Karen who came from Hong Kong on a working holiday in Australia. They
are in their early 20’s, were keen to learn about Australia and were very
enthusiastic in giving us a hand with various tasks. Although they only stayed
with us for eleven days they helped get much work done.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the jobs they helped with,
included clearing an area for a new orange tree (to be known as the Karelex
orange - a blend of their names ), weeded many areas of the garden, shifted bricks
and a pile of building timber, helped with our market stall, washed windows, cut
back bushes that were blocking paths, mowed the grass in the orchard, shifted,
split and stacked a large amount of firewood, helped out with most of the daily
chores and more. Phew!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqihWT59FzI7dz-sOOoe7t8i7SzePLKS5YtKSNWF6m1m0SQkLJWTPMOgMC86srB8uA1NJ6LyTRSeUEOAaBIMBcxArGqKxfu9QsaY_jFcSOoxsj3cJ7CxJduHLLcjaB0ccLNPd41wn3Ck/s1600/Weeding+asparagus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqihWT59FzI7dz-sOOoe7t8i7SzePLKS5YtKSNWF6m1m0SQkLJWTPMOgMC86srB8uA1NJ6LyTRSeUEOAaBIMBcxArGqKxfu9QsaY_jFcSOoxsj3cJ7CxJduHLLcjaB0ccLNPd41wn3Ck/s400/Weeding+asparagus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeding the asparagus with Ruby on guard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Karen especially enjoyed collecting
eggs (although she was not quite brave enough to collect them from under a
sitting hen. She also made us a delicious meal of sushi, that was so tasty and
beautifully presented that we ate it before we remembered to take a photo – so
you will have to take our word for it.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LmE6mBCpftLKWHoNgQXFNudVjzddfT-CQyImRgWRVv6ChjZCZDYn40v_q0iNf2pL5EPL1iJodVcLh9wPN1rqZnDweTT-EWFCA8UPtSRhLjmeYu1LJYg9_VOXIjYQpyKiE0TPPu9S_x4/s1600/Alex+doing+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LmE6mBCpftLKWHoNgQXFNudVjzddfT-CQyImRgWRVv6ChjZCZDYn40v_q0iNf2pL5EPL1iJodVcLh9wPN1rqZnDweTT-EWFCA8UPtSRhLjmeYu1LJYg9_VOXIjYQpyKiE0TPPu9S_x4/s320/Alex+doing+dishes.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex washing dishes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course they were very keen to meet
the local native animals, and for once the animals cooperated. Whilst here,
they had regular sightings of a pair of swamp wallabies (who are normally very
secretive and shy) and also saw mobs of kangaroos, echidnas, a wombat, a goanna
and many of our colourful parrots and other birds. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdmxqoIV7ah0tG1kX5OPGo2tdA56wMiPK0uj0zWXGPYgl0_teqRebRIkfkMMQKu-ZLl4oAfwrAtrVzovrC0j0Y-A4bChVykTPku3IK6WYqJImzmR1aP2PhoJLX_wcH7fWuE7w8F0UuIk/s1600/Helping+at+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdmxqoIV7ah0tG1kX5OPGo2tdA56wMiPK0uj0zWXGPYgl0_teqRebRIkfkMMQKu-ZLl4oAfwrAtrVzovrC0j0Y-A4bChVykTPku3IK6WYqJImzmR1aP2PhoJLX_wcH7fWuE7w8F0UuIk/s400/Helping+at+Market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping with our market stall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The stay was not all work of course. We
enjoyed each other’s company and spent much time laughing together. Ruby the
dog thought they were wonderful because they took her for walks around our
tracks each day. We also spent some time exploring a bit of the Yarra Valley
including Maroondah Dam and Mt Dandenong. Once again we have enjoyed the
company of some wonderful helpers and we hope both Karen and Alex enjoy the
rest of their stay in Australia<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohyDeoakNuck52Lcl7vPJk54V0dPTGoMobuxei-geflL1_RH_SJ5vlMZ_X7tWgZGISkRMoo2KYK5j6dEeUmd8zGuWNdfv-MLHB_mU-X8dydzS-PjYh_8ZKb-t47qhRQ59BVMbMoHkvgw/s1600/Maroonda+Dam+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohyDeoakNuck52Lcl7vPJk54V0dPTGoMobuxei-geflL1_RH_SJ5vlMZ_X7tWgZGISkRMoo2KYK5j6dEeUmd8zGuWNdfv-MLHB_mU-X8dydzS-PjYh_8ZKb-t47qhRQ59BVMbMoHkvgw/s320/Maroonda+Dam+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to the wall of Maroondah Dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-84170655454042166592012-11-04T03:58:00.000-08:002012-11-04T04:01:05.039-08:00A Bump in the Road<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been quite a while since we
did a post on the blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every now and
again events conspire to distract us from our path, and then out of the blue
things are suddenly different to what they were yesterday. This is probably not
a bad thing, because it gives us a chance to catch our breath, slow down and enjoy
our piece of “paradise” and reassess where we are going. It also gives us a
chance to recharge our batteries. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">About two months ago I pulled some
muscles in my hip, which ended up giving me a constant low grade pain. We
have a friend who did some damage to his shoulder and (as many people do) he
couldn’t resist the temptation to keep working on tasks that needed doing. The
result was more damage on top of the existing muscle tears. We didn’t want to
take the risk of something similar happening. As my pain didn’t go away,
even after a couple of weeks of rest, we basically put most of our gardening
and building activities on hold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At first I found this enforced
rest, very hard to adapt to. And as much of the everyday workload had to be
taken up by Heather she found it hard as well. The frustration of it all
started to get us down, until Heather had a brainwave. She suggested we do
something we hadn’t done in a long time - visit our local library and check out
the fiction shelves. (Most of our reading over the past 10 years has been all
about practical things like growing food or building things.) The visit to the
library saved our sanity as we rediscovered the joys of reading novels. In fact
we were going through several great stories each week- totally absorbed in the
lives of the characters we were reading about. Whilst all this was going on,
I went for a few tests to make sure my aches were nothing more than just
strained muscles. The results all came back ok and this also helped take any
pressure off our minds- it just became a waiting game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the consequences of feeling a
bit low and wanting to be distracted by other things is that we steered clear
of our blog. It was too much of a reminder of the work that we had planned to
do. We needed to have a break for a while and feel good about it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just over a week ago our next lot of
Helpers from Helpx.com arrived; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>just as
the pain in my side was finally beginning to reduce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They not only helped with many tasks –
especially more heavy duty ones, but they also inspired us to put our “toe back
in the water” and start getting back into action. We will write more about
Karen and Alex in our next post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right now we are happy to report that
things are getting back on track. We have started planting our summer garden,
are getting stuck into some fire prevention work, are about to commence work on
the remodelling of our barn ( <a href="http://www.tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/the-year-of-barn.html">http://www.tenderbreak.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/the-year-of-barn.html</a>) and are feeling better about blogging
again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However this whole episode has
left one legacy – we have now rediscovered the habit of getting absorbed in a
good work of fiction. Each night (and even during the daytime sometimes if it
is a particularly riveting story) we settle down to read before bed. In fact we’ll
finish this post right here, because that is exactly what we are going to do
right now! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-15636173663298085892012-09-20T16:39:00.000-07:002012-09-20T16:39:01.360-07:00Sarah from Brunei
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the past 12 months we have had
many helpers from different countries. Our latest helper is Sarah, who is
Australian, and has been living overseas with her family for over a
decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At present she lives in Brunei,
but also spent a few years in Dubai. One of the reasons she came to our place
was to get some ideas about sustainable living and property design that her
family could put into practice when they return to Australia in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspdM4xcEx4HKHJkwdmFFPb1nBldxbUCHhldF1er3j3Z3GL_2XotVWUNrmYUFYpRDEu6TX2L-LamwK5-F4zpAKY94jxsF807itD_0rtm3R8qBWk55no6Cej3hypGje64gi8qQqeHRLs5M/s1600/Sarah+weeding+broadbeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspdM4xcEx4HKHJkwdmFFPb1nBldxbUCHhldF1er3j3Z3GL_2XotVWUNrmYUFYpRDEu6TX2L-LamwK5-F4zpAKY94jxsF807itD_0rtm3R8qBWk55no6Cej3hypGje64gi8qQqeHRLs5M/s400/Sarah+weeding+broadbeans.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah "liberating" broadbeans from the weeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sarah adjusted really well to the
change in climate from tropical weather with temperatures in the thirties to
temperatures here in the teens. She has been very helpful and although only
here for a short time, has helped us out with many tasks. She helped set up and run our
stall at the Healesville Organic Farmers’ Market on Saturday, thoroughly weeded
our broad bean and garlic patches (which were drowning in a sea of competitors) ,
planted and mulched a new garden of native plants and helped with daily chores.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_28ECGe-XT4oj5HojLRO4tYgr5f8HRx84migXGyWLwKZAlmb-fR8c9Id1y9JpwREncRKBaBouRa7YLi1vO5CfKxJvKgmxNon98Jxcm_bQEsalx9jhp1J5D1qFJl40-NrDqG8heM5SWTs/s1600/Sarah+mulching+native+plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_28ECGe-XT4oj5HojLRO4tYgr5f8HRx84migXGyWLwKZAlmb-fR8c9Id1y9JpwREncRKBaBouRa7YLi1vO5CfKxJvKgmxNon98Jxcm_bQEsalx9jhp1J5D1qFJl40-NrDqG8heM5SWTs/s400/Sarah+mulching+native+plants.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting mulch around a new native garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a pleasure meeting Sarah and
sharing our lives for a time. As we worked, we chatted and laughed, and shared thoughts on how people could become more sustainable in their ways of
life. We also learnt about life in Brunei and the Middle East<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We feel really privileged to have
people like Sarah come here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wish
her all the best in the future and hope she finds her dream property when she eventually
returns to the Land of Oz. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-85076836668410381362012-09-12T23:52:00.000-07:002012-09-12T23:52:27.809-07:00What we all need now, is an Epiphany!
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is
much doom and gloom about, with daily news reports on climate change, global
and local economic problems, social conflict and environmental disasters. All
this negative news can be very depressing. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As individuals, we are limited in
how much impact we can have on these issues. However we can make changes in our
own lives, which minimise our own impact and build our resilience to enable us
to better cope if and when things deteriorate. This is the hard part, because
it means making an effort to evaluate our lifestyle, make decisions and then
sticking to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people find this
all too hard and use this as an excuse to do nothing. Maintaining the status
quo is much easier.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqE50phMdGKbgFyXo4-H2tB_9MkY4pmPfEt7b1GVY4WLbFoQG-voo7wFdqOck7jmJZILcMx-00CJObNhjFEuOuTw-Pq6iY0_j5DzaAWNTNkbaqlxyxcADl-qm7_654PUJFQNKTIHQnsk/s1600/Fry-lightbulb-on-forehead1%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqE50phMdGKbgFyXo4-H2tB_9MkY4pmPfEt7b1GVY4WLbFoQG-voo7wFdqOck7jmJZILcMx-00CJObNhjFEuOuTw-Pq6iY0_j5DzaAWNTNkbaqlxyxcADl-qm7_654PUJFQNKTIHQnsk/s320/Fry-lightbulb-on-forehead1%5B1%5D.jpg" width="228" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lightbulb moment!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps what
we need is our own little “epiphany”. Sometimes it is referred to as the moment
when a “lightbulb” goes on in your head- you suddenly see a solution to a
problem. Such moments are so inspiring that they provoke people to take action.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gavin, a
blogger friend who was living a typical suburban life on the outskirts of
Melbourne, had an epiphany in 2006. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His blog description says he was “An
Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary,
Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar,
Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises
Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce
Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our
Children & Future Generations To Come. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His description sounds daunting, but he achieved
all this on a small suburban block and went on to write a very readable and
educational blog about how it changed his life (</span><a href="http://www.greeningofgavin.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.greeningofgavin.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7YcnKF9tgDauazK5w5HveL1XrDp-o5bhOU5AdaptpKVMrRAg1VLO14tnpLAdy1Mx0we-7kxGzCr2yMuMrcRzVMv1GjPteKD_asFz8X1xGXQvwvTUG9O6qs80RPt4Df-sxG-BAXDribw/s1600/eBook+cover%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7YcnKF9tgDauazK5w5HveL1XrDp-o5bhOU5AdaptpKVMrRAg1VLO14tnpLAdy1Mx0we-7kxGzCr2yMuMrcRzVMv1GjPteKD_asFz8X1xGXQvwvTUG9O6qs80RPt4Df-sxG-BAXDribw/s320/eBook+cover%5B1%5D.jpg" width="221" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gavin's book is a great read</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been following Gavin’s blog for a couple of years and feel like we have got to know
him quite well. We reckon his epiphany must have been more of a bolt of
lightning than a light bulb going off in his head. We are continually amazed by
the amount of energy he puts into his garden and property, his family, his many
activities in the community, and his very active blog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from telling his own story, Gavin is on
a mission to ensure others have access to the information he has gathered.</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After over
1,000,000 pageviews (yes, that number is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one
million</i>), he has now turned his story into a very readable e-book called “<b>My
First Year of Living Sustainably”</b>. The book includes information drawn from
his blog posts, but also has much additional background information. It also
contains hundreds of brilliant ideas for saving energy and money, growing food,
reducing waste, saving water and living more sustainably. Most of the ideas are not expensive or complex, are easy to implement and can be applied to both suburban and rural households</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would
like more information about the book, which only costs $2.99, here is the link </span><a href="ttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/175585"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/175585</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Hopefully Gavin’s book will be the trigger
for many more epiphanies!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We salute you Gavin. Thankyou for sharing your journey. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984748109187469141.post-61361852123861666662012-09-04T23:53:00.002-07:002012-09-05T00:03:15.150-07:00The Year of the Barn<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At
the same time as we erected our house frame in 1999, we put up the frame of our barn.
Both buildings were roofed and then we focussed on getting the house finished
so we could move in. The original plan was to finish off the barn after the
house was completed. However, as is often the case with us, original plans tend
to go astray. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-gtj3wATT17Lj4qYl2yBJZruiAKLwDKwNCPnFzHRtWk5loNzeD3FgofopLWPEbzwR0dPAuiI3fIAfrdcPZxgHhxRyRTYlcS7NW3uWIXdRNHGd2DTvGVC4gqngcuYthm9xgmhHLvHI8I/s1600/Constructing+the+barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-gtj3wATT17Lj4qYl2yBJZruiAKLwDKwNCPnFzHRtWk5loNzeD3FgofopLWPEbzwR0dPAuiI3fIAfrdcPZxgHhxRyRTYlcS7NW3uWIXdRNHGd2DTvGVC4gqngcuYthm9xgmhHLvHI8I/s400/Constructing+the+barn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Constructing the "barn" in 1999</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As
we have mentioned before, our main love is working on our gardens and producing
beautiful, fresh, organic food. Once we had occupied our house we became
obsessed with planting our gardens and orchard, and over the next thirteen
years we planted nearly 200 fruiting trees and shrubs, established our large
veggie gardens and planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs. All this activity
distracted us from completing the barn, which sat idly by patiently waiting for
us. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga78BkgYeHxCtorG9lMW0T5bCozOUvlgMQCs1VK_ODOFGRD7OTY_PeRubNZjbw3QjyBxTTOTftSTTKwTZoVEbXcaqn9vFWLZ3bQrs4sE2heYb0e_s4DkaQJlh_WKONc0zY-6GnFsSutIA/s1600/View+of+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga78BkgYeHxCtorG9lMW0T5bCozOUvlgMQCs1VK_ODOFGRD7OTY_PeRubNZjbw3QjyBxTTOTftSTTKwTZoVEbXcaqn9vFWLZ3bQrs4sE2heYb0e_s4DkaQJlh_WKONc0zY-6GnFsSutIA/s400/View+of+building.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "barn" patiently waiting....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At
the same time as all this was going on, many of our visitors mentioned that the
barn was too noble a building to use just for storage of materials. It was a
building worthy of “bigger things”. After many years of thought and
consideration we came up with a plan which would enable the barn to reach its
true destiny.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gradually
an idea evolved - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to finish the barn as
a building that would:-</span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be a passive solar design with low energy needs
(similar to our house) <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Enable us to use it as a practical example for
introducing people to permaculture design principles.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Enable visitors to experience the pro’s and
con’s living off the grid using renewable energy and other sustainable
features<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
time has now come to put a plan into action- to actually make a start ........ 2012
is the <strong>YEAR OF THE BARN!</strong></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODhEF6zQ4ZrJYLeScStw_ZuNhC_WLBEodPfa2K9pe-oTU6vlFVXEUJhnlkNPSWEQbshiw8RDS45ZXtC8pE-_9aYgJr-ARoPJ1pZ5LeNXxO4Zo4t8BHnfDSxQoHvCM-U4Jyngq4YjORXg/s1600/Backfilling+retaining+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODhEF6zQ4ZrJYLeScStw_ZuNhC_WLBEodPfa2K9pe-oTU6vlFVXEUJhnlkNPSWEQbshiw8RDS45ZXtC8pE-_9aYgJr-ARoPJ1pZ5LeNXxO4Zo4t8BHnfDSxQoHvCM-U4Jyngq4YjORXg/s400/Backfilling+retaining+wall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The retaining wall at the back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
have already excavated around the outside to level the area and ensure water
drains away from the building, and erected a retaining wall at the back to
prevent the constant erosion of the earth bank and this is now ready to plant out
with groundcovers. We have ordered mud bricks to complete the walls, installed termite
protection and put down the infill concrete slab floor.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qzDHeLMq8vUt4gXPbMoUgzhWVL0-pxSlXb5A4CmthR8zDXzVFlaQ16pdpMZgGg3Q7ZKZKn8z9paCEOuB1HoTalcDrAnbGjFCcMg57x3SWxS7UmqfYheQoPWe64qQPdwEvGeb-8gZeWA/s1600/jacking+posts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qzDHeLMq8vUt4gXPbMoUgzhWVL0-pxSlXb5A4CmthR8zDXzVFlaQ16pdpMZgGg3Q7ZKZKn8z9paCEOuB1HoTalcDrAnbGjFCcMg57x3SWxS7UmqfYheQoPWe64qQPdwEvGeb-8gZeWA/s400/jacking+posts.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car jacks were used to lift <br />
posts for termite protection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
have spent some time deliberating over what to actually call this building, to
distinguish it from the other buildings at Tenderbreak (which include the house,
small old shed, new steel barn and steel garage). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It could have been called the
Interpretation Centre (its official title according to the local council, but we
feel this is far too formal), The Lodge (too pretentious), The Shack (too
ignoble), the Cabin (too plain) or many other names. In the end we decided on a
very unoriginal name, but meaningful to us. We are calling it
(drumroll.......)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><strong>“Tenderbreak Cottage”!</strong>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep
an eye on future posts to follow the rest of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">PS.
We are running a tour of Tenderbreak in conjunction with Sustainable House Day
on September 9. See our last post for details.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Andrew and Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08029553518516048788noreply@blogger.com0