BOOOOOOOO

Yeah, jingle bells jingle bells, jingle all the way to the ..
I am so not doing Christmas shopping. I’m making things instead. Mainly foodie items, and dried herb packs.

I’ll have a few more dollars for my purse soon, a Chrissy pressie! ..youngest daughter and I went through my jewellery boxes as I’ve amassed quite a bit and what isn’t wanted or can be passed down or sold can go to the gold buyers.
When I was in Dubai in ’03 I bought some bits and pieces of jewellery for my 3 girls. Really cheap over there. I bought each a bangle 22 ct., they were beautiful but soft and over time it bent and became dented. They can go. Daughter took one to a city gold buyer and was offered $400 for it. I didn’t pay anything like that for it, not even a quarter. The girl was told a new bangle like that here would set you back a grand.
Then there’s rings, some of my mums with broken or lost settings, another I dropped and drove over and squished, ones from when I was a bigger gal and they are way too big now and can’t be reset, it’s cheaper to replace channel set rings, bent cygnet rings, and others I just don’t like. And broken chains.
Better it be turned into money notes than sitting here in a drawer!

bought a couple of cucumber plants in a pot at the markets commenting on how mine died in the heat, and she gave me another pot for free. How nice is that?

Also bought a copy of a children’s book by a local author and illustrated by a local artist, and signed by both. Not sure whether to give it to my grandson, who is still too young for it and will probably wreck it; or my other daughter who is a budding writer and would probably enjoy it although she is too old for it; or keep it myself for reading to grandchildren when they visit. Favouring the last option atm.

bluegreen said:

bought a couple of cucumber plants in a pot at the markets commenting on how mine died in the heat, and she gave me another pot for free. How nice is that?

Also bought a copy of a children’s book by a local author and illustrated by a local artist, and signed by both. Not sure whether to give it to my grandson, who is still too young for it and will probably wreck it; or my other daughter who is a budding writer and would probably enjoy it although she is too old for it; or keep it myself for reading to grandchildren when they visit. Favouring the last option atm.

I would go the last option too. It sounds lovely.

Thee’s Estate said:

BOOOOOOOO

chuckle

the missus has had her op and is in bed resting most the time. tis has meant that i have started sorting out my collection of 8,000 piccies whilst playing waiter to her every need.

bluegreen said:

bought a couple of cucumber plants in a pot at the markets commenting on how mine died in the heat, and she gave me another pot for free. How nice is that?

Also bought a copy of a children’s book by a local author and illustrated by a local artist, and signed by both. Not sure whether to give it to my grandson, who is still too young for it and will probably wreck it; or my other daughter who is a budding writer and would probably enjoy it although she is too old for it; or keep it myself for reading to grandchildren when they visit. Favouring the last option atm.

I’d hang on to it to. It will be a special book that the g’children only get to read at Grandmas. I’ve got some here that our grandkids love. Nothing so special about them but the kids think thereis.

justin said:

Thee’s Estate said:

BOOOOOOOO

chuckle

the missus has had her op and is in bed resting most the time. tis has meant that i have started sorting out my collection of 8,000 piccies whilst playing waiter to her every need.

Pass on my best to your ‘missus.’

Just remembered something I wanted to ask you all. Did you watch Gardening Australia tonight? Did I hear right when a woman said she didn’t like Kookaburras because they were an introduced bird and a pest. If I have heard her right, is she right? I always thought the Kooka was a true Aussie native.

pomolo said:

Just remembered something I wanted to ask you all. Did you watch Gardening Australia tonight? Did I hear right when a woman said she didn’t like Kookaburras because they were an introduced bird and a pest. If I have heard her right, is she right? I always thought the Kooka was a true Aussie native.

perhaps in her particular part of Australia?

Kookaburra, native to Eastern Australia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_Kookaburra

news to me too

trichome said:

Kookaburra, native to Eastern Australia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_Kookaburra

news to me too

Well there are a lot of things from eastern Australia that are pests in WA.

Prime ministers, etc.

I can recall being there when NSW number plates had “the premier state” written on them.. You had to be there to hear the comments from passers by.

Well It’s lucky I’m here to start the day off. You lazy lot. Been whipping up a luncheon dish because D is getting a visit from relatives he never knew he had till a few days ago.

Some years ago D discovered that he was one of 10 children that his father never confessed to having. Now one part of the extended family is doing a family tree and has asked to visit. He is excited because he always thought he was alone in the world except for his step-mother.

I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to all of a sudden find you have relatives. Should be an interesting gathering for lunch.

trichome said:

Kookaburra, native to Eastern Australia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_Kookaburra

news to me too

Still learning something every day.

pomolo said:

Well It’s lucky I’m here to start the day off. You lazy lot. Been whipping up a luncheon dish because D is getting a visit from relatives he never knew he had till a few days ago.

Some years ago D discovered that he was one of 10 children that his father never confessed to having. Now one part of the extended family is doing a family tree and has asked to visit. He is excited because he always thought he was alone in the world except for his step-mother.

I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to all of a sudden find you have relatives. Should be an interesting gathering for lunch.

Should be interesting :)

I had a similar meeting with a half sister and her 3 sisters only to be told there was another family of four siblings, 3 girls and a boy. I’ve yet to meet the latter, but I have photos. One of them is identical to me, as if we were twins.
Even my own sister whom I grew up with asked me where was I when that pic was taken and when I told her the woman in the photo wasn’t me she didn’t believe me.

I was prepping for this special day. This is release the chooks day, lol. I caged and covered seedlings I want to protect and placed water containers here and there, while they were laying eggs, then I swung open their gates. The looks on their faces! they hesitated at the gates and looked about, then one took a tentative step out and led the charge.. ‘c’mon you lot we’re off to the bush for the day!’ They all followed and the eucy mulch is flying in all directions! A royal bug fest for the littler beaked ones :)

pomolo said:

Well It’s lucky I’m here to start the day off. You lazy lot. Been whipping up a luncheon dish because D is getting a visit from relatives he never knew he had till a few days ago.

Some years ago D discovered that he was one of 10 children that his father never confessed to having. Now one part of the extended family is doing a family tree and has asked to visit. He is excited because he always thought he was alone in the world except for his step-mother.

I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to all of a sudden find you have relatives. Should be an interesting gathering for lunch.

I got goosebumps. Hope the reunion goes well!

pomolo said:

Well It’s lucky I’m here to start the day off. You lazy lot. Been whipping up a luncheon dish because D is getting a visit from relatives he never knew he had till a few days ago.

Some years ago D discovered that he was one of 10 children that his father never confessed to having. Now one part of the extended family is doing a family tree and has asked to visit. He is excited because he always thought he was alone in the world except for his step-mother.

I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to all of a sudden find you have relatives. Should be an interesting gathering for lunch.

interesting indeed. similar thing happened to someone I once knew, when she was contacted by a half-brother she never knew she had.

pomolo said:

Well It’s lucky I’m here to start the day off. You lazy lot. Been whipping up a luncheon dish because D is getting a visit from relatives he never knew he had till a few days ago.

Some years ago D discovered that he was one of 10 children that his father never confessed to having. Now one part of the extended family is doing a family tree and has asked to visit. He is excited because he always thought he was alone in the world except for his step-mother.

I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to all of a sudden find you have relatives. Should be an interesting gathering for lunch.

All went well. This girl who is just 22yo. has a brain that is full to the brim with stories about all her (and D’s) relatives. She has photos from as far back as 1870. I didn’t even know the camera had been invented then. By the end of the stories I came to the conclusion that todays human tendencies are no different to the way they were back then. They lied and cheated just as well as we do today. LOL.

We are off to Brisbane this afternoon. Got a medical appointment there tomorrow but we should be home again on Tuesday. See you all then.

dancing on treetops.

roughbarked said:

dancing on treetops.

Look how even the tops are! Pruned that way?

you been fruit picking or something?

roughbarked said:

dancing on treetops.

lovely view.

anyone want to join an anti-filing club?

i’m getting frustrated trying to sort 8,000 photos. – things keep disappearing off screen and – other things decide to not be transferable – and whole categories of photos disappear into documents – never to be found again.

is it drinky time yet?

i was driving back from the hospital last tuesday night and was feeling very thirsty indeed. i had just been sitting next to a bed in the drying hospital atmosphere watching my wife try to keep water in her system and didn’t feel incline to guzzle a whole jug of water in front of her. so i stopped at the golden grove pub and ordered a cider. this barman, matt, just handled over a glass of ice with the 500ml bottle of pear cider. now i know beer and wine do not go well with ice but cider certainly does. i slowly drank this freezing cider from the glass of ice realising that i had just discovered my favourite drink for the coming summer.

roughbarked said:

dancing on treetops.

Great photo :)

I hope you got down ok and didn’t fall :P I remember you saying you once fell out of an orange tree.

justin said:

anyone want to join an anti-filing club?

i’m getting frustrated trying to sort 8,000 photos. – things keep disappearing off screen and – other things decide to not be transferable – and whole categories of photos disappear into documents – never to be found again.

is it drinky time yet?

i was driving back from the hospital last tuesday night and was feeling very thirsty indeed. i had just been sitting next to a bed in the drying hospital atmosphere watching my wife try to keep water in her system and didn’t feel incline to guzzle a whole jug of water in front of her. so i stopped at the golden grove pub and ordered a cider. this barman, matt, just handled over a glass of ice with the 500ml bottle of pear cider. now i know beer and wine do not go well with ice but cider certainly does. i slowly drank this freezing cider from the glass of ice realising that i had just discovered my favourite drink for the coming summer.

Sounds nice, that pear cider. Never heard of it.

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

dancing on treetops.

Look how even the tops are! Pruned that way?

you been fruit picking or something?

Yes the trees are hedged.

Not fruit picking.. Cutting grafting wood

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

dancing on treetops.

Great photo :)

I hope you got down ok and didn’t fall :P I remember you saying you once fell out of an orange tree.

No falling involved this time, thankfully.
It is a long way to fall.

Hello Gardeners. From Bourke Street in Melbourne. I’ve been attending the Australian Skeptics conference. I rather enjoyed pretty much all of the presentations. Going home in the morning. Tonight we had dinner in Chinatown with Mr buffy’s old flatmate (from the 1970s) – G – and his partner – S. I hadn’t seen G for many years, but he and Mr buffy exchanged old jokes. S and I groaned at the appropriate places…..

:)

justin said:

anyone want to join an anti-filing club?

i’m getting frustrated trying to sort 8,000 photos. – things keep disappearing off screen and – other things decide to not be transferable – and whole categories of photos disappear into documents – never to be found again.

is it drinky time yet?

i was driving back from the hospital last tuesday night and was feeling very thirsty indeed. i had just been sitting next to a bed in the drying hospital atmosphere watching my wife try to keep water in her system and didn’t feel incline to guzzle a whole jug of water in front of her. so i stopped at the golden grove pub and ordered a cider. this barman, matt, just handled over a glass of ice with the 500ml bottle of pear cider. now i know beer and wine do not go well with ice but cider certainly does. i slowly drank this freezing cider from the glass of ice realising that i had just discovered my favourite drink for the coming summer.

a problem with the digital photography age in which we are now immersed is the digital bit.

know that pub, lived not far from it half an age ago, and I daresay I recall the hospital you have ventured from and the roads you were heading home on. I hope your wife has received due care and is back at home? I have tried pear cider on ice, but it wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I can understand the refreshing nature of the way Matt presented you with your relief.

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

i was driving back from the hospital last tuesday night and was feeling very thirsty indeed. i had just been sitting next to a bed in the drying hospital atmosphere watching my wife try to keep water in her system and didn’t feel incline to guzzle a whole jug of water in front of her. so i stopped at the golden grove pub and ordered a cider. this barman, matt, just handled over a glass of ice with the 500ml bottle of pear cider. now i know beer and wine do not go well with ice but cider certainly does. i slowly drank this freezing cider from the glass of ice realising that i had just discovered my favourite drink for the coming summer.

Sounds nice, that pear cider. Never heard of it.

victoria has got a hundred or so microbrewers and their ciders are excellent. buy a ‘homebrew’ magazine – that will list all the microbreweries in your state. some pubs are stocking the pear cider.

painmaster said:

justin said:

anyone want to join an anti-filing club?

i’m getting frustrated trying to sort 8,000 photos. – things keep disappearing off screen and – other things decide to not be transferable – and whole categories of photos disappear into documents – never to be found again.

is it drinky time yet?

i was driving back from the hospital last tuesday night and was feeling very thirsty indeed. i had just been sitting next to a bed in the drying hospital atmosphere watching my wife try to keep water in her system and didn’t feel incline to guzzle a whole jug of water in front of her. so i stopped at the golden grove pub and ordered a cider. this barman, matt, just handled over a glass of ice with the 500ml bottle of pear cider. now i know beer and wine do not go well with ice but cider certainly does. i slowly drank this freezing cider from the glass of ice realising that i had just discovered my favourite drink for the coming summer.

a problem with the digital photography age in which we are now immersed is the digital bit.

know that pub, lived not far from it half an age ago, and I daresay I recall the hospital you have ventured from and the roads you were heading home on. I hope your wife has received due care and is back at home? I have tried pear cider on ice, but it wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I can understand the refreshing nature of the way Matt presented you with your relief.

wife is recovering well thanks – and now we are both drinking homebrewed cider in a glass full of ice. if you don’t like the pear cider we can now offer you – citrus cider, orange and cinnamon cider, spicy lime cider and several other six months old brews from our cellar.

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

justin said:

i was driving back from the hospital last tuesday night and was feeling very thirsty indeed. i had just been sitting next to a bed in the drying hospital atmosphere watching my wife try to keep water in her system and didn’t feel incline to guzzle a whole jug of water in front of her. so i stopped at the golden grove pub and ordered a cider. this barman, matt, just handled over a glass of ice with the 500ml bottle of pear cider. now i know beer and wine do not go well with ice but cider certainly does. i slowly drank this freezing cider from the glass of ice realising that i had just discovered my favourite drink for the coming summer.

Sounds nice, that pear cider. Never heard of it.

victoria has got a hundred or so microbrewers and their ciders are excellent. buy a ‘homebrew’ magazine – that will list all the microbreweries in your state. some pubs are stocking the pear cider.

hope your wife gets well soon.

Another let down. Today, all geared up to graft trees I spent all weekend cutting grafting wood for. Gets there and he has ten people lined up standing around and he pulls the pin on the job..

roughbarked said:

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

Sounds nice, that pear cider. Never heard of it.

victoria has got a hundred or so microbrewers and their ciders are excellent. buy a ‘homebrew’ magazine – that will list all the microbreweries in your state. some pubs are stocking the pear cider.

hope your wife gets well soon.

she’s got 5 weeks recovery time so its a slow process. she’s got a lot of accumulated sick days tho’ so its an enforced holiday – for her not necessarily for her butler. LOL.

justin said:

roughbarked said:

justin said:

victoria has got a hundred or so microbrewers and their ciders are excellent. buy a ‘homebrew’ magazine – that will list all the microbreweries in your state. some pubs are stocking the pear cider.

hope your wife gets well soon.

she’s got 5 weeks recovery time so its a slow process. she’s got a lot of accumulated sick days tho’ so its an enforced holiday – for her not necessarily for her butler. LOL.

Tell me about it. I’ve been shepherding she who must keep breaking things. This time a cracked pelvis.

roughbarked said:

Another let down. Today, all geared up to graft trees I spent all weekend cutting grafting wood for. Gets there and he has ten people lined up standing around and he pulls the pin on the job..

:(

BG your shadecloths are here , hubby picked them up on his way home from work, saved me the trip.
We will get them out of my car into yours ok, I think.. if not we’ll have to grab a nearby muscly bloke to help ;)

Happy Potter said:

BG your shadecloths are here , hubby picked them up on his way home from work, saved me the trip.
We will get them out of my car into yours ok, I think.. if not we’ll have to grab a nearby muscly bloke to help ;)

wonderful. my mind keeps spinning with the possible uses, lol! I am thinking that hanging one along the west side of the house, where the bedrooms are, would do wonders for keeping down the heat.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

BG your shadecloths are here , hubby picked them up on his way home from work, saved me the trip.
We will get them out of my car into yours ok, I think.. if not we’ll have to grab a nearby muscly bloke to help ;)

wonderful. my mind keeps spinning with the possible uses, lol! I am thinking that hanging one along the west side of the house, where the bedrooms are, would do wonders for keeping down the heat.

Leave an air gap and weight the hanging.. DO NOT attach it to other buildings as it will be a leaf trap and infrastructure rotting point.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

BG your shadecloths are here , hubby picked them up on his way home from work, saved me the trip.
We will get them out of my car into yours ok, I think.. if not we’ll have to grab a nearby muscly bloke to help ;)

wonderful. my mind keeps spinning with the possible uses, lol! I am thinking that hanging one along the west side of the house, where the bedrooms are, would do wonders for keeping down the heat.

Leave an air gap and weight the hanging.. DO NOT attach it to other buildings as it will be a leaf trap and infrastructure rotting point.

no other buildings to attach too, and yes the plan was to leave about a 6 inch gap and hopefully the eaves will take the weight!

struggling to get motivated to do some housework. I have someone coming over tomorrow to ask about seedsaving and to check out ducklings.

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

wonderful. my mind keeps spinning with the possible uses, lol! I am thinking that hanging one along the west side of the house, where the bedrooms are, would do wonders for keeping down the heat.

Leave an air gap and weight the hanging.. DO NOT attach it to other buildings as it will be a leaf trap and infrastructure rotting point.

no other buildings to attach too, and yes the plan was to leave about a 6 inch gap and hopefully the eaves will take the weight!

They can.. and will do if you make sure that water drains from the attachments and/or the attachments are shielded from getting wet. the weighting of the shade cloth need be no more than the pennies put in curtain drops.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

BG your shadecloths are here , hubby picked them up on his way home from work, saved me the trip.
We will get them out of my car into yours ok, I think.. if not we’ll have to grab a nearby muscly bloke to help ;)

wonderful. my mind keeps spinning with the possible uses, lol! I am thinking that hanging one along the west side of the house, where the bedrooms are, would do wonders for keeping down the heat.

Bear in mind though there may be a hole or bit cut out where they attach to support poles ect. I can’t open them out to take a look, they’re too big. I’m going to use it to replace my fernerys shade cloth. It reduces wind blowing the ferns about and angelica stems from being bent :)

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

BG your shadecloths are here , hubby picked them up on his way home from work, saved me the trip.
We will get them out of my car into yours ok, I think.. if not we’ll have to grab a nearby muscly bloke to help ;)

wonderful. my mind keeps spinning with the possible uses, lol! I am thinking that hanging one along the west side of the house, where the bedrooms are, would do wonders for keeping down the heat.

Bear in mind though there may be a hole or bit cut out where they attach to support poles ect. I can’t open them out to take a look, they’re too big. I’m going to use it to replace my fernerys shade cloth. It reduces wind blowing the ferns about and angelica stems from being bent :)

I can cope with a few holes :)

I’m doing a big cook up this arvo after picking up a meat order. Spag bol sauce first, then some heat n’ eat casserole-y packs for GS. I also got some chicken breast and thigh packs and with them I make kievs and flatten roll others and fill with herb and vege, garlic and silverbeet, and plum sauce/ garlic, and sage/butter filled. The family and GS lerve these little rolled mini roasts :)

Sharpen the knives and clear the benches!

Happy Potter said:

I’m doing a big cook up this arvo after picking up a meat order. Spag bol sauce first, then some heat n’ eat casserole-y packs for GS. I also got some chicken breast and thigh packs and with them I make kievs and flatten roll others and fill with herb and vege, garlic and silverbeet, and plum sauce/ garlic, and sage/butter filled. The family and GS lerve these little rolled mini roasts :)

Sharpen the knives and clear the benches!

making a batch of bol sauce here too :)

Like the idea of your mini chicken roasts, but I would probably just fry up a bit of chicken and use the other stuff to make a sauce for it. I am a bit of a lazy cook ;)

silly cockateils have turned up their beaks at my attempts of a nest box and have persisted in laying the eggs on the floor of the cage and sitting on them. The female is getting quite agro at me for stealing her eggs. So I found another use for a stainless steep cat dish. I put some of the chewed up newspaper in it and the egg on top and waited to see what would happen. The male went down and I could hear him fussing around and the egg rolling on the steel. Then he started sitting on it. He gets off when I go to check though. He has chucked out all the newspaper so the egg is sitting on the bare steel. No worse than on the floor of the cage and this way the egg/chick is prevented from being pushed away when they are sitting/feeding. We’ll see. They seem determined to try again come what may.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I’m doing a big cook up this arvo after picking up a meat order. Spag bol sauce first, then some heat n’ eat casserole-y packs for GS. I also got some chicken breast and thigh packs and with them I make kievs and flatten roll others and fill with herb and vege, garlic and silverbeet, and plum sauce/ garlic, and sage/butter filled. The family and GS lerve these little rolled mini roasts :)

Sharpen the knives and clear the benches!

making a batch of bol sauce here too :)

Like the idea of your mini chicken roasts, but I would probably just fry up a bit of chicken and use the other stuff to make a sauce for it. I am a bit of a lazy cook ;)

I would do it that way too if it were just for me. I’m trying to get the man to eat less meat and more veges. Despite the bootload I bought, it will do us for months. GS food packs and family meals too.
Plus cooking ahead means I get more gardening and chookie whispering time :)
I raided the garden for herbs and the freezer for any left over frozen home grown veges.

justin said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

anyone want to join an anti-filing club?

i’m getting frustrated trying to sort 8,000 photos. – things keep disappearing off screen and – other things decide to not be transferable – and whole categories of photos disappear into documents – never to be found again.

is it drinky time yet?

i was driving back from the hospital last tuesday night and was feeling very thirsty indeed. i had just been sitting next to a bed in the drying hospital atmosphere watching my wife try to keep water in her system and didn’t feel incline to guzzle a whole jug of water in front of her. so i stopped at the golden grove pub and ordered a cider. this barman, matt, just handled over a glass of ice with the 500ml bottle of pear cider. now i know beer and wine do not go well with ice but cider certainly does. i slowly drank this freezing cider from the glass of ice realising that i had just discovered my favourite drink for the coming summer.

a problem with the digital photography age in which we are now immersed is the digital bit.

know that pub, lived not far from it half an age ago, and I daresay I recall the hospital you have ventured from and the roads you were heading home on. I hope your wife has received due care and is back at home? I have tried pear cider on ice, but it wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I can understand the refreshing nature of the way Matt presented you with your relief.

wife is recovering well thanks – and now we are both drinking homebrewed cider in a glass full of ice. if you don’t like the pear cider we can now offer you – citrus cider, orange and cinnamon cider, spicy lime cider and several other six months old brews from our cellar.

spicy lime sounds alright…. will be passing your place sometime on boxing day.

roughbarked said:

justin said:

roughbarked said:

hope your wife gets well soon.

she’s got 5 weeks recovery time so its a slow process. she’s got a lot of accumulated sick days tho’ so its an enforced holiday – for her not necessarily for her butler. LOL.

Tell me about it. I’ve been shepherding she who must keep breaking things. This time a cracked pelvis.

‘shepherding’? – i’m more like a sheep dog than a sheperd but hey – moving her around with a gentle crook around the neck might work LOL.

painmaster said:

justin said:

painmaster said:

a problem with the digital photography age in which we are now immersed is the digital bit.

know that pub, lived not far from it half an age ago, and I daresay I recall the hospital you have ventured from and the roads you were heading home on. I hope your wife has received due care and is back at home? I have tried pear cider on ice, but it wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I can understand the refreshing nature of the way Matt presented you with your relief.

wife is recovering well thanks – and now we are both drinking homebrewed cider in a glass full of ice. if you don’t like the pear cider we can now offer you – citrus cider, orange and cinnamon cider, spicy lime cider and several other six months old brews from our cellar.

spicy lime sounds alright…. will be passing your place sometime on boxing day.

you’re on – the lime has kept its limey taste – so you won’t have tasted it before.

justin said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

wife is recovering well thanks – and now we are both drinking homebrewed cider in a glass full of ice. if you don’t like the pear cider we can now offer you – citrus cider, orange and cinnamon cider, spicy lime cider and several other six months old brews from our cellar.

spicy lime sounds alright…. will be passing your place sometime on boxing day.

you’re on – the lime has kept its limey taste – so you won’t have tasted it before.

if you have Lucky’s email addy, then get her to forward yours to mine, and I’ll be in touch.

I thought you guys might be interested in the Tarrington haybale art for Laternenfest. I think we might have missed a couple, but most of them are here:

The album is public, so once you click on the camel thumbnail you can flip through the others. I particularly like the camel. And the spool of red ‘thread’. And the sheep.

buffy said:

I thought you guys might be interested in the Tarrington haybale art for Laternenfest. I think we might have missed a couple, but most of them are here:

The album is public, so once you click on the camel thumbnail you can flip through the others. I particularly like the camel. And the spool of red ‘thread’. And the sheep.

I think the camel is my favourite too, but some pretty inventive ones in there.

painmaster said:

justin said:

painmaster said:

spicy lime sounds alright…. will be passing your place sometime on boxing day.

you’re on – the lime has kept its limey taste – so you won’t have tasted it before.

if you have Lucky’s email addy, then get her to forward yours to mine, and I’ll be in touch.

ok – done

bluegreen said:

buffy said:

I thought you guys might be interested in the Tarrington haybale art for Laternenfest. I think we might have missed a couple, but most of them are here:

The album is public, so once you click on the camel thumbnail you can flip through the others. I particularly like the camel. And the spool of red ‘thread’. And the sheep.

I think the camel is my favourite too, but some pretty inventive ones in there.

the best is -shaun the sheep – definitely

buffy said:

I thought you guys might be interested in the Tarrington haybale art for Laternenfest. I think we might have missed a couple, but most of them are here:

The album is public, so once you click on the camel thumbnail you can flip through the others. I particularly like the camel. And the spool of red ‘thread’. And the sheep.

Love them! I esp’ like the owls ? and the peacock, and the sun..

Off to the airport to pick up the girl. I told hubby to go to bed but he want’s to come with me. He’s not working the next two days so it’s ok, but I bet he will snore all the way to the airport, and back lol.

buffy said:

I thought you guys might be interested in the Tarrington haybale art for Laternenfest. I think we might have missed a couple, but most of them are here:

The album is public, so once you click on the camel thumbnail you can flip through the others. I particularly like the camel. And the spool of red ‘thread’. And the sheep.

Tee hee hee looks like fun!

Flying to Brisvegas today… forecast is for 39ºC down there… Yuck. Rarely gets that hot up here, so I might melt.

Happy Potter said:

Off to the airport to pick up the girl. I told hubby to go to bed but he want’s to come with me. He’s not working the next two days so it’s ok, but I bet he will snore all the way to the airport, and back lol.

Yep he snored! hahaha.

What a nightmare driving to the airport though, roadworks almost the whole way, some 20 klms, with new lines but still old lines visable cris-crossing them, and if you miss the sign that says follow yellow line only..and temporary bridges and hellishly narrow lanes.. and freightliner drivers, and some car drivers, that can’t read the flashing speed limit 60 sign whizzing past at 100 klms ph plus. And an Airport security bloke with a problem screaming ‘who wants a ticken then?’, and muttering an obsenity or two..and looking directly at me because my cars front bumper merely edged over the dividing line for passenger pick ups and bus parking area. I took off and did a loop and came back and parked in the same spot.
Yep that’s Melbourne Airport.
And why not spend squillions creating a fab new freeway opening up new suburbs and vast areas, then build them up and shove a mil odd people in them, then re build the freeway because it’s over capacity. Yup.
Wait until they build the new rail link and new train stations..yep that’ll be another rebuild.

And my silly girl had booked with idiot J’Star and only hours before her early morn flight they cancelled that flight..no reason given but there’s another the following day. The girl was furious and re booked with another airline at 1.30 am, but told she wouldn’t get a cracker back from j’star because she refused their next day flight offer. So double the money to fly. Her j’star return flight was fine, except that because her bag was heavier than when she left, ‘that’ll be an extra $70 thank you’.
We’d pre warned all the kids, don’t fly with that lot. Ever. It’ll end up costing you more than if you’d just booked in the first place with the Q or V mob.

Morning
LOL

painmaster said:

Flying to Brisvegas today… forecast is for 39ºC down there… Yuck. Rarely gets that hot up here, so I might melt.

Stay cool.

What a nightmare driving to the airport though, roadworks almost the whole way, some 20 klms, with new lines but still old lines visable cris-crossing them, and if you miss the sign that says follow yellow line only..and temporary bridges and hellishly narrow lanes.. and freightliner drivers, and some car drivers, that can’t read the flashing speed limit 60 sign whizzing past at 100 klms ph plus. And an Airport security bloke with a problem screaming ‘who wants a ticken then?’, and muttering an obsenity or two..and looking directly at me because my cars front bumper merely edged over the dividing line for passenger pick ups and bus parking area. I took off and did a loop and came back and parked in the same spot.
Yep that’s Melbourne Airport.
And why not spend squillions creating a fab new freeway opening up new suburbs and vast areas, then build them up and shove a mil odd people in them, then re build the freeway because it’s over capacity. Yup.
Wait until they build the new rail link and new train stations..yep that’ll be another rebuild.

———————————————————-

good story – your friend jane was on GA doing a story in werribee zoo – at least werribee seems a bit rural.

justin said:

What a nightmare driving to the airport though, roadworks almost the whole way, some 20 klms, with new lines but still old lines visable cris-crossing them, and if you miss the sign that says follow yellow line only..and temporary bridges and hellishly narrow lanes.. and freightliner drivers, and some car drivers, that can’t read the flashing speed limit 60 sign whizzing past at 100 klms ph plus. And an Airport security bloke with a problem screaming ‘who wants a ticken then?’, and muttering an obsenity or two..and looking directly at me because my cars front bumper merely edged over the dividing line for passenger pick ups and bus parking area. I took off and did a loop and came back and parked in the same spot.
Yep that’s Melbourne Airport.
And why not spend squillions creating a fab new freeway opening up new suburbs and vast areas, then build them up and shove a mil odd people in them, then re build the freeway because it’s over capacity. Yup.
Wait until they build the new rail link and new train stations..yep that’ll be another rebuild.

———————————————————-

good story – your friend jane was on GA doing a story in werribee zoo – at least werribee seems a bit rural.

Janes cool :)
Used to be rural. I bought a house in a semi rural area, but then the city grew and came out to me. W’bee is now a suburb of greater Melbin. We’re at the end of the train line but it’s only a matter of time and the rail will be electrified from W’bee to Geelong and a few mil more people and houses and the New West will resemble the Eastern suburbs. That’s the plan I read, to chock a block the west because the east is full. I don’t have the article at hand, but the reporter had quoted the relevant Minister at the time as saying people were travelling 60 klms to work in Melb from the outter east, but Werribee is only 30 klms from Melb. And we have all these wonderful new freeways..

When I first moved here I had a calf in a paddock opposite my house where there’s now a kindergarten and 1000 som’t houses.

I still haven’t had a settling coffee yet! LOL

I have been hearing on the news today about new roadways and a railway to the airport. It does need something to be done but it has to be done right in the first place.

And I have also heard that they want to build more houses in Werribee. On the other hand there is the issue is they build more houses in the outer suburbs, or create new ones, but they don’t provide supporting services or business out there so the gap between where people live and where they work just gets bigger and bigger.

bluegreen said:

I have been hearing on the news today about new roadways and a railway to the airport. It does need something to be done but it has to be done right in the first place.

And I have also heard that they want to build more houses in Werribee. On the other hand there is the issue is they build more houses in the outer suburbs, or create new ones, but they don’t provide supporting services or business out there so the gap between where people live and where they work just gets bigger and bigger.

Yes it’s madness.
What people aren’t told about is the traffic problems. I live 7 minutes drive, at the normal speed limit in light traffic, to the nearest freeway entrance. At peak hour that little trip can take you 45 minutes to travel. Or more. Then when you eventually get onto the freeway, it’s another hour to the city as the traffic crawls along, when it’s moving that is. Then you get to the freeway junctions where several merge into one.
The train station carparks are so full you see cars parked on verges, even footpaths. That’s if the trains are running, which they’re often not because there’s more building works going on.
You can beat the bus by walking the few klms to the main st. The bus passes you, then you walk past it, then you and the same bus arrive at the same time. New suburbs are springing up with the promises of new open areas and good freeways..residents are feeling like they’ve been had. They have.
And that’s how you get your town on the list of the new poor areas. It’s easier to stay home and collect the dole than try to get to work.

It’s why my youngest daughter stays at her boyfriends parents place during the week, they live closer to the city.

Right, had my coffee now, lol.
I’m off to pick up some free wooden boxes nearby. I want to use them to make a roomier brooder box for chicks in the shed. It’s between ‘traffic times’ as we call them now..peak hour over, between pre-school and school run times, and before the arvo shift change over..

When I get back I’m gunna check out real estate on King Island! lol.

Facebook version of ‘The Twelve days of Christmas’ hee hee

On the 12th Day of Christmas my Facebook gave to me, 12 dudes I’m blocking, 11 friends just watching, 10 corny topics, 9 busted barbies, 8 friends complaining, 7 stalkers stalking, 6 party invites, Fiiiiiiiiiiiiive Drama Queeeensssss, 4 game requests, 3 photo tags, 2 friends-a-pokin & a creep who won’t stop inboxing meeee!

Happy Potter said:

Facebook version of ‘The Twelve days of Christmas’ hee hee

On the 12th Day of Christmas my Facebook gave to me, 12 dudes I’m blocking, 11 friends just watching, 10 corny topics, 9 busted barbies, 8 friends complaining, 7 stalkers stalking, 6 party invites, Fiiiiiiiiiiiiive Drama Queeeensssss, 4 game requests, 3 photo tags, 2 friends-a-pokin & a creep who won’t stop inboxing meeee!

lol!

Note: I said yesterday that the farmer pulled the pin on the job of grafting his orchard over.
Today he paid me for the wasted weekend and gave me 20,000 citrus stocks to look after and graft.

roughbarked said:

Note: I said yesterday that the farmer pulled the pin on the job of grafting his orchard over.
Today he paid me for the wasted weekend and gave me 20,000 citrus stocks to look after and graft.

glad to hear it wasn’t wasted after all.

roughbarked said:

Note: I said yesterday that the farmer pulled the pin on the job of grafting his orchard over.
Today he paid me for the wasted weekend and gave me 20,000 citrus stocks to look after and graft.

So a little light homework for you..

roughbarked said:

Another let down. Today, all geared up to graft trees I spent all weekend cutting grafting wood for. Gets there and he has ten people lined up standing around and he pulls the pin on the job..

A “touch of the shorts”?

Geez…

roughbarked said:

Note: I said yesterday that the farmer pulled the pin on the job of grafting his orchard over.
Today he paid me for the wasted weekend and gave me 20,000 citrus stocks to look after and graft.

That looks a lot better !

:)

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Note: I said yesterday that the farmer pulled the pin on the job of grafting his orchard over.
Today he paid me for the wasted weekend and gave me 20,000 citrus stocks to look after and graft.

So a little light homework for you..

:) 20,000 X approx 12 main thorns and branches on the first pass. These replicate themselves many times requiring further removal until the plants are finally budded. After which the tops are cut off and the shoot removal begins again to allow the grafted bud to dominate.

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Note: I said yesterday that the farmer pulled the pin on the job of grafting his orchard over.
Today he paid me for the wasted weekend and gave me 20,000 citrus stocks to look after and graft.

That looks a lot better !

:)

Yes, it is an improvement, though not easy work crawling around on the hot ground making many thousands of cuts amongst many thousands of sharp thorns.

One can see the thorns here

roughbarked said:

One can see the thorns here

got thorns like that on my citrange :)

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

One can see the thorns here

got thorns like that on my citrange :)

Yes. That’s true but less like a roll of barbed wire.

roughbarked said:

One can see the thorns here

Big b*st*rds…pardon my french…but my skin is crawling as it’s encountered a few of those and not in the line of work, either…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

One can see the thorns here

Big b*st*rds…pardon my french…but my skin is crawling as it’s encountered a few of those and not in the line of work, either…

My skin too, vicious things. Another bitey thing in the garden to watch out for.

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

One can see the thorns here

Big b*st*rds…pardon my french…but my skin is crawling as it’s encountered a few of those and not in the line of work, either…

My skin too, vicious things. Another bitey thing in the garden to watch out for.

I take it that one would not choose to play with them willingly?

What was it I was talking, ok whinging about, this morning?

http://theage.drive.com.au/megaroad-mooted-amid-airport-expansion-plan-20121204-2ary0.html

Happy Potter said:

What was it I was talking, ok whinging about, this morning?

http://theage.drive.com.au/megaroad-mooted-amid-airport-expansion-plan-20121204-2ary0.html

there is a need for an alternate route than the Tullamarine Fwy.

Good morning Gardeners. Overcast, mildly showery and about 8 degrees here. Dogs woke me early, so I’m off to work to do some paperwork before going to Casterton to consult.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Big b*st*rds…pardon my french…but my skin is crawling as it’s encountered a few of those and not in the line of work, either…

My skin too, vicious things. Another bitey thing in the garden to watch out for.

I take it that one would not choose to play with them willingly?

Not willingly, no…

Morning, a cold day here. Brr.
I’m off to quilting in a bit and hopefully finish my next bag. There’s been a delay with getting this 2nd quilted bag completed.. something went wrong and somehow the two large pockets have turned out to be longer than the bag. My measuring was up the creek no doubt. I’ll take it along and let the ladies advise me on what to do with it. They’ll have a laugh as usual, they always do at my mistakes, but I’m used to it! lol!

Hay Ho! Just me. Back from the big smoke. Hosing happening big time yesterday and today. Things are crook in the gardens. None of the expected rain ever happened so I’m not a Livio fan atm. Pointless planting anything for now. It’s a full time job trying to keep stuff we already have, alive.

today maxed at 23˚C when it was 41˚C the other day.

We’ve had smoke from bush fires all around this afternoon. Fortunately there wasn’t much wind blowing and the danger wasn’t close to us. Couldn’t see where the source was actually. The sun was very red and I was glad when it went behind the hills.

Livio says cooler weather is on it’s way but no rain on the horizon. The yard and the plajnts and trees are looking dreadful. Grass is now crackling underfoot. Trees are losing lots and lots of leaves. At least they are covering the dead grass so things don’t look as bad as they really are.

Not enjoying this weather at all.

pomolo said:

We’ve had smoke from bush fires all around this afternoon. Fortunately there wasn’t much wind blowing and the danger wasn’t close to us. Couldn’t see where the source was actually. The sun was very red and I was glad when it went behind the hills.

Livio says cooler weather is on it’s way but no rain on the horizon. The yard and the plajnts and trees are looking dreadful. Grass is now crackling underfoot. Trees are losing lots and lots of leaves. At least they are covering the dead grass so things don’t look as bad as they really are.

Not enjoying this weather at all.

It is standard for me

If we didn’t have irrigation.. this place would be as Oxley described it.. unfit for man.

Happy Potter said:

I’ll take it along and let the ladies advise me on what to do with it. They’ll have a laugh as usual, they always do at my mistakes, but I’m used to it! lol!

Mistakes is how you learn…often not just the mistake itself but about a few other tips as well…

pomolo said:

Hay Ho! Just me. Back from the big smoke. Hosing happening big time yesterday and today. Things are crook in the gardens. None of the expected rain ever happened so I’m not a Livio fan atm. Pointless planting anything for now. It’s a full time job trying to keep stuff we already have, alive.

I’ve seen Livio (on the teev) a couple of times up here the last 12 months…it’s hard with this heat, and especially the stiff breezes, to keep the plants hydrated…

Good morning Gardeners. As you can see, I’m at work and doing the books…….

Cool, overcast at the moment. Going for a hot Saturday according to the BOM.

Who is this Livio person?

buffy said:

Good morning Gardeners. As you can see, I’m at work and doing the books…….

Cool, overcast at the moment. Going for a hot Saturday according to the BOM.

Who is this Livio person?

some weatherman in those northern parts

bluegreen said:

buffy said:

Good morning Gardeners. As you can see, I’m at work and doing the books…….

Cool, overcast at the moment. Going for a hot Saturday according to the BOM.

Who is this Livio person?

some weatherman in those northern parts

Who is either loved or hated, depending on his weather reports lol

Vale, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.
You will be sorely missed.

Nothing much to report. Just more of the same. Callas are starting to peek through. ‘Bout time I reckon.

Just as well I can’t have any more babies..

A pressie for the gorgeous smiling Tia. I coudn’t stop my hand from reaching out for this cute lil hand smoked and petticoated lil dress :D

Happy Potter said:

Just as well I can’t have any more babies..

A pressie for the gorgeous smiling Tia. I coudn’t stop my hand from reaching out for this cute lil hand smoked and petticoated lil dress :D

Smocked! even

Happy Potter said:

Just as well I can’t have any more babies..

A pressie for the gorgeous smiling Tia. I coudn’t stop my hand from reaching out for this cute lil hand smoked and petticoated lil dress :D

“smocked” even :)

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

Just as well I can’t have any more babies..

A pressie for the gorgeous smiling Tia. I coudn’t stop my hand from reaching out for this cute lil hand smoked and petticoated lil dress :D

Smocked! even

snap!

If the link doesn’t work, this is about an old house built in 1904 Davis House who some residents don’t want to see demolished. It’s been the subject of many a firey meeting to save it.
I’m neither for or against. Actually pretty much against because it’s been very neglected and one time it was gutted, only part of the roof and front remain, and it’s seen a vandal attack or two. It’s in the main street with a bicycle shop one side and the RSL across a small park on the other.
Last night it was ‘elf bombed’ and covered in Christmas lights and decoratons.
Well this morning the bulldozers are there..

http://wyndham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/historic-werribee-house-facing-demolition/

Happy Potter said:

If the link doesn’t work, this is about an old house built in 1904 Davis House who some residents don’t want to see demolished. It’s been the subject of many a firey meeting to save it.
I’m neither for or against. Actually pretty much against because it’s been very neglected and one time it was gutted, only part of the roof and front remain, and it’s seen a vandal attack or two. It’s in the main street with a bicycle shop one side and the RSL across a small park on the other.
Last night it was ‘elf bombed’ and covered in Christmas lights and decoratons.
Well this morning the bulldozers are there..

http://wyndham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/historic-werribee-house-facing-demolition/

sometimes old houses have been mucked around with so much that they retain little heritage value, even it it has been there a long time. Sounds like this might be the case.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

If the link doesn’t work, this is about an old house built in 1904 Davis House who some residents don’t want to see demolished. It’s been the subject of many a firey meeting to save it.
I’m neither for or against. Actually pretty much against because it’s been very neglected and one time it was gutted, only part of the roof and front remain, and it’s seen a vandal attack or two. It’s in the main street with a bicycle shop one side and the RSL across a small park on the other.
Last night it was ‘elf bombed’ and covered in Christmas lights and decoratons.
Well this morning the bulldozers are there..

http://wyndham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/historic-werribee-house-facing-demolition/

sometimes old houses have been mucked around with so much that they retain little heritage value, even it it has been there a long time. Sounds like this might be the case.

My thoughts exactly.

Gees I wish we had an edit button so I could correct some of my deplorable grammar and typos. lol

the building that one of my jobs was in was originally a large home (not quite a mansion) of an estate that was there before the area got built up. over the years bits had been added on or modernised or converted into offices. When the organisation was selling it up they made some enquiries about its heritage status and was told it had no heritage value because of the additions and changes. Even the 100 (or was it 200?) year old hedge was not worth keeping as it had huge areas of dieback.

Even so there was a big kerfuffle about the sale and consequential demolition of it to build apartments from the locals who thought it should be preserved.

My office was in what was once the stables.

They asked P to value a house as a possible submission to be Heritage Listed…he had to advise that the only original remnant was the roof, and it was dreadfully rusted…

I have moved some of my pot plants to here. The chooks have sorted the weak from the strong and I am glad to say some good comes of every bad (2 pots completely dug out) as I have now found and re-potted my caladium bulbs…

:)

So, I didn’t know what caladiums were. I had a look in Google. I didn’t know they were a corm type plant.

(I don’t grow them)

buffy said:

So, I didn’t know what caladiums were. I had a look in Google. I didn’t know they were a corm type plant.

(I don’t grow them)

My knowledge didn’t extend to them either..

Here’s one, the other two hunkered down when I pointed the camera at them.

They are getting ready to fly.

roughbarked said:

Here’s one, the other two hunkered down when I pointed the camera at them.

They are getting ready to fly.

certainly looks big enough :)

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

Here’s one, the other two hunkered down when I pointed the camera at them.

They are getting ready to fly.

certainly looks big enough :)

They get leaner after being out of the nest for a few weeks.

roughbarked said:

Here’s one, the other two hunkered down when I pointed the camera at them.

They are getting ready to fly.

I can see the bird now…

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

So, I didn’t know what caladiums were. I had a look in Google. I didn’t know they were a corm type plant.

(I don’t grow them)

My knowledge didn’t extend to them either..

You should be able to grow them RoughBarked, if you could be bothered over-wintering them in pots…they make a lovely display…

buffy said:

So, I didn’t know what caladiums were. I had a look in Google. I didn’t know they were a corm type plant.

(I don’t grow them)

Too cold where you are I’m afraid, Buffy…

Dinetta said:

buffy said:

So, I didn’t know what caladiums were. I had a look in Google. I didn’t know they were a corm type plant.

(I don’t grow them)

Too cold where you are I’m afraid, Buffy…

Mine, hopefully, will look like the third picture down

The fourth picture down can grow YUGE (think an A4 page of paper) and is the most common: all the others are fancy…

They can be expensive, not much change out of $25 (per plant) but with some care you could mention ‘em in you Will…just sayin’…

That does it for eating nuts for me or I could end up with a fatty liver :( Awful tum pain and feeling really flat, but ok.

I have a pretty healthy diet low in fat. Then I eat a handful of cashews and get crook. It’s got something to do with not having a gallbladder and the pancreatitus attacks I had years ago.

Happy Potter said:

That does it for eating nuts for me or I could end up with a fatty liver :( Awful tum pain and feeling really flat, but ok.

I have a pretty healthy diet low in fat. Then I eat a handful of cashews and get crook. It’s got something to do with not having a gallbladder and the pancreatitus attacks I had years ago.

Painful! Will a teaspoon of soda bicarb in a glass of water help? Cashews are hard to resist…I didn’t know about nuts and fatty liver, P is keen on almonds (fresh)…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

That does it for eating nuts for me or I could end up with a fatty liver :( Awful tum pain and feeling really flat, but ok.

I have a pretty healthy diet low in fat. Then I eat a handful of cashews and get crook. It’s got something to do with not having a gallbladder and the pancreatitus attacks I had years ago.

Painful! Will a teaspoon of soda bicarb in a glass of water help? Cashews are hard to resist…I didn’t know about nuts and fatty liver, P is keen on almonds (fresh)…

Only thing I could stomach is a couple teaspoons of yoghurt and water,and cups of tea. All nuts are out. I’ll have to do some liver function blood tests over time, but it will come good.

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

So, I didn’t know what caladiums were. I had a look in Google. I didn’t know they were a corm type plant.

(I don’t grow them)

My knowledge didn’t extend to them either..

You should be able to grow them RoughBarked, if you could be bothered over-wintering them in pots…they make a lovely display…

Actually have the perfect place to do that but there is never enough spare water for such.

http://www.citrusgenomedb.org/species/trifoliata

roughbarked said:

http://www.citrusgenomedb.org/species/trifoliata

Sometimes I wonder, if you’ve got the space why not grow the full-sized tree?

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

You should be able to grow them RoughBarked, if you could be bothered over-wintering them in pots…they make a lovely display…

Actually have the perfect place to do that but there is never enough spare water for such.

You could hand-water from a bucket or such. They don’t require water every day if the potting medium suits. You could pot them in good loam, don’t worry about the special potting mixes, and they’ll do well. My mother’s lasted for decades like that …

roughbarked said:

http://www.citrusgenomedb.org/species/trifoliata

It’s got a pretty flower. I didn’t understand half of what the description said, but I understood that it is used as rootstock.

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

http://www.citrusgenomedb.org/species/trifoliata

Sometimes I wonder, if you’ve got the space why not grow the full-sized tree?

for commercial purposes it is easier management and picking if the trees are kept compact, but in your backyard you could do as you pleased.

Hello. Never got back on yesterday. Our trip into town resulted in a car accident. Not our fault but we both ended going off to hospital in an ambulance. Allowed back home in the evening and both seem to be in one piece. Very sore and sorry and it will take a few days to recover. No car now so we couldn’t go anywhere anyway. One of the main drawbacks of living in the country is that you must have car access or very good friends. We’ll sort that out at a later date.

I just wanted to let you know so you don’t get concerned if I’m not posting much.

Have fun.

pomolo said:

Hello. Never got back on yesterday. Our trip into town resulted in a car accident. Not our fault but we both ended going off to hospital in an ambulance. Allowed back home in the evening and both seem to be in one piece. Very sore and sorry and it will take a few days to recover. No car now so we couldn’t go anywhere anyway. One of the main drawbacks of living in the country is that you must have car access or very good friends. We’ll sort that out at a later date.

I just wanted to let you know so you don’t get concerned if I’m not posting much.

Have fun.

Glad to hear yous are ok, albeit sore, and it wasn’t worse! . What an awful fright an accident is, and a disruption to your getting about. I hope the car isn’t too bad and you get it back soon.

pomolo said:

Hello. Never got back on yesterday. Our trip into town resulted in a car accident. Not our fault but we both ended going off to hospital in an ambulance. Allowed back home in the evening and both seem to be in one piece. Very sore and sorry and it will take a few days to recover. No car now so we couldn’t go anywhere anyway. One of the main drawbacks of living in the country is that you must have car access or very good friends. We’ll sort that out at a later date.

I just wanted to let you know so you don’t get concerned if I’m not posting much.

Have fun.

I’m so glad you are both OK, but what a pain being without a car! Is it repairable? Did the other person have insurance? Make sure you tell your doctor if things start feeling worse (other than stiffness.)

pomolo said:

Hello. Never got back on yesterday. Our trip into town resulted in a car accident. Not our fault but we both ended going off to hospital in an ambulance. Allowed back home in the evening and both seem to be in one piece. Very sore and sorry and it will take a few days to recover. No car now so we couldn’t go anywhere anyway. One of the main drawbacks of living in the country is that you must have car access or very good friends. We’ll sort that out at a later date. just wanted to let you know so you don’t get concerned if I’m not posting much. Have fun.

best wishes and i hope you recover. it’s certainly difficult without a car so i hope that situation is remedied as well.

pomolo said:

Our trip into town resulted in a car accident. Not our fault but we both ended going off to hospital in an ambulance. Allowed back home in the evening and both seem to be in one piece.

What a bummer! But it doesn’t surprise me, we avoid that highway (did it happen on the 4 lane?) as it can get too nerve-wracking… but on a good day of course it’s close to flying low…

Thankful that you’re not injured…

It’s such a pain to lose your car in an accident…

watering every second day is becoming a chore.
i ordered the two pistachio trees for april/may but never bought any other trees, altho the ‘jujube (chinese date?) was interesting. its so dry anything planted now would die imho.

justin said:

watering every second day is becoming a chore.
i ordered the two pistachio trees for april/may but never bought any other trees, altho the ‘jujube (chinese date?) was interesting. its so dry anything planted now would die imho.

I can’t recall, I don’t think you got your wet winter this year?

Dinetta said:

justin said:

watering every second day is becoming a chore.
i ordered the two pistachio trees for april/may but never bought any other trees, altho the ‘jujube (chinese date?) was interesting. its so dry anything planted now would die imho.

I can’t recall, I don’t think you got your wet winter this year?

a reasonable winter but a weird spring – cold and dry
it caught me by surprise and i started watering too late really – mostly other gardeners were caught as well

justin said:

Dinetta said:

justin said:

watering every second day is becoming a chore.
i ordered the two pistachio trees for april/may but never bought any other trees, altho the ‘jujube (chinese date?) was interesting. its so dry anything planted now would die imho.

I can’t recall, I don’t think you got your wet winter this year?

a reasonable winter but a weird spring – cold and dry
it caught me by surprise and i started watering too late really – mostly other gardeners were caught as well

whats happening up there – it was dry – is that over now?

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

http://www.citrusgenomedb.org/species/trifoliata

Sometimes I wonder, if you’ve got the space why not grow the full-sized tree?

These are the rootstocks for most citrus trees. If you are referring to full sized orange trees, you saw my photo from the top of a 25 foot orange tree. Who wants to climb ladders that high? Not many fruit pickers want to be carrying a bag of oranges at the top of such ladders..

Dinetta said:

pomolo said:

Our trip into town resulted in a car accident. Not our fault but we both ended going off to hospital in an ambulance. Allowed back home in the evening and both seem to be in one piece.

What a bummer! But it doesn’t surprise me, we avoid that highway (did it happen on the 4 lane?) as it can get too nerve-wracking… but on a good day of course it’s close to flying low…

Thankful that you’re not injured…

It’s such a pain to lose your car in an accident…

Ack! I hate car accidents, avoid them like the plague.

justin said:

Dinetta said:

justin said:

watering every second day is becoming a chore.
i ordered the two pistachio trees for april/may but never bought any other trees, altho the ‘jujube (chinese date?) was interesting. its so dry anything planted now would die imho.

I can’t recall, I don’t think you got your wet winter this year?

a reasonable winter but a weird spring – cold and dry
it caught me by surprise and i started watering too late really – mostly other gardeners were caught as well

Yes.. weird weather all right.. rain at wrong times none at right times. Past 40 when it should have been cool and frosty weather when it should be getting hot.

done my good deed for the day. I was on my way home when I saw a fellow coming the other way on a motorbike pulled over on the side of the road, pushing. Looked like he might have needed some help so turned around and went back. His gearbox was making really bad noises and he could only get first gear! He had two little dogs in a trailer and there was no reception and no shade, so I brought him and his dogs home so he could make a phone call and got some water for the dogs. He’s now over at the General Store waiting for his son in Beechworth to come with a trailer to collect him and his bike.

justin said:

whats happening up there – it was dry – is that over now?

We had an unusually wet winter, one of the wettest I think, and then the Tap was turned off. I do believe the Wet is late starting in the NT this year as well…we are all sick of the smoke haze…

roughbarked said:

These are the rootstocks for most citrus trees. If you are referring to full sized orange trees, you saw my photo from the top of a 25 foot orange tree. Who wants to climb ladders that high? Not many fruit pickers want to be carrying a bag of oranges at the top of such ladders..

We had a mandarin tree about 20 foot high, it was watered by the laundry water before the sewerage system was put in (after which it died). We just had a long pole with a bit of bent fencing wire attached and that’s how we picked our mandarines when we wanted them…this is why I asked the question…on the other hand I can appreciate “horses for courses” …. where dwarf trees are suitable for small areas of land e.g. flats and apartments, and, as you said, slightly larger trees for commercial fruit production…

bluegreen said:

done my good deed for the day. I was on my way home when I saw a fellow coming the other way on a motorbike pulled over on the side of the road, pushing. Looked like he might have needed some help so turned around and went back. His gearbox was making really bad noises and he could only get first gear! He had two little dogs in a trailer and there was no reception and no shade, so I brought him and his dogs home so he could make a phone call and got some water for the dogs. He’s now over at the General Store waiting for his son in Beechworth to come with a trailer to collect him and his bike.

Onya, BlueGreen!

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

These are the rootstocks for most citrus trees. If you are referring to full sized orange trees, you saw my photo from the top of a 25 foot orange tree. Who wants to climb ladders that high? Not many fruit pickers want to be carrying a bag of oranges at the top of such ladders..

We had a mandarin tree about 20 foot high, it was watered by the laundry water before the sewerage system was put in (after which it died). We just had a long pole with a bit of bent fencing wire attached and that’s how we picked our mandarines when we wanted them…this is why I asked the question…on the other hand I can appreciate “horses for courses” …. where dwarf trees are suitable for small areas of land e.g. flats and apartments, and, as you said, slightly larger trees for commercial fruit production…

Comercial citrus production firstly grafts onto Poncirus trifoliata.. thence infects the trees with a further dwarfing virus.

bluegreen said:

done my good deed for the day. I was on my way home when I saw a fellow coming the other way on a motorbike pulled over on the side of the road, pushing. Looked like he might have needed some help so turned around and went back. His gearbox was making really bad noises and he could only get first gear! He had two little dogs in a trailer and there was no reception and no shade, so I brought him and his dogs home so he could make a phone call and got some water for the dogs. He’s now over at the General Store waiting for his son in Beechworth to come with a trailer to collect him and his bike.

Good lady :D

Dinetta said:

justin said:

whats happening up there – it was dry – is that over now?

We had an unusually wet winter, one of the wettest I think, and then the Tap was turned off. I do believe the Wet is late starting in the NT this year as well…we are all sick of the smoke haze…

oh – not good – fingers crossed for lots of wet season rain – and some of the dregs down this way.

Well I’m never going to that servo again, lol.
I hate crickets! On hot nights they come out of wherever they hide and they’re everywhere.
I was just at the servo filling up the car and a bluddy cricket crawled up my leg, inside my jeans! I did the ‘there’s a cricket up my jeans’ dance while shrieking.. then it took me all of 4 seconds to unzip and whip my jeans off and shake the rotten thing out. Right on the forecourt in front of other people, who were giggling loudly.
That’s not the first time that’s happened either. Last time it was in front of double doors at a supermarket, lol. I need to put rubber bands around the hem of my jeans!

Happy Potter said:

Well I’m never going to that servo again, lol.
I hate crickets! On hot nights they come out of wherever they hide and they’re everywhere.
I was just at the servo filling up the car and a bluddy cricket crawled up my leg, inside my jeans! I did the ‘there’s a cricket up my jeans’ dance while shrieking.. then it took me all of 4 seconds to unzip and whip my jeans off and shake the rotten thing out. Right on the forecourt in front of other people, who were giggling loudly.
That’s not the first time that’s happened either. Last time it was in front of double doors at a supermarket, lol. I need to put rubber bands around the hem of my jeans!

lol! what’s the attraction? Can’t say I’ve ever had a cricket crawl up my jeans.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Well I’m never going to that servo again, lol.
I hate crickets! On hot nights they come out of wherever they hide and they’re everywhere.
I was just at the servo filling up the car and a bluddy cricket crawled up my leg, inside my jeans! I did the ‘there’s a cricket up my jeans’ dance while shrieking.. then it took me all of 4 seconds to unzip and whip my jeans off and shake the rotten thing out. Right on the forecourt in front of other people, who were giggling loudly.
That’s not the first time that’s happened either. Last time it was in front of double doors at a supermarket, lol. I need to put rubber bands around the hem of my jeans!

lol! what’s the attraction? Can’t say I’ve ever had a cricket crawl up my jeans.

Had a cockroach crawl up my trouser leg once, but not a cricket.

Happy Potter said:

I need to put rubber bands around the hem of my jeans!

Sounds like a plan…did they get you on CCTV?

painmaster said:

Had a cockroach crawl up my trouser leg once, but not a cricket.

…and cockroaches know how to “crawl”, too…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

I need to put rubber bands around the hem of my jeans!

Sounds like a plan…did they get you on CCTV?

we might see her on U-Tube! lol!

Good morning gardeners. I harvested some Nicola potatoes this morning. I have another short row just about ready (next weekend, I reckon). I got up excruciatingly early this morning, so I’ve been on the go for about 4 hours now. Flagging a bit. And it is warming up like nobody’s business out there.

And a question (I don’t think I’ve asked this, just tell me to fix my memory if I have…..). I found an old packet of Cape Gooseberry seeds in my seed box. And quite a few have germinated. I’m in South West Victoria. Does anyone have experience of this fruit? I don’t really know why I bought the seed, although I think my mother talks about them.

I do have real gooseberries too, although the plants are young and haven’t fruited yet.

buffy said:

And a question (I don’t think I’ve asked this, just tell me to fix my memory if I have…..). I found an old packet of Cape Gooseberry seeds in my seed box. And quite a few have germinated. I’m in South West Victoria. Does anyone have experience of this fruit? I don’t really know why I bought the seed, although I think my mother talks about them.

I do have real gooseberries too, although the plants are young and haven’t fruited yet.

can’t help you I’m afraid. keep cool!

Happy Potter said:

Well I’m never going to that servo again, lol.
I hate crickets! On hot nights they come out of wherever they hide and they’re everywhere.
I was just at the servo filling up the car and a bluddy cricket crawled up my leg, inside my jeans! I did the ‘there’s a cricket up my jeans’ dance while shrieking.. then it took me all of 4 seconds to unzip and whip my jeans off and shake the rotten thing out. Right on the forecourt in front of other people, who were giggling loudly.
That’s not the first time that’s happened either. Last time it was in front of double doors at a supermarket, lol. I need to put rubber bands around the hem of my jeans!

would I do that? – yes probably
saw a little snake going away from me today as i mowed. thankfully no dramas

buffy said:

Good morning gardeners. I harvested some Nicola potatoes this morning. I have another short row just about ready (next weekend, I reckon). I got up excruciatingly early this morning, so I’ve been on the go for about 4 hours now. Flagging a bit. And it is warming up like nobody’s business out there.

i have just pulled my last spuds. unknown mongul variety – still very nice.
i planted lettuces, white radish and a few old onions – plus a tree dahlia.
i was harvesting strawbs and beans but both are struggling for water and are at a standstill.

bluegreen said:

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

I need to put rubber bands around the hem of my jeans!

Sounds like a plan…did they get you on CCTV?

we might see her on U-Tube! lol!

Oh I hope not! LOL

Back .. can’t figure out how it took me nearly 3 hours to drive to Violet town but only 2 hours to get back. Especially as I stopped twice for loo and refreshment breaks and got lost once. Ended up in Coburg lol!
Home now though and the chicks are having a cool drink :)
And hows this for a devoted hubby..he was tracking me via ‘track my iphone’ prog’ and had a coffee ready for me the moment I walked into the door!!

Happy Potter said:

Back .. can’t figure out how it took me nearly 3 hours to drive to Violet town but only 2 hours to get back. Especially as I stopped twice for loo and refreshment breaks and got lost once. Ended up in Coburg lol!
Home now though and the chicks are having a cool drink :)
And hows this for a devoted hubby..he was tracking me via ‘track my iphone’ prog’ and had a coffee ready for me the moment I walked into the door!!

that hubby is not only attentive he’s also technologically advanced LOL.

Happy Potter said:

And hows this for a devoted hubby..he was tracking me via ‘track my iphone’ prog’ and had a coffee ready for me the moment I walked into the door!!

Good one, The Man!

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

Back .. can’t figure out how it took me nearly 3 hours to drive to Violet town but only 2 hours to get back. Especially as I stopped twice for loo and refreshment breaks and got lost once. Ended up in Coburg lol!
Home now though and the chicks are having a cool drink :)
And hows this for a devoted hubby..he was tracking me via ‘track my iphone’ prog’ and had a coffee ready for me the moment I walked into the door!!

that hubby is not only attentive he’s also technologically advanced LOL.

He chuckled, lol.
He said the real reason he was tracking me was because I might get lost. I always do. That way if he saw that I was in an area that wasn’t on the route then he would ring me to tell me which way to get back on the right road.
Very, very attentive.
Then when he saw that I did indeed go ‘off track’ he wasn’t worried as it was an area that I knew very well and would sort it out, which I did. Then when he saw that I was on the W’bee on ramp, he thought… she’ll be needing a coffee lol!

Happy Potter said:

And hows this for a devoted hubby..he was tracking me via ‘track my iphone’ prog’ and had a coffee ready for me the moment I walked into the door!!

Awesome! Give him a hug from me! lol!

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

And hows this for a devoted hubby..he was tracking me via ‘track my iphone’ prog’ and had a coffee ready for me the moment I walked into the door!!

Awesome! Give him a hug from me! lol!

Looks like I need an iPhone. ;)

Happy Potter said:

Back .. can’t figure out how it took me nearly 3 hours to drive to Violet town but only 2 hours to get back. Especially as I stopped twice for loo and refreshment breaks and got lost once. Ended up in Coburg lol!
Home now though and the chicks are having a cool drink :)
And hows this for a devoted hubby..he was tracking me via ‘track my iphone’ prog’ and had a coffee ready for me the moment I walked into the door!!

devoted hubby = big brother. ;)

painmaster said:

Happy Potter said:

Back .. can’t figure out how it took me nearly 3 hours to drive to Violet town but only 2 hours to get back. Especially as I stopped twice for loo and refreshment breaks and got lost once. Ended up in Coburg lol!
Home now though and the chicks are having a cool drink :)
And hows this for a devoted hubby..he was tracking me via ‘track my iphone’ prog’ and had a coffee ready for me the moment I walked into the door!!

devoted hubby = big brother. ;)

Big brother is old hat ;)
Get online and you’re suddenly a mind reader and so is everyone else, lol. I’m glad he was concerned for me :D
One needs an iphone with the ‘find my iphone’ app on it, and an itunes account.
Then if someone else has your itunes acc details, login and password, (the man and I know each other’s) then you can track them. Or for what it was designed for, to find your phone if it goes walkabouts. Hubby only came across this feature when he lost his phone and used his pc to find it and track it. He’d left it in my car on the seat and I went out and didn’t see it as I’d put my handbag on it. I wondered what the beeping was!
He rang me from the house phone to ask me to look in my car for it, and yep it was there.

The clever clog who comes up with the “find my spectacles” app will probably end up richer than Bill Gates…lol

Dinetta said:

The clever clog who comes up with the “find my spectacles” app will probably end up richer than Bill Gates…lol

That mightn’t be as far off as you think. I imagine one day we will be able to buy a sheet of little tracking devices, as one would buy a sheet or book of stamps..
‘find my scissors’ app, ‘find my socks’ app, biros, ect. find my dog!
Imagine the teens going out for the day.. hang on a sec son, I haven’t tagged you..then smack a stamp on their forehead! lol!

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

The clever clog who comes up with the “find my spectacles” app will probably end up richer than Bill Gates…lol

That mightn’t be as far off as you think. I imagine one day we will be able to buy a sheet of little tracking devices, as one would buy a sheet or book of stamps..
‘find my scissors’ app, ‘find my socks’ app, biros, ect. find my dog!
Imagine the teens going out for the day.. hang on a sec son, I haven’t tagged you..then smack a stamp on their forehead! lol!

There is no reason why today that spectacles don’t come fitted with one of several types of devices apart from the cost impost.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

The clever clog who comes up with the “find my spectacles” app will probably end up richer than Bill Gates…lol

That mightn’t be as far off as you think. I imagine one day we will be able to buy a sheet of little tracking devices, as one would buy a sheet or book of stamps..
‘find my scissors’ app, ‘find my socks’ app, biros, ect. find my dog!
Imagine the teens going out for the day.. hang on a sec son, I haven’t tagged you..then smack a stamp on their forehead! lol!

There is no reason why today that spectacles don’t come fitted with one of several types of devices apart from the cost impost.

there won’t be the need to place a stamp on a child’s forehead in order to track… we will all be microchipped at birth in the not too distant future.

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

That mightn’t be as far off as you think. I imagine one day we will be able to buy a sheet of little tracking devices, as one would buy a sheet or book of stamps..
‘find my scissors’ app, ‘find my socks’ app, biros, ect. find my dog!
Imagine the teens going out for the day.. hang on a sec son, I haven’t tagged you..then smack a stamp on their forehead! lol!

There is no reason why today that spectacles don’t come fitted with one of several types of devices apart from the cost impost.

there won’t be the need to place a stamp on a child’s forehead in order to track… we will all be microchipped at birth in the not too distant future.

A tad ‘alarmist’ PM lol. Maybe further into the future. But I can see it being an option to be able to buy sticky dots for items, and ‘safety dots’ for kiddlywinks. But it’d be great for animal microchips with a tracking chip to determine rightful ownership.
I wish I had one on my night driving glasses that I lost ages ago. I know they’re here somewhere..have turned the house and car inside out looking for them but they haven’t turned up.

I put it to to GS that if he can look after an iphone we could all put in for it and that I’d use it to see where he is, for ‘when he gets lost’. He thought that a brilliant idea.

Happy Potter said:

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

There is no reason why today that spectacles don’t come fitted with one of several types of devices apart from the cost impost.

there won’t be the need to place a stamp on a child’s forehead in order to track… we will all be microchipped at birth in the not too distant future.

A tad ‘alarmist’ PM lol. Maybe further into the future. But I can see it being an option to be able to buy sticky dots for items, and ‘safety dots’ for kiddlywinks. But it’d be great for animal microchips with a tracking chip to determine rightful ownership.
I wish I had one on my night driving glasses that I lost ages ago. I know they’re here somewhere..have turned the house and car inside out looking for them but they haven’t turned up.

I put it to to GS that if he can look after an iphone we could all put in for it and that I’d use it to see where he is, for ‘when he gets lost’. He thought that a brilliant idea.

yesterday in Bunnings, an announcement came over the loud speaker saying that “we had a lost little boy in the store and if “male name” could please come to the information desk, your wife was waiting for you”.

painmaster said:

Happy Potter said:

painmaster said:

there won’t be the need to place a stamp on a child’s forehead in order to track… we will all be microchipped at birth in the not too distant future.

A tad ‘alarmist’ PM lol. Maybe further into the future. But I can see it being an option to be able to buy sticky dots for items, and ‘safety dots’ for kiddlywinks. But it’d be great for animal microchips with a tracking chip to determine rightful ownership.
I wish I had one on my night driving glasses that I lost ages ago. I know they’re here somewhere..have turned the house and car inside out looking for them but they haven’t turned up.

I put it to to GS that if he can look after an iphone we could all put in for it and that I’d use it to see where he is, for ‘when he gets lost’. He thought that a brilliant idea.

yesterday in Bunnings, an announcement came over the loud speaker saying that “we had a lost little boy in the store and if “male name” could please come to the information desk, your wife was waiting for you”.

LOL!

buffy said:

And a question (I don’t think I’ve asked this, just tell me to fix my memory if I have…..). I found an old packet of Cape Gooseberry seeds in my seed box. And quite a few have germinated. I’m in South West Victoria. Does anyone have experience of this fruit? I don’t really know why I bought the seed, although I think my mother talks about them.

I do have real gooseberries too, although the plants are young and haven’t fruited yet.

They make the most beautiful jam. Some people like to eat them raw but not me. They need to be fully ripe to do that I’d say. the jam is to die for. My Mum used to make the jam every year and I remember it well. You just don’t see the fruit in the shops any more. Or if you do, they are to expensive to buy. Sometimes see them growing wild up here. Not necessarily during the fruiting season though. More’s the pity. I have a packet of seeds too but have only germinated the odd bush now and agagin. I have also bought the jam at local markets but ut’s too thinned down with I do’t know what. Not worth buying.

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

The clever clog who comes up with the “find my spectacles” app will probably end up richer than Bill Gates…lol

That mightn’t be as far off as you think. I imagine one day we will be able to buy a sheet of little tracking devices, as one would buy a sheet or book of stamps..
‘find my scissors’ app, ‘find my socks’ app, biros, ect. find my dog!
Imagine the teens going out for the day.. hang on a sec son, I haven’t tagged you..then smack a stamp on their forehead! lol!

Some good ideas there…

My phone has heaps of “missed calls” because I’ve had to ask whoever’s in the house to ring my phone so I can find it…

painmaster said:

there won’t be the need to place a stamp on a child’s forehead in order to track… we will all be microchipped at birth in the not too distant future.

That’s awful…

I lost a hearing aid for a couple of years once, simply couldn’t find it…then one day a couple of us were turning over the mattress (yes I know you should do that more often) when lo! and behold! there was the missing hearing aid…I had laid down on the bed, took the aid out, and slipped it between the mattress and the solid wooden base….couldn’t remember when I woke up as was recovering from Ross River fever at the time…

Happy Potter said:

I put it to to GS that if he can look after an iphone we could all put in for it and that I’d use it to see where he is, for ‘when he gets lost’. He thought that a brilliant idea.

Speed dial your number into it and he’s set…or he will be…

Christmas BBQ lunch on today for the orchard members and family and friends. In the planning for months, we were all looking forward to this cheerful event.
But after the tragic accident early Sat morn at Lara where 5 young persons lost their lives because of a car being driven on the wrong side of the freeway, another is still critical, it will be a subdued event and there will be less in attendance. Many are friends or relatives of the deceased.
Some wanted to cancel today, but as many again wanted it to go ahead. I knew 2 of the deceased too and my heart is breaking for their parents. Such a waste of young lives.

I dare say there will be no alcohol drunk and lots of hugs all round.

I’m alarmed to read a report in the age newspaper that the police have said it happens as much as once a week, that a car somehow ends up being driven on the wrong side of the freeway. And it seems to happen more so on the freeway between Laverton and Geelong. Great.

painmaster said:

yesterday in Bunnings, an announcement came over the loud speaker saying that “we had a lost little boy in the store and if “male name” could please come to the information desk, your wife was waiting for you”.

Great service. They stopped doing that for me at the local WoolWorths because they knew I couldn’t hear them…held the kidlets ramsomed at the service desk with lollies instead lol

Happy Potter said:

Christmas BBQ lunch on today for the orchard members and family and friends. In the planning for months, we were all looking forward to this cheerful event.
But after the tragic accident early Sat morn at Lara where 5 young persons lost their lives because of a car being driven on the wrong side of the freeway, another is still critical, it will be a subdued event and there will be less in attendance. Many are friends or relatives of the deceased.
Some wanted to cancel today, but as many again wanted it to go ahead. I knew 2 of the deceased too and my heart is breaking for their parents. Such a waste of young lives.

I dare say there will be no alcohol drunk and lots of hugs all round.

I’m alarmed to read a report in the age newspaper that the police have said it happens as much as once a week, that a car somehow ends up being driven on the wrong side of the freeway. And it seems to happen more so on the freeway between Laverton and Geelong. Great.

We lost 5 up here yesterday as well. Awfully tragic. The way I see it, as long as there are cars there will be deaths.

Dinetta said:

My phone has heaps of “missed calls” because I’ve had to ask whoever’s in the house to ring my phone so I can find it…

So they can find it for me… sometimes I wish it had a little light that would glow when it rings….one of my landline volume control phones has this and it’s very handy…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

I put it to to GS that if he can look after an iphone we could all put in for it and that I’d use it to see where he is, for ‘when he gets lost’. He thought that a brilliant idea.

Speed dial your number into it and he’s set…or he will be…

No that doesn’t work. This would be for when he doesn’t want to ring anyone. Or he will ring and say his goodbyes in a very distressed state then constantly hang up or not answer, then we have to try and find him. The phone needn’t be on to track it, nor in one piece..

Dinetta said:

Dinetta said:

My phone has heaps of “missed calls” because I’ve had to ask whoever’s in the house to ring my phone so I can find it…

So they can find it for me… sometimes I wish it had a little light that would glow when it rings….one of my landline volume control phones has this and it’s very handy…

You need an iphone then .. can set to flashlight for a ringtone.

Btw HP. I caught your story about the cricket and it made me laugh. Reminded me of when brothers lady friend got a meat ant up the leg of her shorts. All the way up I mean. Boy was that girl agile. She danced like I’ve never seen a human do before. LOL.

Happy Potter said:

But after the tragic accident early Sat morn at Lara where 5 young persons lost their lives because of a car being driven on the wrong side of the freeway,

I read about that, the heading was “10 killed in two accidents”….what a horror story…the other was up here in Qld, down Logan way (just outside BrisVegas)…

I have come across some photographs published in an old Reader’s Digest and am going to show them to my sons…they were taken before accident photos became politically correct…dead bodies and blood…one shows a youth hanging over an opened door, he’s definitely a fatality, bent at the hips over the door frame, blood still dripping off him, and there’s people who look like they’re just chatting, just past him…I reckon a couple of photos like that, that the young’uns could relate to, and many of them would become more circumspect about their role in the traffic and on the road…

It’s terrible for the families left behind…

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

I put it to to GS that if he can look after an iphone we could all put in for it and that I’d use it to see where he is, for ‘when he gets lost’. He thought that a brilliant idea.

Speed dial your number into it and he’s set…or he will be…

No that doesn’t work. This would be for when he doesn’t want to ring anyone. Or he will ring and say his goodbyes in a very distressed state then constantly hang up or not answer, then we have to try and find him. The phone needn’t be on to track it, nor in one piece..

Oh dear…wow then I reckon it would be a goer…

Happy Potter said:

You need an iphone then .. can set to flashlight for a ringtone.

Both would be eggsellent…

Happy Potter said:

I put it to to GS that if he can look after an iphone we could all put in for it and that I’d use it to see where he is, for ‘when he gets lost’. He thought that a brilliant idea.

probably not a bad idea, if he doesn’t lose it. I suppose if it ended out in a “friend’s” possession you can still track it down to get it back again.

painmaster said:

yesterday in Bunnings, an announcement came over the loud speaker saying that “we had a lost little boy in the store and if “male name” could please come to the information desk, your wife was waiting for you”.

lol!

Happy Potter said:

Christmas BBQ lunch on today for the orchard members and family and friends. In the planning for months, we were all looking forward to this cheerful event.
But after the tragic accident early Sat morn at Lara where 5 young persons lost their lives because of a car being driven on the wrong side of the freeway, another is still critical, it will be a subdued event and there will be less in attendance. Many are friends or relatives of the deceased.
Some wanted to cancel today, but as many again wanted it to go ahead. I knew 2 of the deceased too and my heart is breaking for their parents. Such a waste of young lives.

I dare say there will be no alcohol drunk and lots of hugs all round.

I’m alarmed to read a report in the age newspaper that the police have said it happens as much as once a week, that a car somehow ends up being driven on the wrong side of the freeway. And it seems to happen more so on the freeway between Laverton and Geelong. Great.

gosh. that was the accident I heard about on the news. So sad. And another one up north as well.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Christmas BBQ lunch on today for the orchard members and family and friends. In the planning for months, we were all looking forward to this cheerful event.
But after the tragic accident early Sat morn at Lara where 5 young persons lost their lives because of a car being driven on the wrong side of the freeway, another is still critical, it will be a subdued event and there will be less in attendance. Many are friends or relatives of the deceased.
Some wanted to cancel today, but as many again wanted it to go ahead. I knew 2 of the deceased too and my heart is breaking for their parents. Such a waste of young lives.

I dare say there will be no alcohol drunk and lots of hugs all round.

I’m alarmed to read a report in the age newspaper that the police have said it happens as much as once a week, that a car somehow ends up being driven on the wrong side of the freeway. And it seems to happen more so on the freeway between Laverton and Geelong. Great.

We lost 5 up here yesterday as well. Awfully tragic. The way I see it, as long as there are cars there will be deaths.

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

painmaster said:

]

People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

how can they when they need to satisfy the texting addiction whilst driving, shit might as well have some pizza with that, anyway they’d be in a hurry, better put that pedal to the metal, oh there is a call now, oh well just as well i can drive one handed anyway, zoooooooommmmm!!!

trichome said:

painmaster said:

]

People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

how can they when they need to satisfy the texting addiction whilst driving, shit might as well have some pizza with that, anyway they’d be in a hurry, better put that pedal to the metal, oh there is a call now, oh well just as well i can drive one handed anyway, zoooooooommmmm!!!

one night in the barossa a car came towards me on my side of the road. there are so many tourists in that area that i immediately thought they had forgotten where they were – i flashed my lights and they swerved back onto their side just in time.
they might had been smoochers, drunks, suicidal ?- you just don’t know and you can’t do anything – because if you change sides to avoid them you are still in danger.

bluegreen said:

painmaster said:

yesterday in Bunnings, an announcement came over the loud speaker saying that “we had a lost little boy in the store and if “male name” could please come to the information desk, your wife was waiting for you”.

lol!

those stores are too big.

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Christmas BBQ lunch on today for the orchard members and family and friends. In the planning for months, we were all looking forward to this cheerful event.
But after the tragic accident early Sat morn at Lara where 5 young persons lost their lives because of a car being driven on the wrong side of the freeway, another is still critical, it will be a subdued event and there will be less in attendance. Many are friends or relatives of the deceased.
Some wanted to cancel today, but as many again wanted it to go ahead. I knew 2 of the deceased too and my heart is breaking for their parents. Such a waste of young lives.

I dare say there will be no alcohol drunk and lots of hugs all round.

I’m alarmed to read a report in the age newspaper that the police have said it happens as much as once a week, that a car somehow ends up being driven on the wrong side of the freeway. And it seems to happen more so on the freeway between Laverton and Geelong. Great.

We lost 5 up here yesterday as well. Awfully tragic. The way I see it, as long as there are cars there will be deaths.

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

too late to book dead people.

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

We lost 5 up here yesterday as well. Awfully tragic. The way I see it, as long as there are cars there will be deaths.

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

too late to book dead people.

when i taught my daughter to drive i gained a bit of respect for other drivers actually.
sitting next to an L plater is frightening and , let me tell you, it wasn’t the other drivers’ fault. so every 60 minutes i counted up the number of times the courtesy of others had saved her bacon, and said “that’s 12 mistakes you owe others – and you’ll have to forgive other drivers for – before you get angry”

justin said:

when i taught my daughter to drive i gained a bit of respect for other drivers actually.
sitting next to an L plater is frightening and , let me tell you, it wasn’t the other drivers’ fault. so every 60 minutes i counted up the number of times the courtesy of others had saved her bacon, and said “that’s 12 mistakes you owe others – and you’ll have to forgive other drivers for – before you get angry”

Good way of looking at it…

Learner Drivers are scarey, and so are the people who teach them sometimes. I was heading just out of town and where I was in a spot that takes a few seconds to get your eye in, from 80k to 100 on a long bend, a learner driver just pulled out, obviously under instruction, and as I had not had the opportunity to read the road just in front of me (check what the 100k traffic was doing), I had to pull right up behind her from 100k to about 20k…. I was furious…gave her a long beeeeeeeeeep and the middle digit…it was meant for her instructor who had probably told her “OK just pull out of here (private property access), they’ve got time to overtake you”. Baaaaaaad. Teaching learner driver to pull into path of oncoming traffic even if “they’ve got time to overtake” on a 100 k strip, with oncoming cars from the other direction, should not be done.

Dinetta said:

justin said:

when i taught my daughter to drive i gained a bit of respect for other drivers actually.
sitting next to an L plater is frightening and , let me tell you, it wasn’t the other drivers’ fault. so every 60 minutes i counted up the number of times the courtesy of others had saved her bacon, and said “that’s 12 mistakes you owe others – and you’ll have to forgive other drivers for – before you get angry”

Good way of looking at it…

Yes it is.

Dinetta said:

Learner Drivers are scarey, and so are the people who teach them sometimes. I was heading just out of town and where I was in a spot that takes a few seconds to get your eye in, from 80k to 100 on a long bend, a learner driver just pulled out, obviously under instruction, and as I had not had the opportunity to read the road just in front of me (check what the 100k traffic was doing), I had to pull right up behind her from 100k to about 20k…. I was furious…gave her a long beeeeeeeeeep and the middle digit…it was meant for her instructor who had probably told her “OK just pull out of here (private property access), they’ve got time to overtake you”. Baaaaaaad. Teaching learner driver to pull into path of oncoming traffic even if “they’ve got time to overtake” on a 100 k strip, with oncoming cars from the other direction, should not be done.

They still have to learn how to do it.

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Christmas BBQ lunch on today for the orchard members and family and friends. In the planning for months, we were all looking forward to this cheerful event.
But after the tragic accident early Sat morn at Lara where 5 young persons lost their lives because of a car being driven on the wrong side of the freeway, another is still critical, it will be a subdued event and there will be less in attendance. Many are friends or relatives of the deceased.
Some wanted to cancel today, but as many again wanted it to go ahead. I knew 2 of the deceased too and my heart is breaking for their parents. Such a waste of young lives.

I dare say there will be no alcohol drunk and lots of hugs all round.

I’m alarmed to read a report in the age newspaper that the police have said it happens as much as once a week, that a car somehow ends up being driven on the wrong side of the freeway. And it seems to happen more so on the freeway between Laverton and Geelong. Great.

We lost 5 up here yesterday as well. Awfully tragic. The way I see it, as long as there are cars there will be deaths.

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

But how do you change their mind set? Maybe all young ones should be made to drive 4 cylinder cars with a fixed speed limit in built. Then there are the crazy older drongos.

trichome said:

painmaster said:

]

People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

how can they when they need to satisfy the texting addiction whilst driving, shit might as well have some pizza with that, anyway they’d be in a hurry, better put that pedal to the metal, oh there is a call now, oh well just as well i can drive one handed anyway, zoooooooommmmm!!!

How true. I have watched my daughter turn towards the back seats to attend to her two children while driving. Fishing in her handbag for biscuits, fruit, water, whatever the demand is. It scares me and I’m sitting in the passenger seat.

justin said:

trichome said:

painmaster said:

]

People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

how can they when they need to satisfy the texting addiction whilst driving, shit might as well have some pizza with that, anyway they’d be in a hurry, better put that pedal to the metal, oh there is a call now, oh well just as well i can drive one handed anyway, zoooooooommmmm!!!

one night in the barossa a car came towards me on my side of the road. there are so many tourists in that area that i immediately thought they had forgotten where they were – i flashed my lights and they swerved back onto their side just in time.
they might had been smoochers, drunks, suicidal ?- you just don’t know and you can’t do anything – because if you change sides to avoid them you are still in danger.

Then you get idiots like the one that hit us on Wednesday. He was doing a U turn and didn’t see us. The clown! I’m still so sore from the crunch.

justin said:

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

too late to book dead people.

when i taught my daughter to drive i gained a bit of respect for other drivers actually.
sitting next to an L plater is frightening and , let me tell you, it wasn’t the other drivers’ fault. so every 60 minutes i counted up the number of times the courtesy of others had saved her bacon, and said “that’s 12 mistakes you owe others – and you’ll have to forgive other drivers for – before you get angry”

A good daughter and now a wise Daddy.

pomolo said:

Then you get idiots like the one that hit us on Wednesday. He was doing a U turn and didn’t see us. The clown! I’m still so sore from the crunch.

In Vic they are trying to make bikers wear reflective vests. While I accept that motorcycles as a smaller vehicle are harder to see, when drivers can’t see other cars, or in one story I heard B-double trucks, what’s the point? It is called SMIDSY, “Sorry mate I didn’t see you.” Road users need to learn to look out for other users, whether they be 2 wheeled, 4 wheeled, 16 wheeled or on foot.

Is there something a little ironic about digging up a spadefoot toad while spading the garden? I was turning over soil and picking out little rocks (hazard of gardening on the side of a scoria cone) and I went to pick one up, thought “that’s a bit shiny!” and it moved. I picked it up and put it aside and then thought I should put it somewhere safer, but it got a spurt of speed on and found somewhere safer for itself before I could catch it again. I’m glad I didn’t chop it in half……

pomolo said:

justin said:

roughbarked said:

too late to book dead people.

when i taught my daughter to drive i gained a bit of respect for other drivers actually.
sitting next to an L plater is frightening and , let me tell you, it wasn’t the other drivers’ fault. so every 60 minutes i counted up the number of times the courtesy of others had saved her bacon, and said “that’s 12 mistakes you owe others – and you’ll have to forgive other drivers for – before you get angry”

A good daughter and now a wise Daddy.

geez its good to have you back pomolo LOL
if kharma counts those accident pains should be gone in no time.

justin said:

trichome said:

painmaster said:

]

People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

how can they when they need to satisfy the texting addiction whilst driving, shit might as well have some pizza with that, anyway they’d be in a hurry, better put that pedal to the metal, oh there is a call now, oh well just as well i can drive one handed anyway, zoooooooommmmm!!!

one night in the barossa a car came towards me on my side of the road. there are so many tourists in that area that i immediately thought they had forgotten where they were – i flashed my lights and they swerved back onto their side just in time.
they might had been smoochers, drunks, suicidal ?- you just don’t know and you can’t do anything – because if you change sides to avoid them you are still in danger.

one bright sunny afternoon on the Bruce Hwy I had a young man in a Commodore head towards me on a bend, and he was asleep and keeping a straight line when he should have been gently steering to his left. I could tell he was asleep because his head was resting against the window… as I started to head off into the scrub to avoid a collision, something must have startled him, maybe his mobile went off, but his head jerked into an upright position and he violently swerved his car back onto his own lane and in the direction his car should have been all along… turd.

justin said:

bluegreen said:

painmaster said:

yesterday in Bunnings, an announcement came over the loud speaker saying that “we had a lost little boy in the store and if “male name” could please come to the information desk, your wife was waiting for you”.

lol!

those stores are too big.

I think he was hiding.

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

We lost 5 up here yesterday as well. Awfully tragic. The way I see it, as long as there are cars there will be deaths.

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

too late to book dead people.

its not always the driver at fault who dies.

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

We lost 5 up here yesterday as well. Awfully tragic. The way I see it, as long as there are cars there will be deaths.

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

But how do you change their mind set? Maybe all young ones should be made to drive 4 cylinder cars with a fixed speed limit in built. Then there are the crazy older drongos.

you can make it harder to get a licence. A good friend of mine used to be a driving instructor, there is no test for him to become an instructor, just needs to have a licence and undertake a half day course… it might be a 3 day course now, mainly theory. He said that 25% of his students should never be allowed to drive, but you keep ticking off the course modules as being completed and maybe you milk a dew extra lessons out of them, and then you get irate parents asking why they’re still paying good money when daughter/son has practically filled up the log-book… and then the young girls show up and wear shorter skirts and bat their eyelids and pout when maybe they did fail to stop at a stop sign… he said you pass some students just to get them out of your car.

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

But how do you change their mind set? Maybe all young ones should be made to drive 4 cylinder cars with a fixed speed limit in built. Then there are the crazy older drongos.

you can make it harder to get a licence. A good friend of mine used to be a driving instructor, there is no test for him to become an instructor, just needs to have a licence and undertake a half day course… it might be a 3 day course now, mainly theory. He said that 25% of his students should never be allowed to drive, but you keep ticking off the course modules as being completed and maybe you milk a dew extra lessons out of them, and then you get irate parents asking why they’re still paying good money when daughter/son has practically filled up the log-book… and then the young girls show up and wear shorter skirts and bat their eyelids and pout when maybe they did fail to stop at a stop sign… he said you pass some students just to get them out of your car.

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

parents would be very glad if they didn’t have to teach. but hey – the moola?
instructors are asking $100 per hour and the log book requires – what? – a thousand hours?

my daughter really mastered driving when she had three lessons a week – me, wife and paid instructor.

justin said:

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

But how do you change their mind set? Maybe all young ones should be made to drive 4 cylinder cars with a fixed speed limit in built. Then there are the crazy older drongos.

you can make it harder to get a licence. A good friend of mine used to be a driving instructor, there is no test for him to become an instructor, just needs to have a licence and undertake a half day course… it might be a 3 day course now, mainly theory. He said that 25% of his students should never be allowed to drive, but you keep ticking off the course modules as being completed and maybe you milk a dew extra lessons out of them, and then you get irate parents asking why they’re still paying good money when daughter/son has practically filled up the log-book… and then the young girls show up and wear shorter skirts and bat their eyelids and pout when maybe they did fail to stop at a stop sign… he said you pass some students just to get them out of your car.

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

parents would be very glad if they didn’t have to teach. but hey – the moola?
instructors are asking $100 per hour and the log book requires – what? – a thousand hours?

my daughter really mastered driving when she had three lessons a week – me, wife and paid instructor.

its a hundred hours of driving to get a licence – not a thousand – sorry.
still a lot of money.

the only safe transport ever invented is/was…?

justin said:

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

But how do you change their mind set? Maybe all young ones should be made to drive 4 cylinder cars with a fixed speed limit in built. Then there are the crazy older drongos.

you can make it harder to get a licence. A good friend of mine used to be a driving instructor, there is no test for him to become an instructor, just needs to have a licence and undertake a half day course… it might be a 3 day course now, mainly theory. He said that 25% of his students should never be allowed to drive, but you keep ticking off the course modules as being completed and maybe you milk a dew extra lessons out of them, and then you get irate parents asking why they’re still paying good money when daughter/son has practically filled up the log-book… and then the young girls show up and wear shorter skirts and bat their eyelids and pout when maybe they did fail to stop at a stop sign… he said you pass some students just to get them out of your car.

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

parents would be very glad if they didn’t have to teach. but hey – the moola?
instructors are asking $100 per hour and the log book requires – what? – a thousand hours?

my daughter really mastered driving when she had three lessons a week – me, wife and paid instructor.

certainly I benefitted from having lessons with my father, but back then, they weren’t hours towards my licence, they were just hours behind the wheel.

justin said:

justin said:

painmaster said:

you can make it harder to get a licence. A good friend of mine used to be a driving instructor, there is no test for him to become an instructor, just needs to have a licence and undertake a half day course… it might be a 3 day course now, mainly theory. He said that 25% of his students should never be allowed to drive, but you keep ticking off the course modules as being completed and maybe you milk a dew extra lessons out of them, and then you get irate parents asking why they’re still paying good money when daughter/son has practically filled up the log-book… and then the young girls show up and wear shorter skirts and bat their eyelids and pout when maybe they did fail to stop at a stop sign… he said you pass some students just to get them out of your car.

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

parents would be very glad if they didn’t have to teach. but hey – the moola?
instructors are asking $100 per hour and the log book requires – what? – a thousand hours?

my daughter really mastered driving when she had three lessons a week – me, wife and paid instructor.

its a hundred hours of driving to get a licence – not a thousand – sorry.
still a lot of money.

the only safe transport ever invented is/was…?

no such we thing, we both know that. As soon as we enter motion, our energy changes from potential energy to kinetic and then forces can act upon us.

If we all walked everywhere though, I doubt the road toll would be as high.

painmaster said:

justin said:

painmaster said:

you can make it harder to get a licence. A good friend of mine used to be a driving instructor, there is no test for him to become an instructor, just needs to have a licence and undertake a half day course… it might be a 3 day course now, mainly theory. He said that 25% of his students should never be allowed to drive, but you keep ticking off the course modules as being completed and maybe you milk a dew extra lessons out of them, and then you get irate parents asking why they’re still paying good money when daughter/son has practically filled up the log-book… and then the young girls show up and wear shorter skirts and bat their eyelids and pout when maybe they did fail to stop at a stop sign… he said you pass some students just to get them out of your car.

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

parents would be very glad if they didn’t have to teach. but hey – the moola?
instructors are asking $100 per hour and the log book requires – what? – a thousand hours?

my daughter really mastered driving when she had three lessons a week – me, wife and paid instructor.

certainly I benefitted from having lessons with my father, but back then, they weren’t hours towards my licence, they were just hours behind the wheel.

every driver should go through driving lessons/tutorials/practicals on how to do a good doughnut and circle work thus learning how to actually handle the car in slippery conditions :)
can’t do a doughnut, don’t get a license.

painmaster said:

justin said:

justin said:

parents would be very glad if they didn’t have to teach. but hey – the moola?
instructors are asking $100 per hour and the log book requires – what? – a thousand hours?

my daughter really mastered driving when she had three lessons a week – me, wife and paid instructor.

its a hundred hours of driving to get a licence – not a thousand – sorry.
still a lot of money.

the only safe transport ever invented is/was…?

no such we thing, we both know that. As soon as we enter motion, our energy changes from potential energy to kinetic and then forces can act upon us.

If we all walked everywhere though, I doubt the road toll would be as high.

wrong – one form of transport was very dangerous for a start but now – many millions of human trips without a single fatal accident…

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

Then you get idiots like the one that hit us on Wednesday. He was doing a U turn and didn’t see us. The clown! I’m still so sore from the crunch.

In Vic they are trying to make bikers wear reflective vests. While I accept that motorcycles as a smaller vehicle are harder to see, when drivers can’t see other cars, or in one story I heard B-double trucks, what’s the point? It is called SMIDSY, “Sorry mate I didn’t see you.” Road users need to learn to look out for other users, whether they be 2 wheeled, 4 wheeled, 16 wheeled or on foot.

Reflective vests for two-wheeled drivers sounds good. After all, anybody up here who hits the highway in 4 wheels, turns their lights on even in daylight. It makes the vehicles more visible from a greater distance. I wear a reflective vest when riding my bike at night. I wear a reflective vest when walking at night. It gives the other traffic a better idea of my size, at least.

It’s very hard to see motor bikes even if you’re looking. Now you see them, now you don’t. Visibility vests are more likely to catch the corner of the eye, in my opinion.

buffy said:

Is there something a little ironic about digging up a spadefoot toad while spading the garden?

Just a tad…glad it is still whole…

painmaster said:

one bright sunny afternoon on the Bruce Hwy I had a young man in a Commodore head towards me on a bend, and he was asleep and keeping a straight line when he should have been gently steering to his left. I could tell he was asleep because his head was resting against the window… as I started to head off into the scrub to avoid a collision, something must have startled him, maybe his mobile went off, but his head jerked into an upright position and he violently swerved his car back onto his own lane and in the direction his car should have been all along… turd.

I think they reason “Oh I’ll just shut my eyes for a second” and the lids just don’t go up…

painmaster said:

justin said:

bluegreen said:

lol!

those stores are too big.

I think he was hiding.

What, the kid or the husband?

painmaster said:

its not always the driver at fault who dies.

…and that’s the sad thing…

painmaster said:

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

P and I have signed off on all our kidlets that had a log book. That was the last 3 I think. Anyway Sonny Jim would not drive his father until I pointed out that the round trips to some places was 4 – 5 hours one day, 3 hours the next day (different place), 4 hours a couple of days after that…and within a week it was possible to rack up 20 hours of legit driving…Some people lie like anything about their log books. It’s hard to police.

However the eldest got heaps of driving lessons mostly because my nerves couldn’t handle her lack of road sense. She got her licence first go and the tester said “you can tell the ones who’ve been to driving school: they know the rules of the road”. His point was home / friend taught drivers had all sorts of silly ideas about road rules and so they were flunked…and flunked…and flunked…

The principle of the 100 hours of driving, including night-time and highway, is an excellent one ,,, if the kids would be honest about it and actually do them…

But then there was a single-vehicle roll-over earlier this year, Mum and 3 girls in the car, learner driver…NO SEATBELTS! and they all got thrown…and they all lived…

justin said:

instructors are asking $100 per hour and the log book requires – what? – a thousand hours?

my daughter really mastered driving when she had three lessons a week – me, wife and paid instructor.

One hundred hours, must include highway and night-time…also the hour you pay $100 for with driving instructor = about 2 hours on the log book (I think), but you can only rack up about 5 – 6 lessons / hours relating, in the log book…

justin said:

the only safe transport ever invented is/was…?

Train is the safest, in my books…

painmaster said:

If we all walked everywhere though, I doubt the road toll would be as high.

We wouldn’t be so collectively fat, either…

trichome said:

every driver should go through driving lessons/tutorials/practicals on how to do a good doughnut and circle work thus learning how to actually handle the car in slippery conditions :)
can’t do a doughnut, don’t get a license.

Every driver should do hour upon hour on dirt roads…getting caught in the windrows sure teaches you about handling in slippery conditions…

Dinetta said:

trichome said:

every driver should go through driving lessons/tutorials/practicals on how to do a good doughnut and circle work thus learning how to actually handle the car in slippery conditions :)
can’t do a doughnut, don’t get a license.

Every driver should do hour upon hour on dirt roads…getting caught in the windrows sure teaches you about handling in slippery conditions…

yep, dirt roads too

trichome said:

Dinetta said:

trichome said:

every driver should go through driving lessons/tutorials/practicals on how to do a good doughnut and circle work thus learning how to actually handle the car in slippery conditions :)
can’t do a doughnut, don’t get a license.

Every driver should do hour upon hour on dirt roads…getting caught in the windrows sure teaches you about handling in slippery conditions…

yep, dirt roads too

Altho’ I’d love to be taught circle work and fishtails and do-nuts…

Dinetta said:

justin said:

the only safe transport ever invented is/was…?

Train is the safest, in my books…

no – this particular vehicle has become so safe that the new ‘fast trains’ would have modeled their control methods on its failsafe devices – as far as that is possible.

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

those stores are too big.

I think he was hiding.

What, the kid or the husband?

ummm the kid was the husband.

justin said:

Dinetta said:

justin said:

the only safe transport ever invented is/was…?

Train is the safest, in my books…

no – this particular vehicle has become so safe that the new ‘fast trains’ would have modeled their control methods on its failsafe devices – as far as that is possible.

the escalator?

painmaster said:

justin said:

Dinetta said:

Train is the safest, in my books…

no – this particular vehicle has become so safe that the new ‘fast trains’ would have modeled their control methods on its failsafe devices – as far as that is possible.

the escalator?

give the man a blond
beer that is..

millions of people use the lift every day and none are hurt – or very rarely.
a devoted track, auto piloting and multiple backup safety devices plus constant professional maintenance has made it virtually foolproof.

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

But how do you change their mind set? Maybe all young ones should be made to drive 4 cylinder cars with a fixed speed limit in built. Then there are the crazy older drongos.

you can make it harder to get a licence. A good friend of mine used to be a driving instructor, there is no test for him to become an instructor, just needs to have a licence and undertake a half day course… it might be a 3 day course now, mainly theory. He said that 25% of his students should never be allowed to drive, but you keep ticking off the course modules as being completed and maybe you milk a dew extra lessons out of them, and then you get irate parents asking why they’re still paying good money when daughter/son has practically filled up the log-book… and then the young girls show up and wear shorter skirts and bat their eyelids and pout when maybe they did fail to stop at a stop sign… he said you pass some students just to get them out of your car.

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

Well maybe it comes back to the police or a delegated teacher to give lessons the right way. No parents or driving schools involved.

justin said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

no – this particular vehicle has become so safe that the new ‘fast trains’ would have modeled their control methods on its failsafe devices – as far as that is possible.

the escalator?

give the man a blond
beer that is..

millions of people use the lift every day and none are hurt – or very rarely.
a devoted track, auto piloting and multiple backup safety devices plus constant professional maintenance has made it virtually foolproof.

You can’t exactly get from one town to another via a lift though.

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

But how do you change their mind set? Maybe all young ones should be made to drive 4 cylinder cars with a fixed speed limit in built. Then there are the crazy older drongos.

you can make it harder to get a licence. A good friend of mine used to be a driving instructor, there is no test for him to become an instructor, just needs to have a licence and undertake a half day course… it might be a 3 day course now, mainly theory. He said that 25% of his students should never be allowed to drive, but you keep ticking off the course modules as being completed and maybe you milk a dew extra lessons out of them, and then you get irate parents asking why they’re still paying good money when daughter/son has practically filled up the log-book… and then the young girls show up and wear shorter skirts and bat their eyelids and pout when maybe they did fail to stop at a stop sign… he said you pass some students just to get them out of your car.

The fact we allow parents now to sign off on log books is abhorrent. A licence is no longer a privilege, it has become mandatory and it shouldn’t be that way.

Well maybe it comes back to the police or a delegated teacher to give lessons the right way. No parents or driving schools involved.

they should scrap the log and go back to examinations. Make the log section part of your Ps.

pomolo said:

justin said:

painmaster said:

the escalator?

give the man a blond
beer that is..

millions of people use the lift every day and none are hurt – or very rarely.
a devoted track, auto piloting and multiple backup safety devices plus constant professional maintenance has made it virtually foolproof.

You can’t exactly get from one town to another via a lift though.

you can’t get up a thirty storeyed building in a car either.
the whole of the high rise building industry depends on the elevator.

the lesson of the elevator is that a very dangerous form of movement (vertical) can be made safe.
therefore the easier horizontal movement should be capable of being made safe.

painmaster said:

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

I think he was hiding.

What, the kid or the husband?

ummm the kid was the husband.

ROFL! Now to clean up the bits of my dinner that I accidentally spat out just then…

painmaster said:

they should scrap the log and go back to examinations. Make the log section part of your Ps.

I saw a friend of my lads’ failing exam after exam and this was just for his learner’s…he should have been asked the questons verbally as he knew the answers, could drive trucks, caterpillar tractors, motorbikes and cars… almost illiterate… a failure of the education system…

I thought the escalator was also a travelator, the moving stairs…elevator being the fancy Yank name for lift…

Dinetta said:

I thought the escalator was also a travelator, the moving stairs…elevator being the fancy Yank name for lift…

right! – take his beer off him –

elevator sounds english to me ??
but it was a new york invention – and in the early days your chances of survivng an elevator ride were less than survivng a vampire bite.
…the ride and the bite arousing similar terror in human beings at the time….

justin said:

Dinetta said:

I thought the escalator was also a travelator, the moving stairs…elevator being the fancy Yank name for lift…

right! – take his beer off him –

elevator sounds english to me ??
but it was a new york invention – and in the early days your chances of survivng an elevator ride were less than survivng a vampire bite.
…the ride and the bite arousing similar terror in human beings at the time….

They’re called “lifts” here…never thought about the origin of the word “elevator” …

Wo.. I don’t think I could catch up. But I’ll give it a burl..
We ended up having a lovely day for the orchards Xmas break up do. Sad people were hugged and encouraged to join in..the living must go on with the job of living, after all.
It was very relaxing and the food was yummy. We talked about what we would do with all those fruits the trees currently have on, and went into a great good food discussion. Everyone makes different foods and all were nice, so we ended up doing a taste test thing and sharing everything. We decided then at least once a year we would hold another event, taste testing what we make with our own, and the orchards produce :) I tried yoghurt cheese wth so many different marinades and breads and dips, all made by old and converted foodies and chemical free produce.

We went for a walk and I discovered a natural bee hive in the trees. The comb had gotten so big parts had fallen from it. The bee rescuers were going back this evening to grab the hive and transfer it to a box.
Then……..it’s going on the roof of my mosaic shed! That is so kind of the fellows, you shoulda seen the look on my face, I was blown away. But they knew how much I wanted to put a bee hive box in my garden and they have a spare :D
I have some homework to do, and quickly. It’ll arrive in a few days!

Glad you had a food…oops…good day! Some of those tried and true recipes are gold…

Is this bee swarm native bees or yon ‘umble garden bee?

Re learning to drive. My thoughts.
A licence test should take a week, before during and after the hours. And every weekend, holidays and every chance one gets, for practice. One should learn to drive in all conditions in a special purposefully designed setting. Youse know what I mean..
Man made rain..gravel roads, potholes, motorbikes, busses, ect. And day and night test driving in all those conditions. Driving tired too. It’s the worst, equal to being affected by substance(s)
AND.. get em young..as possible.
Now I learned to drive at age 8, was competent on roads by age 10, and confident to travel on the freeways by age 12. I know thats far from the norm, but imho, nessesary to lose the ‘whhheee I can drive, lets go!’ overconfident feeling by licence age time. Then by that time, they have the experience..and most importantly, they would have learned to notice things.

It was experience that saved my butt yesty driving to Violet Town. I was doing the speed limit, 110 and came up to a car towing a caravan doing slightly less kph than me. I immediately hung back to create some distance because I saw that the drivers side wheel on the van looked a little wobbly. I could have passed them but didn’t want to because if that wheel just happened to come off then I’d be in direct firing line of it.
Not 3 seconds later the vans wheel sent a puff of white smoke up.. it had seized and now burst. First I looked back to see if anyone was behind me and there wasn’t, so I braked to create more distance between us, by which time now that wheel had come off and was bouncing on the road and the van was skidding along on it’s axel. I said a few swearwords..the sparking was massive and the huge amount of smoke blocked out everything.
The wheel bounced along towards me twisting and turning.. by now I was doing prolly 60 klms or less and would have headed to the soft bush if the tire came closer, but it did a twist in the middle of the road and shot off into the bush. Phew.
I slowly drove past their car and the couple had gotten out and looked fine. There was no fire and the smoke had cleared, so I continued on my way.

Dinetta said:

Glad you had a food…oops…good day! Some of those tried and true recipes are gold…

Is this bee swarm native bees or yon ‘umble garden bee?

We thought native at first but called the good bee bloke over to have a look and he told us they were ya ‘umble garden bee :)

Happy Potter said:

We thought native at first but called the good bee bloke over to have a look and he told us they were ya ‘umble garden bee :)

I’ve had them harvesting from my cherry guava flowers the last 2 weeks…and I wondered where their hive was…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

We thought native at first but called the good bee bloke over to have a look and he told us they were ya ‘umble garden bee :)

I’ve had them harvesting from my cherry guava flowers the last 2 weeks…and I wondered where their hive was…

This one was about head height on a branch but quite hidden by tall weeds and leaves. I only just happened to see something whitish in the corner of my eye.. thought oh look at the giant fan fungus.. ooooh no thats honeycomb!

…but then again, there’s people in their 40’s and 50’s doing silly things out here…I think Pain Master might agree with me? And they’ve definitely got the miles under their belts…but not the respect for the conditions…

You could be right about the early experience…it used to be common to let the teenagers, say 14 up, have “a bit of a drive” on the highway if conditions allowed…but now there’s so many bleeding eejits that one can’t allow that any more…it was invaluable experience…my grots learnt to drive on my knee, fair dinkum…they’d sit on my lap and steer the car and change gears from the gate to the house…two of them still have a small problem with road sense but as you said, by the time it came to the licences, driving wasn’t such a big deal…plus they’ve driven past accidents out here and each one of those is a story in itself…

Then again I can’t believe the prangs they’ve had…non fatal and low-impact…

Happy Potter said:

This one was about head height on a branch but quite hidden by tall weeds and leaves. I only just happened to see something whitish in the corner of my eye.. thought oh look at the giant fan fungus.. ooooh no thats honeycomb!

so now you’ll be looking at plants for the bees to harvest from?

Dinetta said:

…but then again, there’s people in their 40’s and 50’s doing silly things out here…I think Pain Master might agree with me? And they’ve definitely got the miles under their belts…but not the respect for the conditions…

You could be right about the early experience…it used to be common to let the teenagers, say 14 up, have “a bit of a drive” on the highway if conditions allowed…but now there’s so many bleeding eejits that one can’t allow that any more…it was invaluable experience…my grots learnt to drive on my knee, fair dinkum…they’d sit on my lap and steer the car and change gears from the gate to the house…two of them still have a small problem with road sense but as you said, by the time it came to the licences, driving wasn’t such a big deal…plus they’ve driven past accidents out here and each one of those is a story in itself…

Then again I can’t believe the prangs they’ve had…non fatal and low-impact…

Yes I’ve seen some really foolish people driving and wondered if they had a death wish. Like the woman who was on the wrong side of the freeway, for over 20 kilometers?! Surely, she must have known..
So if your gunna do yourself in, why take innocents with you?

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

This one was about head height on a branch but quite hidden by tall weeds and leaves. I only just happened to see something whitish in the corner of my eye.. thought oh look at the giant fan fungus.. ooooh no thats honeycomb!

so now you’ll be looking at plants for the bees to harvest from?

Have them already :) Must dash..

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

yes, but it is too easy to get your licence in Australia and the law is too soft on offenders. I see motor vehicle accidents or results of accidents on a all too often occurrence here in this small city of 175,000. People in Australia have no concern over the consequences involved in poor driving skills.

too late to book dead people.

its not always the driver at fault who dies.

Often it is the driver at fault who lives.

painmaster said:

justin said:

justin said:

parents would be very glad if they didn’t have to teach. but hey – the moola?
instructors are asking $100 per hour and the log book requires – what? – a thousand hours?

my daughter really mastered driving when she had three lessons a week – me, wife and paid instructor.

its a hundred hours of driving to get a licence – not a thousand – sorry.
still a lot of money.

the only safe transport ever invented is/was…?

no such we thing, we both know that. As soon as we enter motion, our energy changes from potential energy to kinetic and then forces can act upon us.

If we all walked everywhere though, I doubt the road toll would be as high.

Not only that but we’d live longer for walking is of the best exercises.

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

those stores are too big.

I think he was hiding.

What, the kid or the husband?

the husband was “the lost child”

Dinetta said:

trichome said:

every driver should go through driving lessons/tutorials/practicals on how to do a good doughnut and circle work thus learning how to actually handle the car in slippery conditions :)
can’t do a doughnut, don’t get a license.

Every driver should do hour upon hour on dirt roads…getting caught in the windrows sure teaches you about handling in slippery conditions…

My father both taught me and commissioned a few lessons with a driving instructor. My dad was an engineer at Tobruk, El Alemain and the Kokoda track. He had only one accident that I knew of.. A driver knocked the tail light off by not giving way to the right(old rules). He claimed that dad was in the wrong. This was when dad said. “I’ve driven more than three million miles and this is the first traffic accident I’ve been involved in. You were on my left and I was already crossing, you were speeding.”
Dad claimed that all learners should spend much of their training driving in all conditions on dirt roads.

pomolo said:

justin said:

painmaster said:

the escalator?

give the man a blond
beer that is..

millions of people use the lift every day and none are hurt – or very rarely.
a devoted track, auto piloting and multiple backup safety devices plus constant professional maintenance has made it virtually foolproof.

You can’t exactly get from one town to another via a lift though.

Not read Arthur C. Clarke then? Re: space elevator.

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

This one was about head height on a branch but quite hidden by tall weeds and leaves. I only just happened to see something whitish in the corner of my eye.. thought oh look at the giant fan fungus.. ooooh no thats honeycomb!

so now you’ll be looking at plants for the bees to harvest from?

Be looking to put them in a box.

Happy Potter said:

Re learning to drive. My thoughts.
A licence test should take a week, before during and after the hours. And every weekend, holidays and every chance one gets, for practice. One should learn to drive in all conditions in a special purposefully designed setting. Youse know what I mean..
Man made rain..gravel roads, potholes, motorbikes, busses, ect. And day and night test driving in all those conditions. Driving tired too. It’s the worst, equal to being affected by substance(s)
AND.. get em young..as possible.
Now I learned to drive at age 8, was competent on roads by age 10, and confident to travel on the freeways by age 12. I know thats far from the norm, but imho, nessesary to lose the ‘whhheee I can drive, lets go!’ overconfident feeling by licence age time. Then by that time, they have the experience..and most importantly, they would have learned to notice things.

It was experience that saved my butt yesty driving to Violet Town. I was doing the speed limit, 110 and came up to a car towing a caravan doing slightly less kph than me. I immediately hung back to create some distance because I saw that the drivers side wheel on the van looked a little wobbly. I could have passed them but didn’t want to because if that wheel just happened to come off then I’d be in direct firing line of it.
Not 3 seconds later the vans wheel sent a puff of white smoke up.. it had seized and now burst. First I looked back to see if anyone was behind me and there wasn’t, so I braked to create more distance between us, by which time now that wheel had come off and was bouncing on the road and the van was skidding along on it’s axel. I said a few swearwords..the sparking was massive and the huge amount of smoke blocked out everything.
The wheel bounced along towards me twisting and turning.. by now I was doing prolly 60 klms or less and would have headed to the soft bush if the tire came closer, but it did a twist in the middle of the road and shot off into the bush. Phew.
I slowly drove past their car and the couple had gotten out and looked fine. There was no fire and the smoke had cleared, so I continued on my way.

learning to read the road conditions, and other drivers should be taught along with the “rules”. It takes experience to hone those skills but like HP said, it is all about noticing things. It can start before the kid even gets behind the wheel. When driving the kids around I use to point out things like the greasy patch on the road at the traffic lights, the way a certain driver was behaving and such like. By the time it is their turn hopefully they will be more aware of these things. I witnessed a minor accident of a young girl who pulled out of an intersection on a rainy day with too much accelerator and spun her back wheels, lost control and hit a tree. I stopped to make sure she was OK and asked if she knew why that happened. She had no idea. They don’t get taught things like greasy roads and proper amount of power to use in those conditions.

hmmm. caught up. you were a chatty lot tonight!

had our local Christmas Carols tonight and it went really well although we could have done with less wind. However everyone seemed to have a good time and the musicians and choir were awesome.

Morning. It’s still dark and I’m bleary eyed. I forgot to put the roo away, lol. I drempt I heard a squeaky toy.
May as well get an early start in.

Happy Potter said:

Morning. It’s still dark and I’m bleary eyed. I forgot to put the roo away, lol. I drempt I heard a squeaky toy.
May as well get an early start in.

I dreamt that everything needed repair.. which it does.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. It’s still dark and I’m bleary eyed. I forgot to put the roo away, lol. I drempt I heard a squeaky toy.
May as well get an early start in.

I dreamt that everything needed repair.. which it does.

Gawd don’t talk about that which needs repair, there’s much needs fixing here too, house and car. Line em up. Car first, I need me wheels, so I’ll have to send it to the car doctor to find out what that knocking noise is when I brake..

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. It’s still dark and I’m bleary eyed. I forgot to put the roo away, lol. I drempt I heard a squeaky toy.
May as well get an early start in.

I dreamt that everything needed repair.. which it does.

Gawd don’t talk about that which needs repair, there’s much needs fixing here too, house and car. Line em up. Car first, I need me wheels, so I’ll have to send it to the car doctor to find out what that knocking noise is when I brake..

Modern car? ABS braking system?

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I dreamt that everything needed repair.. which it does.

Gawd don’t talk about that which needs repair, there’s much needs fixing here too, house and car. Line em up. Car first, I need me wheels, so I’ll have to send it to the car doctor to find out what that knocking noise is when I brake..

Modern car? ABS braking system?

No, old 1997 front wheel drive, gradually getting worse, the noise. thinking uni joint or steering column. I’ll get it booked in asap, after the dogs ears appt. I get nervy when the poor ole car gets sick. Hurry up lotto so I can get an electric jobbie and plug er in to soak up the solar excess.
It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped, whirrrrr when it stood still..

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Gawd don’t talk about that which needs repair, there’s much needs fixing here too, house and car. Line em up. Car first, I need me wheels, so I’ll have to send it to the car doctor to find out what that knocking noise is when I brake..

Modern car? ABS braking system?

No, old 1997 front wheel drive, gradually getting worse, the noise. thinking uni joint or steering column. I’ll get it booked in asap, after the dogs ears appt. I get nervy when the poor ole car gets sick. Hurry up lotto so I can get an electric jobbie and plug er in to soak up the solar excess.
It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped, whirrrrr when it stood still..

could be a lot of things from engine mounts down to tie rod ends.

One of my dogs had the ear operation on both her ears. She was a cocker spaniel also. they opened the ear canal all the way down. It heals but stays open forever, stopping any canker or infection breeding in the canal that’s covered by the floppy ear. It worked a treat. Costs though.
————————————————————

I will ask the vet. Max’s left ear is always getting infected, but his right is always fine.

Good morning Gardeners. Today’s harvest includes rhubarb and loganberries. And a little bit of sprouting broccoli.

I need to pull out a rose that has gone completely back to rootstock.

Anyone grown cape gooseberries? Are they invasive? easy to grow and worth it?

Nefertiti is in the Bitch’s Box, she has been trying to hunt the rainbow lorikeets…when they’ve finished, she can come out…

I asked about cape gooseberries yesterday or the day before……I don’t think we found anyone who had grown them. The websites indicate they tend to escape into the bush a bit. I have some seed now at the two leaf stage, so I’m going to risk it to see if I like them for eating.

buffy said:

I asked about cape gooseberries yesterday or the day before……I don’t think we found anyone who had grown them. The websites indicate they tend to escape into the bush a bit. I have some seed now at the two leaf stage, so I’m going to risk it to see if I like them for eating.

Arh ok. I will look them up.

Ok, Max gets his ears prodded at 3 and the cars booked in for friday morn.

Still no rain.. I best get out there and do some more hose holding.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Gawd don’t talk about that which needs repair, there’s much needs fixing here too, house and car. Line em up. Car first, I need me wheels, so I’ll have to send it to the car doctor to find out what that knocking noise is when I brake..

Modern car? ABS braking system?

No, old 1997 front wheel drive, gradually getting worse, the noise. thinking uni joint or steering column. I’ll get it booked in asap, after the dogs ears appt. I get nervy when the poor ole car gets sick. Hurry up lotto so I can get an electric jobbie and plug er in to soak up the solar excess.
It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped, whirrrrr when it stood still..

sounds like uni joint, does it make noises on corners too?

talking about lotto. I got an SMS this morning saying my number was a winner in free lotto and to claim my million pounds I should send an email to their address. No doubt then they will be wanting my full name and address, all my bank details including my passwords etc. Too good to be true? then it probably is!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zFWr-CKMWGY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

Climate change has been in the news again lately. I still maintain Mother Nature can dish it out worse than anything Man can do, but Man has done significant damage already.

This should go in the In the News thread but I don’t have it saved on this computer.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Modern car? ABS braking system?

No, old 1997 front wheel drive, gradually getting worse, the noise. thinking uni joint or steering column. I’ll get it booked in asap, after the dogs ears appt. I get nervy when the poor ole car gets sick. Hurry up lotto so I can get an electric jobbie and plug er in to soak up the solar excess.
It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped, whirrrrr when it stood still..

sounds like uni joint, does it make noises on corners too?

talking about lotto. I got an SMS this morning saying my number was a winner in free lotto and to claim my million pounds I should send an email to their address. No doubt then they will be wanting my full name and address, all my bank details including my passwords etc. Too good to be true? then it probably is!

Definitely a scam that one. The thieving buggers never stop trying do they.

No the car doesn’t make any noise on corners. It only happens when I’m braking, and only with firm braking, not light or sudden hard braking. Weird. I’ll find out on friday what it is.

I’m glad I got a vets appt for today too, just noticed where Max had an awful sore on the fold of his bottom lip once, is back. I could smell it, it stinks. The fold bit is different from the other side of his mouth, so that might mean a cut n stitch job to prevent it returning. Or shorten one long canine tooth that may be causing it..will see.

I came inside because it is getting too hot for me out there…then I checked and it is only 17 degrees. I guess I’ve been in the sun, rather than the shade. I just sent Mr buffy around the corner for 6 bales of peastraw. Nice dry stuff it is too. Some is already out around the rhubarb that I dug up and divided a couple of hours ago. Just out of interest, what do you guys pay for peastraw( if you use it). These are $10 a bale at the moment.

buffy said:

I came inside because it is getting too hot for me out there…then I checked and it is only 17 degrees. I guess I’ve been in the sun, rather than the shade. I just sent Mr buffy around the corner for 6 bales of peastraw. Nice dry stuff it is too. Some is already out around the rhubarb that I dug up and divided a couple of hours ago. Just out of interest, what do you guys pay for peastraw( if you use it). These are $10 a bale at the moment.

Not available here…use 4 × 4 round bales of wheat straw, chick pea when available, sugar cane mulch by the plastic bag…spoiled lucerne…

You’ve got 32C coming up on Thursday I believe…want some tips for coping?

buffy said:

I asked about cape gooseberries yesterday or the day before……I don’t think we found anyone who had grown them. The websites indicate they tend to escape into the bush a bit. I have some seed now at the two leaf stage, so I’m going to risk it to see if I like them for eating.

We were discussing Okra.. I’d prefer to eat that than cape gooseberries.

Happy Potter said:

buffy said:

I asked about cape gooseberries yesterday or the day before……I don’t think we found anyone who had grown them. The websites indicate they tend to escape into the bush a bit. I have some seed now at the two leaf stage, so I’m going to risk it to see if I like them for eating.

Arh ok. I will look them up.

buffy said:

And a question (I don’t think I’ve asked this, just tell me to fix my memory if I have…..). I found an old packet of Cape Gooseberry seeds in my seed box. And quite a few have germinated. I’m in South West Victoria. Does anyone have experience of this fruit? I don’t really know why I bought the seed, although I think my mother talks about them.

I do have real gooseberries too, although the plants are young and haven’t fruited yet.

Ah Hm! I answered Buffys post. Now I’m wondering if my posts get read or not.

B/F

They make the most beautiful jam. Some people like to eat them raw but not me. They need to be fully ripe to do that I’d say. the jam is to die for. My Mum used to make the jam every year and I remember it well. You just don’t see the fruit in the shops any more. Or if you do, they are to expensive to buy. Sometimes see them growing wild up here. Not necessarily during the fruiting season though. More’s the pity. I have a packet of seeds too but have only germinated the odd bush now and agagin. I have also bought the jam at local markets but ut’s too thinned down with I do’t know what. Not worth buying.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

buffy said:

I asked about cape gooseberries yesterday or the day before……I don’t think we found anyone who had grown them. The websites indicate they tend to escape into the bush a bit. I have some seed now at the two leaf stage, so I’m going to risk it to see if I like them for eating.

Arh ok. I will look them up.

buffy said:

And a question (I don’t think I’ve asked this, just tell me to fix my memory if I have…..). I found an old packet of Cape Gooseberry seeds in my seed box. And quite a few have germinated. I’m in South West Victoria. Does anyone have experience of this fruit? I don’t really know why I bought the seed, although I think my mother talks about them.

I do have real gooseberries too, although the plants are young and haven’t fruited yet.

Ah Hm! I answered Buffys post. Now I’m wondering if my posts get read or not.

B/F

They make the most beautiful jam. Some people like to eat them raw but not me. They need to be fully ripe to do that I’d say. the jam is to die for. My Mum used to make the jam every year and I remember it well. You just don’t see the fruit in the shops any more. Or if you do, they are to expensive to buy. Sometimes see them growing wild up here. Not necessarily during the fruiting season though. More’s the pity. I have a packet of seeds too but have only germinated the odd bush now and agagin. I have also bought the jam at local markets but ut’s too thinned down with I do’t know what. Not worth buying.

Yes.. at least with Okra you don’t have to add toxic amounts of sugar.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Modern car? ABS braking system?

No, old 1997 front wheel drive, gradually getting worse, the noise. thinking uni joint or steering column. I’ll get it booked in asap, after the dogs ears appt. I get nervy when the poor ole car gets sick. Hurry up lotto so I can get an electric jobbie and plug er in to soak up the solar excess.
It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped, whirrrrr when it stood still..

sounds like uni joint, does it make noises on corners too?

talking about lotto. I got an SMS this morning saying my number was a winner in free lotto and to claim my million pounds I should send an email to their address. No doubt then they will be wanting my full name and address, all my bank details including my passwords etc. Too good to be true? then it probably is!

That’s gross.

bluegreen said:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zFWr-CKMWGY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

I wish.

>>You’ve got 32C coming up on Thursday I believe…want some tips for coping?<<

We’ve already had some high 30s this year. My stuff just has to survive or die. And personally I’ll be in my consulting room with my own personal airconditioner just for that room.

:)

Sorry pomolo, I thought I read all the posts after I asked the question. When you have grown them, were they picky and how big did they get?

buffy said:

>>You’ve got 32C coming up on Thursday I believe…want some tips for coping?<<

We’ve already had some high 30s this year. My stuff just has to survive or die. And personally I’ll be in my consulting room with my own personal airconditioner just for that room.

:)

Sorry pomolo, I thought I read all the posts after I asked the question. When you have grown them, were they picky and how big did they get?

To my knowledge they prefer to grow in more tropical climes. The plants aren’t all that big the berries are small and tart enough to need lots of sugar.. Hence, I’d rather grow other things.

buffy said:

>>You’ve got 32C coming up on Thursday I believe…want some tips for coping?<<

We’ve already had some high 30s this year. My stuff just has to survive or die. And personally I’ll be in my consulting room with my own personal airconditioner just for that room.

:)

Sorry pomolo, I thought I read all the posts after I asked the question. When you have grown them, were they picky and how big did they get?

What do you mean by ‘picky?’ Up here they grow about 60cm high and almost a metre wide. I couldn’t say how well they grow down your way.

The Interweb information suggests they were brought to Victoria by early settlers and escaped into the bush. So they must grow here.

‘picky’ = needs attention and wants to be fed and watered all the time.

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

>>You’ve got 32C coming up on Thursday I believe…want some tips for coping?<<

We’ve already had some high 30s this year. My stuff just has to survive or die. And personally I’ll be in my consulting room with my own personal airconditioner just for that room.

:)

Sorry pomolo, I thought I read all the posts after I asked the question. When you have grown them, were they picky and how big did they get?

To my knowledge they prefer to grow in more tropical climes. The plants aren’t all that big the berries are small and tart enough to need lots of sugar.. Hence, I’d rather grow other things.

they aren’t tart when they are truly ripe but they aren’t naturally sweet either.

buffy said:

‘picky’ = needs attention and wants to be fed and watered all the time.

Not at all. They grow in terrible soil. The hotter and drier the better.

>>Not at all. They grow in terrible soil. The hotter and drier the better.<<

Good, so the spot I have selected should be perfect for them.

Can anyone remember where I put the car keys when I moved the car for Mr buffy to put the rideon away this morning? I’m always very careful with my keys, but I must have put them down outside somewhere. I hope it wasn’t in the compost or something…..

buffy said:

Can anyone remember where I put the car keys when I moved the car for Mr buffy to put the rideon away this morning? I’m always very careful with my keys, but I must have put them down outside somewhere. I hope it wasn’t in the compost or something…..

You need the whistling keys…you know, you whistle and they call back? All the rage some years ago…

buffy said:

Can anyone remember where I put the car keys when I moved the car for Mr buffy to put the rideon away this morning? I’m always very careful with my keys, but I must have put them down outside somewhere. I hope it wasn’t in the compost or something…..

keys are often found down the side of the passenger’s seat

barley straw and pea straw – new season’s – $4 per small bale.

justin said:

buffy said:

Can anyone remember where I put the car keys when I moved the car for Mr buffy to put the rideon away this morning? I’m always very careful with my keys, but I must have put them down outside somewhere. I hope it wasn’t in the compost or something…..

keys are often found down the side of the passenger’s seat

barley straw and pea straw – new season’s – $4 per small bale.

I suggest my fail safe method (but it didn’t work with my lost hearing aid, did it? not so fail-safe) … make a cuppa, do something totally unrelated (tidy your sewing area?) and the keys’ location will just pop into mind…

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

buffy said:

I asked about cape gooseberries yesterday or the day before……I don’t think we found anyone who had grown them. The websites indicate they tend to escape into the bush a bit. I have some seed now at the two leaf stage, so I’m going to risk it to see if I like them for eating.

Arh ok. I will look them up.

buffy said:

And a question (I don’t think I’ve asked this, just tell me to fix my memory if I have…..). I found an old packet of Cape Gooseberry seeds in my seed box. And quite a few have germinated. I’m in South West Victoria. Does anyone have experience of this fruit? I don’t really know why I bought the seed, although I think my mother talks about them.

I do have real gooseberries too, although the plants are young and haven’t fruited yet.

Ah Hm! I answered Buffys post. Now I’m wondering if my posts get read or not.

B/F

They make the most beautiful jam. Some people like to eat them raw but not me. They need to be fully ripe to do that I’d say. the jam is to die for. My Mum used to make the jam every year and I remember it well. You just don’t see the fruit in the shops any more. Or if you do, they are to expensive to buy. Sometimes see them growing wild up here. Not necessarily during the fruiting season though. More’s the pity. I have a packet of seeds too but have only germinated the odd bush now and agagin. I have also bought the jam at local markets but ut’s too thinned down with I do’t know what. Not worth buying.

Arh ok, thanks Pom.

Well, the keys were quite safe, but not exactly where I would have thought of. Apparently when I went to get the garden shed key, I put the car keys in their place on the rack. Hmm. No idea why I did that. I’m normally fastidious about putting the car keys into my handbag as soon as I get out of the car. Possibly I had my gardening shoes on and didn’t want to be bothered taking them off, walking inside to put the key away, and then putting them on again.

Anyway, since then I’ve had a read and a nap. And unrolled the soaker hose across the front of the house. I tidied up there this morning and we have made a decision to spend some water on the 2m wide patch of grass and garden there over the Summer to keep it green. It is on the North side of the house so we can justify that in terms of fire prevention.

buffy said:

Well, the keys were quite safe, but not exactly where I would have thought of. Apparently when I went to get the garden shed key, I put the car keys in their place on the rack. Hmm. No idea why I did that. I’m normally fastidious about putting the car keys into my handbag as soon as I get out of the car. Possibly I had my gardening shoes on and didn’t want to be bothered taking them off, walking inside to put the key away, and then putting them on again.

Anyway, since then I’ve had a read and a nap. And unrolled the soaker hose across the front of the house. I tidied up there this morning and we have made a decision to spend some water on the 2m wide patch of grass and garden there over the Summer to keep it green. It is on the North side of the house so we can justify that in terms of fire prevention.

maybe you thought that when you return the shed key, you will find the car keys?

Well poor Max has a differen’t ear infection in either ear, right side, the good ear is fungal, and left bad ear is bacterial. So two diff’ lots of drops and cortizone tabs and go back in a week. One of the reasons for the left ears chronic inf’ may well be because when I put the drops in with the long dropper part on the bottle, it’s impossible to see how much of it I’ve put in, and based on how much was left over, it hasn’t been enough. So instead of doing it that way I was given some one ml syringes and I’ll draw out the measured dose. That was not an obvious thing to me so it’s worth noting if you have a dog that gets ear infections. His bad ear canal is narrowed, but she said that’s because it’s been chronic.
So, we’re gunna lick this prob for once and for all, hopefully, with a different antibiotic.
The lip sore isn’t as bad as last time and is just a moist area and his natual skin fold is deeper on that side. It has to be washed out weekly with a special skin solution. Easy.

He’s happy at the moment looking adoringly at a shank bone. He takes to having a tablet shoved down his throat much easier these days :)

I know what you mean about those dropper things. Babuschka gets ear mites. I have to stick my fingers into her ears with a tissue to clean them out and then squirt in the stuff. I never know how much I have put in there.

Happy Potter said:

He’s happy at the moment looking adoringly at a shank bone.

:D

justin said:

Dinetta said:

I thought the escalator was also a travelator, the moving stairs…elevator being the fancy Yank name for lift…

right! – take his beer off him –

elevator sounds english to me ??
but it was a new york invention – and in the early days your chances of survivng an elevator ride were less than survivng a vampire bite.
…the ride and the bite arousing similar terror in human beings at the time….

I was referring to escalators… Lifts are still dangerous.

Happy Potter said:

Re learning to drive. My thoughts.
A licence test should take a week, before during and after the hours. And every weekend, holidays and every chance one gets, for practice. One should learn to drive in all conditions in a special purposefully designed setting. Youse know what I mean..
Man made rain..gravel roads, potholes, motorbikes, busses, ect. And day and night test driving in all those conditions. Driving tired too. It’s the worst, equal to being affected by substance(s)
AND.. get em young..as possible.
Now I learned to drive at age 8, was competent on roads by age 10, and confident to travel on the freeways by age 12. I know thats far from the norm, but imho, nessesary to lose the ‘whhheee I can drive, lets go!’ overconfident feeling by licence age time. Then by that time, they have the experience..and most importantly, they would have learned to notice things.

It was experience that saved my butt yesty driving to Violet Town. I was doing the speed limit, 110 and came up to a car towing a caravan doing slightly less kph than me. I immediately hung back to create some distance because I saw that the drivers side wheel on the van looked a little wobbly. I could have passed them but didn’t want to because if that wheel just happened to come off then I’d be in direct firing line of it.
Not 3 seconds later the vans wheel sent a puff of white smoke up.. it had seized and now burst. First I looked back to see if anyone was behind me and there wasn’t, so I braked to create more distance between us, by which time now that wheel had come off and was bouncing on the road and the van was skidding along on it’s axel. I said a few swearwords..the sparking was massive and the huge amount of smoke blocked out everything.
The wheel bounced along towards me twisting and turning.. by now I was doing prolly 60 klms or less and would have headed to the soft bush if the tire came closer, but it did a twist in the middle of the road and shot off into the bush. Phew.
I slowly drove past their car and the couple had gotten out and looked fine. There was no fire and the smoke had cleared, so I continued on my way.

could have at least stop to see if they needed a hand cleaning their car…

painmaster said:

justin said:

Dinetta said:

I thought the escalator was also a travelator, the moving stairs…elevator being the fancy Yank name for lift…

right! – take his beer off him –

elevator sounds english to me ??
but it was a new york invention – and in the early days your chances of survivng an elevator ride were less than survivng a vampire bite.
…the ride and the bite arousing similar terror in human beings at the time….

I was referring to escalators… Lifts are still dangerous.

escalators are conveyor belts not vehicles.
lifts are very safe – unless of course you’ve been watching too much Bear Grylis LOL.

painmaster said:

justin said:

Dinetta said:

I thought the escalator was also a travelator, the moving stairs…elevator being the fancy Yank name for lift…

right! – take his beer off him –

elevator sounds english to me ??
but it was a new york invention – and in the early days your chances of survivng an elevator ride were less than survivng a vampire bite.
…the ride and the bite arousing similar terror in human beings at the time….

I was referring to escalators… Lifts are still dangerous.

Not getting your beer back…I think lifts are safer than escalators, you just step into a lift and away it goes…escalators and travelators require one to be nimble, no matter how slow they go…

justin said:

escalators are conveyor belts not vehicles.
lifts are very safe – unless of course you’ve been watching too much Bear Grylis LOL.

True…never thought of it like that…

justin said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

right! – take his beer off him –

elevator sounds english to me ??
but it was a new york invention – and in the early days your chances of survivng an elevator ride were less than survivng a vampire bite.
…the ride and the bite arousing similar terror in human beings at the time….

I was referring to escalators… Lifts are still dangerous.

escalators are conveyor belts not vehicles.
lifts are very safe – unless of course you’ve been watching too much Bear Grylis LOL.

well in Britain, home of Bear Grylls, since 2002, 266 people have been injured in lifts, including Stirling Moss who just recently broke both his ankles in a lift accident and 4 people have been killed.

justin said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

right! – take his beer off him –

elevator sounds english to me ??
but it was a new york invention – and in the early days your chances of survivng an elevator ride were less than survivng a vampire bite.
…the ride and the bite arousing similar terror in human beings at the time….

I was referring to escalators… Lifts are still dangerous.

escalators are conveyor belts not vehicles.
lifts are very safe – unless of course you’ve been watching too much Bear Grylis LOL.

of the 20-30 elevator related deaths each year worldwide, the majority are maintenance related.

I’ve had a busy arvo in the garden and got a lot done. I’m geared up for the weekends expected rain. I’ve tidied and cleaned, swept pruned and mulched. I was cutting back the sage and a piece of hardwood branch stabbed my arm a beauty. I bunged a few bandaids on and kept going. I really do have to come up with some good arm protectors. Sleeves and long gardening gloves don’t do it.

I emptied both water storage tubs onto the fruit trees and the front garden. But they won’t be refilled as this Friday the AP fellow will be here and he and I are going to cut the IBC in half with the angle grinder. The big pondy tub needs to be empty so we can tip it over and see what material is is made from. The stamp had to be underneath didn’t it? lol.

I visited a friend’s garden and we pigged out on boysenberries, yum! I also came home with a bunch of wirey and twisted prunings from a crazy willow tree. Uncross your eyes, I’m not planting this stuff anywhere. I was told if I place them into a clear glass vase with water, they will start sending out multi coloured roots. This I gotta see!

Soon as it’s dark-ish I am going to grab a few Silkie young pullets for their first photo shoot. A lady contacted me to inquire about buying four females. Oh, and I threaded a string of led fairy lights into a flagon bottle for the kitchen bench, and I got a solar set to decorate a conifer out front :)

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

right! – take his beer off him –

elevator sounds english to me ??
but it was a new york invention – and in the early days your chances of survivng an elevator ride were less than survivng a vampire bite.
…the ride and the bite arousing similar terror in human beings at the time….

I was referring to escalators… Lifts are still dangerous.

Not getting your beer back…I think lifts are safer than escalators, you just step into a lift and away it goes…escalators and travelators require one to be nimble, no matter how slow they go…

yup, my research shows me that in the US alone, a comparison of users of escalators vs elevators show the former is 17 times more likely to cause injury. Deaths in the US on escalators are comparable to deaths in elevators worldwide.

painmaster said:

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

I was referring to escalators… Lifts are still dangerous.

Not getting your beer back…I think lifts are safer than escalators, you just step into a lift and away it goes…escalators and travelators require one to be nimble, no matter how slow they go…

yup, my research shows me that in the US alone, a comparison of users of escalators vs elevators show the former is 17 times more likely to cause injury. Deaths in the US on escalators are comparable to deaths in elevators worldwide.

you owe us a beer
i thought you meant elevator but the cook in you thought escargo – escalator – so i passed it off as a poetic spelling error

i bought 14 pea straw and 6 barley straw small bales today and averaged just a tad over $3 per bale.
dinetta is right about the big bales – they are cheapest – 1 big bale= 16 littlies – price $35.

rain thursday they say – maybe- but i like to get the straw mulch damp so it doesn’t blow away

(aside; all of my first ‘royal gala’ apple crop blew off in the wind last night)

Happy Potter said:

Well poor Max has a differen’t ear infection in either ear, right side, the good ear is fungal, and left bad ear is bacterial. So two diff’ lots of drops and cortizone tabs and go back in a week. One of the reasons for the left ears chronic inf’ may well be because when I put the drops in with the long dropper part on the bottle, it’s impossible to see how much of it I’ve put in, and based on how much was left over, it hasn’t been enough. So instead of doing it that way I was given some one ml syringes and I’ll draw out the measured dose. That was not an obvious thing to me so it’s worth noting if you have a dog that gets ear infections. His bad ear canal is narrowed, but she said that’s because it’s been chronic.
So, we’re gunna lick this prob for once and for all, hopefully, with a different antibiotic.
The lip sore isn’t as bad as last time and is just a moist area and his natual skin fold is deeper on that side. It has to be washed out weekly with a special skin solution. Easy.

He’s happy at the moment looking adoringly at a shank bone. He takes to having a tablet shoved down his throat much easier these days :)

Glad to hear his problems aren’t as bad as they could have been.

justin said:

you owe us a beer
i thought you meant elevator but the cook in you thought escargo – escalator – so i passed it off as a poetic spelling error

ROFL! Oh I do like your way with words…

justin said:

i bought 14 pea straw and 6 barley straw small bales today and averaged just a tad over $3 per bale.
dinetta is right about the big bales – they are cheapest – 1 big bale= 16 littlies – price $35.

rain thursday they say – maybe- but i like to get the straw mulch damp so it doesn’t blow away

(aside; all of my first ‘royal gala’ apple crop blew off in the wind last night)

Good going re the mulches…I agree about getting them thoroughly damp ASAP…shame about the apple crop…

Got word from our insurance company today that our car has had it. Buggerdammit! An accident, not our fault, has thrown us in the deep end and right on Christmas too. We are supposed to be going on a 5 day camping trip from this weekend. That probably can’t happen now.

What a time to have to go round looking at car saleyards.

Whatever we end up with (car) we can’t afford it. That much is a certainty.

I might go now and sit in a corner and feel sorry for myself.

pomolo said:

Got word from our insurance company today that our car has had it. Buggerdammit! An accident, not our fault, has thrown us in the deep end and right on Christmas too. We are supposed to be going on a 5 day camping trip from this weekend. That probably can’t happen now.

What a time to have to go round looking at car saleyards.

Whatever we end up with (car) we can’t afford it. That much is a certainty.

I might go now and sit in a corner and feel sorry for myself.

Pomolo I’m no egg-spert but I did hear of somebody saying (they were mechanics) if there’s nothing wrong with our car, you (insurance) fix it…and the insurance company had to…apparently they prefer to write cars off because it’s easier in some way than having them repaired…

pomolo said:

Got word from our insurance company today that our car has had it. Buggerdammit! An accident, not our fault, has thrown us in the deep end and right on Christmas too. We are supposed to be going on a 5 day camping trip from this weekend. That probably can’t happen now.

Bummer for you, trying to buy a new – ish car at this time of the year…can your companions for the camping trip organise a work-around to collect and deliver you?

pomolo said:

Got word from our insurance company today that our car has had it. Buggerdammit! An accident, not our fault, has thrown us in the deep end and right on Christmas too. We are supposed to be going on a 5 day camping trip from this weekend. That probably can’t happen now.

What a time to have to go round looking at car saleyards.

Whatever we end up with (car) we can’t afford it. That much is a certainty.

I might go now and sit in a corner and feel sorry for myself.

can you talk to your insurance company about a temporary hire car? Maybe they can claim it against the other person’s insurance?

Dinetta said:

pomolo said:

Got word from our insurance company today that our car has had it. Buggerdammit! An accident, not our fault, has thrown us in the deep end and right on Christmas too. We are supposed to be going on a 5 day camping trip from this weekend. That probably can’t happen now.

What a time to have to go round looking at car saleyards.

Whatever we end up with (car) we can’t afford it. That much is a certainty.

I might go now and sit in a corner and feel sorry for myself.

Pomolo I’m no egg-spert but I did hear of somebody saying (they were mechanics) if there’s nothing wrong with our car, you (insurance) fix it…and the insurance company had to…apparently they prefer to write cars off because it’s easier in some way than having them repaired…

The whole front passenger side it pushed out of alignment. Would cost a lot more to fix than what the car is worth or what it could be worth.

Dinetta said:

pomolo said:

Got word from our insurance company today that our car has had it. Buggerdammit! An accident, not our fault, has thrown us in the deep end and right on Christmas too. We are supposed to be going on a 5 day camping trip from this weekend. That probably can’t happen now.

Bummer for you, trying to buy a new – ish car at this time of the year…can your companions for the camping trip organise a work-around to collect and deliver you?

A pick up an deliver is possible but there is a lot of gear to take as well. We’ll see how it all pans out.

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

Got word from our insurance company today that our car has had it. Buggerdammit! An accident, not our fault, has thrown us in the deep end and right on Christmas too. We are supposed to be going on a 5 day camping trip from this weekend. That probably can’t happen now.

What a time to have to go round looking at car saleyards.

Whatever we end up with (car) we can’t afford it. That much is a certainty.

I might go now and sit in a corner and feel sorry for myself.

can you talk to your insurance company about a temporary hire car? Maybe they can claim it against the other person’s insurance?

We have had a hire car for 3 days already and yes we will get it back from insurance but it’s the initial payout that is the killer. $100 a day+. Not the time of the year to have cash floating around. For us anyway.

The repair company have courteousy cars but none available atm. Figures!

pomolo said:

The whole front passenger side it pushed out of alignment. Would cost a lot more to fix than what the car is worth or what it could be worth.

Fairy nuff, just concerned that the insurance co was trying to get out of it the easy way for them…

Well here ‘tis, I was up at 5:30 but just think how much more I could have accomplished if I arose at 4:30…there’s a car that leaves for work at 5:30 and the lights used to shine into the bedroom window, but now that it’s so light, the car light has no effect on me…so I sleep in…I pace myself so that I’m doing the office archiving at 8:30, by 14:00 the house starts to heat up. I’m going to keep a record, comparing the house temp here with the aerodrome weather station…

Dinetta said:

Well here ‘tis, I was up at 5:30 but just think how much more I could have accomplished if I arose at 4:30…there’s a car that leaves for work at 5:30 and the lights used to shine into the bedroom window, but now that it’s so light, the car light has no effect on me…so I sleep in…I pace myself so that I’m doing the office archiving at 8:30, by 14:00 the house starts to heat up. I’m going to keep a record, comparing the house temp here with the aerodrome weather station…

as far as I am concerned, 4.30 or 5.30am are both obscenely too early to make any difference!

Dinetta said:

pomolo said:

The whole front passenger side it pushed out of alignment. Would cost a lot more to fix than what the car is worth or what it could be worth.

Fairy nuff, just concerned that the insurance co was trying to get out of it the easy way for them…

I’m under no illusions about insurance companys either. lol.

could you add an apple for pectin purposes?
———————————————-
I ended up adding a packet of commercial pectin, but still no go. Jam is simple. Fruit+sugar – boil = jam. It’s the liquid content that can stuff a batch up. But even fruit with no pectin can be set into a jelly with a little added pectin. Yes apples are good for pectin. Usually I use lemon juice and sometimes lemon pips in a little muslin cloth bag, so I will use this for the next attempt.

ps I don’t eat a ton of jam, a smidgen on a piece of toast now and then, but use it in cooking and sweet sauces.

been working on repairs of the new (but old) pen. Was in the shade to start with but the sun moved and feels hotter than the 23.7 the weather site says when you are in the sun. Nearly done though. Just putting some finishing touches on, like a hinged bit of wood to hold the door open when the inmates are foraging. It doesn’t stay open by itself as it is part of the sloping roof of the A frame and doesn’t fold right back. Just having a break and some water while I figure out how to stop the wood dropping out if the wind catches the door and slamming shut on a duck or chicken going in or out.

bluegreen said:

been working on repairs of the new (but old) pen. Was in the shade to start with but the sun moved and feels hotter than the 23.7 the weather site says when you are in the sun. Nearly done though. Just putting some finishing touches on, like a hinged bit of wood to hold the door open when the inmates are foraging. It doesn’t stay open by itself as it is part of the sloping roof of the A frame and doesn’t fold right back. Just having a break and some water while I figure out how to stop the wood dropping out if the wind catches the door and slamming shut on a duck or chicken going in or out.

zip ties? somebody might be able to throw a couple your way?

What about a bike thingy, has hooks either side of this half inch thick elastic?

Dinetta said:

bluegreen said:

been working on repairs of the new (but old) pen. Was in the shade to start with but the sun moved and feels hotter than the 23.7 the weather site says when you are in the sun. Nearly done though. Just putting some finishing touches on, like a hinged bit of wood to hold the door open when the inmates are foraging. It doesn’t stay open by itself as it is part of the sloping roof of the A frame and doesn’t fold right back. Just having a break and some water while I figure out how to stop the wood dropping out if the wind catches the door and slamming shut on a duck or chicken going in or out.

zip ties? somebody might be able to throw a couple your way?

What about a bike thingy, has hooks either side of this half inch thick elastic?

tried cable ties but wasn’t happy with it, but I have gone the way of a small ocky strap and some hooks, so we have been thinking along the same track there Dinetta. I am finished with it now and quite pleased with my efforts. Just need to prepare the site and get someone to help me carry it over but too hot now outside to do anything physical.

bluegreen said:

but I have gone the way of a small ocky strap and some hooks, so we have been thinking along the same track there Dinetta. I am finished with it now and quite pleased with my efforts. Just need to prepare the site and get someone to help me carry it over but too hot now outside to do anything physical.

So that’s what they’re called…ocky straps…

The previous occupant of this house put a couple of springs on the front gate….they are like ocky straps with the hook on each end of a coiled metal spring.

Hello Gardeners. I’m calling through, but I need to get outside with the mozzies and water the garden. Going for the 30’s tomorrow. The tomatoes should love it.

Yay! Our Castanospermum is flowering. It’s been a long wait. Now if only the Firewheel (Stenocarpus sinuatus) would oblige.

Stenocarpus sinatus take a good while before they begin to flower, up to 20 years in some instances but never fail to flower after that.

Anyway I’ve re-soldered the top tank on the radiator and taken the ute around the block which is about 15 km here. All good so far.

Good morning Gardeners. Clear and cool. Thermometer says 18 degrees, but that is in sheltered spot. I’d put it down around 13 in the open. Lovely. Going for the 30s today. I dreamt I was in Casterton (which I will be today) and that I had to stay put because there were grassfires. This reminded me to put my Bushfire Clothes and container of water into the car. They will stay there all Summer.

And I hope I don’t have to use them.

buffy said:

Good morning Gardeners. Clear and cool. Thermometer says 18 degrees, but that is in sheltered spot. I’d put it down around 13 in the open. Lovely. Going for the 30s today. I dreamt I was in Casterton (which I will be today) and that I had to stay put because there were grassfires. This reminded me to put my Bushfire Clothes and container of water into the car. They will stay there all Summer.

And I hope I don’t have to use them.

Can I ask what “bushfire clothes” are?

pomolo said:

Yay! Our Castanospermum is flowering. It’s been a long wait. Now if only the Firewheel (Stenocarpus sinuatus) would oblige.

A handy tree to have…

Morning green ones on this day 12/12/12. Isn’t something supposed to happen, or is it this date won’t happen again in our lifetime? or something.
I would be more observant of the everyday stuff if I could have a day off to slow down, lol. Busy busy.
I won’t get much ‘seated’ time for the next few days either for meetings events and things to do. And it not all because of end of the year festivities. Discord in the orchard, an issue arose and I’ve had to sack the pres. Now I’m in that role again by default untill we can all attend an urgent meeting and vote.

I’ll be at the poultry supply store as soon as it opens to stock up, then off to quilting to finish off my bag. It didn’t need any alteration to the slightly longer pockets because when I put items in it, it’s unnoticable. Cool. I made this one for myself and I’m happy with it.
Then an arvo appt for Max to check his ears and mouth sore and pick up more ear drops. His ears are all gunked up with the oily stuff and I can see a big difference with the correct amount I put in now, to when I was having to guess the amount. And he is a lot happier, puppy like and playful again :D

Dinetta said:

buffy said:

Good morning Gardeners. Clear and cool. Thermometer says 18 degrees, but that is in sheltered spot. I’d put it down around 13 in the open. Lovely. Going for the 30s today. I dreamt I was in Casterton (which I will be today) and that I had to stay put because there were grassfires. This reminded me to put my Bushfire Clothes and container of water into the car. They will stay there all Summer.

And I hope I don’t have to use them.

Can I ask what “bushfire clothes” are?

Woolen clothing?

Happy Potter said:

Morning green ones on this day 12/12/12. Isn’t something supposed to happen, or is it this date won’t happen again in our lifetime? or something.

Because there are only 12 months in the year, this is the last year for a “triple date” in this century. In 2008, it was 08/08/08 and so on.

Happy Potter said:

Then an arvo appt for Max to check his ears and mouth sore and pick up more ear drops. His ears are all gunked up with the oily stuff and I can see a big difference with the correct amount I put in now, to when I was having to guess the amount. And he is a lot happier, puppy like and playful again :D

It’s peace of mind when you know your pets are healthy and happy…

Cleaned the outside of the chest freezer last night…it used to live downstairs but the previous occupant said stuff used to get stolen from it so now it’s the first thing you see in my lounge room…the floor is vinyl covered…N E ways the freezer had dust and dirt clinging to it so I got to with Gumption ® and cleaned it right up and it looks so much neater. Amazing how some little thing, tidied up, makes a room more presentable…gets rid of the “ick” feeling you can’t put a finger on…

buffy said:

Good morning Gardeners. Clear and cool. Thermometer says 18 degrees, but that is in sheltered spot. I’d put it down around 13 in the open. Lovely. Going for the 30s today. I dreamt I was in Casterton (which I will be today) and that I had to stay put because there were grassfires. This reminded me to put my Bushfire Clothes and container of water into the car. They will stay there all Summer.

And I hope I don’t have to use them.

What items do you use as “bushfire clothes”?

Happy Potter said:

Morning green ones on this day 12/12/12. Isn’t something supposed to happen, or is it this date won’t happen again in our lifetime? or something.
I would be more observant of the everyday stuff if I could have a day off to slow down, lol. Busy busy.
I won’t get much ‘seated’ time for the next few days either for meetings events and things to do. And it not all because of end of the year festivities. Discord in the orchard, an issue arose and I’ve had to sack the pres. Now I’m in that role again by default untill we can all attend an urgent meeting and vote.

I’ll be at the poultry supply store as soon as it opens to stock up, then off to quilting to finish off my bag. It didn’t need any alteration to the slightly longer pockets because when I put items in it, it’s unnoticable. Cool. I made this one for myself and I’m happy with it.
Then an arvo appt for Max to check his ears and mouth sore and pick up more ear drops. His ears are all gunked up with the oily stuff and I can see a big difference with the correct amount I put in now, to when I was having to guess the amount. And he is a lot happier, puppy like and playful again :D

our CWA group is having Christmas lunch at 12 on the 12th of the 12th of the 12th :)

the Mayan calender runs out on Friday 21st. Some people take this to mean that it will be the end of the world, but others say that they just ran out of room on the bit of rock it is carved on.

“Can’t take the calender any further because I have ran out of room.”
“Well that’s going to upset someone one day.”

Glad to hear Max is happy again.