DIY as Lifestyle

I was once at the rather palatial new home of a friend (their polished granite kitchen counter-tops cost more than my house) and they had just moved in from living in a large shed on the property.  In a room of its own was the largest size of slate … [Continue reading]

Lipstick on Pigs

I notice in recent months that some banks are advertising that you can really love a bank.  Er, no, you can't.  Banks are corporations and legal vehicles, heartless and soulless, dedicated to making money for their shareholders.  Its senior officers … [Continue reading]

Dear Council

About 6 weeks back Possum Valley had record floods.  Not record rains and it wasn't even a cyclone, the creek reached the highest levels I have seen in the 38 years I have been here and left mud and debris on the veranda of Blackbean Cottage.  That … [Continue reading]

Cheap Appliances Unaffordable

I suppose I have to justify my cryptic title. I'm talking TVs and fridges, sofas and cars and just about everything you don't eat. I'm admitting that they have ever better functions at ever cheaper prices. So cheap in fact that it isn't even worth … [Continue reading]

Maths and history

I was showing the hydro system to some guests last weekend (what man tires of showing off his handiwork), and had occasion to point out a date crudely scratched into the wet concrete of the base.  10/83.  Yesterday I was putting washing on the line … [Continue reading]

Fixing Things

I have spent the last two weeks fixing things after the heavy deluge saw record floods at Possum Valley.  Cyclone Marcia crossed the coast as a category 5 early this morning, and is rampaging inland.  I have no doubt other people will be spending … [Continue reading]

…. Because You May Just Get It

My last post was whinging about the lack of rain and entitled "Be Careful What You Wish For".  Well, I got it.  Between about midnight Sunday morning and 7 am, there was about 400 mm of rain.  I'm only guessing because I didn't get to the rain gauge … [Continue reading]

Be Careful What You Wish For……

What has happened to the 'Wet' this year.  It should be well and truly in swing by now, but the sun is blazing out of a blue sky again today.  No sign of a monsoon trough squatting over the peninsula with long periods of drenching rain.  I was hand … [Continue reading]