Evening folks,
The days are rocketing by! The word Christmas entered our planning vocabulary today. As did the phrase next week. That is about as far as either of them progressed in the process.
Today's tasks. Susan continued on despidering outside of the house. I painstakingly measured, remeasured and measured again the dimensions for 2 replacement verandah poles. Since they cost $50 each messing them up was not an option. They were both cut to length and the cut outs made for the rails to rest on the top. I think they are right with the proof of the pudding being in the fitting. This is part of the extension of the deck project. Susan started the process of painting them.
After lunch I vacuumed out the back of the house and Susan pulled weeds until the skies grew dark and the heavens opened with lightning, thunder, rain and hail. This signalled the end of activities and we pottered for the rest of the afternoon as the rain swept through. The dogs do not enjoy the thunder and big tough Doogan is a nervous wreck.
Tea tonight was a magnificent piece of fish cooked in foil with herbs. Dessert was banana splits.
Living here is like living in a 5 star restaurant. After tea we watched the spectacular that is Cirque du Soleil on the big screen.
That's about all for today. My tick bites are itching nicely! Good old Itch Eze Plus helps.
cheers Simon
Day 102 Bellingen Monday 17th September 2012
Hi folks,
We actually had thunder and rain this afternoon. Not a huge amount of rain maybe 6mm.
Before i finally went to bed last night i checked my body in front of the mirror discovering another tiny tick on my face. This prompted me to apply Lyclear to many places on my body. I purchased our own supply today.
Our work today consisted of a controlled demolition of a brick planter box. This included the removal of the mortar. The bricks are to be reused to build piers for the extension of the deck. We worked steadily and the work was mostly done by lunchtime when it started raining.
Susan elected to brush down cobwebs in the afternoon while I drove to Bellingen to purchase some supplies returning around 5 o'clock.
Another excellent tea tonight laksa!
Life is very contented here!
night folks
Simon
We actually had thunder and rain this afternoon. Not a huge amount of rain maybe 6mm.
Before i finally went to bed last night i checked my body in front of the mirror discovering another tiny tick on my face. This prompted me to apply Lyclear to many places on my body. I purchased our own supply today.
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| A well known chiseller |
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| Recovered bricks in the back ground |
Our work today consisted of a controlled demolition of a brick planter box. This included the removal of the mortar. The bricks are to be reused to build piers for the extension of the deck. We worked steadily and the work was mostly done by lunchtime when it started raining.
Susan elected to brush down cobwebs in the afternoon while I drove to Bellingen to purchase some supplies returning around 5 o'clock.
Another excellent tea tonight laksa!
Life is very contented here!
night folks
Simon
Day 101 Bellingen Sunday 16th September 2012
Hi folks,
A standard working day here for us today. Susan weeding and myself cutting and swabbing. There were some moments of excitement.
First off we helped remove a floating platform from the dam. It had supported a paperbark population but had turned turtle.
The other excitements were not so positive. I managed to disturb a large jack jumper ant nest when ripping out a lantana runner. I had to run away swatting one off my leg with the saw and a tick as well for good measure. I left my camera in the midst of the ants but returned with a 4 metre piece of bamboo to hook it out from a distance. Later when they had returned to their burrow I retrieved gardening tools.
We had an excellent Thai beef salad for tea. After tea we had a bit of a discussion about helpex and I was able to subject our hosts to a skim through the blog pictures for longer than they needed.
Susan sent me out to the car to get the first aid kit since she was looking for the nail clippers.
This was ironic since i detected a lump in my armpit which was of course a tick. Kevin had a couple of tiny ones earlier which are a grass tick larvae where as mine was a bigger one. Lyclear was applied and after about 20 minutes Susan did an excellent job of removal. She also found a couple of tiny ones. One under each armpit. I think I will be going for the long shirt in future and the gallon of insecticide.
Bedtime here night folks
Cheers Simon
A standard working day here for us today. Susan weeding and myself cutting and swabbing. There were some moments of excitement.
 |
| Attaching the rope to the pontoon |
First off we helped remove a floating platform from the dam. It had supported a paperbark population but had turned turtle.
The other excitements were not so positive. I managed to disturb a large jack jumper ant nest when ripping out a lantana runner. I had to run away swatting one off my leg with the saw and a tick as well for good measure. I left my camera in the midst of the ants but returned with a 4 metre piece of bamboo to hook it out from a distance. Later when they had returned to their burrow I retrieved gardening tools.
We had an excellent Thai beef salad for tea. After tea we had a bit of a discussion about helpex and I was able to subject our hosts to a skim through the blog pictures for longer than they needed.
Susan sent me out to the car to get the first aid kit since she was looking for the nail clippers.
This was ironic since i detected a lump in my armpit which was of course a tick. Kevin had a couple of tiny ones earlier which are a grass tick larvae where as mine was a bigger one. Lyclear was applied and after about 20 minutes Susan did an excellent job of removal. She also found a couple of tiny ones. One under each armpit. I think I will be going for the long shirt in future and the gallon of insecticide.
Bedtime here night folks
Cheers Simon
Pulling out the pontoon
Day 100 Bellingen Saturday 15th September 2012
Hi Folks,
We had a day off today.
First stop was the Bellingen markets. Fairly standard market fair lots of stalls but with not too much for me to get excited about. Susan bought herself a top. After a stroll around we drove out towards Kalang to examine a property that Susan was interested in looking at but which was sold last week. After winding 20 km along the valley we arrived. We were underwhelmed by the house which was in rough condition compared to the photos on Domain.com. A salutory reminder of life's realities.
We retraced our steps to Bellingen and took the road to Dorrigo. Dorrigo is up the hill on the table lands. the road is a bit windy and has a couple of waterfalls tumbling down underneath it. We arrived at Dorrigo and had lunch at the Food Angel Cafe recommended by our hosts. The recommendation was good as the food was excellent.
With out hunger satisfied we drove north a few kilometres to Dangar Falls. After a look from the view platform it was back to Dorrigo and a retrace of our steps to Dorrigo National Park.
We entered the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. After a gold coin donation we strolled out on the sky walk which leaves the top of the ridge and ventures about 50 metres through the treetops over the escarpment. The view is quite stunning. They also have a swivelling mount that you can put your camera on to take self portraits.
We headed on the 6.6km circuit walk that heads along and then down the escarpment through the sub tropical rain forest to two waterfalls and then loops back up to the visitor centre. A pleasant walk with many interesting sights. Returning to the top we had a last look on the sky walk before winding back down the hill to home and a delicious risotto tea.
A good day on the planet.
night folks
Simon
We had a day off today.
First stop was the Bellingen markets. Fairly standard market fair lots of stalls but with not too much for me to get excited about. Susan bought herself a top. After a stroll around we drove out towards Kalang to examine a property that Susan was interested in looking at but which was sold last week. After winding 20 km along the valley we arrived. We were underwhelmed by the house which was in rough condition compared to the photos on Domain.com. A salutory reminder of life's realities.
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| Wall mosaic/sculpture in Dorrigo |
With out hunger satisfied we drove north a few kilometres to Dangar Falls. After a look from the view platform it was back to Dorrigo and a retrace of our steps to Dorrigo National Park.
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| Panorama from the sky walk (click for the big picture) |
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| View from the escarpment on the walk |
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| Crystal Shower Falls |
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| View from the skywalk |
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| Using the tripod on the skywalk |
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| Tristania falls |
We entered the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. After a gold coin donation we strolled out on the sky walk which leaves the top of the ridge and ventures about 50 metres through the treetops over the escarpment. The view is quite stunning. They also have a swivelling mount that you can put your camera on to take self portraits.
We headed on the 6.6km circuit walk that heads along and then down the escarpment through the sub tropical rain forest to two waterfalls and then loops back up to the visitor centre. A pleasant walk with many interesting sights. Returning to the top we had a last look on the sky walk before winding back down the hill to home and a delicious risotto tea.
A good day on the planet.
night folks
Simon
Dangar Falls
Tristania Falls
Crystal Shower Falls
Day 99 Bellingen Friday 14th September 2012
Hi Folks,
The movie Borat is playing as I type the blog tonight so this may explain any distraction as I type.
Another fine sunny day a bit cooler after the change.
We continued on in the grounds. I had a slight change of scenario in that I spent the first part of the day cutting and swabbing boxthorn instead of lantana. Susan spent the day pulling ageratum. It doesn't sound exciting but it was a very pleasant days work outside. Only one tick on my shirt for the whole day and I think I picked that up when we were sitting relaxing on the grass.
Later in the afternoon I had an overwhelming urge for coffee as did Larry so we went to the Bean Bar in town. Coffee urge satisfied and groceries purchased we returned for tea.
After spagbol and more sticky date pudding we had a movie evening starting with Bran Nue Dae and then Borat. A great evening filled with lots of laughter.
Our day off tomorrow!
cheers Simon
The movie Borat is playing as I type the blog tonight so this may explain any distraction as I type.
Another fine sunny day a bit cooler after the change.
We continued on in the grounds. I had a slight change of scenario in that I spent the first part of the day cutting and swabbing boxthorn instead of lantana. Susan spent the day pulling ageratum. It doesn't sound exciting but it was a very pleasant days work outside. Only one tick on my shirt for the whole day and I think I picked that up when we were sitting relaxing on the grass.
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| On the pool fence this morning |
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| Flowering tree in the grounds |
Later in the afternoon I had an overwhelming urge for coffee as did Larry so we went to the Bean Bar in town. Coffee urge satisfied and groceries purchased we returned for tea.
After spagbol and more sticky date pudding we had a movie evening starting with Bran Nue Dae and then Borat. A great evening filled with lots of laughter.
Our day off tomorrow!
cheers Simon
Day 98 Bellingen Thursday 13th September 2012
Hi folks,
Another warm spring day in Bellingen. We had a late start to the working day as we tripped into Bellingen so Susan could attend the post office. While she was assembling her parcel I took a quick walk up and down the main street. After an interminable time in the post office she returned and we strolled to the recommended real estate agent so Susan could sign up to their mailing list. I noted that Bellingen had a large number of cafes. Kevin reckons it is around 15! Bellingen is not a bad little town.
We started our chores around 1030. Today I brush cut along the edge of the pond while Susan raked and carted the grass away. We then moved on to pulling ageratum. After lunch Susan continued pulling and I moved in to a recently cleared swathe of lantana and cut and poisoned the remnant bushes.
I spent the rest of the afternoon goofing off while Susan prepared a quiche and a sticky date pudding. As the thunder rolled we had an enjoyable meal. There wasn't much rain in the storm at all. However it scared the dickens out of Doogan the big tough bull terrier.
That's all for today!
night folks
Simon
Another warm spring day in Bellingen. We had a late start to the working day as we tripped into Bellingen so Susan could attend the post office. While she was assembling her parcel I took a quick walk up and down the main street. After an interminable time in the post office she returned and we strolled to the recommended real estate agent so Susan could sign up to their mailing list. I noted that Bellingen had a large number of cafes. Kevin reckons it is around 15! Bellingen is not a bad little town.
 |
| Plaque in the main street( click the picture to read the detail) |
We started our chores around 1030. Today I brush cut along the edge of the pond while Susan raked and carted the grass away. We then moved on to pulling ageratum. After lunch Susan continued pulling and I moved in to a recently cleared swathe of lantana and cut and poisoned the remnant bushes.
I spent the rest of the afternoon goofing off while Susan prepared a quiche and a sticky date pudding. As the thunder rolled we had an enjoyable meal. There wasn't much rain in the storm at all. However it scared the dickens out of Doogan the big tough bull terrier.
That's all for today!
night folks
Simon
Day 97 Bellingen Wednesday 12th September 2012
Hi folks,
I awoke feeling fine today which was a relief.
We continued on from yesterday. I mixed up some more woody weed killer and went to the gully below the dam. After lounging around in the grass cutting and daubing lantana to my surprise I saw a tick crawling on my trousers. Susan came over and between us we must have removed fifteen from my trousers and t shirt. I retired up to the house and checked my clothes by removing them. I sprayed them and me liberally with tropical strength Aerogard. Back down at the dam I took my t shirt off and found one more crawling inside.
We returned to our tasks me on the lantana avoiding the long grass and Susan stripping the seeds from the paspalum grass so we can slash it. The rest of the day passed without incident. However at the table outside before tea another one was strolling down my arm hopefully groggy from the spray. After my shower I examined my self closely in the mirror but could detect no passengers. I think the tactic in future will be Aerogard from the start of the day!
We had a nice batch of curries for tea. We are being exceptionally well fed.
I awoke feeling fine today which was a relief.
We continued on from yesterday. I mixed up some more woody weed killer and went to the gully below the dam. After lounging around in the grass cutting and daubing lantana to my surprise I saw a tick crawling on my trousers. Susan came over and between us we must have removed fifteen from my trousers and t shirt. I retired up to the house and checked my clothes by removing them. I sprayed them and me liberally with tropical strength Aerogard. Back down at the dam I took my t shirt off and found one more crawling inside.
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| Clivia |
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| Satin Bowerbird |
We returned to our tasks me on the lantana avoiding the long grass and Susan stripping the seeds from the paspalum grass so we can slash it. The rest of the day passed without incident. However at the table outside before tea another one was strolling down my arm hopefully groggy from the spray. After my shower I examined my self closely in the mirror but could detect no passengers. I think the tactic in future will be Aerogard from the start of the day!
We had a nice batch of curries for tea. We are being exceptionally well fed.
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