tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40043753804329964142024-03-04T20:19:26.813-08:00Prince of the PaddockDick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-81547137426807870822012-10-25T15:29:00.001-07:002012-10-25T15:29:20.691-07:00GOODBYE BLOGGER, HELLO WORDPRESS<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, I couldn't do anything about Bloggers problem. Someone in GOOGLE LAND chang<span style="font-size: large;">ed something so I can't put<span style="font-size: large;"> up pictures. Sha<span style="font-size: large;">me, as I <span style="font-size: large;">have some good ones of black snakes and dickie birds. So, if you want to see them, go <span style="font-size: large;">here: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><a href="http://debralnewman.wordpress.com/">http://debralnewman.wordpress.com/</a>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-12233990359901000312012-10-19T23:45:00.001-07:002012-10-19T23:45:16.556-07:00Trip to Briz-Vegas<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's a double whinge for today - firstly, Blogger won't let me upload pic<span style="font-size: large;">tures for some reason - so you don't get to see pics of Briz-Vegas and secondly I had <span style="font-size: large;">to go to Briz<span style="font-size: large;">-Vegas yesterday.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is called Briz-Vegas by those of us who g<span style="font-size: large;">rew up in a nice capital city cal<span style="font-size: large;">led Brisbane. Successive <span style="font-size: large;">Governments have decided that:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. It would<span style="font-size: large;"> be really <span style="font-size: large;">cool t<span style="font-size: large;">o knock down all the lo<span style="font-size: large;">vely o<span style="font-size: large;">ld buildings and replace them with nice new 600 storey monsters. That's because visitors don't want to see historical buildings they want to see what they can see at pretty much any other city.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. If we keep cramming more and more people into Briz, then everybody will have lots more money a<span style="font-size: large;">nd we will all be happy. Yeah - right.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So they took a perf<span style="font-size: large;">ectly charming big town and have turned into <span style="font-size: large;">a high rise noisy crowded city with substantial traffic problems. The l<span style="font-size: large;">ast Govern<span style="font-size: large;">ment tried to fix the traffic by installing roads in t<span style="font-size: large;">he sky a<span style="font-size: large;">s well as</span> tunnels under th<span style="font-size: large;">e g<span style="font-size: large;">round</span></span>. <span style="font-size: large;">The sky road<span style="font-size: large;">s are sooo attractive. You get to pay for d<span style="font-size: large;">riving in the sky or underg<span style="font-size: large;">round, so poor old Pad<span style="font-size: large;">dock Workers have to shuffle along at ground level with all the other paupers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I went there with <span style="font-size: large;">Old Mate next door to register our plan of subdivision. We both have lenders involved and his mob took exactly 364 days to <span style="font-size: large;">agree to this and turn up at the Titles <span style="font-size: large;">Office. <span style="font-size: large;">But the plan is lodged <span style="font-size: large;">so the end of a 6 year process ha<span style="font-size: large;">s finally <span style="font-size: large;">happened.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-85035655253371499752012-10-18T13:21:00.000-07:002012-10-18T13:21:42.238-07:00Good to have a good mate<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5zZh12gBHcVBeAC8zIo5O5334YX2_r0nvc6OI2woZ2XbCv25RsirVkBKAXktlFHhsn3poKuxt9PMpQdizow0heQ_7XefU073roc3CQyFBy1TEc32Sz8IQlg-j8igN9ZyIoF0EIoeqWbW/s1600/dp-front_460_wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5zZh12gBHcVBeAC8zIo5O5334YX2_r0nvc6OI2woZ2XbCv25RsirVkBKAXktlFHhsn3poKuxt9PMpQdizow0heQ_7XefU073roc3CQyFBy1TEc32Sz8IQlg-j8igN9ZyIoF0EIoeqWbW/s640/dp-front_460_wide.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">By Da<span style="font-size: small;">vid P<span style="font-size: small;">aulson </span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So l<span style="font-size: large;">ocal artist David Paulson is having a survey of his works at Noosa Regional Gallery<span style="font-size: large;">. David is <span style="font-size: large;">a recognised artist nationally and <span style="font-size: large;">Good Mate is fortunate to own a couple of pieces. <span style="font-size: large;">We also have a small piece of David's work. <span style="font-size: large;">Good Mate advised he a<span style="font-size: large;">nd his lovely M<span style="font-size: large;">issus would</span></span> go up <span style="font-size: large;">for a peek-a-boo today a<span style="font-size: large;">nd invited us along</span>. The Responsible Adult decided to stay home to work on her tan and d<span style="font-size: large;">o the annual change over in the ward<span style="font-size: large;">robe from winter to summer gear.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t-yxrE10Utj3vIWXJqNVs9gs2zQcPY2g8gl248IVAg6lMlGji3D18ixlCpy3xFK3RN7vytSHUAqV5ubyHLSFeXm17v1rI8ZrZm5O-3mqhFbg4gpTMccadVA5jPclY1w07r5BBGfKZ0b0/s1600/spotlight_david_paulson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t-yxrE10Utj3vIWXJqNVs9gs2zQcPY2g8gl248IVAg6lMlGji3D18ixlCpy3xFK3RN7vytSHUAqV5ubyHLSFeXm17v1rI8ZrZm5O-3mqhFbg4gpTMccadVA5jPclY1w07r5BBGfKZ0b0/s640/spotlight_david_paulson.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another work by David Paulson</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgaNylhcgvrEdDlFzGF66Pg8PRsyidavtIvKuHQuGZmDhFkQePHx4MmnmGZAh3EO5R-T05ybVVgV4SPSgG9hE4E74-s8R_mUWdNiCe0EVbgLiyS3MM_J1jfhjKi-CoYDYlRCZyfJKvMYl/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgaNylhcgvrEdDlFzGF66Pg8PRsyidavtIvKuHQuGZmDhFkQePHx4MmnmGZAh3EO5R-T05ybVVgV4SPSgG9hE4E74-s8R_mUWdNiCe0EVbgLiyS3MM_J1jfhjKi-CoYDYlRCZyfJKvMYl/s320/photo+(2).JPG" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me trying for that Paulson pose</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It surely was nice to be picked up in an air-conditioned Land Cruiser <span style="font-size: large;">and be <span style="font-size: large;">driven to the Gallery. We spent sometime admiring the works and watching David chat to us <span style="font-size: large;">on the Gallery's TV. <span style="font-size: large;">It was all inspiratio<span style="font-size: large;">nal and I wouldn't mind popping down to La Studio to have a bash with some pastels after seeing all those lovely images. Alas, our eldest is currently res<span style="font-size: large;">iding at La<span style="font-size: large;"> Studio - I shall say no more on that.</span></span> </span>After t<span style="font-size: large;">he show</span>, Good Mate suggested that he should shout fish and chips at the Noosa Marina.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Fish and chips at Noosa Marina is<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>recommended. So Good Mate then decided <span style="font-size: large;">he wanted to b<span style="font-size: large;">uy a <span style="font-size: large;">bit of fish for his dinner. <span style="font-size: large;">He came back with some Snapper which included a piece for me. So I got a nice<span style="font-size: large;"> day o<span style="font-size: large;">ut chauffer driven to the Art Gallery, lunch and dinner. <span style="font-size: large;">At no time did Good<span style="font-size: large;"> Mate even mention <span style="font-size: large;">his trailer w<span style="font-size: large;">hich I borrowed abo<span style="font-size: large;">ut 3 weeks ago.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, Paddock Workers I'm guessing by this time you don't need me to explain wh<span style="font-size: large;">y it's good to have a Good Mate. <span style="font-size: large;">If only he had a wine cellar full o<span style="font-size: large;">f Shiraz - oh that's right, HE DOES!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a picture of me with David.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBcn_vs88km1tcL5GZyssfzBWle49mfBgVzNUZdIVMErV9mwU7Kx3ZSfYNzh5ihRjQG7Uv_vtRoCzkwgJsTnTAhICniCoKkdkbCQAo2dK87ukKtTyBlAlsXMh3Q9EURuWIxOl6P4U59ca/s1600/dickdavid11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBcn_vs88km1tcL5GZyssfzBWle49mfBgVzNUZdIVMErV9mwU7Kx3ZSfYNzh5ihRjQG7Uv_vtRoCzkwgJsTnTAhICniCoKkdkbCQAo2dK87ukKtTyBlAlsXMh3Q9EURuWIxOl6P4U59ca/s640/dickdavid11.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">David winning the <span style="font-size: small;">People's Choic<span style="font-size: small;">e Award SCAP 200<span style="font-size: small;">6</span></span></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-3453559773766444052012-10-17T16:28:00.001-07:002012-10-17T16:29:22.093-07:00Paddock For Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-0-FlgBZcDqFuxnyO9AxHcoXDLVslfz2BHp_zXm1V-pQY0Sh-Ghyphenhyphen_N4eIPFQ_vx9Hfto6rV6nHsNXt9fL3tEbeevL7siAPKwvmgM2sh84PDwKYUZO-OPj9BfSU7GLcL2JtCyFBlD12CS/s1600/oct+2011+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-0-FlgBZcDqFuxnyO9AxHcoXDLVslfz2BHp_zXm1V-pQY0Sh-Ghyphenhyphen_N4eIPFQ_vx9Hfto6rV6nHsNXt9fL3tEbeevL7siAPKwvmgM2sh84PDwKYUZO-OPj9BfSU7GLcL2JtCyFBlD12CS/s640/oct+2011+020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, back in 2000, our Council released a new plan. The area around the paddock was included f<span style="font-size: large;">or develo<span style="font-size: large;">pment</span></span>. This<span style="font-size: large;"> was a response <span style="font-size: large;">to the community who wanted land<span style="font-size: large;"> allocated for co-housing type development. The idea being t<span style="font-size: large;">o create a couple of <span style="font-size: large;">additional suburban size lots on your land with the bulk retained <span style="font-size: large;">to grow rainforest. One by one our neighbours up and <span style="font-size: large;">down the street subdivided, but not in the co-housing model - just str<span style="font-size: large;">aight sub-division. We went from cow paddocks to <span style="font-size: large;">acreage lots. In 2006, after pretty much all our neighbours had sub-divided, we de<span style="font-size: large;">cided that we would too. So six years later and a rather LOT of expenditure, we have the Cubby House paddock, La<span style="font-size: large;"> Studio paddock and the third paddock. The third paddock is for sale. If you're int<span style="font-size: large;">erested, just call out. I'll welcome a buyer with a glass or two of Shiraz.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqNGeAgRPvRtwIN8lManxkNS0CAtMh6EKWRpmMWOBxpKFGfzJinqwQjygui3vuuJmgA5iCVbRc5MY0AlLP7XSVWFAViU-dqOdsDevQM5oeG8m-ZzvWMvILLicotdoa4k-GiHTqap8s88W/s1600/Water+Tap+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqNGeAgRPvRtwIN8lManxkNS0CAtMh6EKWRpmMWOBxpKFGfzJinqwQjygui3vuuJmgA5iCVbRc5MY0AlLP7XSVWFAViU-dqOdsDevQM5oeG8m-ZzvWMvILLicotdoa4k-GiHTqap8s88W/s640/Water+Tap+011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">View of the 3rd paddock f<span style="font-size: small;">rom La Studio</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-10528422679027003612012-10-16T21:29:00.001-07:002012-10-16T21:30:31.369-07:00Growing Vege's<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbntllYTUGdw9Puz-sA6u6eZ1hrLvhlTSaKHD3dt6OqQIHKKVYCus6R9kuHDh6z5JKKi0qMCiA42MvAv_xz2ZKpJe9s1WNdby2lHSfZDcEnXCM4kD97gALGN3ndMYBmsrwl8t06UpbuRD/s1600/veg+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbntllYTUGdw9Puz-sA6u6eZ1hrLvhlTSaKHD3dt6OqQIHKKVYCus6R9kuHDh6z5JKKi0qMCiA42MvAv_xz2ZKpJe9s1WNdby2lHSfZDcEnXCM4kD97gALGN3ndMYBmsrwl8t06UpbuRD/s640/veg+002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yummy greens f<span style="font-size: small;">or my sandwich</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's my l<span style="font-size: large;">ittle vege<span style="font-size: large;"> seedlings one month after visiting the markets.<span style="font-size: large;"> Even after this short period, the ou<span style="font-size: large;">tside leaves of th<span style="font-size: large;">e Cos Lettuce are ready to be cut <span style="font-size: large;">and pla<span style="font-size: large;">ce<span style="font-size: large;">d on a nice open <span style="font-size: large;">sandwich. Same<span style="font-size: large;"> with the Rocket. I lost all but one beetroot to bloody Ban<span style="font-size: large;">dicoots (<span style="font-size: large;">vile<span style="font-size: large;">, filthy creatures) T<span style="font-size: large;">he Kale is growing real<span style="font-size: large;">ly quickly. The flowers you can see in the foreground are <span style="font-size: large;">s<span style="font-size: large;">elf seeded <span style="font-size: large;">Coriander<span style="font-size: large;"> - themselves about to go t<span style="font-size: large;">o seed. <span style="font-size: large;">Some <span style="font-size: large;">of the se<span style="font-size: large;">eds will be harvested fo<span style="font-size: large;">r cu<span style="font-size: large;">rry and some will be left to grow. Don't forget to harvest some Coriander root which is a<span style="font-size: large;">n ingredient for a nice Cur<span style="font-size: large;">ry paste.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Baby Lettuce l<span style="font-size: large;">eaves are best served with a<span style="font-size: large;"> nice Shiraz.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMmMIyEfoKX86oVAurGYQa57S6wPH0Lu8b_4Hd7JwsDFUA-4dG6o0qDI8rUU-vFxfnShidgR_5tEL_SZJElrKO_J14Tx1_BaP1692iBBlJjjALt2Z0lVLrG1bDN1GDOAZaUF_d3rXJW7f/s640/5+002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">T<span style="font-size: small;">he <span style="font-size: small;">Vege's 4 weeks ago</span></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMmMIyEfoKX86oVAurGYQa57S6wPH0Lu8b_4Hd7JwsDFUA-4dG6o0qDI8rUU-vFxfnShidgR_5tEL_SZJElrKO_J14Tx1_BaP1692iBBlJjjALt2Z0lVLrG1bDN1GDOAZaUF_d3rXJW7f/s1600/5+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqJA6o965T_um59gUjpf-RKCMyqsibUD4TWGUkwXz0rMAOgVKgKo6l18fiBKuOfa-e6pjFwXV45uGLNCPTe5YB3LK6_n-3lww7UpdNJrKxhEHUvRBvLQdXFRJnyefNpfwzKSS9iMx02up/s1600/10+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqJA6o965T_um59gUjpf-RKCMyqsibUD4TWGUkwXz0rMAOgVKgKo6l18fiBKuOfa-e6pjFwXV45uGLNCPTe5YB3LK6_n-3lww7UpdNJrKxhEHUvRBvLQdXFRJnyefNpfwzKSS9iMx02up/s640/10+022.jpg" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And about 2 weeks ago</span></span></td></tr>
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Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-28559312323576557442012-10-15T14:10:00.000-07:002012-10-15T14:10:53.495-07:00On the Kindle - Morag Joss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkUcR95tbX0DEG7Ay6PJQRZI5QDooWEMf8lcrN85_UuQKnhjnUsj-SpGZ71nPwv9hMh3lLQtJjmHs8SuxrkC_iEYo9B70uJNrXrC9EeABLxqoNVVcoBYE3BC5wKP0daqE5T6E7i96mWVZ/s1600/the-night-following.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkUcR95tbX0DEG7Ay6PJQRZI5QDooWEMf8lcrN85_UuQKnhjnUsj-SpGZ71nPwv9hMh3lLQtJjmHs8SuxrkC_iEYo9B70uJNrXrC9EeABLxqoNVVcoBYE3BC5wKP0daqE5T6E7i96mWVZ/s400/the-night-following.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm a sucker for a prize winning author, so I thou<span style="font-size: large;">ght I'd give Morag Joss a go. If Morag comes to the Cubby House, she can have pick of the china cabinet from me. What a ripper of a book. I r<span style="font-size: large;">eally don'<span style="font-size: large;">t want to tell you anything of the story - you can't wi<span style="font-size: large;">thout spoiling it. I'll just say it's a story within a story wi<span style="font-size: large;">th some cryptic letters tossed in. Don't panic i<span style="font-size: large;">f you are initially confused about w<span style="font-size: large;">hat's going on - it will<span style="font-size: large;"> fall into place nicely. <span style="font-size: large;">It is a morality tale told ext<span style="font-size: large;">remely w<span style="font-size: large;">ell. The author <span style="font-size: large;">certainly knows how t<span style="font-size: large;">o put words togeth<span style="font-size: large;">er to form some <span style="font-size: large;">terrific sentences.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Some loose ends are left loose which usually ticks me off, but in this case it w<span style="font-size: large;">orks. Mind you, the Respon<span style="font-size: large;">sible Adult would <span style="font-size: large;">call this 'a cheery little tale' <span style="font-size: large;">so don't be looking for laugh<span style="font-size: large;">s and gig<span style="font-size: large;">gles along the way. Here's your<span style="font-size: large;"> quote:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Hereafter, I would have<span style="font-size: large;"> no story, o<span style="font-size: large;">nly a dishonoured past. An what else could I do then but<span style="font-size: large;"> begin to learn what it is to be dea<span style="font-size: large;">d before I<span style="font-size: large;"> actually was?"</span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-42925610240304951192012-10-15T00:24:00.002-07:002012-10-15T00:25:10.943-07:00Regular Garden Maintenance<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguABylIoZuvpXK6rJek-JuevHy0GsHMMdyEYxgKZuz9o2tT7EzS-otCIzpl35xSlga5M4GGRMoaRX7eVBTk4rf03n0Vws0baqW8DQos09I4RkARd-Ok-GiXohfxTVY0tdq8CfuEGJGL0v2/s1600/steps+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguABylIoZuvpXK6rJek-JuevHy0GsHMMdyEYxgKZuz9o2tT7EzS-otCIzpl35xSlga5M4GGRMoaRX7eVBTk4rf03n0Vws0baqW8DQos09I4RkARd-Ok-GiXohfxTVY0tdq8CfuEGJGL0v2/s640/steps+007.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZVmeF2tqwgXCFCfB5xdGLvGx6traEKSy76w8Dl3hp6ZHSFWzWyPfaA5GKySORveFB-s7QdRIxOSsqDHxPZ0Q-hZJFTgxcbhSvvEeN83T0GysZuh7J-Onh95EbZTB_NNv0_BPkMF-4PSi/s1600/steps+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZVmeF2tqwgXCFCfB5xdGLvGx6traEKSy76w8Dl3hp6ZHSFWzWyPfaA5GKySORveFB-s7QdRIxOSsqDHxPZ0Q-hZJFTgxcbhSvvEeN83T0GysZuh7J-Onh95EbZTB_NNv0_BPkMF-4PSi/s640/steps+010.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>There are some jobs that a Paddock Worker has to <span style="font-size: large;">do regularly. Hard pruni<span style="font-size: large;">ng of vine plants is highly recommended unless you don't mind loosing your Cubby House to vegetation. Shown <span style="font-size: large;">here is the Wisteria and Jasmine. Both take hard pruning well - the harder the better. Both will grow back after about 3 or <span style="font-size: large;">4 minutes, <span style="font-size: large;">or at least that<span style="font-size: large;">'s what i<span style="font-size: large;">t feels like. You may notice <span style="font-size: large;">the handy bins that always travel with me on pruning expeditions. I use these as nothing th<span style="font-size: large;">at grows <span style="font-size: large;">in the paddock leaves the paddock<span style="font-size: large;">. Everything gets recycled around trees that I want to gr<span style="font-size: large;">ow. <span style="font-size: large;">Dumping these around trees helps retain moisture in the soil, helps prevent weeds from growing and will rot down to feed the trees and improve the humus in the soil. As for me, it<span style="font-size: large;">'s a nice Shiraz which improves my disposition nicely. Cheers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><b> </b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-11251656501428531632012-10-13T15:56:00.001-07:002012-10-14T00:22:52.776-07:00Garage Sales<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLykI4L6-WHV5DNeA5yVWd2FqAXFHNnjCbxPnbMDekjHXiC1ikqW3s_ohWwfYRH6BKRSFSSVYvDwKJcN6YG5oJIAtyLXEA3OlwuZ1ZUUVYpio_H-S1bRncm-AcBC1MXyF6gW71BUjsIK0J/s1600/steps+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLykI4L6-WHV5DNeA5yVWd2FqAXFHNnjCbxPnbMDekjHXiC1ikqW3s_ohWwfYRH6BKRSFSSVYvDwKJcN6YG5oJIAtyLXEA3OlwuZ1ZUUVYpio_H-S1bRncm-AcBC1MXyF6gW71BUjsIK0J/s320/steps+004.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>I don't normally go to garage sales, but there were a whole lot of cars par<span style="font-size: large;">ked in <span style="font-size: large;">ou<span style="font-size: large;">r street yesterday and the <span style="font-size: large;">sale was right ac<span style="font-size: large;">ros<span style="font-size: large;">s the <span style="font-size: large;">road so I went over. Here's the stuff I bought for $10. The most expensive item was the hose nozzle. Brand new by the look<span style="font-size: large;"> and <span style="font-size: large;">it will be very handy down <span style="font-size: large;">at La Studio when I get to plan<span style="font-size: large;">ting</span> in the next <span style="font-size: large;">few weeks. The garden string line will be <span style="font-size: large;">handy and the other <span style="font-size: large;">things in plastic bags looked great quality for a dollar each. T<span style="font-size: large;">urns out<span style="font-size: large;"> the are some sor<span style="font-size: large;">t of clip on thingy to go on brick walls and hold up hanging pots. There isn't a brick in si<span style="font-size: large;">g<span style="font-size: large;">ht of the paddoc<span style="font-size: large;">k so I will have to ada<span style="font-size: large;">pt them<span style="font-size: large;">. Then the Responsible Adult went over and <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">negotiated</span> to buy these 3 wall planters for $30 (she's a very tough barg<span style="font-size: large;">ainer - you've been warned)</span>. They'll look great somewhere.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, they didn<span style="font-size: large;">'t have any bottles of Shiraz for a dollar<span style="font-size: large;"> each - but you can't have everyt<span style="font-size: large;">hing.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a0AwpInF3RZK-QgQmGSIjIc1c4NTcImZ_NNoMsymtRqWewhLydvZeJcujvbw-iJ57U0sCp9eoUkgatHsJfsYRYZjydwYOwPHdgk8OyKjQTr2Mo9diJtYJQ6wXAoLmQBGOQKV3ppmTQ-2/s1600/steps+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a0AwpInF3RZK-QgQmGSIjIc1c4NTcImZ_NNoMsymtRqWewhLydvZeJcujvbw-iJ57U0sCp9eoUkgatHsJfsYRYZjydwYOwPHdgk8OyKjQTr2Mo9diJtYJQ6wXAoLmQBGOQKV3ppmTQ-2/s640/steps+007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><b><br /></b><br />
<br />Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-88687340053971948862012-10-12T23:22:00.001-07:002012-10-15T00:28:26.892-07:00A very little holiday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4t_YDRVTF8rMQCAP8mbGX2cPFi3cjaCHvVZUb7gpIB7jtb1tpqXidjIM2wJEZUcIvo4vIJOEw_oLQEpl2-iRB8gQr9WdoWAqWH0irsimlRztqpymYHBr_SwXUpoPOcoX5PcSQzzjQD-t/s1600/sunset+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4t_YDRVTF8rMQCAP8mbGX2cPFi3cjaCHvVZUb7gpIB7jtb1tpqXidjIM2wJEZUcIvo4vIJOEw_oLQEpl2-iRB8gQr9WdoWAqWH0irsimlRztqpymYHBr_SwXUpoPOcoX5PcSQzzjQD-t/s640/sunset+014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Responsible Adult <span style="font-size: small;">waiting patient<span style="font-size: small;">ly for a Shiraz</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yahoo, we said when<span style="font-size: large;"> the Responsible Adult got a couple of <span style="font-size: large;">days off work. The Paddock is only a<span style="font-size: large;">bout half an hours drive from the<span style="font-size: large;"> beach<span style="font-size: large;"> - so I booked a Penthouse at La Promenade. Groovy, except that after about 4 million dry days in a row, it rained when we wer<span style="font-size: large;">e there. Just rained on the full day we had an<span style="font-size: large;">d stopp<span style="font-size: large;">ed immedi<span style="font-size: large;">ately after. Oh well, at least I learned a new<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">way to make i<span style="font-size: large;">t rain. Also had fun doing some Paparaz<span style="font-size: large;">zi style shots of the Responsible Adult:<span style="font-size: large;">-</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ce2jhncsudqLCbgulfE9NgE7oAxP_ACBx_aMzZvMhgj821X91uCqmvKWgQQSTHZfpX_ejhhxQ9u22Gr8HhhFGtdrTnCnMobeXxavSrWy_JgjJgTrgQL9PxWngCjE_3tFG_rCpRPjmPql/s1600/dominic+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ce2jhncsudqLCbgulfE9NgE7oAxP_ACBx_aMzZvMhgj821X91uCqmvKWgQQSTHZfpX_ejhhxQ9u22Gr8HhhFGtdrTnCnMobeXxavSrWy_JgjJgTrgQL9PxWngCjE_3tFG_rCpRPjmPql/s640/dominic+012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who's that bloke chec<span style="font-size: small;">king out the <span style="font-size: small;">Responsible A<span style="font-size: small;">dult<span style="font-size: small;">? Better watch yourself m<span style="font-size: small;">ate.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-25425326735652492542012-10-08T19:06:00.001-07:002012-10-08T19:20:53.583-07:00Repairing the Wheelbarrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCgAy4ZY0KUVBo7SZBKjYq4UDusj2qNxicTqe4Kds72uvQWeDGgc7RAuExq2EcSLYntflijMOWorfPSuj-o1eB2XdQ9qFvKPTuBmFA8gyVOEAc5hWyNF8FilaeIY2BMBbhsEZKQuhNTwu/s1600/Wbarra+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCgAy4ZY0KUVBo7SZBKjYq4UDusj2qNxicTqe4Kds72uvQWeDGgc7RAuExq2EcSLYntflijMOWorfPSuj-o1eB2XdQ9qFvKPTuBmFA8gyVOEAc5hWyNF8FilaeIY2BMBbhsEZKQuhNTwu/s640/Wbarra+005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g57QEm7joppbixnIJWYv07mxu2AeipdX-cCzdfDzxqs-cmXHAL1_WiFQ_4Teo4ZXJb7SvQL183EtkkzMU6aTdcVWK51NiGyZbzISlEe1e4mTQsm6ukpMFlr_UURH9wSj7l2Q76_cx3VW/s1600/Stoneyj+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g57QEm7joppbixnIJWYv07mxu2AeipdX-cCzdfDzxqs-cmXHAL1_WiFQ_4Teo4ZXJb7SvQL183EtkkzMU6aTdcVWK51NiGyZbzISlEe1e4mTQsm6ukpMFlr_UURH9wSj7l2Q76_cx3VW/s400/Stoneyj+004.jpg" width="400" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, a few years ago, I purchased this here Wheelbarrow. I really liked the wooden handles. Anyway, the struts underneath were made of hollow tube metal and these tended to fill up with rain. Rust set in and a few years later I had a useless wheelbarrow. So I asked Google if it would sell me some new struts. No way. I could buy a new bucket or a new wheel, but no struts. So I figured I could toss this one on the scrap heap or plant flowers in it and get a new one, or work out how to repair this one. So I went to see Pancho the friendly welder at Conondale. Pancho made me some nice new struts for $100. Seems pretty dear when you could buy a whole new wheelbarrow for about $160 - BUT - I've got a wheelbarrow that is a lot tougher than a new one and uses flat galvanised steel for the struts. These should last a very long time plus I provided some $$$ to a local tradesperson. Good for me. While it was apart, I gave the timber handles a nice coat of Sikkens, then painted the metal black (looked like the Bat-barrow), then copper (I know that was just silly) then red. I do like red. So here it is ready for some hard yakka. </span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-58105516799934649442012-10-07T13:44:00.002-07:002012-10-07T13:44:45.318-07:00Whats on the Kindle Iain Banks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqZAmGAOit11WBIg9eb5eo6GkWvR-6xyO-9kBdRawAGl_cYHZcsD4RvZ65PVDaSt23djs2xcSgXDB_GyhXj7McweYY8XBMbMmgMV_6Qh0EVATEohk4nOn5U9rg4PQEQiHxmgkQZ7f9uw1/s1600/UseofWeapons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqZAmGAOit11WBIg9eb5eo6GkWvR-6xyO-9kBdRawAGl_cYHZcsD4RvZ65PVDaSt23djs2xcSgXDB_GyhXj7McweYY8XBMbMmgMV_6Qh0EVATEohk4nOn5U9rg4PQEQiHxmgkQZ7f9uw1/s400/UseofWeapons.jpg" width="252" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I rarely go in for Sci-fi in a book, but Iain Banks is an exception. He writes in a literary style with complex characters and plotting. He is not limited to the genre but it is his Sci-fi series on the 'Culture' that has got me in. The 'Culture' - a human species are much advanced having developed artificial intelligence. The humans and mechanicals get along spiffingly well.Droids have the same rights as humans. For example, destroying a droid would be considered murder. As well as droids, the Culture have created minds. These machines are highly intelligent and while piloting huge star ships, communicate with each other to develop strategies for the future well being of the galaxy. While this is a part of a series, the Culture novels are independent and can be read in any order. Each novel introduces new characters in the context of the imaginary Culture. Each novel puts its characters in extreme situations - has numerous twists and turns and develops the characters so, so well. Give it a go - if you don't like it, you can always come to the paddock for a bit of nice relaxing weeding. Here's the quote (I think Banks must have served on a committee or two):</span></span></b><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> “I just think <a href="http://i.trkjmp.com/click?v=QVU6MjE0ODE6NjpwZW9wbGU6MTJhYjQyYjBkNWI1M2MxOGEwMTM2ODQyZDg2NDgwYWY6ei0xMDMyLTYyODYyOnd3dy5nb29kcmVhZHMuY29tOjEyNTcyOmltYWdlX29ubHk" id="_GPLITA_1" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Click to Continue > by Text-Enhance">people</a> overvalue argument because they like to hear themselves talk.”
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<br />Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-21933234710492500662012-10-06T23:26:00.000-07:002012-10-06T23:29:25.283-07:00Installing a garden tap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61lgZNZxQ9WwlwT2BnXWSxusLPJaSLBt4brCJofOcWQBl-bhyGVKCDl8yq7PTSXoI1cLqgwkqzq_cuGAM_WYGMQSYY8swu2mN0ARl75joIiy-u9BOtL8sCNeGWSZi2qr8L2GS2LsKoJQF/s1600/Water+Tap+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61lgZNZxQ9WwlwT2BnXWSxusLPJaSLBt4brCJofOcWQBl-bhyGVKCDl8yq7PTSXoI1cLqgwkqzq_cuGAM_WYGMQSYY8swu2mN0ARl75joIiy-u9BOtL8sCNeGWSZi2qr8L2GS2LsKoJQF/s640/Water+Tap+008.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After a couple of weeks of wandering hither and thither to gather water to mix concrete for posts, I thought it would be a pretty darn good idea to install a garden tap down at La Studio.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I concreted in a 200x50 sleeper. Don't know how long it was - it was an off cut that looked like it was just the right size. After concreting it in, I decided to put another very small off cut on the top as a platform. Thought it may be a good spot to park a beer. Then I painted it red. I do like painting things red. Or black. But mainly red.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpi-AAfBPFU69inXG9NknRNHX0nx1VEPaZEszbpZKsVRW1OCvblN1q1VCiEOq4wmJxcNXb5E8ATg0vtpGFqwZyrOxsM7NMlSJlvdQ45nsiAFKIxdwreQZ8V77gJUR6hKs7TS36uSOWdY-/s1600/Water+Tap+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpi-AAfBPFU69inXG9NknRNHX0nx1VEPaZEszbpZKsVRW1OCvblN1q1VCiEOq4wmJxcNXb5E8ATg0vtpGFqwZyrOxsM7NMlSJlvdQ45nsiAFKIxdwreQZ8V77gJUR6hKs7TS36uSOWdY-/s400/Water+Tap+002.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>A little while ago, Good Mate let me have an old Balinese garden seat that was rotting in his garden. It has some nice bits of usable timber, so I used some to make an edge for the platform. This also gave me an overhang which helped fit the tap - the tap was fine, really, it was the big lumpy pipe fitting directly under it that was the problem. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I left it over night, then this morning, lined up some 1inch black poly pipe with suitable fittings, attached a garden tap and Robert is your Uncle. Decided to put the tap on the side and the hose reel on the back so I could put a bit of calligraphy on the front. As it faces East, I thought Buddha could sit on the top. I should think a nice little garden of native violets around it will finish it off. And there's still room for a couple of beers on the platform. The calligraphy is double happiness (signifying me and the Responsible Adult) then love twice. I know, I'm sucking up. </span></b></span>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-36875875614105502902012-10-05T14:00:00.003-07:002012-10-05T14:00:30.192-07:00Striated Pardalotes (Dickie Birds) update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkjPa9jdTR0l2iBDDxSI4OcIJJ7pXCchYZZajLSVzClnz2O1mvDSlBa6rPxyS1h2rtGHwZTpcgyuTOSpWo6DVTmKm6DN5BrYXnL42BSP88VSWiAQ954vOyReMxbTlmTiHAfGaiGUwWDCP/s1600/9+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkjPa9jdTR0l2iBDDxSI4OcIJJ7pXCchYZZajLSVzClnz2O1mvDSlBa6rPxyS1h2rtGHwZTpcgyuTOSpWo6DVTmKm6DN5BrYXnL42BSP88VSWiAQ954vOyReMxbTlmTiHAfGaiGUwWDCP/s640/9+054.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bloody Striated Pardalotes</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, you may recall me having a whinge about these dickie birds holding up progress on the mighty retaining wall. <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://dicknewman.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/bloody-wildlife.html" target="_blank">http://dicknewman.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/bloody-wildlife.html</a></span>Well, here's what Professor Mate wrote:</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>"Lucky buggers. You have a pair of Striated Pardalotes nesting in your bank. Since you saw one with a worm in its beak - it most certainly has young at the end of its tunnel. Their nesting tunnel is about 1m long with a small chamber containing a nest at the end. These birds always dig a tunnel in an earth bank for a nest.<br /> Last year this pair nested in a bank at the back of Paul's house. <br />They have done this for a couple of years now and I wondered where they were nesting this year. When we had a load of soil delivered for our vege garden they dug their tunnel in the pile of dirt and we had to put off filling the vege garden until they raised their young. I would guess that it is the same pair that is now nesting in your retaining wall.<br /> Since they are feeding young, it should not be too long before they will be finished with their nesting tunnel. So take a break from building your retaining wall for a week or two and let these beautiful little birds complete their nesting."</i></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhay5ONxWgobZQfOqv38RfQBr3pplzaV68q224Se0nj__gTdi8H8DD953_23CjyieNqELSc1mHhKmyxY-VlETBEskMffk92OPpiTByQMuWM8Af68bGsSk5ZPsJTRN7Zyb-pgme-5Jg5OAnt/s1600/9+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhay5ONxWgobZQfOqv38RfQBr3pplzaV68q224Se0nj__gTdi8H8DD953_23CjyieNqELSc1mHhKmyxY-VlETBEskMffk92OPpiTByQMuWM8Af68bGsSk5ZPsJTRN7Zyb-pgme-5Jg5OAnt/s640/9+055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> So there. I've been officially told by the Prof. to down tools and have a nice lay down. </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-74413318789856548572012-10-04T13:17:00.000-07:002012-10-06T23:37:51.491-07:00King Parrot<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9ZmlJgzy2MJ2h6uurMPvl8KUeqJF93rosJLQvz-2QWtb96XRlJqCeRXgup9-tkpZnz8eo_IGV-43GLO78hd9h4Rn00pURmssquxfJ-nMdsm6pWN5ql3trcphHJXPlNgQO27BGgXv57vo/s1600/King+Parrot+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9ZmlJgzy2MJ2h6uurMPvl8KUeqJF93rosJLQvz-2QWtb96XRlJqCeRXgup9-tkpZnz8eo_IGV-43GLO78hd9h4Rn00pURmssquxfJ-nMdsm6pWN5ql3trcphHJXPlNgQO27BGgXv57vo/s640/King+Parrot+005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Who's a pretty boy then?</span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, you would know by now that often, when I look out the window, there's some dickie bird or other having a feed on my shrubs. Today it was a King Parrot. This particular King Parrot is a boy. I can tell it's a boy, because it's pretty. The girly King Parrots are a bit Plain Jane. So, King Parrots, like your Paddock Worker, mate for life. When it comes around to a bit of the old making Parrot babies, the boy King does a little dance, then the girl King opens her beak and the boy vomits in it. Getting turned on yet? </span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmkRLmWdNrfFB2r5t6N0gfkHAMuqZV8H6SZK-P4xAJkxxIuf3H3oCwWUN-uEI2cFv0q_J0o_1KkNYKJ5G0TWlfwa3hWOGMwKhCuGGQUF5IbLPaz6_aA2FB3XERSAT72uxnD6IuG91f9aV/s1600/King+Parrot+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmkRLmWdNrfFB2r5t6N0gfkHAMuqZV8H6SZK-P4xAJkxxIuf3H3oCwWUN-uEI2cFv0q_J0o_1KkNYKJ5G0TWlfwa3hWOGMwKhCuGGQUF5IbLPaz6_aA2FB3XERSAT72uxnD6IuG91f9aV/s640/King+Parrot+011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some people like to keep these dickie birds as pets. At the Paddock, all creatures are welcome to come and go as they please except for Bandicoots, Brush Turkeys, the neighbours bloody dog and people who like Alan Jones.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4wlmisSDcjYWgjatFvB_et871JU9MgwMOLSwT5dEokqF74yX6ouaFIQFkvq6QbtN57WTCJClIlEDLGjs8G8_YEFxDTDWQLn4ti1r7LipfbBIzyNDVu5nOw22p_D13Yxqvismjooog11u/s1600/King+Parrot+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4wlmisSDcjYWgjatFvB_et871JU9MgwMOLSwT5dEokqF74yX6ouaFIQFkvq6QbtN57WTCJClIlEDLGjs8G8_YEFxDTDWQLn4ti1r7LipfbBIzyNDVu5nOw22p_D13Yxqvismjooog11u/s640/King+Parrot+008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-27074685279791074472012-10-03T12:37:00.000-07:002012-10-05T14:17:09.928-07:00Timber Sleeper Deck<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMUsSlIdbhOQFs74F0u1UJAm8fxeDON7sG5pspLjM1pay9IaFsXqteBflEcwLAV7VpRQtXrJ6riApqga7uBmca92zdLbgfnRckW1Y7XYSo3UqQ3xjd6sjh9rlaJxk17KXPkdNw3PxqnOZ/s1600/construction+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMUsSlIdbhOQFs74F0u1UJAm8fxeDON7sG5pspLjM1pay9IaFsXqteBflEcwLAV7VpRQtXrJ6riApqga7uBmca92zdLbgfnRckW1Y7XYSo3UqQ3xjd6sjh9rlaJxk17KXPkdNw3PxqnOZ/s640/construction+002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The new deck ready for a bar-be-que</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>I wanted a place to put the barbie. So I decided to build a deck. Shot edge decking is very nice and very expensive and perhaps a bit too fancy for a barbie - even if it is at La Studio. So I decided to build one out of sleepers. I asked Google to tell me all about it, but Google didn't seem to know much. So I asked You Tube, but it was unusually vague also. So I asked myself 'How bloody hard can it be?' Anyway, I decided to put down 3 sleepers 200 by 75 (the fat ones) by 2.4metres. I had a lovely time getting them level just using my dear old shovel. A little bit off here, a little bit off there - have a beer and think about it and so on. I got there.</b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEkQptvJ76KeUWThdqXfUshhStrPZlZE7Ty53Uw4OXv4G5xw8gUIFh2q2M80RbA93xXGri2_kGaVEa4FPdhtUxlHk6X33_cpGyUNnKDNhYuvU741Gx9tRPnyhq6vMMyD6aV0Qah8O6-i_/s1600/6+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEkQptvJ76KeUWThdqXfUshhStrPZlZE7Ty53Uw4OXv4G5xw8gUIFh2q2M80RbA93xXGri2_kGaVEa4FPdhtUxlHk6X33_cpGyUNnKDNhYuvU741Gx9tRPnyhq6vMMyD6aV0Qah8O6-i_/s320/6+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Getting the levels right</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Look at the picture - I even used a spirit level! So to save myself cutting sleepers unnecessarily, I had previously decided that 2.4meters would be a good length. I then decided that 1.8 meters would be a good width so I hunted for some sleepers 150 by 50 by 1.8 but couldn't find any so I cut down some 2.4's. The leftovers will be used to make steps down from the deck. Anyway, it was simply a matter of attaching these to the 3 big sleepers. I used 100mm Batten Screws to do this. You need to get the ones marked suitable for treated pine (assuming that like me, you work with the easiest of all timbers)</span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0wnfkPKFbg43PicQoW06446FUYcN6ji5BGeNLAJEXu1H1rzGWvq7uSn7NBGmcV8cfVs7kAVunHk3V-Vg0jnfH6fbOiDpI3xTm9KIIK-aHevU8sIZcLLN4v9SAG8w6WzuP6wDYzfUvFMC/s1600/9+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0wnfkPKFbg43PicQoW06446FUYcN6ji5BGeNLAJEXu1H1rzGWvq7uSn7NBGmcV8cfVs7kAVunHk3V-Vg0jnfH6fbOiDpI3xTm9KIIK-aHevU8sIZcLLN4v9SAG8w6WzuP6wDYzfUvFMC/s320/9+047.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Screwing in the deck</span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So each of the decking sleepers has 6 batten screws holding it down. As spacers, I just tapped in a decent size nail to each of the bearers removing them as I moved along. I was going to use 19mm timber as spacers, but the Responsible Adult claimed that anyone in Stiletto's might loose their heel in them. By the time I woke up to the fact that I have never, ever seen anyone in Stiletto's hanging around a barbie, the deck was half built and it was too late to go back to my plan. To finish up, I gave it a coat of Jarrah decking stain. It isn't as smooth and neat as a shot edge deck, but should be extremely serviceable to sit a barbie on. Now comes the problem of how I move the barbie from the cubby house verandah to La Studio. I should practice my very best swearing. </span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-2113552156569080812012-10-02T15:23:00.001-07:002012-10-02T15:25:04.021-07:00Leftover Pastry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd-2seKUy99UdhAZOtsl_LyDnIqkimF6cPCdoYUJnbhAf7_3IlYA7oi8v0XmRcS3217QRwOkV5BK58ajwFWP_s7jFKuE1sc6X_aSrhwtiEocqsJMdM6bWvlRJBAfkTSGGOC1JgeyYO-2s/s1600/Pastry+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd-2seKUy99UdhAZOtsl_LyDnIqkimF6cPCdoYUJnbhAf7_3IlYA7oi8v0XmRcS3217QRwOkV5BK58ajwFWP_s7jFKuE1sc6X_aSrhwtiEocqsJMdM6bWvlRJBAfkTSGGOC1JgeyYO-2s/s640/Pastry+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>OK, so if you made something like a Mulberry Pie recently, you may have some pastry leftover. I always do. So here's a couple of things you could do:</b></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First thing I'd do is to see if I have enough to fill a flan dish - which I did. Then the little bits get rolled out and made into jam drop pastries. Jam drops have a life expectancy of around 9 seconds at the Cubby House - less if the kiddies are circling. You can freeze your flan if you want. It won't mind, but I decided on a Real Man quiche. Here's what I did:</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7WiOjyyfQjhyphenhyphenYUccXWOtbuGX1Mbs0ayT8JHio-n8fnTB4VIGiOoTozjXA7MJM-H-4laeZndKhYJjH5o7Z3FP0AC2dvFhSIdRqJmHYVqhRVCmo2d5GXx_ylgBb9n9qIkIP6lb8oTmEsjm/s1600/Quiche+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7WiOjyyfQjhyphenhyphenYUccXWOtbuGX1Mbs0ayT8JHio-n8fnTB4VIGiOoTozjXA7MJM-H-4laeZndKhYJjH5o7Z3FP0AC2dvFhSIdRqJmHYVqhRVCmo2d5GXx_ylgBb9n9qIkIP6lb8oTmEsjm/s640/Quiche+016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I do like a bit of roast vege for a filling. In this dish were potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, capsicum, garlic and tomatoes. All got drizzled with olive oil, roasted then chopped up to go in the pastry shell. Then it's just a matter of about 4 eggs whisked up with enough milk or cream to fill up your flan. A bit of grated cheese on top is nice then bang it into the oven for a while. </span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was going to slice a sausage that the Responsible Adult had left over from last night, but Our Youngest found it first and didn't even leave the bones. So I chopped up a bit of bacon and fried it for her half (I like my cows, pigs and sheep to be wandering the paddock rather than sliding past my tonsils) </span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When you think it's done, stick a knife into it to make sure it's set. You should end up with something like this (although I'm sure your presentation would be better)</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bit of salad on the side and a nice Shiraz with Mulberry Pie for pud. Serving up grub like this to your Responsible Adult will greatly assist your sexual desirability - but to be certain, make sure you have another bottle of Shiraz on hand. </span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-16754782794883362672012-10-01T12:55:00.000-07:002012-10-01T12:55:31.279-07:00Mulberry Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguvDbWERVzsmpE0r83zhVZdQ4QZYFF0LU9QjltmN_RFTZlSxBqKrTtdRBTv3rqq1LrgDp1QLfbck8Nmwe3vIioMLN-NDBThYCa-kF5baM49ahXCmhCqdy1dwbHSi2QaN2v9npjZwMsy-m/s1600/Mulberry+Pie+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguvDbWERVzsmpE0r83zhVZdQ4QZYFF0LU9QjltmN_RFTZlSxBqKrTtdRBTv3rqq1LrgDp1QLfbck8Nmwe3vIioMLN-NDBThYCa-kF5baM49ahXCmhCqdy1dwbHSi2QaN2v9npjZwMsy-m/s640/Mulberry+Pie+017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So yesterday was cold and rainy. Lovely weather for making pie. Here's how Paddock Workers make a bit of heaven on a plate. Start with the pastry. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I like a short pastry (lots of butter) known as Pate Brisee Sucree to Provence Field Workers. </span></b></span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My pastry is totally made in the food processor. I know the traditional Frenchy Field Workers did it all by hand, but I'm guessing that's because they invented pastry before they invented the food processor. </span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Toss in 2 cups flour and 2 teaspoons sucre and give it a quick wizz. Add 150g butter and wizz till it looks all crummy. Add an egg and a tablespoon or two of milk and wizz like crazy. It will all form up like in the picture. Because I like thick pastry, I make 2 batches - one for the top and one for the bottom. If you're OK with thin pastry, you could get away with 1 batch, but it will be pretty thin. Now here's the thing. After being belted by a food processor, your pastry needs a nice rest in the fridge. About half an hour. While it's having a nice lay down, you can cook up your Mulberries.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I used 4 cups of Mulberries, but would use 6 if we were having company, or I was looking to win a contest as 6 cups would make a nice high pie. Put your Mulberries in a saucepan with a bit of water and a couple of tablespoons of sucree (Mulberries aren't very sweet). As you cook them, the Mulberries will release more juice. When the Mulberries have softened after about 10 minutes or so, mix a heaped tablespoon of corn flour with a little water and add to the pot. This will thicken the mix for your pie.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />By now, your pastry should be ready for a bit of roly-poly. I use two sheets of baking paper to roll out. Turn the lot over and keep unsticking the paper as you go. Using this method instead of rolling out over a floury bench means that you aren't adding more flour to your nice buttery pastry. After rolling out, your pastry will need another nice rest in the fridge. While this is happening, you can wash up so that the Responsible Adult doesn't get cross about a messy kitchen. Then blind bake your shell. I go for about 10 minutes with lentils weighing down the base and another 5 minutes without to crisp up the bottom.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then it's in with the filling, on with the top and a bake in the oven. The pie needs to be cold before serving. At the cubby house, we like to have sour cream with our sweet pies, but lately the shop seems to want to sell us the Frenchy Creme Fraische which is less sour. It's all good - just enjoy.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-13411669298957329442012-09-30T14:43:00.001-07:002012-09-30T14:43:39.191-07:00Happy birthday Betty 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's Betty 2s birthday and the nice Government has given Paddock Workers a day off. It isn't really Betty 2's birthday, but the nice Government thought we had too many holidays at the start of the year and wanted to get one into the later part of the year. Hang on, that's Betty 1 in the picture - or is it Helen Mirren? Royal families can be confusing. Anyway, Betty 2 was crowned Queen Betty on 2nd June 1953. I was born on 14th July 1953. This was very inconvenient for my dear old Mum as she was a froggy and wanted to go out dancing and boozing on July 14th to celebrate the day the Frenchies decided they didn't like their Government. So when I was a boy, my dear old Mum tricked me into thinking my birthday was the 2nd June and I was born on Betty 2's crowning day.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There, that's a better pic. Hang on, it's Helen Mirren again. Oh well, I always had a thing for Helen. Anyway, I finally caught my dear old Mum out as not only did she tell me I was born on the 2nd of June, she also told me I was born under the same star sign as my dear old Dad who was a Leo. 2nd June and Leo was not a match, so I gave her a grilling and elicited the truth at last. It just goes to show that everyone is out to fool you. Betty 2 was born on 21st April, not the first Monday in October as the Government would have you believe. My tip is to only ever trust Wiki and me.</span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-67827731167150075572012-09-29T13:47:00.001-07:002012-09-29T13:47:58.733-07:00Mulberry Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mulberry Season has happened at the house paddock. There is now a 2 week window of opportunity to get as many Mulberries as I can - then the tree will grow like crazy and can only be controlled by hard pruning four times a day. Don't ever be tempted to buy a Mulberry tree. If you want one, just cut a bit off mine and stick it in the ground. You will have a tree in no time. Caring for your Mulberry tree is easy. Ignore it. I have found five uses for the Mulberry tree. Jam, Pie, feeding the Dear Little Chaps silkworms, tempting the cow to the bails (cows love Mulberry leaves) and mulch, mulch, mulch.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know what's worrying you - what about the evil dicky birds knocking off your fruit? - you ask. Don't worry. For some reason they only knock off the fruit that grows above my head height. This means, I don't need a step ladder to fall off and there are plenty of Mulberries at my height to feed the humans. Now that my first harvest is in, will it be jam or pie?</span></span></b><br />
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<br />Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-87754003573818913252012-09-28T14:09:00.000-07:002012-10-05T14:16:42.988-07:00Noisy Miner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No, they haven't started fracking the paddock, a Noisy Miner is a dicky bird. </span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These are very common around the paddock as they are a species that has benefited from human development. They like the types of plants humans tend to like and grow. They hang around in organised mobs, terrorising smaller dicky birds and ganging up on bigger dickies.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don't be looking out for elaborate mating rituals - they're into occasional orgies for reproduction. There is also a very good and hopefully self explanatory reason they are called noisy. </span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-36502669345895545732012-09-27T13:54:00.000-07:002012-10-05T14:16:32.734-07:00Bay Laurel tree in a pot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Responsible Adult recently took me to our favorite Organic Store which also has a fancy Organic Cafe attached that sells fancy herb seedlings and plants.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I took a fancy to a Bay tree which was $8.95. Shocking, I know - I could have had a bottle of not fancy, but passable Shiraz for that. But there was a Bay tree in the home paddock when we moved here. It died soon after and ever since, I have wanted another one. So I used the Magic Plastic Card and have brought it home. According to Google, it will grow well in a pot in full sun or partial shade. It needs frequent watering as it is shallow rooted and should be pruned in spring. My normal fertiliser routine with fish emulsion should keep it happily fed. </span></span></b><br />
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<br />Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-58614671355701333472012-09-26T23:12:00.000-07:002012-10-05T14:16:03.729-07:00Winners are Grinners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nearly wasn't going to post today. Not because I'm not doing anything - still digging holes and mixing cement. It's just that the retaining wall job is going to go on for a while yet. Anyway, I usually come up to the Cubby house at about 2pm when the Responsible Adult is amenable to working the coffee machine. Anyhow, today when I came up, she told me that I was the proud winner of four and a half kilo's of chocolate from the local IGA. Yep, I won a competition. Now here's a big tip from your Paddock Worker - Chocolate goes really well with Shiraz. </span></b></span>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-58918344389317130192012-09-25T16:20:00.003-07:002012-10-05T14:15:49.284-07:00On the kindle Setting Free the Bears John Irving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I came to John Irving late in life, starting with Last Night in Twisted River - a ripping yarn. Moved on to Hotel New Hampshire and the fabulous A Prayer for Owen Meany. Thought I might try his first novel published in 1968. This is one for the true fans. It is a bit rambling which is in the authors style, but without the interest that is strong in his later novels. As usual, there are stories within stories and people come to amusing but rather nasty ends, but the whole thing seems disjointed. Can't recommend, sorry and didn't find a particular quote for this that I liked. But here is a quote from the author that he uses regularly in interviews:</span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b>"For 12 novels the last sentence has come first, and not even the
punctuation has changed. From that last sentence I make my way in
reverse through the plot, because there always is a plot—I love plot—to
where I think the story should begin."</span></span></i>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-53760285968108793652012-09-24T14:27:00.000-07:002012-10-06T23:38:11.455-07:00Bloody wildlife<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I am installing a Magnificent Retaining Wall at La Studio. Only about a quarter done and already my manly Paddock Worker biceps feel like steel. Anyway, as I was happily digging along, I saw a Dickie Bird dart into a hole in the dirt. A few seconds later, it was out again. A few minutes later it was back. So, I figure I have the rare spangled feathered timid tit wren or some bloody thing nesting where I want to excavate. </span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What's a Paddock Worker to do? It was about then I started thinking on the old Builders Laborers Federation and immediately downed tools. I went straight up to the Responsible Adult and convinced her to have a couple of coldies with me. </span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have sent pics to Professor Mate who will hopefully identify this little bugger and let me know how to deal with the situation. I shall keep you posted.</span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The rear end of the Rough Faced Shag</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Front end of the Hoary Honeycreeper</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004375380432996414.post-31001487065953786672012-09-23T15:42:00.001-07:002012-09-23T15:42:29.686-07:00My Nice Flowers<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Before setting out for a few hours hard labour at La Studio yesterday, I took time to smell the bottlebrush (and Lillypillies and Grevillias). These are all native plants that I put around the home paddock over the years. The good thing about them is that you can plant them and then just ignore them. No need to talk to them or play music to them, they just mind their own business, grow and flower. Time saved by planting these stoic Aussie plants may then be spent lovingly serving the needs of the Responsible Adult - which all good Paddock Workers should do.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></b>Dick Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564031903890430169noreply@blogger.com0