R is for red car
Here is the little Holden Cruz we bought. Cheap to run - $40 of fuel goes a looooooong way. Automatic all-wheel drive so the dirt road is not a problem Some sections of road and starting to corrugate and these tend to bounce it around. Answer - drive slower.
G is for Green Stuff
We have been threatening to grow a row of vines along the back of the solar panels, because, lets face it, awesome as they are, aesthetically they leave a bit to be desired visually.
Well we have posts n wire from our treasure trove of useful stuff from behind the shed.
Put in some fairly small passionfruit and built the Great Wall of Gardens to keep the Brush Turkeys, Wallabies and the dog out which proved unnecessary.
The I decided that a few vegies could go in until the passionfruit got going. A couple of thunderstorms and got going they did! So the race is on to see what we get first, lettuces, tomatoes, beans or passionfruit.
S is for Shady Characters.
Last November, yes that's right, last November I bought some external shade blinds for two of our windows to stop the blazing sun from toasting all residents who walked past. A couple of weeks ago, yes that's right 12 months later, I finally put them up. They do seem to keep the lounge and kitchen a little cooler.
W is for Water.
Now was the time to plumb the guttering into the new water tank.
Two questions, how hard can it possibly be? and why do plumbers charge so much?
The plan was to drop the 90mm down pipes into 100mm pipes suspended under the floor, join them at a point and run them up the house wall and into the tank. Simple right?
Not knowing exactly how to get the pipes to where I wanted them, bought 2 of every available angle joiner for both size pipes. Also got extra lengths of 90 and 100mm pipe.
Then the answer to the plumber question began.
Day 1. Drill a circle of holes in the front guttering to make hole to take the down pipe fitting and install 90mm downpipe.(we only fitted one downpipe each end of guttering when we initially did it. Hindsight is wonderful)
Day 2. Joined up various uncemented joiners to take the pipe under the house. Trip to hardware store for more angled joiners to complete 2 downpipe.
Day 3. Put long pipe runs in position under house propped up on boxes and other stuff to get to the tank. Trip to hardware store for more joiners.
Day 4. Happy with layout of piping to the the side of the tank. Began cementing all joins and installing the pipe hangers.
Day 5. Trip to hardware store for more angled joiners to take piping up the wall and across to the tank, and another piece to add to system for a cleaning port. Assembled joiners and pipes and fixed all to the wall and across to the top of the tank. Cut section in existing pipe to take new cleaning port.
Day 6 & 7. Drill circle of holes in back gutter to move a downpipe opening that was too close to the corner flashing. Drilled another opening for the second downpipe fitting. Fitted pipes. (All done at the end of a 3.4m ladder.)
Day 8. Work out what additional fitting we needed to duplicate the piping run for back half of house. Trip to the hardware store for fittings.
Day 9. Dry run of all joints and pipes to side of tank. Cement all joints and fit pipes up walls to go to tank.
Done!
Took the Feral Fossils 9 days to complete and that, dear readers is why plumbers charge so much.
And we have to do it all again at the other end of the house for the other tank.
Oh and for all the Doubting Thomas's out there, it works.
M is for Medication.
The medication that Jim is currently on has made a great difference. This time last year there was no way he could have worked as hard as was required for the tank plumbing. He still gets tired and slow, but as long as he doesn't overexert himself, can basically just quietly work most of the day.
G is for Green Stuff #2
Here is part of our future lawn, well grassed area will do. A bowling green lawn is our area ain't gonna happen.
As the instruction on the grass seed said sew in spring or autumn and made no mention of sewing in the baking heat of summer we put up a shade structure to stop the new seeds from drying out. Worked a treat.
Look widdle bwades of gween gwass!
G is for Garden Beds.
In order to avoid having to put in safety rails across the front of the house, we are going to put in raised garden beds to bring the ground level to less than 600mm. Used left over sheets of custom orb to fill in the front and side of the offending high area. This is to support the soil as some areas need to be half a metre deep.
Jim is pleased with the result as he had issues with the exposed top hat and C sections on the face of the verandah. In the process of collecting old fence posts and logs for retaining walls.
M is for Mouse, Meece, Mice
Have had the odd mouse in the house and the only thing they chewed was the packet of oats in the store room. Out with the live trap. Tried oats as bait - no go. Then tried Arnotts cheese shape biscuits - best mouse bait ever!
To date have relocated some 25+ mice to near our dam. The thought being that the snakes would go for the mice and leave our frogs.
M is also for Mud Wasps
I have no idea how these creatures managed to reproduce before human habitation. They love the house and have made little groups of mud cocoons everywhere. The best way to deal with them is to let them do their thing and remove them later.
W is for Water #2
Have run a pipe up from one of the man shed tanks so we can use the water, as it is just sitting there. Yep took 3 trips to the hardware store for all the fittings.
We can now water the new vines without having to lug buckets.
Ah I see that some of your eyes have glazed over and some of you are starting to squirm. So a little break for more tea & wee before we continue is in order.
Moving Back
Last November, yes again! in a moment of weakness I agreed to do a joint exhibition at the Gin Gin Gallery. Paintings & Jewelry my co-exhibitor commanded.
Piece of cake I thought have plenty of time a whole 12 months.
I'll start in
Did a couple of paintings but my studio does not have enough bench space for canvas, paint and all the stuff that goes with painting. So moved onto the verandah.
Was in danger of a nervous breakdown worry over spilling paint on the timber deck and the paint drying too quickly on account of the sun.
As I was hauling out tables and the other paraphernalia onto the deck I had a blinding flash of inspiration. Our old Gunyah. I wonder if that could be turned into a painting studio. Of course it could!
Made some prop-out awnings to get some ventilation through the joint. Moved some tables, old chest of drawers, and other useful stuff in. Moved all the paint, canvas and everything else and began working.
Meet Studio 2
Here I can sharpen my pencils on the floor, splash paint and toss around all mater of detritus and just walk out the door.Now I just know you are all a-quiver with anticipation and cannot wait to see what was produced in this lovely creative space.
Fade and Remain
pen & ink
The Hay Shedpen & ink
Singers of the Rain
watercolour & ink
Under the Mango Tree
watercolour
Saltbush & Sand
Pastel
pastel
Open Late
acrylic
November Cane
acrylic
Anticipation
acrylic
acrylic
acrylic
A Sticky End
acrylic
Swept from the Sea
Perantique 
Song of Beaten Gold
Perfume of Delirium
Spell of Binding
Exhibition opens Saturday 19th December with a proper artist opening. Speeches, wine, cheese and hopefully buyers.
