Underhill in December

As the weather forecast looked reasonable with cool nights and days in the low 20s Geoff, Jen, Ivy and I went down to Underhill for two nights after Boxing Day. The weather followed the forecast and we enjoyed a most pleasant time.

Ivy was happy playing with toys in her portacot with fly lid. And also happy crawling around the floor with Dad and Ponyo.

She was even happier when it was bath time.

We adults spent a lot of time sorting sheds again and the scullery is now quite workable as long as between us we remember where everything has been put. You can now walk in and open all cupboards. We even used the tiny stove, that has been stored in the tank shed for at least 30 years. It fitted well on top of the chimnea.

Jen spent a lot of her time emptying the tank shed and cleaning from the ceiling to the floor. The floor itself will be done next time when she is bringing down her battery operated vacuum cleaner. They will also bring a new set of drawers they have at home to store their clothes and things.

We have sorted a lot of excess STUFF for the bins at home or for a trip or two to the tip in 2016. We just have to stockpile it in the covered space until then.

Geoff was able to fix the watering system to the fruit trees and also the power lead from the caravan to the pavilion and sheds inside it. We were also able to make a start on an updated map of the fruit trees.

I gathered a lot of windfall apples and plums (actually bird fall) for the chooks at home and spent a bit of time shooing away beautiful Crimson Rosellas from the fruit, explaining to them that it was actually our fruit. We have now netted a peach and a pear tree that have quite a bit of fruit on them. We may have to invest in tree netting if we are to get a harvest.

In the second toilet shed a Grey Shrike Thrush was busy raising a second batch of babies. It was amazing to watch her flying in with worms and insects. I hope they make it through.