This great article by Tim Flannery came through on The Conversation today. It has a little video embedded in it that is really worth looking at.
My recent addition of a new solar power system is an attempt to future proof my home and reduce my use of fossil fuels. When batteries become better I'll even consider getting one. Meanwhile I've got myself to Air Con 101 level and am able to program my air cons to come on in the middle of the day and store some of the excess energy I am producing in the infrastructure of my building so that life is more comfortable.
And there are more consequences of the use of fossil fuels (or any fuels unnecessarily) as outlined in another article in The Conversation today about the plight of Pigmy Possums in our alpine regions. That is presumably not the only wildlife to be affected by excess light at night so turn off unnecessary lights at night and save on power and maybe save some wildlife too.
Of course my water tanks store water for me. And today they are being filled by this lovely rain. Hooray!
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Monday, September 16, 2019
A short trip to Underhill
Last Saturday Geoff, Ivy, Heather and Ponyo took me down to Underhill for the day. There we met Nathan, Karita and their 9 week old Acacia. Karita's mum Connie was also out from the USA so was down with them.
We had a few chores to complete, the first of which was planting two clumping bamboos that should grow tall and strong enough to use as construction material.
It is a worry planting bamboo but as we are having trouble getting anything to grow Geoff has decided to give it a try. If it gets eaten out then so be it. If it becomes a weed then we will remove it.
A simple lunch of instant sandwiches from our fuel stop was enjoyed by all.
Another chore was to scatter some green manure seeds and cover them with mushroom compost and/or chicken manure. We can buy the chook poo from a local who obviously must have a lot of chooks. He also sells beautiful veges when he has them on his honesty stand.
Geoff is also covering some of the seeds with some fibrous underfelt that we have scrounged in the hopes that it will keep the soil moist enough for the seeds to germinate but is also open enough for the seedlings to grow through.
We are due for rain this week so it will be interesting to see if there is any growth next time we go down.
At last I also got the photos I had meant to take previously of the quilts I had made for Geoff's family from Surrey's shirts. For photos of these take a look at the tab My Quilts 2019.
A great weight was lifted from Geoff's shoulders when he and Nathan were able to fell the last of the Callitris that Surrey and I had planted as Christmas trees for home. The last one had grown enormous and had become quite a fire hazard close to the sheds.
We had a few chores to complete, the first of which was planting two clumping bamboos that should grow tall and strong enough to use as construction material.
It is a worry planting bamboo but as we are having trouble getting anything to grow Geoff has decided to give it a try. If it gets eaten out then so be it. If it becomes a weed then we will remove it.
A simple lunch of instant sandwiches from our fuel stop was enjoyed by all.
Another chore was to scatter some green manure seeds and cover them with mushroom compost and/or chicken manure. We can buy the chook poo from a local who obviously must have a lot of chooks. He also sells beautiful veges when he has them on his honesty stand.
Geoff is also covering some of the seeds with some fibrous underfelt that we have scrounged in the hopes that it will keep the soil moist enough for the seeds to germinate but is also open enough for the seedlings to grow through.
We are due for rain this week so it will be interesting to see if there is any growth next time we go down.
At last I also got the photos I had meant to take previously of the quilts I had made for Geoff's family from Surrey's shirts. For photos of these take a look at the tab My Quilts 2019.
A great weight was lifted from Geoff's shoulders when he and Nathan were able to fell the last of the Callitris that Surrey and I had planted as Christmas trees for home. The last one had grown enormous and had become quite a fire hazard close to the sheds.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Spending the kids' inheritance - I have the power!
It all started when I was considering the heat issues associated with my north facing back roof - flat and metal! I decided a fly roof of sorts was needed and considered laying brush fencing or shade cloth over it. I even considered a roof-top garden. Then thought an actual tropical fly roof would work. Ah! but what if that fly roof was clad with solar panels. But wait! Solar panels can go straight on the roof as it is at the moment!
Although the panels are shaded early morning they use technology to overcome this. I could have even fitted on a few more but because of discrepancy with the layout of the office and the actual installer I did not know that at the time. Even at 6:30am I am producing. The cost of my solar panel roof was roughly the same as adding a fly roof and it is earning me money.
I have kept my old solar system (10 years old) that is mostly on the western pitched roof. When it dies I'll consider what to do next but by then technology will be even more advanced. I have also kept my old working solar hot water system. Again, when it dies I'll reconsider and maybe just use an electric hot water system with a tank closer to where I need the hot water so I don't lose as much heat in cold pipes.
My Solar Analytics software is throwing a wobbly at the moment trying to integrate all these various readings it is receiving but that will be sorted eventually with people coming from each different company and scratching their head a lot over my meter board layout. At the moment my graph reads that I am actually UNconsuming power which is impossible.
To use some of my excess power I have now had air con installed in my lounge room and bedroom. I can heat/cool the rooms in the middle of the day (when the sun shines) using the double brick walls to store that temperature for when I need it in the evenings.
Of course I am also feeding into the grid and offsetting my power bills. When batteries become a better/cheaper option I will consider installing one. You never know, I might eventually be off grid.
Voila!
Although the panels are shaded early morning they use technology to overcome this. I could have even fitted on a few more but because of discrepancy with the layout of the office and the actual installer I did not know that at the time. Even at 6:30am I am producing. The cost of my solar panel roof was roughly the same as adding a fly roof and it is earning me money.
I have kept my old solar system (10 years old) that is mostly on the western pitched roof. When it dies I'll consider what to do next but by then technology will be even more advanced. I have also kept my old working solar hot water system. Again, when it dies I'll reconsider and maybe just use an electric hot water system with a tank closer to where I need the hot water so I don't lose as much heat in cold pipes.
My Solar Analytics software is throwing a wobbly at the moment trying to integrate all these various readings it is receiving but that will be sorted eventually with people coming from each different company and scratching their head a lot over my meter board layout. At the moment my graph reads that I am actually UNconsuming power which is impossible.
Of course I am also feeding into the grid and offsetting my power bills. When batteries become a better/cheaper option I will consider installing one. You never know, I might eventually be off grid.
Monday, September 2, 2019
Elaine is enjoying "fresh" air
This morning Elaine walked up to the Tradies for coffee. She is doing really well with only a bit of apprehension about coming down stairs at her place.
A very steep learning curve learning how to negotiate the world again after surgery.
A very steep learning curve learning how to negotiate the world again after surgery.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Rain at last
After several months with very little rain we are experiencing steady but not too heavy rain. Hopefully it will soak right in and my garden can breathe a sigh of relief.
Another quilt finish
I recently finished this quilt as a special gift incorporating some of Surrey's shirts and some Star Wars and Batman fabrics.
I hope the recipient likes it.
I hope the recipient likes it.
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Chooks
I currently have 13 chooks. These are all silkies - 2 geriatric gingers (hatched just before Surrey died), 1 ginger and 2 white roosters from friends at Portland, 2 greys on agistment from Geoff's place while his renos are being done and 6 year old greys I bought last year. They are such a lovely little crowd and I've recently started leaving the gate open from their yard to my back yard where they love to pick at the weeds in the lawn.
We could really do with some rain because the grass in their yard is quite bare. This morning I gave it a bit of water so hopefully that helps. My tanks are getting quite low too.
I just have to remember to shut the gate when Ponyo comes because she thinks chooks are just great to chase.
We could really do with some rain because the grass in their yard is quite bare. This morning I gave it a bit of water so hopefully that helps. My tanks are getting quite low too.
I just have to remember to shut the gate when Ponyo comes because she thinks chooks are just great to chase.
Thursday at Ma's
Ivy, Heather and I had a great day on Thursday. It was so windy outside so after a quick session painting the fence (which I had promised them) and mixing up sand and water as tea and custard while I put the washing out we came inside.
Amongst other activities we made a cubby house.
We also cooked up some pancakes from a mix I had bought from Natural Evolution, an Australian company that makes flour from left over and damaged bananas, sweet potatoes and other things then also creates cake mixes etc.
They were so yummy and I have even frozen some as they reheat really well in the microwave.
Amongst other activities we made a cubby house.
We also cooked up some pancakes from a mix I had bought from Natural Evolution, an Australian company that makes flour from left over and damaged bananas, sweet potatoes and other things then also creates cake mixes etc.
They were so yummy and I have even frozen some as they reheat really well in the microwave.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
An August day trip to Underhill
Last Saturday Geoff, Ivy, Heather, Ponyo and I drove down to Underhill for the day.
It was fine and dry and we spent some time watering all the fruit trees in the centre orchard.
Of course Ponyo decided it was a good day for a swim and got absolutely filthy rolling in the dirt.
The highlight of the day was that Geoff saw a Wombat in the Sanctuary. The girls and I walked in to try to see it but it had disappeared down one of the many wombat holes. At least they now know what a wombat hole is.
Geoff dug a hole near the bottom dam ready to plant a giant clumping bamboo when he finally gets one.
One issue we are having at the moment is that our dams are quite devoid of edge vege and we would love to source some plants to try to grow.
It was fine and dry and we spent some time watering all the fruit trees in the centre orchard.
Of course Ponyo decided it was a good day for a swim and got absolutely filthy rolling in the dirt.
The highlight of the day was that Geoff saw a Wombat in the Sanctuary. The girls and I walked in to try to see it but it had disappeared down one of the many wombat holes. At least they now know what a wombat hole is.
Geoff dug a hole near the bottom dam ready to plant a giant clumping bamboo when he finally gets one.
One issue we are having at the moment is that our dams are quite devoid of edge vege and we would love to source some plants to try to grow.
Monday, August 19, 2019
Limiting my online exposure
Although my blog has never been searchable it has always been public to anyone who has the link. Because of quite a few online difficulties lately I have now made it completely private. I can give people access if they email me so just let me know if you know of anyone.
Since about 2007 the blog has been the way I keep my own diary and let friends near and far know about things that are happening. I really don't want to go back to paper scrapbooks so am giving this a try.
Since about 2007 the blog has been the way I keep my own diary and let friends near and far know about things that are happening. I really don't want to go back to paper scrapbooks so am giving this a try.
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