The kitchen is progressing.
Week 6, day 2. Nick, like the Scarlet Pimpernel, flits in and out. He was here briefly, then went off to the country again for a few days. However, the countertops will be ready next Friday, and he will try to build the rest of the cupboards and install them prior to that time. Hopefully, the installation of the oven and cooktop will not be too far behind.
Nick is bringing back an old galvanised iron water tank from his latest trip. Cut in half it will form a retaining wall for 2 vegetable beds, which we can start off by throwing all the compost in, and then building it up with the 'Peter Cundall' guide to no dig gardening. In the meantime, I had some extra energy and a nice warm day, so I have been digging and clearing more of the ground at the back of the house to grow herbs. It was the first time in 3 years that I have had garden soil under my finger nails and it felt good. I am hoping to plant spring bulbs this year also.
Yesterday we committed to a trip to Sydney in late April. There are several reasons for going:- Les' grand-daughter Amelia is being married on 26th April, we both want to see Les' sister Joan again, and Les wants to see his children. I also want to catch up with my friends. Apart from that, we hope we can squeeze in some time for ourselves, to once again make an attempt to visit the Art Gallery of NSW (successfully, we hope), to make the ferry trip to Manly again, and for me, a trip out to Bondi, where I once lived. Also, since I will have celebrated a major birthday earlier in the month I'm hoping I can manage to go out to dinner with friends this time, somewhere cheap and cheerful. Cheerful it should certainly be. I'm feeling ambivalent about the trip, after falling twice when we were there last year, but I'm going to take a more relaxed approach this time, and not force myself along, as I did last time. When you are there for only a short time it is natural to try and fit too much into the time available. At least in late April the humidity will have dropped, and perhaps it will be a bit cooler. I'm not counting on cool though, since in August '07 it managed to hit 27C for most of our visit, and in March last year the heat was really debilitating. We are both feeling financially restrained this time, having just paid buckets of money for home improvements, but once we get there I am sure we will just enjoy the holiday, and worry about the finances after we return.
Once again we will be flying in Virgin's sardine can, departing Hobart 7am, arriving Sydney just before 9am, and departing Sydney 7am also. I hope I get a properly functioning seat this time.
Nick is bringing back an old galvanised iron water tank from his latest trip. Cut in half it will form a retaining wall for 2 vegetable beds, which we can start off by throwing all the compost in, and then building it up with the 'Peter Cundall' guide to no dig gardening. In the meantime, I had some extra energy and a nice warm day, so I have been digging and clearing more of the ground at the back of the house to grow herbs. It was the first time in 3 years that I have had garden soil under my finger nails and it felt good. I am hoping to plant spring bulbs this year also.
Yesterday we committed to a trip to Sydney in late April. There are several reasons for going:- Les' grand-daughter Amelia is being married on 26th April, we both want to see Les' sister Joan again, and Les wants to see his children. I also want to catch up with my friends. Apart from that, we hope we can squeeze in some time for ourselves, to once again make an attempt to visit the Art Gallery of NSW (successfully, we hope), to make the ferry trip to Manly again, and for me, a trip out to Bondi, where I once lived. Also, since I will have celebrated a major birthday earlier in the month I'm hoping I can manage to go out to dinner with friends this time, somewhere cheap and cheerful. Cheerful it should certainly be. I'm feeling ambivalent about the trip, after falling twice when we were there last year, but I'm going to take a more relaxed approach this time, and not force myself along, as I did last time. When you are there for only a short time it is natural to try and fit too much into the time available. At least in late April the humidity will have dropped, and perhaps it will be a bit cooler. I'm not counting on cool though, since in August '07 it managed to hit 27C for most of our visit, and in March last year the heat was really debilitating. We are both feeling financially restrained this time, having just paid buckets of money for home improvements, but once we get there I am sure we will just enjoy the holiday, and worry about the finances after we return.
Once again we will be flying in Virgin's sardine can, departing Hobart 7am, arriving Sydney just before 9am, and departing Sydney 7am also. I hope I get a properly functioning seat this time.