Well… that was a long pause between the first post of our couple of days at Cradle… but here it is
We had planned on a hike that was going to take us further, but the day was one of ‘those’ days. Rain (lots) wind (high) cold (brrrr) and visibility (not much).
We met a young Japanese couple who wanted to do the hike up Marions way but the rangers had suggested not to. So we said they could come along with us as we were doing it if they wanted moral support!
As you can see… not much to see (although the weather cleared slightly for views when we were up higher which was lovely for Toshi and Maaya)
So wet!
Its still pretty in the rain though
(Photo below from Toshi)
Up the many many steps
I definitely take this bit slow
So moody!
Best part about the rain at Cradle is the tree bark colours
Stunning
I didn’t have the camera out coming down as we went back down a different way and apart from the weather, its was a steep tricky decent that required two hands free and also making sure our new friends were helped down where needed.
(Photo from Maaya) We made it down in one piece!
Even a little rainbow to finish our day off!
It was nice to make new friends. We left Maaya and Toshi in the visitors centre where they spent some time thawing out before driving on to their next destination! They had barely 3-4 days in Tasmania, but we’ve let them know they are welcome to stay with us if they ever get back down our way!
Hi, just a quick update on the Book Nook! We’ve had a couple more goes at sitting still at the table, snicking pieces out and gluing them together
At this early point we had to pop in the light pack and get them all secured into the right spots.
We didn’t have the right batteries to test it that day (dang it) but we think they are all set in the right spot.
Day Two was putting together the first of the upstairs furniture that consisted of a table, newspaper stand and a book cabinet.
Which in turn meant putting together more books
So far we’ve found snicking out the pieces from the boards no real trouble although some of the parts are quite delicate, so I get nervous doing those.
So super cute. And the newspapers cut out ready to roll up (tip for those wanting to have a go at this – I used a wooden skewer to roll the papers around which worked much better than freehand rolling)
Some of the books are concertina-ed into the book covers to look more real
Its definitely a bit fiddly to get right and I think Jeff is now happily handing that job over to me
Now for the cabinet…
Loaded it up with books then finished it off
Fancy fancy!!
I then spent some time trying to glue posters to the wall in a pleasingly random way.
Not bad for only two sessions. Then the other day we had some time in the afternoon to sit and tackle the fireplace.
Quite a lot of pieces and layers to this part.
(Books were not required but I figured I’d do a few and get ahead.)
There was a ‘light’ to install before the fireplace went in. And we picked up some batteries and found that all the lighting worked which is exciting
So now we have a ladder…
And a fireplace complete with mirror and candlesticks
And working lights!
I think tomorrows weather is meant to be fairly horrible… so maybe Jeff and I can spend some more quality time together on this? Will keep you posted!
The jonquils are out super early. I’ve picked some today to put in one of my cat vases… they smell strong but remind me of being a kid playing in the paddock! At least… I think these are jonquils… now I am looking at them I am wondering as what I picked today looks quite different. Hmmm…
These are all just snaps from my tablet. More just record and progress shots. Which is quite nice for me as I am not fretting about getting in to photoshop to make things perfect! Like the garden above …. NOT perfect!!
I found a lot of sprouting garlic in clumps in this patch. I clearly did a terrible harvest job last season!
Feathery helpers…
Pathway potatoes
Death to a few worms but they had such a lovely time!
Done. But too late for planting on that day… I got back a few days later to finish it off
Bit of blood and bone and then I poked holes everywhere
I planted a few of the part grown cloves just to see how they do compared to the only just sprouted ones.
The day before Cousin Jeff dropped off some manky wood!! I dropped the ball this year about being properly stocked up and I am not sure how long we’ll last out this winter. I have plans for collection over summer…. This lot was pretty waterlogged but is drying out nicely in the wood shelter
Its probably going to burn a bit quick so he has left a lot of it in BIG chunks
I had to clear out a spot so I could still access the properly dry wood.
For better or worse…. thats it for this winter! Of course there is no dry wood available at this time of year. It might come down to just having to dress up a lot more in the house! (I can tell I am going to pout about this at some point) 🙂
A week or so ago there was another break in the weather, so this (ahem) garden bed (under the lawn somewhere) was next.
Such a pain in the butt job! I used the spade to re define the edges and went from there.
I plan to put potatoes in here in September…
Finishing the last corner was agony (such a drama queen) The soil was gluggy. Stuck to everything and my boots kept picking it up so I grew a few inches Lots of worms too
Finally the fun part! Mulching!!
Luckily there is still a lot of straw in the car port. That will keep the weeds at bay until I am ready to plant. I need to get some more blood and bone to scatter in and some compost…get the soil a bit richer.
Another plot down so little by little the garden is gaining plantable spots!
xx
(Ugh… I am itching to run these photos through photoshop!! haha. Its killing me)
While I was in Japan I visited a really special temple… I still haven’t blogged about that experience. (on that To Do List) However, during that visit I wrote some promises that included to properly sort my garden out.
I’ve tried the approach of ‘one plot at a time’ and put blinkers on, to not get sidetracked and overwhelmed by the whole property.
The other week I got into the back veranda garden as I wanted to put in some brassicas (two green broccoli, two purple broccoli and two cabbages)
So I cleared this bed out, added some manure and got them in.
And because I don’t trust the weather, the slugs or the chooks, I took extra precautions to protect them
On sunny warm days I will take the bottles off but leave the feed bag protectors on. Speaking of the chooks… they get let up our side of the yard on special days late in the afternoon. They’ve delighted in finding the hothouse and indulging in dust baths! With all the rain there hasn’t been any dust for them
They all look so happy! So I’ve left the hothouse alone for now – its like their holiday house!
Because I had time after planting the brassicas, I also cleared up one half of the veranda garden as well
The sweet peas that I didn’t plant are growing magnificently without my help… Since they were sprawling a bit, I’ve put back the stick tripod and tied them up. Hoping for lovely flowers in spring
The sort of before partly in the middle shot… (yes yes I know. Worst sentence ever)
I only worked on the right side and the path. What I’ve left in the pathway is herbs, not weeds
When I get in the mood I’ll sort out the left side. But I got out a lot of weeds, and gave the garden another good layer of straw
And look what I found under the lemon balm!!
A teeny tiny pumpkin!! (Only one for this year!)
Its raining heavily right now as I type. We’d been lucky to have a stretch of weather recently that wasn’t constant dark and rain. This gardening day was a lucky sunny day between a whole lot of gloom.
Jeff was even out there pruning off trees and bushes that had gotten a bit out of control.
The path might need some woodchip or something but at least we can walk down it without being attacked by trees!
I better get to bed. Basket weaving tomorrow – Its our teachers last day. Adele has been having some health issues so is stepping down. Luckily for us, her daughter in law is going to step in and take the workshops. Adele has been so wonderful, I hope she gets on top of her health – I know she will drop in when she can just to enjoy the classes rather than run them. There is a special morning tea planned for tomorrow and I think lots of people will bring in their past basket projects so we can have a big show and tell!
Hello! I apologise for the scandalously long hiatus between posts. And thanks to Gail and Pj with their lovely little notes today!
I think I am just having a really challenging year. So motivation to get on and do a whole slew of things that need to be done or even things I enjoy that I WANT to do have been falling by the wayside.
In the last week I have finally gotten back in to making soaps for my own stock and not just the ones I need for the soap workshops.
And yes,… its time to start getting stock ready for Christmas!
I’ve decided I am not a fan so far of 2023. I’ve had two notable wonderful highlights… All my family visiting first thing this year and of course Japan, which was truly amazing.
Naturally, losing Pip has hit us incredibly hard. Its six months on and I have cried every single day. Sometimes a brief squall… sometimes a lot more. Sometimes it just hits in awkward places where people can see you or you have to walk away to wrestle emotions back under control. Jeff hasn’t fared that much better to be honest. (He cries less in public tho)
I know its supposed to get better with time. Pip was just an integral part of who we were as a family… so time is not doing its job just yet. Still, we have to function and be out there and work and participate and talk to people. Its just harder.
And around us this year have been other friends/family with their own losses. A lot of pet loss, including my parents feisty little cat Millie only a few weeks ago. 🙁 You can imagine the soggy phone calls! Sadly also losses of people, a close friends Father and a family friend, a lady only a little younger than me, which always comes as a shock. So no, 2023… you are not quite my favourite year.
The weather has been dismal. Dark. Rain and generally miserable. That never helps!! Hence my motivation really not being in its tip top form.
Gosh thats a dodgy photo!! Oh well!! Some snaps are just via my tablet.
So thats really the basics of how I’ve managed to procrastinate a whole month since sitting here to write stories and share photos. I’ll quit with the Woe Is Me part of the post. I just didn’t want to keep skimming over how we were really doing. Life isn’t always pretty smelling soaps and Tassie beaches. Sometimes it gets a little sucky.
I am pleased to be getting back into the soap making. I think I have missed it. I still do one or two workshops each month and those classes are really enjoyable. People seem to really have such a great day and I’ve always received encouraging feedback from them
Another dodgy photo but was thrilled with that design
Even got a little creative with a new design…
Doesn’t look too exciting until the cut
Wonderfully big super chunky soaps. I plan to present them somehow as a wrapped gift soap.
I have been getting some garden stuff done little by little. I would really like to make a better effort this season. And also hope for the weather/climate to behave in a rational manner to help me along! I have been taking photos, so I have images there ready to share to show you the bits and pieces that have been happening.
I also stupidly looked at some youtube videoes about junk journalling. It seemed like a fun thing to play about with. (The cover is one of Jeff’s cereal boxes and the main lot of papers are just normal paper soaked in coffee and dried off in the oven.)
Meanwhile I get further and further behind in making headway on decluttering the house…
It is fun though… especially if you are like me and adore all things stationary.
Right now its all about glue and paper and a sense of optimism.
So thats me getting back in touch. I will honestly add blog posts to my list of ‘Things Not to Ignore’ and get back into the swing of it.
Until next time, here is a pic from todays hike… my first hike in weeks!!
