Hot dry march

March 11 2016

I am still struggling
to keep my blog working.  I do not
seem able to load photos any more which is a shame.  I think it might have something to do with my geriatric
computer.

It is tropical today.
Humid and hot. This is a change from the previous few weeks that have been very
hot, in the high thirties or above, and very dry.  We have had to buy water for the tanks.  The water costs are high because we pay
for the truck that picks it up and delivers it.  Until recently there was a stand pipe at the Yarra Glen end
of Steels Creek road and anyone could fill up containers on the back of a ute
free.  I think some one abused this
scheme so now we all suffer.

The day after the
water was delivered it rained.  
Oh well.   All rain is
very welcome and it has probably saved the trees we planted along the fence
line with the new neighbours.  
They have been growing really well and in a few years we will regain our
privacy.   I went out in the
rain last night and planted the vegetable seedlings that were waiting in
pots.   They will need careful
tending if they are to survive.

The zucchinis are
nearly finished but the second set of tomatoes are ripening and the pumpkins
are growing fast.  The cucumber
glut went to Bo’s restaurant and the Clever Polly restaurant because we had
swamped the local market.   We
are now eating a lot of round and runner beans and I have an autumn crop of
snow peas starting to climb the new terrace.  The raspberries have been fantastic and we still get a bowl
full each to have with our breakfast muesli.   I have harvested the quinces and we are juicing
oranges.   The orange tree
survived the fires so it is old enough to be very productive.

The paddocks are
mostly dust but the sheep have been shorn and are now ready to sell.   The lambs will be collected next
week by a lady who does hand spinning. There are two white one black and one
brown lamb so they make a perfect set. 
The goats are starting to come into season so we need to get the buck we
brought tested for disease and decide who we will mate this year.

All the family is well
and managing new schools.   
Bo is doing some university courses to learn more science.    I am told that chemistry is
proving quite a challenge.  Edd and
I are still doing work for the class action over the fire.  If and when we ever get any money it
will be far to late to help with all the stress.   At present all the fences need repairing where fallen trees
and erosion have rendered them useless.   The dam on the hill has a huge hole in the dam wall
too.

Next week and the week
after we have the Montessori school camp. I am just praying that the weather is
bearable.   We had a truck
load of pine bark delivered on Thursday to make a base for the slack rope that
we plan to put up for the kids to try walking on.   I have dug up any blackberries sprouting there and the
bark should make falls soft.