settling in for winter

May 21, 2019

This week we have had some lovely days. Cool nights and clear fresh sunny days.  Edd is fencing in gravel pit paddock and I lit the burning piles when I was not needed to help him.  The piles of tree branches and old wire have been there for about ten years after our neighbour bulldozed the fence line to clear the way for its replacement. If we can burn enough of the wood the wire will become accessible and we can remove it.  Quite a lot of the wood burnt but we will need to get rid of more before extracting the old fence wire.

Today we have been paid for all the school events and camps we have run so far this year. Payment was so late that we were beginning to think we might not get anything, so it is a big relief to finally have the money in the bank.  The first thing to do is replace the computer. It is ten years old and I have difficulties building up on problems.  I actually hate changing computers. It is like getting a new artificial limb , and not quite knowing how to use it.  This old apple has actually been marvellous, and I will be very lucky if I get another one as good.

Now that the seasons work commitments are over I have started storing stuff away and looking at what other work I have been too busy to do. Accounts, loom large, but this week I have tackled the back log of laundry, most of which is now ironed and put away.  Cupboards need sorting and excess stuff taken to the charity shop.  I am also working on knitting which I have promised to family members.  Knitting is my effort towards family diplomacy.

If I have a target this winter it will be to set up a system to make sourdough bread.  I have everything I need but skill.  I have made ordinary bread for years, but we prefer the taste of sour dough and it is more sustainable because you don’t have to buy dried yeast. The soap we made is very nice to use so I need to make more.  I should really tackle it, but I have found a book that I love and ordered more by the same author which I find much more enthusiasm for than bread and soap.