coping with bad weather

16.10.2009
The rain pours down. On the plus side even the big dam that was just a deep, nearly, empty hole is now full of water and wood duck families. Josh even saw a turtle swimming there on the one warm day we had. Perhaps it is feeding on Arden’s gold fish.

The appalling weather is no help with building. Johno, Steve and Edd have soldiered on against dreadful odds but the last few days have been impossible. Driving down Steels Creek it looks as if everyone is in the same position. Wood or steel structures frame the empty spaces that contain peoples’ hopes and dreams but the mud and hardships dominate our lives.

I try to find excuses to drive in my nice warm little car. On Monday I went for a long planning meeting with Al about the new buildings and their lay out. I had done my homework and was familiar with the contours and spaces. For the first time we got down to what seemed like hard bargaining. Avyn knows what is possible, where we would incur extra cost and has an idea about how he would like to see it all go together.

I have the knowledge of the work and practicalities of running a host farm whilst managing the upkeep of a large area. I also have some idea of Edd and my needs for future housing, what I could live with out and what I feel must be included. Our main difference is that although I believe that Al is right about aesthetics he glibly draws in gardens and treed areas that require more time to keep looking good than I have spare. We spend hours striving for a compromise until my head begins to spin and refuse to deal with more information. Al says he is not stressed and that this is the main function of his job.

Barry, Bella and the new Irish architect are working in the office but they all keep out of our debate. What on earth are they thinking? Do their clients usually argue this way? We all eat lunch together and Barry asks about chooks. He and the other guy have decided to get chooks for their back yard. I ask if the main aim is to get eggs or choose good-looking breeds that might look better but lay less. The idea that any one would have any other motives than egg production staggers them. I point out there are chook fanciers which causes more mirth. It all helps me to recover from the serious debate.

Yesterdays trip was to collect medicine from the vet. Edd’s horse has developed a nasal discharge that is worrying me by not clearing up. The vet came last week to give the puppy his injections, see the horse and start a treatment for the old buck, Rubicon’s, skin condition. I have found a new home for him if he gets a clean bill of health. He has produced such good kids that all the does we kept except two are his daughters, so we have no further use for him.

My friend, Beni had tipped me off that the libraries were giving free books to fire affected families. This proved to be true and I came home with two bags full. Josh was up for hours reading his novel and Edd was pleased with his book on Vincent Van Gogh. It is amazing how people are still coming up with treats to cheer us up. We certainly appreciate anything in this weather.