power at last

12.4.2012

BUILDING NEWS

It is hard to get back into building work after our lovely Easter break. We are forcing ourselves to keep going because winter is approaching fast and there is still lots to do. Edd has spent the day up on the scaffolding waterproofing the exposed walls on the west side and I have been sealing floors and painting the walls in the back passage.

One really good thing happened today. The lines men came and connected the house to electricity. The power circuits are now usable and we can have lights when the electricians come and complete their work. Mean while we have some lights that can be plugged into power points. I lugged the heavy floor lamp down the bank from Josh’s donga into the new house and put it by the hall door so we can see to get in at night. It is an amazing structure and came very cheap because the lid was faulty. Today I found that a glass plate that our neighbours had given us was the exact right shape and size to replace the top. It was another of those miraculous coincidences that defy logic.

The wood fire has got me stumped. I have all the lining parts BUT NO ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS! The fire has something written on the front in French but that is out of my ability range too. The inner parts are all heavy cast iron so it is hard to move them and try different positions. I think I have to get some help here before we can have a fire at night.

We have not had the time to plant anything on the house roof but grass is the default system here and a green fuss is beginning to show. There is a fair amount of cape weed with the grass but it will all help to hold the soil in place. We will need to reorganize the fencing so that we can graze the sheep up there.

OTHER NEWS

Lou and Marie are safely back in WA and the next event to prepare for is India’s 18th birthday party. She has decided she wants a Mexican feast for her guests. I have never been to Mexico and have little idea what they eat there. It sounds like food expert Bo to the rescue. India came over with some friends today and they tackled the horses feet. It is lovely to see younger family members with horses and we are all happy to support this.

Edd and I are tackling the goat kids. We sold two senior goats to some friends and so we have room to join last year’s youngsters into the milking herd. This week we are training them to come into the parlour and jump up onto the bale to get their food. All the goats are in confusion because one of the goats that was sent away, was the herd leader. It has taken almost a week before they finally went off to graze on their own with out us leading them out.

Dot is being asked to take the lead but she is not sure if she wants the responsibility. Her daughter, Maggie, has really encouraged her to step up so that her family will have increased status, but I am not sure that she will be the one. Other goats have come into season and there has been lots of complaining and tail wagging. Banjo is really pleased with all his female visitors. It is much better for us now we sleep in the new house and can have peace at night.