Don't rubbish my trolley!

I like trolleys! When we moved to Melbourne my trusty picnic trolley was left in storage.  On one of our early zoo visits I spotted a bigger and better version, sort of like a mini shopping trolley. 

I found mine at a shop near the Queen Victoria markets.  It's very nifty and we've used it a few times since purchasing, though Nick needed to make a couple of modifications.  It was a bit big to take on the trams though, so I also purchased a modern shopper a few weeks later. 

When we lived in the apartment the shopper was good for carting books back and forth to and from the library - and we used it for Vaughan's swimming lessons on occasion also.

One of our first purchases after picking up the keys was another trolley - a tipper version for garden missions.  Nick did point out that it was my third trolley purchase in as many months - and my fourth trolley overall!  Aside from it's intended use of carting garden waste,  it was actually quite useful for moving furniture.  I expect it will be just as good for carting firewood or shifting rocks from the paddocks. 

We found another use for it today.  Our rubbish bins live at the front gate, about 300 metres down the driveway from our house.  I generally put rubbish/recycling in the car to be dropped off as we drive out on other missions - but today Nick and I loaded it into the trolley instead and then went for a brisk(ish) walk down to the front gate.  We could fit a few boxes in the cart quite easily, so I think trolleying trash might become a regular event! 

Sheepish Talk!

Rumour has it that when the March rains come, the paddocks will turn green.  We are not yet convinced.  In fact, there has been talk the house pic (at left) that featured on the real estate site was in fact photoshopped to make the grass green.

All that aside, when the grass grows it will need to be shortened - either with a (ride-on) mower or by some newly acquired livestock.  For the past few weeks, we have been discussing what particular breeds might be suitable.

Nick has been doing some research.  There was much giggling this evening as seemingly we can purchase a "Dorper starter pack".  These are the sheep that don't require shearing, as their wool falls off naturally.  In fact, some wear specially designed "fleece retention nets"!  Too funny!

Another listing is for Suffolk sheep - ie. the Shaun the Sheep variety.  They are particularly bred for their tasty meat (among other admirable traits).  Erin was horrified.  "You can't eat cute sheep!" 

Obviously stocking the paddocks might take a while - financial considerations aside.  Our research continues.  We need non-cute sheep. 

Scotching thistles ...

There are so many Scotch Thistles in the paddocks here - hardly surprising given each plant can produce as many as 20,000 seeds! 

The seeds are amazing, not just in terms of numbers but the fact that each one will remain viable in the ground for 20 years - and can germinate at any time of the year! 

That's thistle fluff blowing across the road in the pic at right.  It looks quite pretty and Vaughan has been keen to catch as many "wishes" as he can.  Obviously there is no shortage of thistle down waiting to be caught!  Seemingly though the thistle doesn't only spread from seed, it can grow from severed roots also.  Actually after reading about all it's improvisations for survival, I'm surprised we don't see more of it than we do!

Vaughan and I watched a cow eating a dried thistle head on the way to/from school last week.  The sight has prompted much discussion since.  How spiky is the thistle?  How tough is the cow's mouth?  Is the inside of a cow's mouth tougher than outside?  And so on ...

Millions of millipedes!

As much as we enjoy most forms of wildlife, I am not greatly keen on our resident millipedes!

We really noticed them last week. The rain had caused many to surface and we stepped carefully on the ground, lest we squish any.

It seems we needn't have been so cautious as there is hardly any shortage of the critters!

From some quick research this morning I have learned they are an (accidently!) introduced species from Portugal, hence their name Portuguese Millipedes. They first arrived in Adelaide in 1953 but have since spread throughout southern parts of Australia.

While not harmful to humans, they can release a secretion when disturbed that will stain furnishings etc - and can be an irritant to eyes.

"The millipedes have reached such numbers in the past that they have actually caused disruptions to train services in parts of rural Victoria. Thousands of the millipedes were crushed on the tracks resulting in the trains being unable to gain traction."  (Museum Victoria)

Nick has confirmed that many of the locos have both a sander (to drop sand onto the tracks for traction) and millipede blower at each end of the engine. As too much sand on the tracks can cause issues, the millipede blowers are also used to blow away sand after the loco has passed.

Questing away from Kew ...

The dawn of new adventures ...

From 6 December to 6 March our "home" was apartment 36 at Quest Kew.  As well as four-star serviced accommodation, we enjoyed daily spoiling at the nearby QPO Restaurant - all courtesy of Nick's relocation benefits package. 

Obviously it was a very indulgent interlude and one that will be long remembered in our Hamby family history!

We checked out very early on Wednesday morning, before undertaking our last commute to our new home - and rejoining the real world!  It's a very nice corner of the world where we are, quite peaceful after our stint of inner-city living.  We dined al fresco on our first night, looking across the paddocks to admire the changing colours of the sky as the sun set, while listening to the sounds of the evening.

Erin awoke on our first morning to the sound of a willy wagtail chattering atop her caravan.  At around the same time Vaughan and I lay in bed watching a small mouse in the garden outside my bedroom window.  Little wrens often hop along the path near the windows and I've seen one or two rabbits quite close to the house also. 

It's not four-star camping but it is definitely a Hamby Home(in)stead!

Life behind baas?!

Our weekday morning routine (since collecting the keys) is to leave our apartment at around 7am and commute to our house. 

The drive usually takes around an hour, depending on traffic (and/or departure time).

We spend an hour or so at the house, which gives Vaughan plenty of time for rabbit-chasing,  grasshopper catching and other paddock pursuits before we leave for the 6-7km school-run. There is a windy stretch of road along the way and we often spot these rogue/road sheep.  The number varies but there is generally at least two that obviously prefer roadside living to staying behind baas (hah)!

A key week!

Given the lack of updates since (en)rolling along ... I expect there will be little surprise in hearing that we've had a huge week! So much has happened in that short space of time, we are almost too tired to appreciate all our good work - well, almost ...

After settling Vaughan at school for his first day (ie, he waved us off cheerfully, calling "see you in a few hours"), we collected the keys and inspected our new abode.  Our landlord had been doing some painting and we spoke to her about how the house works (tank water, gas bottles, firewood, heated slab and so on).

She seems quite laid-back and made suggestions as to livestock as well as giving permission for some outdoor improvements.


The house needed some improvement also.  To use one of the property manager's euphemisms, it "needs attention"!  We hired cleaners on Tuesday and they did some very good work in the bathroom/toilet and kitchen - but there is a lot more to be done.  I am on a program of cleaning a few windows and screens each visit but the walls need help also and though I always like to hang up my frames etc as one of my first missions, I can't do that till the grime is removed.

One bedroom and the hallway are bare concrete, so we purchased second-hand carpet tiles and some large pieces of rather funky axminster carpet.  Vaughan and Nick have since laid the carpet tiles and I have cleaned the existing two rooms of carpet plus the carpet pieces and tiles that have been laid.  We will hire the Britex machine again after Nick carpet(tile)s the hallway.  I may obtain the upholstery wand also and refresh a fabric lounge.  Regardless of anything else though, I will definitely be purchasing some ear-muffs before my next bout of carpet cleaning!

Erin's caravan is in place and our storage container was delivered also, the day before the truck arrived with our 70 cubic metres of furniture and belongings.  I hasten to emphasise that as large as the truck was, our stuff was a little under three-quarters of the full load!

Chaos reigns at this point. Nick and I sorted a lounge area yesterday.  Our bedrooms have furniture.  Beds are yet to be made. There are boxes everywhere and the hunt is on for everyday items though the vacuum cleaner and crockery were unearthed yesterday!  (We labelled boxes but there were trolleyed from the truck in stacks so location decisions were based on the top couple only.  It will be some time before they are in the right place  - hopefully at the right time)!