wonder wall

Posted on January 26, 2016 by kathy

Last month, we completed a project that we had been working on for a few weeks. There was an area along the driveway where the land dropped away to the paddock and the driveway was being undermined.

We looked at all sorts of retaining wall solutions and decided used tyres were the way to go. The fellas at the local tyre service were happy to help and put aside any tyres of a specific size for us. Each week, we would collect them

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place them in position

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fill them with soil (we had a truckload of clean fill delivered) and stomp the soil to pack it down.

Of course, Poppy was on hand to help.

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The dead tree close by was removed in case it came down on the new fence line. It will be next years firewood.

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The posts for the new fence were positioned

and stabilised as we went.

The grasses didn’t take long to start growing in the new soil.

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Finally, we were up to the top row

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and more soil levelled the tyres with the driveway.

Once we get some rain, we will add grass seed to the top level and the wall will be complete.

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Now for that fence…………

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A big thank you to the guys at Tyreright. If you need new tyres or are thinking of building a wall, you’ll find them here https://www.tyreright.com.au/stores/burnie

sizzling Summer

Posted on January 19, 2016 by kathy

After the warmest, driest Spring on record, we are having a Summer to match. The dry, crisp grass is the colour of freshly baked shortbread and the trees are shedding their leaves, bark & limbs in order to survive. A few stalwarts are putting on a brave show. The grevilleas and callistemons don’t let the seasons affect them.

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The miniature gladioli are elegant

and the canna lilies are a brilliant shade of orange.

The strelitzia was a surprise guest last year and has appeared again in some unusual places.

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The fuchsias seem to enjoy a hard pruning in Winter, rewarding with their diverse blooms.

The hydrangeas are a gorgeous deep blue this season.

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The burgundy willow myrtle is stunning with its cascading white flowers contrasting against the dark foliage.

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The succulents are thriving in our desert conditions

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and the redcurrants love the sunshine.

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We only have one rose in the garden and it has to be protected in the veggie patch so the possums & wallabies don’t make a meal of it. “Mothers Love” is a pale shell pink rose with the most wonderful perfume, a perfect tribute to mum.

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picturesque Penguin

Posted on January 9, 2016 by kathy

Penguin is a quaint seaside town, a scenic 15 minute drive from our house. It was first settled in 1861 and named for the little penguin rookeries along the coast. The Big Penguin was born in 1975 to commemorate the centenary of the naming of the town. There always seems to be a seagull on its head!

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The rubbish bins around town represent cement penguins and this handsome fella stands outside the Tourist Information Centre.

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The main road hugs the panoramic Penguin Beach

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and lunch at 52 Main was a must when visiting the town.

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A glass of wine, magnificent views and excellent food. The lamb sliders were amazing.

8.52 Main sliders

Sadly, 52 Main closed its doors a few months ago, they are greatly missed. The Uniting Church is an impressive Federation Gothic building, opened in 1903.

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At the western end of town in the lovely bay of Johnson’s Beach.

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When my sister was here on holiday, we spent some time wandering the shore marvelling at the myriad colours in the rocks.

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No-one told these guys a “shag on a rock” was supposed to be on his own

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but this limpet had the right idea.

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Some of the flotsam was quite delicate

and the sand patterns left by the ebb & flow of the tide were fascinating.

You can see where the worms and seagulls have been.

We returned to Johnson’s Beach later in the holiday

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and the rock formations mesmerised us yet again.

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I think this is one of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen, stunning in its simplicity.

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Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for this one, it is my sister’s masterpiece.

splendid shed

Posted on January 6, 2016 by kathy

Having a veggie garden meant I had to have a potting shed. A few quick sketches and we had a plan. Once the posts were in place for the veggie enclosure, we built the framework for the shed to make the most of the concrete delivery.

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We then finished the veggie patch before embarking into the unknown. With the outdoor workshop in place

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we set about building the rest of the frame using reclaimed hardwood.

The roof frame came next

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and the verandah.

We wanted to retain the rustic look and the scavenged corrugated iron was perfect for the roof.

It was starting to feel cosy inside.

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We bought the windows from the local salvage yard and they were next to be fitted.

The mezzanine floor isn’t quite big enough to sleep on but it’s great for storage.

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The floor joists

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were followed closely by the cladding. Again, the local salvage yard just happened to have the cedar cladding we needed, painted white on one side but that didn’t matter – it’s on the inside.

We allowed ourselves a break

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then finished the cladding.

Michael’s bespoke stable door is a work of art.

The flooring is Tasmanian oak seconds

and the ceiling is reclaimed pine flooring.

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We found a huge Macrocarpa slab for a bargain price at the salvage yard and it became the workbench.

The potting shed was complete. The chair is a gorgeous circa 1910 commode I couldn’t resist.

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We had just enough bricks to pave the verandah,

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the perfect place for freshly picked pumpkin.

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Everything I need for playing in the veggie patch is in “my” potting shed and it is the ideal environment for drying onions & garlic.

We are very proud of our shed and, as you probably noticed, our home-brew stout was a crucial element to our success.

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renovation ruminations: part 5

Posted on January 1, 2016 by kathy

I have never had an impressive kitchen so wasn’t too disappointed with the existing one.

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The lino was evicted the day after we moved in, revealing Tasmanian oak floorboards. The cupboard space was adequate and with the island we brought with us, the kitchen was functional.

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I then saw the cooker of my dreams in a catalogue, an offer too good to refuse. And so, it began. We had to relocate the electric water heater from the corner and solved that problem with solar hot water.

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