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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15603
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Posted: Sun May 06, 18 8:29 am Post subject: |
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Shame you seem unlikely to win Cassandra, but you have done very well to beat some of the other candidates that have more of a political record and more media exposure. Look forward to hearing the final result.
Jam Lady, at present we don't have emerald ash borer, but it is high on the potential hazard list. At present our ash is suffering form chelara ash die back. Happily, a lot of the natural regeneration from the last few years is coming into leaf quite healthy, and they are the most vulnerable, so at least they survived last year. We will have to see how bad it gets and whether we lose any trees completely or if they just get infected and survive.
Gregotyn, we usually store our charcoal wood in long lengths, then cut enough at one go for a firing as it is more economical in time when using the firewood processor, but we do hook out any odd bits that are unsuitable for other use as they won't split of that are over length and put them in too. The last burn wasn't as good as we thought as it should have been allowed to go another hour or so, but at least we got a reasonable quantity. It is still an art. Retort kilns use the gas they generate to continue heating the wood inside them to charcoal it. We are hoping to get a big one soon, but they are very expensive as they are more complicated and effectively double the amount of steel of an ordinary kiln plus a bit more. One manufacturer is thinking about how the waste gas can be used for other purposes. As even a retort kiln is not the nicest of neighbours, it may well be used to generate electricity to store in batteries.
We had our first show of the year yesterday afternoon and evening and for once the weather was perfect and it was an amazing show all round. Loads of people, and all interested in what we were doing and quite a lot buying. Very tiring, and I did have a glass of perry, so feeling not at my brightest and best this morning. |
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cassandra
Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 1733 Location: Tasmania Australia
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Posted: Mon May 07, 18 9:03 am Post subject: |
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In terms of how many additional votes I picked up around the Southern Midlands MR, I am looking pretty good for the local government election later this year, so I am not complaining. The count has been stalled due to the non-arrival of some 412 votes, so we are all on hold and will not have an outcome before 15th, though no later as that is the cut off date for postal votes.
Today I went into Oatlands with a view to being seen (I suspect some locals expect me to be licking my wounds, so want them to see this is not the case) and had a chat with a few friends, but mainly I stayed at home, walked the dog and sheltered from the wind - we are having a couple of days of gales, so staying indoors is very appealing.
And tomorrow I am off to collect those of my signs that have not been blown away and to visit a few more people as well as collect some groceries.
The gossip stream informs me of further unlawful (if not downright illegal) behaviour on the part of one of the candidates - since he is in the top four who are all very close together, I will be mentioning this in my report to the Electoral Commission.
Meanwhile it is nice to be able to sleep in a little longer and spend my evenings comfortably instead of jumping up and down to the printer! |
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Jam Lady
Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 2507 Location: New Jersey, USA
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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15603
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cassandra
Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 1733 Location: Tasmania Australia
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Posted: Tue May 08, 18 8:33 am Post subject: |
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I spent the day removing all evidence of my campaign from the remaining streets, dropping off chocolates to those who supported the sign placement.
Also called in to a supporter and dropped off chocolates to her as we have had some interesting conversations and I know she has been sharing information to others.
Home to walk the dog who was a little over-exciting and snatched the lead from me twice. The first time it was still in the yard so not a problem the second time was on the road and potentially a problem but as the two houses in his path are currently unoccupied, not quite so bad. Having disappeared over the crest of the hill he apparently realised I was ot of sight, so came back of his own accord (good thing too as I was getting quite puffed hastening up the hill) and even 'came when called' for the last 100 yards.
Last night we had very strong winds - one wall of wind hit the house and shook it to its foundations, tore some metal somewhere nearby (not the roof it seems, so I will have to track that down tomorrow) and dumped a load of rain on the roof (which was not forecast so a little surprising). Today was an ideal day for washing, but I was out.
Tomorrow and the next day will be single figures with rain, so I think I will take advantage, put my feet up, do nothing and generally relax (and stay away from FB) |
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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15603
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cassandra
Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 1733 Location: Tasmania Australia
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Posted: Wed May 09, 18 9:14 am Post subject: |
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If the mood of the voters had deserted the political parties and gone for an Independent I might still be in with a chance, as there would not be so many votes solidly in the political camps, but no point crying over spilt milk. It was fun, tiring, gave me a chance to see bits of Tassie I have not revisited since my return and that's really all you can ask for I reckon.
And it sounds like I am not the only one who deserves a rest - go and lie down you silly woman! Two tonne of wood is a lot of shifting!
Today I was persuaded by sunshine and breeze to do the washing - Things were getting a bit grim in the clean clothes department so that was a good thing, but despite the encouraging indicators everything is still damp. Hopefully something will be dry for tomorrow or I might be dressed a little oddly haha.
Tomorrow and the next day will be in single figures, so the damp stuff in the shed is unlikely to get much drier, but what is in the loungeroom should be good to go.
I have resumed knitting the jumper I started (clearly I will be needing one this winter) and am halfway up to the yoke which, since i am knitting in the round means I should be starting on the sleeves soon.
Once all three are done (body and sleeves, not three sleeves), they will all join together for the yoke which contains patterns that have three colours in a row so there will be delays as I untangle myself from time to time. Two to a row is easy, three a little more tricky. I am using Cascade 220 Aran weight which is superwash merino - won't use it again as it feels synthetic - apparently there are several ways of making wool superwash, and this one seems to be the 'spray a layer of plastic on the yarn' approach. Ick! |
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Jam Lady
Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 2507 Location: New Jersey, USA
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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15603
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Posted: Thu May 10, 18 5:53 am Post subject: |
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Hope they haven't irreparably squashed anything Jam Lady. At the very worst it should be back to normal next year and hopefully sooner. You have a good lot of firewood there. We don't get carpenter ants, so interesting to see that. Our trees sometimes get butt rot, which is why we take down some, but most in some areas of the wood were planted for cutting, so at present we are thinning them. Others grew in the coppice or as part of the coppice, so they are potential firewood for us. The plus is that the flowers come back beautifully next year.
Cassandra, I had a 'day off' yesterday; doing the shopping then going up to mind the kilns for a bit. We bagged a bit more charcoal too, so that is for delivery today. The sun is still out, although it has got cooler, so everyone wants charcoal.
Glad you enjoyed the electioneering, and as you say, it will give you a good chance in the local elections later. Sadly the main political parties do have major advantages over independents, and a good number of people vote by party not candidate. We reckon in some Parliamentary constituencies in the UK that you could put up a monkey for the party candidate and they would win. In some cases they would be about as much use....
The jumper sounds interesting. The main thing with more than 2 colours is to keep them untangled at least each row, otherwise a lot of time can be spent on the job, especially when under the influence of cats, although no doubt Seb would also join in the game given half a chance. |
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cassandra
Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 1733 Location: Tasmania Australia
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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15603
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cassandra
Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 1733 Location: Tasmania Australia
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Posted: Sun May 13, 18 8:08 am Post subject: |
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It wasn't too wild in my neck of the woods MR, I 'only' recorded 69mm of rain in 12 hours (that's about 3 inches JL). Hobart really copped a battering though with wild winds and drenching rain (about 170mm and 170 kph winds), so whole streets were flooded, residential colleges and libraries at the University, a couple of rivulets topped their banks and washed cars down the roads - all very exciting to watch from my nice warm loungeroom once the television resumed work (the main antenna on top of the Mountain was struck by lightning).
Another 19 mm yesterday and 1.5 this morning, but it was fairly dry for the rest of today and I went out into the streets to check on various friends, clean the bank and so on.
Yesterday I was rash enough to attend a meeting of my professional body which was all too conveniently held in Oatlands so I now have to read several reports and draft a letter from us to a developer highlighting the range of heritage values that exist in their site and advising the sort of management tools that would be necessary for them to deploy before they decide where the put their golf course and crematorium (it's a very eclectic development complete with palliative care and a sex shop!).
This is the same development that taxed my brain during the election and which I had rather hoped I had seen the back of, but apparently not.
Since I also have to account for my electoral expenditure and prepare a report to the Electoral Commission on malfeasance from other candidates I guess I won't be getting out much in the next few days. Though since i was rash enough to suggest the letter might be drafted by Wednesday (when I am having lunch with a colleague and my helper from Sorell), I guess I should be getting on with it. Fortunately there is nothing worth watching on television these days, so there will be few distractions. |
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Jam Lady
Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 2507 Location: New Jersey, USA
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Posted: Sun May 13, 18 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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We've also been having some rain, Cassandra, but not so much as you. I'm just as glad because A) we need the rain, and B) as you can see things have been busy around here Tree Work and it is a good thing that Mr Jam Lord has a couple of easier days.
I'm busily repotting summer bulbs, mainly amaryllis, pineapple lily, and rain lilies. Somewhere is a box with the tigridia I grew last year but blessed if I can find them. Upsetting, to say the least.
Tuesday is another press preview at the New York Botanical Garden, Georgia O'Keeffe in Hawai'i. I've been teasing my friends in the PR department, asking if there will be a volcano in the exhibition gallery and do I need to bring some ti leaves to appease Pele.
Time to finish my breakfast and move more plants outside to be rained upon, then shelter in the tool shed repotting others. Just as glad my tool shed is fixed firmly in place and doesn't race down the sands trying to set any speed records. |
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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15603
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Posted: Mon May 14, 18 6:56 am Post subject: |
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Glad the weather wasn't so bad with you Cassandra, but it really sounds as if it was nasty in Hobart. Good luck with all your paperwork; don't addle your brain too much.
Jam Lady, it sounds as if you are really busy with the gardening at the moment. I need to do a lot of work, but just haven't had time, although I think I have everything sown now and mostly coming up, so I have to clear the ground for it to be planted.
We were at the Pole Lathe Turners 'Bodgers Ball' over the weekend. Husband decided we were going to camp, which I thought was a bad idea, and having done it I know it was. Friday through Saturday were cold and then wet as well, so from Friday evening right through to Sunday morning I was cold. Unfortunately I don't think the bedding we have is up to cold weather camping, and add damp to it and it is really uncomfortable. Some very interesting things there anyway including a Dutch and British clog maker next to each other, a charcoal earth burn and any number of assorted pole lathes. Met a few people we knew and hadn't seen for a while, chatted to a lot more, helped to keep the tea urn topped up with water, and even sold a few bits, so not a bad weekend on the whole. The weather was a lot better yesterday too, so that made life a lot better. |
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cassandra
Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 1733 Location: Tasmania Australia
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