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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 19 9:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You are really cold there Jam Lady; no wonder Mr. Jam Lord and the dog are well protected. I like the little boots on the dog. Never seen them in the UK.

We did some more brash clearance with our volunteers yesterday. It was pretty cold for us; snow on the ground and only just above freezing point, so I wore an extra jumper as well as the tee shirt, sweat shirt and fleece and a hat, and got slightly overheated with the work I was doing. I had a bill hook, so was cutting the bits to a suitable size to be carried away.

The snow showed we do still have hares around. We were getting worried as we hadn't seen any lately.

The snow is melting, and at one stage, with the stuff coming off the trees, it was like being in a moderate snow storm.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8576
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Mon Feb 04, 19 9:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

More bad news from Tasmania I'm afraid..and people refusing to evacuate...why? Things are just...things...lives can be rebuilt.
Hope Cassandra is still ok

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45374
Location: yes
PostPosted: Mon Feb 04, 19 12:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    



dont panic should be followed by assess and act in a timely fashion.

imho fire can be nasty and gives no quarter to those who do not take very good decisions

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 19 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cassandra posted yesterday on FB and said that everything was all right where she was, so all seems to be well with her. She has an evacuation strategy, including for the animals, and is definitely intending to be sensible.

Think some people either don't realise the danger they will be in, or perhaps have been through it before and know how they managed last time, or perhaps are just too stupid to realise the danger; take your pick.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 19 4:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I am glad Cassandra is ok; please tell her when you next speak on fb MR.
I worked at home on Saturday. I have had the end blow out of a building and a neighbour came to help, but not till the afternoon, when I expected him in the morning, but I couldn't have done the job alone anyway. Sorted it quicker than I expected and revealed some timber suitable for burning and other suited to another storage shed.

It has been cold up this end of the woods but no competition for you Jam Lady, I would not venture out in such temperatures as I have a heart condition and advised to keep warm where ever possible, crazy as I don't feel the cold so much now as I did years ago.
I have been to a meeting to hear about the council closing the library. Here it is only open 4 days a week, but they have left in no doubts that the library is an essential part of many folks lives round here to pay and get help with forms they don't understand. This is my source of a computer, way of paying many bills and so on. When I was out of work I got job interviews due to the help of the librarians and how to use the computer to job seek. The job centre contacted the library to see if I was telling the truth! of how many days I was coming here to look for work. Seems funny that I was saying the other day how helpful the librarians had been to me, and this comes out of the blue
You are right about fire, dpack, but wind often dictates to the fire's progress or not. But how silly, gz, not to evacuate if you are advised by "those who know". The authorities don't give advice unless it should be followed-oh dear.

I love the dog Jam Lady-I tried them on my Welsh sheep dog once, in bad weather, but she would have none of it-we breed them tough or stupid, as she ripped them off!

I have a couple of pairs of wrist warmers MR. but can't find them this year for some reason. I wear fingerless gloves at work on my right hand and fully fingered on the left side. Once they get torn or too worn I buy another set. Work also supply water proof on one side and warm the other side for use at work so that they don't get wet inside, but breathe on the back via the warm side, very efficient too. Not sure how they would cope in the woods-I'll see if I can get another pair and you can give them the "Wood's Test"- comfort and dry, but for how long?

You are right about the cold MR, I should get a fire going asap, but once I am in bed it is warm-2 less bottles than the caravan and no refills during the night as was the case in the van. I am intending to get the kitchen fire operational this next year and the water restored, as that is the fire which heats the water. There is an immersion heater, but not much use without water! (and expensive!). Though why I bother about expensive I don't know. There is only me to worry about and I don't feel the cold as much as I did in the caravan! I have a rule now imposed that I must throw something away each day as I am a hoarder-guess it is old age, my granny was the same. And the wood chopping comes from my grandfather, I had to stack the sticks in a box to deliver to "the Aunts" every week!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 19 7:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They keep threatening library closures on us too Gregotyn. We have just one computer which is in the most awkward place, but needs must if you don't have one of your own. So stupid to make so many things 'computer only' then try to take away the computer from people that don't have one. Another example of governments lack of joined up thinking and not understanding how some people live.

I will knit you a pair of gloves out of sock wool if you like; one hand fingerless, the other with fingers. It will only take me a fairly short time. I made a pair of fingerless gloves over the weekend for myself and tried them yesterday. It was so misty that it was even coming through the log store so everything was wet, but they kept me surprisingly warm.

The weather here has been horrible. Monday was so wet and windy we didn't see the point of working, and yesterday it was a really wet mist. Everything was soaking wet, even under cover. I have 3 pallets to put the log sacks on in the log store, but because the ends are open they were wet even though they are a fair distance from each end. Managed to do 20 log sacks, and husband and son retrieved some timber and cut it.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 19 8:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sorry peeps. the computer got permanently packed in the ute on the assumption I would be able to use the other one, but Downsizer wouldn't let me log in. I presume I have forgotten the password. Anyway I moved on it w as too hot to cope with technical problems. On Friday I had a patient to take to Hobart so dodged into the computer shop for a new cable, but then couldn't find the laptop. As you can see it has all come together again now.

Yesterday barely made 11 degrees and very nice it was too. Today was a touch warmer but it's all good. The fires are still burning, but with the cooler change and the drop of rain we have had (more forecast tonight) they seem to be getting them at least 'contained' if not out. Contained means it is surrounded by burnt ground or water so can't get out.

So today was supposed to be a nice calm trip to Hobart with a patient. But Seb decided that was all too easy and slipped his collar on our walk. Since he still hasn't learned to come when called I spent over an hour following him around the oval, up the road, into peoples' yards, back on the road, and all around the world for sixpence. Since I had to be on the road by nine, I headed home, checked the time, got into my going-to-town clothes and returned to the hunt but he had disappeared by then.

So I was obliged to leave him to his own devices. I popped an ad in the local buy sell, tagging a few locals, and I spotted the (new) local farmer en route to Oatlands and asked him if he had to shoot him to please let me know, then collected my patient and bolted for Hobart, just getting him to his appointment on time.

It was a long appointment so at least I got a wee bit of shopping done and headed home. Finally got home and discovered the leash and collar were missing from the back door, but no notes or sign of the dog, so headed indoors for some lunch and a change to sensible clothes. Then heard the dogs up the road barking in a way that was not to pattern, so headed up to their place and sure enough they had the demon dog.

They had found him in their daughter's chicken run, surrounded by corpses. Oooops. So far they seem to be taking it in good stead. I have assured them I will replace the chooks, offered materials to reinforce the chook run and offered my labour and am now awaiting instructions. Luckily someone else in the village has offered his excess chooks to her for free, so hopefully it will all sort itself out.

We have at least a week of cooler weather, so I have unpacked the ute, and it has provided an opportunity for some decluttering - at least in the craft section. Mind you, so far only the tray of the ute is emptied. The back seat is still piled high haha.

I have been catching up on my sleep too, with a few sleep ins, fortunately not today though. Another patient to hit the road with on Friday. We have a new car, keyless ignition, push button hand brake and cruise control which slows down if you catch up with the car in front. Very flash.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8576
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 19 12:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Glad to hear that you're ok Cassandra..evening errant hound is not!!
Waitangi Day here has been cold and windy and mostly dry..we could do with rain but it looks like the South Island is having most of it..but with the fires in Tasman near Nelson and near Christchurch too they could do with it

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 19 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Oh dear! Sounds as if you need to have some severe words with Seb, if you haven't already. I thought you had him fairly well trained now, but apparently that is the one thing he hasn't learnt. Hope the neighbours continue to accept your apologies and help.

Good to hear that the fires are at least contained. A very worrying time for everyone there.

Gz, hope they get the fires out in NZ too and that you get a bit of rain. Unusual you wanting rain.

We have had too much of it here. So wet and windy Monday we couldn't work, working in a cloud Tuesday and part of Wednesday, but once the showers have gone over today should be quite nice. Tomorrow forecast currently is for rain and very strong winds, so again, may be unable to work in the woods. Fortunately next week looks a lot better.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8576
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 19 8:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The fires by the road and rail past Christchurch they had under control..I'm not sure about those on the far side of Nelson, past Richmond..Pigeon Valley and Rabbit Island.
The Tasman area is incredibly dry, has been for a while..all the West coast rain seems to peter out before it gets to there.
I heard that some of the DoC campsites and trails have been closed because it's so dry.
I'm glad we are at Whanganui..but the fire warning level is creeping up here.


gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 19 3:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Glad you and the dog are safe, Cassandra, and that you are ready to 'go' if you have to. But if the reports you have been given about the fires are true, let us all 'touch wood' for safety for you and Tasmania. The new car sounds good for the hospital runs.
Yes the library situation is serious, but we are close to the local school and so the children are brought down here daily when open and they have to take a book to look at when here. Our hope is that the school will back us as they don't have library facilities at school, a rarity as all schools when I was a child had a library. There was a problem a year or so back but all was well, and said to be reviewed in 5 years time but this has come now, and we are only just into the second year of that agreed reprieve.
Looks as though I will have to bite the bullet and get one of these phones which does it all via the 'net'. My Bridgnorth friends have phones which do, and keep assuring me that they are easy-no they are not to me-we will see!! I suppose if I got that system I would have to go out to use the pooter as there is no reception where I live for mobile phones. I used to go up my field to make a call when I had a simple "brick" phone. Not funny in this cold weather, and subsequent phones have not worked here anywhere.

MR., I would really like a pair of fingerless gloves please, if that is OK. My hands are fairly wide, but short stubby fingers-a fact fairly irrelevant-you will need to tell me how much. The plus of knitted gloves is that they are forgiving and usually are able to accommodate different sizes of hands. Weather still cold in the mornings, but a beautiful afternoon today bright sunshine and reasonably warm.

Take care, all of you, particularly in the southern hemisphere.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 19 8:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I hope you can save your library Gregotyn. In your case it is not essential that you can use the computer, although it would make life less enjoyable, and a few things awkward for you, but in some cases it would make life impossible. I understand stock movement licences and everything have to be done that way now. Probably about time I used ours again, as I need to read some new books and that is the only thing I use ours for. They have other things like childrens activities there and what they would do with the old school if they got rid of the library I don't know. Don't think they would be able to knock it down, as it should be listed as it is quite old. Flint built and in the ecclesiastical style. I went there for a while before they built the new school, but pretty sure it was a century old before I was there.

Got plenty done yesterday, which was just as well as we have very high gusty winds today, so keeping out of the woods.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 19 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I hope the library survives it really is well used by locals and from a wide area; not much information available in this area for around 15 miles diameter, and not everyone can afford a 'pooter'. This building is a council owned property, with for our local needs-a meeting room, the library and 2 council offices downstairs. 2 conference rooms/meeting rooms and several offices upstairs, including the council offices themselves!! There is no other meeting room available in the town available for the local council to meet!

My friend Billy, a prominent local farmer does nothing by computer-he's like me doesn't own one and doesn't, like me, really understand them, the difference between us he wouldn't know how or where to start-even so I am not much better, but I survive. His daughter-in-law does the necessary him.

Major disaster occurred yesterday after I left the library and went home, I seemed to have lost my wallet. Anyway back to the library and not there, so went to tell the local police who did the registering and off I went back to the library to borrow £20 in case I needed fuel and then to Welshpool to the Morrissions where I knew I had last used it, and where I soon discovered I had lost it. A security man said one had been found and before I let him carry on I said exactly what mine was like and about how much money was in it and what else-cards and the like. Conference was held and about 10 mins. later they came back asked a few more questions, went away and produced the wallet. They asked for i/d. but all I said was the wallet was my i/d, and thank goodness it worked. I reported it to the police as usual-this is the 3rd time, so I am going to invest in a chain , and not carry so much cash with me-4 figures-well you never know when you see a bargain for cash if it will be there tomorrow, bought my Fergy 35-only 'cos I had £600 in cash there and then. Chap said there is another coming to see it-but yours for £600 now and so it became mine-what an investment too-never let me down.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 19 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

One of the volunteers brought a booklet into food bank yesterday about Universal Credit. Seems to access it you have to have both a bank account and apply online. Fine for those that have both, but what about those that don't. I suppose the bright sparks that come up with these ideas live in houses, have bank accounts and both own a computer and are fully computer literate. It is surprising how many people, even younger ones, that can't or don't use computers. Our son was brought up with them, but even quite a lot of people he was at college or school with had a lot of trouble.

I would suggest you don't carry that much cash around with you Gregotyn. It does mean you can get a bargain sometimes, but it does mean you lose a lot if you lose your wallet, and could also make you a bit vulnerable. I certainly don't believe in a cashless society, as even here where we are semi suburban, there are areas where you can't get reception to use bank cards or phones, but that is rather a lot.

The bad weather hit us yesterday so we didn't go into the woods; far too windy. Husband came and helped at food bank, and when we had to venture outside we got very wet. We have to deliver some log sacks today, as one of our outlets are getting short again.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 19 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You are right about carrying too much cash about with me, MR. In reality I should have a safe at home for all my valuables, and money is safe in the bank too, but then again...I don't like to miss a bargain. In practise I don't normally have that much money to hand ever, unless I have it out for a specific project or purchase. Some of it was left over from Christmas, I usually give my friends children money and took out more "in case", but I had collected wood money too which swelled the coffers. There were one or two other things I needed in the clothes line, so I didn't bank inwards as I would normally do, when I have more than a month's needs Anyway I am lucky-very lucky.

I have never heard of universal credit, MR, I assume you have to qualify?

I am off home soon to chop wood, this is a bumper year for some reason-no sooner chopped than gone and I started with about the usual stock and we haven't had many more houses built in the area so why? Not a complaint-just an observation. I had a shed end blow out a week or so ago, I don't know if I mentioned it. I haven't accessed the shed for some time-years-as I had placed the key, hidden above the door and it disappeared and I never opened it by force, the wind has now done the job for me! The revelation of a lot of good chopping wood was surprising to say the least. I won't need another pallet for a few months. It is all longer than I like to cut but needs must, and this is so dry and easy chopping, few knots! I have been planning a new shed for some time and this will provide a large amount of ptg for a back 10ft wall.
Guess I will see you all next Tuesday-closures permitting!

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