Journal. The Lower Section
I spent the morning clearing up the dead undergrowth from the bottom section from my weed spraying program. I worked until I was too hot and tired to do more.
The top half of the section would look very bare if it was not for the planted trees and shrubs. I will have to do some resprays later in the year, dormant seeds will sprout when the rains come.
Monday, April 26, 2004
Sunday, April 25, 2004
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Journal. Gardening morning
Busy morning doing some planting on the lower half of the section. Three young Locquat trees and 2 Cassia bushes. I grew them all from seed harvested from our plants.
Locquat fruit were a favourite with Gillian, Ian and Anthony when they were young. The slightly tart orange yellow fruit were delicious. Unfortunately the goat ring barked our original tree and killed it. A year or three ago I got new a tree and took the seeds from last season's fruit and raised 4 plants. They grow quickly.
Digging the holes I disturbed some bulbs of I don't know what. They we just beginning to shoot. I planted them elsewhere.
We are now getting the Autumn leaf drop plus leaf drop due to drought conditions all over the section. I purchased a leaf blower 2 years ago and it makes life easier for my tired bones. It is switchable to vacuum mode too.
In the Glasshouse I sowed 3 punnets of Cineraria and the young seedlings are just peeping through. The young tomato plants are growing well along with Basil and Lettuce. I've planted some Pepino cuttings to over-winter in the greenhouse; at present they look dead but I shall wait.
Busy morning doing some planting on the lower half of the section. Three young Locquat trees and 2 Cassia bushes. I grew them all from seed harvested from our plants.
Locquat fruit were a favourite with Gillian, Ian and Anthony when they were young. The slightly tart orange yellow fruit were delicious. Unfortunately the goat ring barked our original tree and killed it. A year or three ago I got new a tree and took the seeds from last season's fruit and raised 4 plants. They grow quickly.
Digging the holes I disturbed some bulbs of I don't know what. They we just beginning to shoot. I planted them elsewhere.
We are now getting the Autumn leaf drop plus leaf drop due to drought conditions all over the section. I purchased a leaf blower 2 years ago and it makes life easier for my tired bones. It is switchable to vacuum mode too.
In the Glasshouse I sowed 3 punnets of Cineraria and the young seedlings are just peeping through. The young tomato plants are growing well along with Basil and Lettuce. I've planted some Pepino cuttings to over-winter in the greenhouse; at present they look dead but I shall wait.
Journal. Flowers for Pat
Tomorrow is Pat's birthday... Anzac Day. Flowers arrived today from Vicky and Ian. Very exotic looking bouquet of Leucadendron and Protea flowers with miniature palm leaves and other tropical greenery. Very nice indeed.
Gillian phoned to say she and the girls will be arriving tomorrow morning around 10 a.m.
Tomorrow is Pat's birthday... Anzac Day. Flowers arrived today from Vicky and Ian. Very exotic looking bouquet of Leucadendron and Protea flowers with miniature palm leaves and other tropical greenery. Very nice indeed.
Gillian phoned to say she and the girls will be arriving tomorrow morning around 10 a.m.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Journal. Gmail
Today I was asked by Google as an active user of Blogger if I would be willing to beta test Gmail the new email system to be made public shortly by Google... no date yet.
I have activated OldEric: my funny motto to be run by Gmail.
Today I was asked by Google as an active user of Blogger if I would be willing to beta test Gmail the new email system to be made public shortly by Google... no date yet.
I have activated OldEric: my funny motto to be run by Gmail.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Journal. The Islands
I have just been reminded. An advert on top of my weblog page advertises " The Real Fiji Experience". Yes it will be an experience. For the past few months it has been the rainy season up in the South Pacific Islands. November to April. The Cyclone season too.
The rains have been more prevalent this year than normal up in the Islands. Flooding has been rife and houses washed away. Emergency funds and help have been supplied by Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile holidays are continually being advertised at rock-bottom prices at barely more than the plane fare. Each evening here in NZ the Pacific weather map is shown during the evening news hour with black cloud and lightning symbols continually over the Islands.
This is probably why we have had so much unstable weather this year, our weather is affected by the tropical belt at this time of year.
Why do I continually spell continually... contiually when I know it should be continually? I always do it... contiually.
Three cheers for spell check but its contiual reminder doesn't cure me!!
I have just been reminded. An advert on top of my weblog page advertises " The Real Fiji Experience". Yes it will be an experience. For the past few months it has been the rainy season up in the South Pacific Islands. November to April. The Cyclone season too.
The rains have been more prevalent this year than normal up in the Islands. Flooding has been rife and houses washed away. Emergency funds and help have been supplied by Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile holidays are continually being advertised at rock-bottom prices at barely more than the plane fare. Each evening here in NZ the Pacific weather map is shown during the evening news hour with black cloud and lightning symbols continually over the Islands.
This is probably why we have had so much unstable weather this year, our weather is affected by the tropical belt at this time of year.
Why do I continually spell continually... contiually when I know it should be continually? I always do it... contiually.
Three cheers for spell check but its contiual reminder doesn't cure me!!
Journal. John and Edith again
John and Edith will now have their feet firmly planted on NZ soil. Their plane was due in at Auckland Airport two and a half hours ago at 5 a.m. And so were 9 other long-haul Jumbo's due in too around this time. The Airport will be busy. An empty airport and then 2000-3000 people milling around.
It brings back memories.
John and Edith will now have their feet firmly planted on NZ soil. Their plane was due in at Auckland Airport two and a half hours ago at 5 a.m. And so were 9 other long-haul Jumbo's due in too around this time. The Airport will be busy. An empty airport and then 2000-3000 people milling around.
It brings back memories.
Journal. This and That
Pat decided to paint the redwood fence again. We rubbed the fence down and washed away the lichen on Friday and put the first coat on, on Saturday. Worn out on Sunday and declared Sunday a day of rest. Anyway Pat has 2 meetings today. First is the Church Vestry meeting and in the evening the Bird Club meeting which she cannot miss, Pat is still President. We will put the second coat of paint on the fence tomorrow, Monday.
The weather is now stable, we have had morning fog these past few days which heralds a fine sunny morning by 9 a.m. and stunning early autumn days. The long term forecast says this weather will continue.
Pat decided to paint the redwood fence again. We rubbed the fence down and washed away the lichen on Friday and put the first coat on, on Saturday. Worn out on Sunday and declared Sunday a day of rest. Anyway Pat has 2 meetings today. First is the Church Vestry meeting and in the evening the Bird Club meeting which she cannot miss, Pat is still President. We will put the second coat of paint on the fence tomorrow, Monday.
The weather is now stable, we have had morning fog these past few days which heralds a fine sunny morning by 9 a.m. and stunning early autumn days. The long term forecast says this weather will continue.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Journal. John and Edith
They will have now flown out from Manchester Airport by British Airways. John says they are staying over in LA and then fly by Qantas to Auckland arriving Sunday.
Geoff will meet them off the plane at the Airport. Anna is still in Arizona and will not be back until the middle of next week. Apparently Anna is enjoying her farriers course at the ranch, Geoff tells us. We look forward to hear of her adventures.
They will have now flown out from Manchester Airport by British Airways. John says they are staying over in LA and then fly by Qantas to Auckland arriving Sunday.
Geoff will meet them off the plane at the Airport. Anna is still in Arizona and will not be back until the middle of next week. Apparently Anna is enjoying her farriers course at the ranch, Geoff tells us. We look forward to hear of her adventures.
Journal. Two Weeks of Retirement
Well here I am 2 weeks into retirement. I still feel a sense of relief having no longer obligations to my customers, I can now refuse incoming jobs. Not that I have had many come in.
It feels more like being on holiday, I feel relaxed in myself. I have been pottering around the garden doing odd jobs. Planting tomatoes in the glasshouse and sowing seeds trays for winter and early spring bloom.
That reminds me I must get some Pansy seed. Pansies grow well through our NZ winter.
Well here I am 2 weeks into retirement. I still feel a sense of relief having no longer obligations to my customers, I can now refuse incoming jobs. Not that I have had many come in.
It feels more like being on holiday, I feel relaxed in myself. I have been pottering around the garden doing odd jobs. Planting tomatoes in the glasshouse and sowing seeds trays for winter and early spring bloom.
That reminds me I must get some Pansy seed. Pansies grow well through our NZ winter.
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Journal. Easter
Gillian came over from Whitianga on Thursday before Good Friday to pick up Tahlia and Ashlee from Sacred Heart School. They all stayed overnight. Gillian also brought over Caitlin with her. The house was certainly lively.
Caitlin's leg is now better but she is still under observation.
Gillian and Paul have another new car, another GM Holden 3.5 litre. Gillian has bought an old car for Tahlia to practise with for her driving license... bright yellow. It will do for Ashlee to learn in next year when she is old enough.
The school holiday's are tacked on to Easter, Tahlia and Ashlee have managed to retain their part time jobs for the holiday period.
We stayed at home this Easter and just relaxed.
Gillian came over from Whitianga on Thursday before Good Friday to pick up Tahlia and Ashlee from Sacred Heart School. They all stayed overnight. Gillian also brought over Caitlin with her. The house was certainly lively.
Caitlin's leg is now better but she is still under observation.
Gillian and Paul have another new car, another GM Holden 3.5 litre. Gillian has bought an old car for Tahlia to practise with for her driving license... bright yellow. It will do for Ashlee to learn in next year when she is old enough.
The school holiday's are tacked on to Easter, Tahlia and Ashlee have managed to retain their part time jobs for the holiday period.
We stayed at home this Easter and just relaxed.
Monday, April 05, 2004
Journal. Monday Morning
Although I have retired a few phone calls have been logged on my mail box. Two queries and 2 jobs. I say yes to the jobs, they are old customers, they will be small jobs and straight forward.
There were not too many calls in the weeks prior to retiring. In a small town my retirement soon passes by word of mouth and people begin to look for a replacement source of expertise.
I will probably accept 1 or 2 jobs from old customers when it suits. It will keep my hand in and I can take my time.
Although I have retired a few phone calls have been logged on my mail box. Two queries and 2 jobs. I say yes to the jobs, they are old customers, they will be small jobs and straight forward.
There were not too many calls in the weeks prior to retiring. In a small town my retirement soon passes by word of mouth and people begin to look for a replacement source of expertise.
I will probably accept 1 or 2 jobs from old customers when it suits. It will keep my hand in and I can take my time.
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