Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Inbuilt cupboards and compost heaps

We haven't any cupboards in the house, just been using some old shelving.  So we decided to investigate getting some, eventually decided to get a local builder do some in-built cupboards from river red gum planking.  We sanded and stined the wood ourselves and he did the building.  I know my limits when it comes to construction, I can do a bush shed but not somethign like a cupboard. Stained River red gum - awaiting the builder Speaking of building, I did...

Monday, August 30, 2010

New Baby chickens

"Arnie" the Rooster The chirping and cheepign of three new baby chickens hearelded the forst births from our nrecently acquired rooster (Arnie) He went to work almost immediately on his harem and we now have 3 new chicks from a broody ISA Brown hen.  They arrived 21 days after being laid.  We unfortunately lost a 4th egg, "Mum" kicked the egg out about a day or so before it hatched.  Upon opening the egg, we found a fully developed dead fetus. We plan to keep the females for...

Friday, August 6, 2010

Solar Upgrade

We had a old 12V solar system when we moved in, the only way you could realistically use it with refrigeration was if you had a gas fridge. So we had to either upgrade the solar or get a gas fridge, the latter didn't appeal, we would be using more gas (above cooking requirements) for ever ! and no, we don't have a generator for a backup, if we get lots of rainy days, we simply cut way back on all optional power uses (ie no computer etc) The old 12V system had 15x70 W panels (1kW), a...