Bug-ger Off

Whilst cleaning out the shed down the hill Rod discovered these small bettles gathered in large infestations behind sheets of board. We tried to identify them using google but the closest we could find from an American site was cucumber beetle.

Just this week I chanced on an article in our local newspaper The Courier - “the adult beetle is about 6mm long (check) yellowish to olive green (check) with a black stripe along each side of the back (check mate!) So there you go it is Elm Beetle. Our elm tree is being attacked but we have never seen the culprits. 

Under done - a bit over the top

Following on fron the replacement balustrade around the deck of the cubby we decided to enclose the underneath for some hidden storage and to give added protection to the rabbits.

The rabbit cage is now only two levels (instead of three) and the access door is on the north face instead of the south.

Many sessions of excavation by myself to lower the floor allowing more head room and to achieve a slightly more level ground. Red brick pavers have been used inside and white gravel on the outside perimeter.

The corrugated metal sheets are recycled from the roof, salvaged from the last extension.

Clear acrylic corrugated sheets have been use on the northern end, adjacent to the cage on the eastern side and also a central sheet on the southern cage wall and the western end of the cage.

More light and ventilation is gained through the window with iron bars. An item I just couldn’t resist as a decorative but functional addition. When purchased from Upstairs Downstairs in Nairne ( now closed) I didn’t have an application in mind but knew we could use it somewhere.

One of these jars is not like the others

2kg Satsuma Plums, 1.5kg Blackberries, 3.5kg white sugar and lots of stirring over heat. 

Booties, you always need booties!

Parcel of Booties sent off today to Matt and Lindsay in Auckland NZ

Biggest pair - Lafybird

Medium size - Christmas Bells

Smallest - Black Booty

It’s our Lot now

Our neighbors of 25 years asked if we might adopt their youngest cat as they were moving into a rental with 3 dogs and 2 cats. We said we would give it a trial as we were concerned Asher may feel intimidated.

Asher wasn’t exactly thrilled but he was tolerant so we went ahead with the adoption. Asher is still not thrilled but still mostly tolerant.

Initially we were concerned that Lottie might keep visiting next door but it didn’t take him (yes the neighbours discovered that she was a he at the time of desexing) too long to realise that love and food are dished out at Ashwell.

Early spring saw our hospitality extend to our pockets when Lottie took on a snake and was found in the garden in a bad way. Hospitalisation for 5 day’s and  $1300 later we had now had an investment in this new Family addition.

Anniversary present Balls-Up

You would think after 34 years of marriage our communication skills to each other would be close to spot on. Not so, it took two trips to Murray Bridge to select this year’s joint  present. In one trip we bought a wooden platter with handle all carved from one piece of teak timber. The next trip on the following day was to return said wooden platter and select wooden garden feature shown below.

Purchased from Serenity Nursery located off Mannum Road Murray Bridge their range of garden accessories, furniture, sculptures, pots and plants is phenomenal.

Ever since we went to Chelsea Flower Show in 2015 I have been interested in Sculptures made from individual pieces of wood. The ones shown in the photo below were made from driftwood I believe.

Fortunately for us the manager at Serenity allowed us to return the unwanted piece as it is not normal policy. Everyone is happy now, but let’s see if we can do it in one shopping expedition next year!

Tulip Tragedy

Whilest hanging  my newly dug garlic from the roof of the enclosure under the cubby I discovered that rodents have been chewing through the plastic netting bags that I had them stored in and eating the bulbs. 

After the year before loosing every bulb to rot (my fault for not digging them up early enough) I thought that this season I had nailed it with lots of bulblets as well.

The only positive to this is the opportunity to re-elect from the luscious Lambley catalogue. $44.50 later .......

Tulipa Honeymoon