Not sure what the temperature was supposed to be but I am pretty confident we failed to make it. Grey and overcast with a lazy wind that did little to inspire outdoor activity.

Called in to my friend who had my lap quilt so I could retrieve it and discovered her still in her pyjamas at noon! Apparently she, too, has been having difficulty sleeping of late and had had a very long sleep indeed to catch up.

Then to the local market where I purchased a josta-berry and a tomato plant that have both been tucked into the garden in the hope the promised rain gives them a good watering in.

Took Seb on the long rope this morning. He has been on the recoil leash for some months now and it seems to have had the desired effect. He stuck fairly close to me on both those walks and even came when called a couple of times (and ignored me a few other times, so he is hardly reliable yet). So there is hope that some day I will be able to walk him off-leash within certain parameters (like not along the track as there are bunnies on the other side of the road that he would dart off after at the drop of a hat).

Fire lit this evening although not at all necessary - just a response to the gray overcast.

I haven't been sleeping well for the last few nights due to the wildly variable temperatures - start off hot, chilly finish. Start of cosy, hot finish - you get the picture. So this morning I took full advantage of the cooler weather and slept in till 8. Then it got warm again during the day with the result I was inspired to do some washing around 3:30 when I got home from cleaning the bank, calling in on a friend, buying some tomato frames and installing them over my excessively exuberant plants in the polytunnel etc.

Then suddenly it became overcast and chilly once more. Still cosy indoors so I doubt a fire will be lit, but quite cool outdoors - more dank than cold. So the washing was brought in still not quite dry, but near enough not to bother airing it.

The friend I called in to see offered a light lunch of various lovely nibbles and some brawn her partner had made in the last couple of days. I have to say brawn leaves me pretty cold. This one had ginger, worcestershire, dash of chilli and garlic and was still pretty bland. Still, it is really good for you (all that bone stock jelly) and was nice on the sesame seed biscuits it was served with. She is a most hospitable person and if I call in when they are having a late breakfast (10-11 am), she whips up another serve as well. I forget not everyone gets up with the sparrows as I do.

I had planned to do some more whipper snippering but lost interest before I started, so that went nowhere. I will get onto it tomorrow when it will be overcast once more, but a tad warmer.

Yesterday was quite muggy and became warm later in the day. Today started chilly and was so warm later in the day that I was regretting my choice of clothing. I also have a sunburned face as I had believed the forecast - silly me.

Last night we had a meeting in the former Supreme Court building in Oatlands. It is a lovely stone building that has been 'interpreted' by the resident archaeologist by leaving the roof framing exposed with the result that in winter it is bloody freezing in there due to heat loss through the tin roof.

The goal of the meeting was to identify people with various craft skills who would be willing to teach groups of day tourists various crafts. A very ambitious project that will require considerable thought as I can not imagine a coach load of American cruise ship passengers being very impressed after spending an hour or so on a coach, finding themselves in a bitterly cold building being taught by someone whose skills did not match or exceed their own. Still, the idea is to utilise our various empty heritage buildings for these purposes and see where we go from there. The day tour would involve morning and afternoon tea, time to wander around Oatlands visiting our various businesses (I can see Mancey's being a big hit, lol) and spending some time spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, making cheese or bread or soap whatever.

So .... had a chance to speak to our one new councillor and gave him my business card so he can keep in touch if he so wishes. Ran into another old class mate at the meeting (apparently she lives at Kempton - they are coming out of the woodwork thick and fast!), and ate some lovely cheeses, drank some terrible wine and headed home.

Today was a day in the garden and we made considerable progress on the weeds due to the very helpful assistance of some of the more responsible students, but were also hindered by various classes sweeping in and out causing havoc as they went. Still, all up it was a successful day and I have a handful of new potatoes to eat with the remaining Beef Wellington (that was not eaten last night for obvious reasons).

I have a couple of mini beef wellingtons in the oven right now. Found a slab of Porterhouse steak - heavily marbled -  at the supermarket for $5.50. I have to assume it was a pricing error but I grabbed it while I could!

Bank and cottage cleaning today and was all done by ten. Normally on a Wednesday that means I could go to sewing but I was feeling a little squarmish as I have been over-indulging in raw almonds. All better now, but a day of rest seemed like a good idea as it was rather chilly today as well.

Time to go make some mash and peas to serve with that steak I think.

I had a lovely reunion with my former class mate this morning. At least two coffees and an eggs benedict (of sorts - bacon rather than ham) Then a busy scurrying around town to deliver the petition and, on a whim, to call in to see the bishop (who was of course not there).

My former classmate had similar recollections of the departure of the headmaster and of his daughter's leaving school, so I thought it a good idea to alert the Bishop to this potential complication - highlighting the school's duty of care to the children of former staff members potentially affected by the investigation.

Then further mad scurryings around to get dog and cat food and such like before returning home to walk the dogs between showers.

Bed time now and a cool day tomorrow

Only today have I become aware of the growing scandal relating to the former headmaster of Hutchins who left the school in 1970 to return to the UK. I was at school with his daughter, Sarah, and I well remember how popular she was and how sad we were to see her go. She too was gutted at her departure. We tend to forget when we feast on these tales, that there are many victims, not just the children who are abused. Sarah had settled in well in our class and, as I said, was very popular. She was a lovely, wholesome girl with a great sense of fun. The disgrace of her father and their subsequent return to the UK was not terribly well hushed up at the time as even I was aware there was something going on. A whisper of 'interfering with little boys' left me utterly bemused. After all, surely interfering with the hanky panky of little boys is a headmaster's job....

It was a much more innocent time in those days, and such carryings on were only mentioned in hushed tones and the subject rapidly changed when children entered the room. I seriously doubt that either Mrs Lawrence or Sarah had the slightest inkling of his misdemeanours until it became 'public'.

I was reading the commendations published in the School Magazine at the time of his departure. They all sing his praise. Only two make particular mention of his recent appointment to a position that it was unlikely he would have accepted had he anticipated his rapid departure. And none seem to make mention of the job that he is presumed to be going to. Perhaps that was 1960s middle class code that could be interpreted by those in the know...

It is tragic for Sarah, and Mrs Lawrence, if she is still alive, that these revelations have come to light after David's death. It will be they who again suffer for his lack of self-control, and they who will have to live with the consequences of the current enquiry.

If Hutchins had handled the complaint of the aggrieved students with more consideration and professionalism when they were first raised a few years back, this would never have happened. And I find the comment of the current headmaster (he loved only one boy) disgraceful. This has nothing to do with love and surely the headmaster of a modern boys school should be well aware of that, and respond with considerably more sympathy and understanding, even if his first priority is to protect the school.

Rainy day today. Not terribly productive rain, only 1mm when I checked the gauge at lunchtime, but better than nothing I guess. The neighbour has just started screwing on sheets of corrugated colourbond to the new stables. He kept working till 8 last night and would have gone longer had I not remonstrated. Clearly he has trouble grasping what suitable working hours are.

I have concluded that the local denizens are not naturals when it comes to protesting decisions by government. You will recall that I had arranged that Kim Booth sponsor a parliamentary petition regarding the proposed changes to services at the Midlands Multipurpose Health Centre (our local hospital and aged care facility).

So the first version of the petition was circulated for a period of six days before it became apparent that it was not in the proper form. These were withdrawn and the petition circulated once more. Signatures were collected at the local supermarket as well as at the public meeting. It was clearly instructed that they were not under any circumstance to be presented at the public meeting as the proper process was for them to be presented in the House so they could be minuted in Hansard.

Despite this, and while I have happily been assuming it was accumulating more and more signatures, it seems that some idiot did indeed present it at the public meeting, along with those from the supermarket.

Given that in six days we collected over 700 signatures on the incorrectly formatted petition, I would not be surprised if a similar number, if not greater, was handed to the Minister for him to privately bin without consideration. As it is I have only 200+ signatures on the correct paperwork.

I nearly decked him when he told me this. Particularly as he did not tell me until late this afternoon when I contacted him to get them from him to take to Hobart when I head down on Tuesday.

Choice. I can either go around every damned house in Oatlands tomorrow (not enough hours in the day) to collect some more signatures, or hope like hell that our petition has been circulated widely on FB (the electronic petition, that is) with great uptake. Otherwise it has all been an incredible waste of many concerned people's time as their efforts have been wasted by one person who is incapable of following simple instructions. He didn't even make a bit song and dance about it at the meeting - just handed it over to the Minister as he was leaving. So very angry.

For a change of pace I attended my first Branch meeting today and met the (very few) members who had come the distance. Average travelling distance is around 120 km. I am lucky as it is held at Ross! So we decided to get more participation in the group by having phone meetings in future, with twice yearly get togethers in Spring and Autumn (to take advantage of daylight savings) at Ross with a whole-day get-together, bring and buy sale, barbecue etc. Sounds a far more rational approach to me since we take in everywhere from the Tasman Peninsula to Flinders Island.

I also now have the name of someone who may know who is operating our FB page. I know someone is as I occasionally get posts from it, but they do not read messages or respond to queries in the comments sections of the posts they display. All very frustrating and hardly surprising the page has only 37 likes.

Also sorted out a lot of housekeeping stuff and agreed to start candidate searching now so we can train those interested in the way to go about things, and get them known in the area before electioneering starts in earnest. Since both the major parties already have candidates who are promoting themselves actively, it seemed a good idea to me.

I will be heading to bed early though as it was a tiring day with all the talking.

Bank this morning then into the Garden which, having been neglected for two weeks was once again buried under weeds. The paths too, so it was a good thing I had the whipper snipper in the back of the ute. Gave the paths a shave and Syche and I did a lot more weeding and watering. Seems that two of the broccoli had formed large heads, so we took home one each as a reward. Mine is sitting in the fridge in anticipation of me buying some blue cheese tomorrow.

The school kids had once again been unleashed on the garden without adequate supervision so they had 'weeded' part of the rhubarb patch, throwing several crowns over the fence onto the path. These came home with me via the Mens Shed where two of them found homes. The other two have been tucked into my garden and given a good water. They should survive.

One of my tomato plants has a fruit on it already - the yellow variety I think. I will be interested to see how it shapes up and tastes.

seb posed for the camera this evening. This is his 'crazed' look - basically it is saying 'I have no idea what is expected of me but I am ready for anything! He reverted to normal after the flash went off, lol.

Oh look. I forgot to post last night. Must have been the hot weather. Still it was cooler today and so getting the cottages cleaned, and stacking the mountain of clean linen that had been delivered was a lot easier than it might otherwise have been.

I was already in town as i had been asked to meet my employers at the bank as their 'had been some changes' which had struck horror into my heart (what? Reduced hours, more frequent cleaning at shorter spells  - something they tried on my predecessor). As it turned out it was more a change for them in that they now have the contract independent of their mainland partners and so the reporting arrangements have changed. Actually simplified. At present I have to turn off the bank security then remember to log in by phone and out again before I leave. I often forget to do this so at times I am logging in and out within five minutes of each other which has caused some raised eyebrows. But now the bank will be checking their security log weekly instead, so all I have to remember is to turn off the security when I arrive and on again when I leave - something that tends to be self-motivating as having the police arrive when half way through the dusting could be tricky!

Got home around 2 and did some housework for a change. I now have a clean bathroom which will be nice tomorrow morning when I take my shower. Then the over-the-road neighbour called in with the next door neighbour and organised me to help them to dispose of the mountains of horse poo that have accumulated. I pointed out that while it would be several people loading it into the back of the ute, it would be just me unloading it - to a resounding lack of offers to help.

Was quite annoyed once more at being 'organised' so after taking the dogs for their walk I called across the road to explain why this was not on. Once we had that sorted, we had a really good long talk about life the universe and the need to stop taking responsibility for organising those next door (as well as considerable gory detail about their circumstances, a bitch session about her down the road and so forth). After which I have come home, am about to take the dogs out one more time as Seb is being a pest, and then I will settle in for the night.

 I indulged in a sleep in this morning so staggered out of bed a seven surrounded by desperate dogs. Their needs attended to I went back inside to attend to my own and have breakfast before taking them for a longer stroll around the oval (something that requires me to be showered and dressed - or at least dressed).

It was still windy today and cooler, with the lightest of light dustings of water from time to time that never quite developed into showers. I did not achieve as much in the yard today due to lack of enthusiasm, but did make some headway. Tomorrow I only have the smallest cottage to clean so may make more headway in the afternoon if I can borrow the neigbours' slasher.

I popped over to borrow it today but was sidetracked into a cup of coffee and a chat about life the universe and everything.

I went into town to get a few items of necessities - tea, milk, anchovies - then came home via the Garden to collect one of the cos lettuces. The plants in the polytunnel have grown enormously and the coriander has, predictably, run to seed. So I tore out one of the cos to eat, and a second one to give to the chooks along with a couple of the other lettuces in there, then came home and whipped up a ceasar salad using some of the glut of eggs I am presently experiencing (people give them to me, pleading for me to take some as their hens are all laying insanely).

It was rather nice, but I suspect I overdid the garlic in the dressing.

I also discovered my parmesan supply was not as good as I had thought, so it was a bit light on the parmesan.

I am about to lose my internet download once again. I have used 80% of my monthly supply in 12 days. I have discovered that all those emails you never asked for but which come laden with pictures of things you can't afford to buy are consuming my download at a rate of knots. So I have been unsubscribing from them as they arrive. This in itself has consumed a lot of download as each time i unsubscribe they chew up more opening their home pages for you to do so from. Grrr.Hopefully next month things will be back under control and I will not have to suffer through three weeks of slow internet! So if I am less regular in my posting you will please understand why!

It was not as cold today as I had anticipated, in fact ideal weather for garden activity (albeit a bit windy). So I whipped out the whipper snipper and the mower and set to for some intensive action. Have not quite made it down to the garden beds that are in tanks, but have at least slashed part way around their bases. The lane is completely growth free and so too is the area around the house. Though I will probably need to go back over the side next to the fence as it was a bit of a rough and ready this time around.

As a consequence I have discovered why it is that professional gardeners have such delightfully sculpted fore-arms (a particular weakness of mine), though it may be some time before my own recover. A hot bath would be in order if it were not for the fact the bath is currently occupied by a large plant pot, the removal of which is beyond me.

Looking at the weather forecast it seems we are in for some heavy rain on Thursday. I am tempted to rush out and buy some lawn seed to throw around the more weed infested areas and see if it sprouts faster than the remaining weeds.

The dog walk was without incident today which was a huge relief, but then I did leave it till later in the evening when things had cooled down a bit more.

Today was rather relaxing apart from a few minor tensions in the room. I felt that we all had a say about where things could have been done better, what did and did not work for us and any concerns we might have had about the way things were run.

We were supposed to take a plate, so I called into Ross en route intending to go to the Bakery but discovered the Market was in full swing. So I collected a tray of sausage rolls and another of chocolate biscuits for considerably less than the quiche would have cost me, and went on my merry way. Got to Campbell Town about 15 minutes early so called into the Red Bridge for a cup of coffee to gird my loins, but discovered half the meeting there having breakfast. So I joined them with my coffee and mini-quiche and we all set off together.

Home once more I cut some wood as tomorrow is to be cool and windy, and then walked the dogs for their long walk. Met another tiger snake (not the same one, different markings) en route but Seb seems to have worked out they are not to be played with and so was a lot easier to haul off this time. Again, it having cooled down, the snake was pretty passive. We will have to reconsider our walks as the weather gets hotter, but I am not sure where we can go, to be frank. Perhaps Council will at least trim the long grass on the road side of the path so we don't have to keep an eye on both sides of a metre wide track!

A couple of bouts with the lawnmower before heading into town to clean cottages for a bit. Then home to do another quick run around before heading back into town to leave out envelopes for the guests we are expecting tonight. Then home to do a bit more mowing, take the dogs for a walk and sit down for a cuppa. Apparently this was not sufficient for my neighbours as next thing I hear a mower outside the loungeroom window.

Was getting a little steamed about that, but then realised they were cutting the lane, which I have been maintaining for the last six years. They have just bought a little light ride-on mower so it was a chance to test its metal. Must say I am rather pleased that someone else has taken on that task.

Nothing will be done tomorrow as I have a meeting in Campbell Town. Monday I can get stuck in once more, barring weather, interruptions etc.

Also did a few loads of washing and changed the bedding. Did I mention that my boss has just bought a great padded mattress top for the mattress that we get most complaints about. It was so nice, and so cheap I have asked him to get me one and take it out of my pay. Normally $180 it was marked down to $80.00. Not sure what is in it - maybe wool as it does not feel like feathers, and he does not cut corners and use synthetic, so it will be nice to have to add to the mattress now that it is getting a little ancient. Counted up on my fingers and it is now 10 years old, and they do recommend you change them every 8 years. I have just started sleeping on the other side of the bed and that seems to be working for me for the time being.

A friend has a queen mattress she bought at an auction which came out of a hotel that was shutting down. Apparently it has been sanitised and is just like new, so I will be buying that off her if the offer on her house comes through.

Garden tour today! Four gardens in Campbell Town with some very lovely vege patches. They were primarily flower gardens, so the vege patches were up the back yard. Some good ideas that I have posted on our Garden FB page and some lovely pockets of interesting plants as well. One garden had some glorious irises in it.

This last one was in the second garden we visited.

On our way home we stopped off at Ross at a new restaurant and had a belated lunch. The place is also a gift shop and boy do they have some lovely stuff. I bought a small unglazed white porcelain tealight holder, the sort that has a saucer and a dome over the saucer. The dome is perforated in the shape of dragon flies, so I am rather hoping they dance around the walls when it is lit (still waiting for it to get dark enough for me to find out).

Once we came home I was greeted by her over the road telling me some bloke in a white four wheel drive had parked down the road a bit and then come onto my property taking photos. She suggested that her next door might have reported me for having long grass. If she did, and he was collecting evidence then he is out of luck as it would not be admissable in court. He was probably someone associated with the house taking pix of its renovations. Either way he had a hide. The two large black dogs leaping at the back door would be sufficient deterrent if he had been inspired to any criminal intent. Still, not a nice thing to have happen in one's absence. I would be more disturbed if I did not half think it was yet another jab from her over the road to get on and sort out the garden. Which I will do in due course. I will be annoyed if she turns out to be an 'organiser' as I am afraid things happen here at my pace and no-one else's. I have someone organised to come have a day in the garden with me at the end of the month when I get paid. Mean time I will do a bit here and there as I have the time.

Teach me to be an emotional coward. I read my sister's letter today and it was not as bad as I had thought it would be. So good to know that, and I will respond over the weekend. Today I was busy cleaning cottages and visiting friends so did not have an opportunity and tomorrow i am off on a garden tour. A little space will give me time to compose my thoughts so as not to cause offence when I respond.

Hopefully with good will on both sides we can sort this out. I worry that otherwise she will turn into our mother and become a lonely bitter old lady, which would not be a fate I would wish on my worst enemy.

Today's weather has been odd, with high humidity and that looming feeling you get when a thunderstorm is imminent, but no likelihood of one arriving. Some light showers forecast for this evening is all.

Tomorrow will be quite a bit cooler so I will have to hunt out some smartish, comfy warmer clothes (or layers) for the tour.

I had a rather more relaxing day today. Had no work to do other than the bank so was able to go to quilting. Made up another 5 blocks of this 36-patch quilt we are making and realised I can use the spare blocks to make a patched border or binding with. So they are now all going in a bag with that in mind. Just sew them end to end and you have a long strip of various colours that coordinates with the quilt and is just the right width for binding!

A great lunch as Diana makes the sandwiches, and back to work to finish off a few more. Afterwards I popped into the home of another person who was planning to sell off some of her stash as she has moved into brighter colours. Ended up with rather a lot of fabric for $31.00 which I then took to Diana's place where a few of us foregathered for G&T and more chatting. Then home to walk the dogs who had been alone for rather too long today and now I am settling in to eat the rest of the sandwiches and a container of sushi that someone dropped in at lunch time and which no-one else wanted. Finish it off with some greek yoghurt and honey and I am away.

Very excited as I have a card from the PO which means my slicer/grater fitting for the stand mixer has finally arrived, which will make prepping veges for freezing rather more straight forward.

The fire was needful after all. Temperature plummeted with the sun, so on it went, and on went a batch of porridge as I have to say that Weetbix no longer make the cut in this house. Too dry if I used cold milk, too soggy if I use warm milk. Even with bottled fruit they are still pretty ick. And Muesli does not do it for me either I am afraid.

Today was a little fraught as I had  lunch with my sister for the first time in a long time. This is the first time she had called into see me since i have been back in Tassie and it was by appointment and in Oatlands. Lunch itself was very pleasant with conversation skimming over a range of topics that were light and inconsequential. Then we went for a walk around town and the conversation became rather more tense and accusatory.

I have at least worked out that since she does not discuss anything even with her closest friends, it is unlikely her world perception has ever been challenged, so there is little chance that she will change her outlook. When I suggested she try it, she told me she was sick of my pseudo-psychology. Strange, I thought it was just plain common sense.

Still, it seems the rift is unlikely to heal any time soon, so it is a good thing I was not holding my breath.

I did suggest that perhaps, since we are adults we can choose to move past any presumed omissions or acts of bad faith and simply take time to build a relationship based on our present selves, but once again that was rejected. Sad, but inevitable I guess. Oh well. I tried.

And today was just delightful, though not as chilly as they forecast. I may still light a fire, but am not convinced of the need.

Did the bank first thing then called into the Garden to take some shots of our work last Friday.

 This is the newly planted herb garden. We tried to stake down the soaker hose, but as you can see, were thwarted by the hardness of the cardboard at the bottom of the bed. By the time we got it soaked enough to penetrate it with the wire, it was time to knock off so it will be dealt with next time. The idea is that it will be under the straw to maximise soakage and minimise water loss.

 This is the Teachers Picking Bed which so far they have neglected to take advantage of. It was overgrown with mustard kale which we reefed out, and we also hacked back the perennial spinach which was running to seed. Plantings include peas, beans, tiny tomatoes, lettuce and such like. It should be cropping just in time for the holidays, but that's OK as we can pick them just as easily as the teachers.

 This is one end of the Food Forest garden which, as you can see, is flourishing (as are the stinging nettles in the back ground). The bird netting is my attempt to encourage peas to actually climb the pyramids we make for them. I find they simply slide back down again when they only have the bamboo for support and we had the bird netting lying around.

 The other end of the food forest, showing some of the crops coming on, and the abundance of food crops in there. Again we pulled out the things running to seed or taking up too much room for very little productivity and replaced them with lots of new plants.

 This is my bed in the poly tunnel. It has four tomato plants (black russian, a yellow tomato and a red one as well as a cherry tom I just planted. The front row is various lettuce varieties and the cos are growing in leaps and bounds. I had to pull off some leaves on the flatter spreading lettuce as it was engulfing the tiny basil plants that are between the two rows. In the black pot is thai mint and that is a coriander in front of it. As you can see I am trying out different ways of containing the tomatoes. One a cage, another trained up a string and the third one does not appear to require containment.

Today was a little calmer, lol.

Had a day at home doing all the things I started doing last week which were thwarted by interruptions. So, a load of washing on, and got stuck into weeding the vege gardens. Pegged out the washing, put on another load, planted the seedlings while finishing off the weeding. Pegged out another load, put another on, and popped over the road with the left-over seedlings. Came back with their brush cutter and attacked some of the larger clumps of grass, returned it, and then mowed those areas. Was planning to get the whipper snipper out to finish off the edges of the garden beds, but instead took the dogs for a walk, did another load of washing, put away some of what was already dry and headed up to see Ratt and Tina.

They had visitors so we sat and chatted till the visitors left, then I helped Tina go through the last of the bags of Ratt's mother's clothes, with the result I now have enough shirts to open my own shop, and also some nice blouses for 'good'. Messed around in her garden for a bit, came home, walked the dogs, had a cuppa while the newly aquired clothes went through the machine. Pegged them out, took the dogs for their long walk, unpegged the clothes and sat down for a bowl of icecream (I deserve it I feel).

The activity in the garden was brought on by left-over seedlings from planting up the community garden and the knowledge I will be going to a plant nursery next Friday. So had to have some space set aside for new plantings.

Tomorrow we return to cooler weather so I may not get as much done as I did today. I may just sit inside and sew.

What a horrible day. Firstly the boss sent an email last night talking about late checkouts and early checkins. So I did not go in to the cottages until 11 as there seemed little point. Turned out out the late checkouts are tomorrow (something his email did not make at all clear) and early checkins today. So I frantically cleaned out one cottage, locked it up and moved on to the next one, only to realise I had locked both sets of keys, my car keys, phone, wallet and some of the cleaning gear into the first cottage (first thing I do when I get stressed is lock myself out of places).

So I ran up the street to Monika's shop to ask her to call my boss and explain the dilemma while I went back to work on the second cottage. She toddled over with her mobile and we called him together as she had got the message muddled. I explained what had happened, and endured several minutes of him asking me the same questions over and over, and eventually we resolved I would have to walk up to the visitor centre to get the set of keys they have there. So I did that, got into the first cottage then discovered that the guests in the second cottage had checked out, taking the keys with them, with the result I had to go back to the visitor centre (at the other end of town), return the first set of keys, collect a second set, get back to clean the cottage (via the shop at the other end of town to get a bandaid to protect the bleeding hang nail that I could not fix as Brad has yet to invest in a first aid kit), sort out that cottage while fielding guests arriving early to check into the first cottage and then guests arriving within nanoseconds of me finishing to move into the second cottage, and then clean the third one. All this in hot humid weather while wearing a long-sleeved shirt as I was sunburned from yesterday in the garden.

I was not in a good mood by the time I was done, and was further annoyed when I discovered the shop had run out of pizzas so I will be having leftovers for dinner. Bought a small tub of chocolate icecream to console myself.

Hopefully I will be in a better mood by tomorrow as it is at least cooler tonight.

My but it was warm today! I had the bank cleaned bright and early which was good as I had left something at home that I needed for the day in the garden. So I was able to head home and sort that before devoting myself to the day's activities. Last week's day off shopping was repaid today as the entire garden had been engulfed in stinging nettles. So, since weeding was not a good way to start the day, we planted out the herbs in the garden bed we had prepared then got stuck into the rest.

The food forest bed and the strawberry bed got particular attention, as did the picking bed which had been engulfed with some mustard-flavoured kale. I am afraid that despite Eleanor's affection for kale, to me it is a weed, so any that had run to seed was hauled out and bunged into the compost.

Then vast quantities of plants went into all three beds, with bush pumpkins, courgettes, cucumbers, some tomatoes (various types of cherry tomatoes - one of which found its way into my bed in polytunnel), and lettuces, beetroot, chard and various other things.

Then the whole lot was given a deep watering (for some time as the base of the food forest bed had dried out to the point we could not drive in the bamboo stakes for the peas to grow up), and a soaker hose was installed on the herb garden. It will require some refinement next week as, although we made wire hoops to hold it in position we ran into similar problems driving the wire through the cardboard under the straw bales, so that bed too received a thorough soak.

We have given up on the teacher who is supposed to be teaching the local kids how to garden. her approach to weeding is to clear the entire bed, plants and all! Some of the kids rebelled so at least some of their gardens are looking good and potentially productive. She does not listen to our advice, so I guess she will just have to learn the hard way.

Annie has been forgiven - apparently Nathanial had a close encounter with a particularly strong dose of dope which did not mix well with his aspergers syndrome. He was last seen hallucinating wildly, poor lad. He has gone off the straight and narrow significantly since leaving home, and this is the consequence.

I had all three cottages to clean once more today, but fortunately they all checked out early so i was done in time to have lunch with the quilters. Diana whips up luscious sandwiches for us for $3.00 as much as you can eat and it is always worth getting in if you can manage it.

Having done that I came home and started to put on the hare, then remembered I had not left out an envelope for tonight's guest so had to dash off and deal with that.

the hare cut up in to some very sizeable portions - three across the saddle alone. the dogs got the rib cage and the rest went in the pot. It has been simmering for four hours now and will be ready to serve just as I dash out the door for our public meeting tonight.

The Minister for Health is supposed to be appearing in our School Gymnasium to relieve our concerns (or at least hear them). I don't like his chances of leaving unscathed if he does not come up with some instant solutions. Media will be present.

A big thunderstorm this afternoon again failed to deliver much in the way of rain, but it is so dry that we have puddles everywhere. I have lit the fire despite it not being all that cool as it is dank and dark and fires are good! Hopefully it will still be going when I get home and can finally taste this damned hare.

Today was going to be a nice quiet day of steadily working through my various bits and bobs of paperwork, followed by a couple of hours of sewing.

First though, I had to go into town to put money in the right places, collect some dog food, and do a few other errands. Once that was sorted I got home, did some bank transfers, filled in my expenses claim form, printed out the invoices, scanned them and the claim form and ... the phone rang. Brad in a panic as it was 1;30 and Annie had called in to say she couldn't work. Full house to clean, full house of guests arriving any time after 2............... not happy Jan. So I dashed into town to sort out that mess (fortunately Brad was also helping) and came home again. started to draft the email to attach the scanned info, when a knock at the back door heralded the arrival of Gordon from over the road, bearing a large dead hare. So, dinner was planned involving a bottle of red wine, some bacon, and some slow cooking. Unfortunately by the time i got back from walking the dogs I was too tired to consider that, so it will go in the slow-cooker tomorrow I guess.

While collecting the red wine I was waylaid by a local to chat about the meeting tomorrow night and the need to set up a citizen's action group (to do Council's job for them in terms of building community resilience and agitate for change), so we will get together later this week or next to progress that idea. I have also had a suggestion to start a food-sharing FB page which idea will be developed when I go to Tina's on Sunday to sort through some more clothes.

Seems once you put your head over the parapet the vultures descend.

So tomorrow is bank and cottages and apparently no sewing as I still have not finalised the paperwork that needed to get done today. I can hopefully get on with that once I have quartered and seared the hare and bacon and got it all into a pot to cook slowly for dinner.

A cool start and cloudy but I persevered with the washing for all that as it was also relatively still winds. So my entire wardrobe is now nice and clean, though the quilts will have to wait for tomorrow as it was too late to put them out and the wind was picking up mildly this evening.

Once that lot was on the line I headed into town to retrieve petitions and to swap them for the proper format ones. The volunteers are cheerfully heading out once again to collect the same signatures which is encouraging, and those in places I dropped them off to earlier are also gathering signatures as well. I have posted the link on my FB page to the e-petition ( http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/EPetitions/House/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=54&lIndex=-1 ) 
if you can share it around also that would be helpful. Anyone in Tasmania (or with a Tasmanian address) can sign it if they are over 18.

The address of my FB page is jobainlyons if you want to take it from there. That is my campaign page, not my ordinary page.

I then took a run up to Caroline's place and discovered half the quilting group there so we had high tea and I headed home to walk the dogs.

Seb discovered his first tiger snake en route this afternoon. He is so stupid he though the hissing was an invitation to play. Fortunately the snake had more sense and headed off through the fence out of reach. If he lives till he is 12 he might work out that they are not toys. My job is keeping him alive until then, lol.

Still quite warm this evening despite a forecast one degree for tonight so I guess I won't be lighting the fire tonight then.

The snow continued during the nice so there was a light sugar dusting come morning, but it was soon gone despite regular top-ups during the day. It seems to have cleared now, so I guess we have to brace ourselves for the warm spell that we have coming up. So confusing, but at least I will get the washing done!

I made another block today and realised that there was sufficient left at the bottom of each cylinder of strips to cut two more rows off them. So plying my very basic maths I thought to my self that I can make four blocks using the same arrangement of colours if I made up two more cylinders. So that is what I have done today, since it will get chaotic at sewing once we are all bobbing up and down at the cutting and ironing boards.

The second block uses six new fabrics so bears no resemblance to the first one, which is as it should be. I will ensure that the new blocks have the rows arranged differently to avoid them sticking out too clearly in the overall result.

Apart from huddling indoors from the snow and making sure i had sufficient firewood to keep me going, I have done absolutely diddly squat today and am very happy about that!

I tend to start composing these entries while i wait for the computer to turn on and load the page. Today's was going to start with 'they promised me snow and I am still waiting....." but as it turns out the snow started to fall while I was waiting for the computer so I am happy now!

Cleaned a cottage today and delivered revised petitions to all the relevant venues and collected the signatures on the poorly drafted one. I will present these to the Minister when he comes to call on Wednesday evening (when he will be confronted with the entire district in high umbrage I suspect).

Threaded the new bungy onto the ute and it seems to be tightening up as it settles into its new home with the result the tarp is looking rather more taut than has been the case for some time. Hopefully it will also reduce fuel consumption due to lack of drag.

The day was ridiculously warm for one when we had snow forecast, and sunny as well. The occasional shower and black cloud passed us by and i had begun to lose all hope. Even now the snow is mingled with rain so it is unlikely to settle unless we get a real dump overnight. But it is nice to watch it falling for all that. I do like snow!

The fire is chugging away and I have a pizza in the oven (well, the oven is heating in anticipation of receiving the pizza).

Last Wednesday at quilting Caroline took it into her head that we were all going to make the same quilt. It comprises 36patches of 2 inch squares, which will be set on point once they are completed. You get around six (or more) blocks from six fat quarters, though some of my fabric is actually in quarter yard lengths so that will go further, I presume.

You use up all your fat quarters that you have bought over the years but never found a use for because they fail to coordinate with the fabrics of the quilts you are making or they were given to you by people who have not paid attention to your preferred colourways. The first one has pinks, purples, pale blues and beiges as well as a sulphur yellow that I had bought when in NZ (it has keas on it) and first starting out into quilting. Lovely fabric, completely wrong for my usual colour choices.

That has accidentally ended up as a diagonal across the block, which has suggested to me that I should try for a strong colour running diagonally on them all, to make for a design by accident.

I have another NZ fabric that is bright yellow Powha (I think) flowers on a navy background that will find its way into this quilt also. It is supposed to be a pretty random outcome, and I think we can agree I am well on they way to achieving that! lol.

The snow has stopped again - sigh.

I walked the dogs early in anticipation of the change of weather, but this simply means they are now ready to go out again (not a chance!) Once my pizza is cooked I will eat it, turn on the electric blanket and retreat into my cave I think!