On the 1st of June it’s windy and drizzling outside and warm, dry and cosy in here. You’ll possibly be surprised to see the changes that have occurred in the past 4 weeks. I was quite amazed when I watched the last YouTube video - the one I did in May with Tigger. Tin Hut is now free of workshop type ’stuff’ and, with the recently gifted pre-loved rugs, and the new outdoor stuff shed…yes, indeed….with shelving for the ’stuff’ she’s looking pretty darn fine if I do say so myself. I am very happy with my 20sqm. Starting from the 1st pic (click to enlarge then just scroll through) this is how it happened. I now have a dear little stove, the smallest, nicest one I could find. It was delivered and installed about a week ago. I can cook one pot meals on the top (coq au vin at the moment) and it is the most efficient and best burning and lighting stove I have ever had the pleasure of using. One sheet of newspaper, a few sticks and she’s off and running. No need for fire lighters with this little ’squirrel ‘. Many thanks to Ali who brought this (and the twin tub…more on that in a minute..) out for me neatly packaged and tied on the back of her ute. After the installation Ali and I shared a lovely lunch and then put the timber around the edges of the cement fibre, 8mm thick, hearth that I painted slate grey the day before the stove came. It looks lovely. 😊'It's all too beautiful'..... hah! Right now, with only the sound of my typing and the ‘singing’, well braced, chimney in the wind, I am plugged into the power from the Mouse House. An inverter and an extension cord are a very good idea. Typing as I am now won’t use much power at all but when I edit film clips and photos that usage will increase no doubt. Lucky the sun just came out 😊. Withe the extra fold out solar panel I’ve managed quite well after 3 days of no sun last week. The battery did get down to 25% but with a lithium battery that is still ok. Running the van for a while will put in 40amps per hour if I need to. Why buy a generator when the van, with DC to DC charger, is a generator of power anyway? I spoke with Andrew at Enerdrive, where my system came from, and he explained it all to me in a very clear way. I feel more in control now....as the panels currently get a decent wash from a downpour. And then....The magical appearance of the outhouse/wood cover/garden shed. The outhouse has a 2nd skin and a higher roof....nice 😊 The best deterrent for flies is...a fly swat! Honestly, you'd have to kill a fly by fatally chucking the can of fly spray at it for all the good spraying them does. Look at that wonderful wood box I was just given. Fits the space and my wood size perfectly. I have a confession to make here. The lovely neighbour that gave me the wood box also gave me a fabulous, really old bikky tin, a very unique one. I washed off the years of shed grime and put the pieces on the stove stop to dry. It was too hot and the pieces were all scorched. I wish I hadn't done that🙄 Things have slowed down with tree planting. I think I have enough now as they will grow quite big in time. A lovely neighbour gave me a red flowering gum tree he’d grown from seed and I planted that 2 days ago…maybe the last tree to go in. The veggie garden is doing quite well and I eat something green from it every day. Mainly lettuce and kale. I’ve even made bread again, the first in over 2 years. I baked it in the gas pizza oven I actually kept from the sale of my house and possessions. I think it will come in handy after all. I know I have some artworks around the place, being looked after in different homes, but I can’t remember what or where. Won’t that be a lovely surprise when they come back and decorate this simple little home? Back to the twin tub washing machine… Yes, I succumbed. After hand washing in cold water for a couple of months, and suffering the painful splits in my fingers as a result of the cold wind and water, I decided that things were only going to get worse as the days became even colder so I bought, for under AU$200 a portable, low wattage, washing machine. Fair enough, there is still a tiny bit of work required, if water is to be be conserved, but it sure gets my clothes cleaner and the little spinner is great! With the sun on the solar panels I found that I did not deplete the battery at all by using 240v with this little 5kg washing machine. Another ‘little thing’ that has made me very happy.
20 Comments
Deirdre
1/6/2020 09:26:04 pm
You have put a smile on my face with your beautiful creativity and contentment. Well done Clare. What a joy to watch and such a beautiful space you have created for yourself. I love little squirrel.
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Clare Colins
1/6/2020 09:56:36 pm
Thank you Deidre.
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Clare Colins
1/6/2020 09:57:50 pm
I think so Kylie. I bought the land for the views and the quiet. 🤗
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Dee
1/6/2020 10:06:24 pm
Thank you dear Clare for another moment of happiness from your neck of the woods. You are so creative with your ideas and it is a joy to follow along beside you in your wanderings. Love from another land far far away. Art knows no boundaries.
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Clare Colins
1/7/2020 10:06:19 am
Thank you Dee,
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Carol
1/6/2020 10:56:06 pm
Another excellent winter day. Keep those photos coming. I’m loving everything about your land and Tin Hut Tiny House. I get a lot of pleasure out of reading and seeing your progress. Look forward to seeing how you go through the winter in your Tin Hut Tiny House.
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Clare Colins
1/7/2020 10:08:07 am
Cheers Carol.
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Sue
1/6/2020 10:56:08 pm
Wow you have certainly been busy, I have the very same wood heater and I love it as well. Have to get it just right to last till morning ....
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Clare Colins
1/7/2020 10:09:20 am
Hi Sue,
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Helen Ruby
2/6/2020 12:23:55 pm
How excited I was to see your name in my inbox, knowing there would be another blog to bring me visually up to date with your wonderful, happy, creative and cosy life. Well done Clare, it is infectious to see and hear your enthusiasm about everything you have been doing. May the beautiful space you have created shelter and warm you through the months ahead. It was great to have a rave on the phone on Thursday last...love and blessings...Helen Ruby
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Clare Colins
1/7/2020 10:10:24 am
Thank you Helen.
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Helen
2/6/2020 01:28:04 pm
Hey Clare, just love the ambience of your Tiny Tin house - you have created a very cosy piece of Art! The Squirrel is too cute! Looking forward to next month's story!
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Clare Colins
1/7/2020 10:11:13 am
Thanks so much Helen.
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Jacquei Quach
2/6/2020 03:58:48 pm
HI Clare, you have done a sensational job, looks so homely, loved and inviting. Well done you - a wonderful way of embracing life.
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Clare Colins
1/7/2020 10:15:37 am
Thanks so much Jacquei
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Clare Colins
1/7/2020 10:13:44 am
Sorry John I have no idea what the weight the build on it's own was.
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Di Etheridge
12/6/2020 06:59:38 pm
Hi CLARE, what a beautiful peaceful life you have and thank you for sharing it with us. Feel like I'm there.I need to get my camera out again and start using it. Hope your enjoying you're old stove tonight. 👍😁
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Clare Colins
1/7/2020 10:15:19 am
Thanks Di,
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