Between vanlifer gatherings, planting and watering at Hillgrove and parking in Dorrigo I've been on the road lot. The Mouse House is always lovely and everything I need, wherever I am, is in the 'house'. I have noticed one thing though, and I'm guessing a few of you van dwellers have found it too, and that is that the timber lining boards react to the weather. Two months of dry, dry weather and the boards in my van have moved apart - slightly in some places, merely cracking the paint, and wider in one spot on the ceiling. Rather than 'bog' it up with filler, I have experimented with a piece of split bamboo cane. It seems to have worked well and looks pretty good too, hardly noticeable as it's almost the same colour. Photos of the Mouse House in her two permanent parking places In Dorrigo I'm parked in my 'spot' with pot plants and flowers right outside the door and the sound of the waterfall. On the block at Hillgrove. No rain, no grass, dry as a bone! I have a tank on the shack now so I really hope it does rain soon. The tank, 5000 litres, came a few days ago all the way from Dalby Qld, (I liked the profile) and the fellas were fabulous. Scott, across the road, brought me 1000 litres of fresh water in his cube tank to pump into mine (to make sure the tank wouldn't blow away), Marty, my bush builder, gave his all despite being really affected by the smoke and not feeling the best and the truck driver put on the fittings, just where I wanted them, right there on site. It all went as smoothly as possible. Timing was everything on the day! I have started putting down bricks as a floor for an outdoor shower. Should get the shack to lock up pretty soon. I've just heard the there was a storm today (Sunday 24th) at Hillgrove. Water is running down the street. Woo Hoo!😃 There are 40 little treeling/shrublings on the block now. I go out every week or so to plant more and to water those already in. I've lost a few to rabbits and/or hares. 1.5l milk bottles seem to be the best as tree guards as the bigger ones, despite rocks and stakes seem to get blown around too much. The smaller surface area of the milk bottles, cut down - from the neck and then cut 3/4 of the way around the bottom, making a strong flap for a big rock, seem to work well so far. When the treelings are taller I'll have to protect them with mesh to keep them safe from rabbits and hares I think. Things have changed quite a bit in the 8 months I've had this block of land. Even though it's very dry, and planting isn't very easy, I still love being here - the silence of the place and the amazing views and sunsets. Here's some photos taken at Hillgrove - a great place to whittle 😊 The little birds seem to like the music I was playing in the van. (click on any photo to see bigger)
5 Comments
Sprokkie
25/11/2019 11:21:45 am
Hey (oops) Clare 🙃 it's looking fantastic buddy !
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Clare
25/11/2019 12:11:47 pm
Cheers Sprokkie,
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Chris Hundt
25/11/2019 08:19:46 pm
Wow Clare....you've achieved so much already! An outside shower is THE best way to get clean as well as a loo with a view. Hope you get a decent lot of rain there.
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Clare Colins
26/11/2019 06:51:29 am
Thank you Chris. When I look bac ver this blog I realise that quite a lot has happened in 8 months.. I believe it did rain a couple of days ago so there’s water in the tank for little trees.
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Lory
1/12/2019 04:48:23 am
Well done you!!!!! seems you are fast realising your dreams. Rain water down under is pure, not like here in Europe, so catch as much as you can!!!! Enjoy! Enjoy it!!!
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