Recycled

Over summer we had the front door entrance area of our house enclosed in glass. Until then, the area immediately inside our house was almost always piled up with shoes and jackets, especially in winter, when we had to leave our gumboots outside but upturned in case they filled up with snow overnight. Wet and muddy shoes are normal where we live. It has been working a treat for shoe drying and storage so far... and a good sun-baking location for Lilly the cat.

But one thing was missing - something to hang coats on. At Cygnet Market a while back I saw some lovely coat racks made from recycled wood and metal hooks by Phoenix Creations, and took a business card so I could measure up the space and call to order some. They are made from re-used boat timbers and retain some of the paint and character of the wood. I love them. David attached them to the colourbond exterior of the house using the large recycled brass screws provided. Now the glass enclosed area is filled with the unmistakable scent of Huon Pine. This morning we put the coat racks to good use, as the light misty rain softly drenched us when we ventured out in raincoats to feed the chooks.

Sneak preview: The Lady Franklin Memorial Museum and Gallery

During the recent Focus on Franklin festival, the Franklin History Group opened up the partly renovated former St Johns church hall and put various information, photos and items from Franklin's past on display. Also on display were beautiful quilts made by some talented locals. Many people said how pleased they were to see the hall being restored and used. Now owned by fifth generation orchardist and local cider producer Naomie Clark-Port of Franks Cider, the hall will one day in the not too distant future house a permanent history display and a local business or two that will no doubt prove popular with locals and tourists alike. Watch this space...

Farm gate

It has been a rural kind of week for us former city types. Apart from culling roosters, David has been fencing. It turned out that the wallaby-proof fence around the house paddock, well, wasn't. After several incursions that had our dogs very excited (it must be said that the fence is as much about protecting the wildlife outside it as our garden inside) it became clear that the fence was deteriorating in several places. So David procured the materials and cleverly set about building a new one. The greatest excitement was the installation of a proper farm gate over the Easter weekend. The previous fence had several small gates in it, none big enough to fit a vehicle through. In fact, it had only one that the ride-on lawnmower could pass through. So delivering garden materials and other items has just become a whole lot easier. Doesn't it look great?

Sweet dreams

For more than 20 years, Christine Bowden dreamed of running her own cafe selling food cooked using produce grown in the apple and cherry orchard that has been in the Bowden family for four generations. Today her dream became reality, with the official opening of My Slice of Pie, a cafe located in the middle of the family orchards in Mountain River, just off the Huon Highway between Hobart and Huonville.

Together with husband Rodney, Christine has set up a shiny new facility offering great coffee to go with the home made delights. There are stunning views of Sleeping Beauty, so it could be a good spot for an art class. If you are coming from Hobart, turn right into Dip Road as you come down the hill, and follow the dirt road for 2km. Plenty of off-street parking. You won't regret it, although your waistline might.

P.S. If you need a dessert to take to a function and don't have time to make one, here's your answer. I didn't try to pass off Christine's yummy apple and blackberry crumble as my own, promise...

The lucky one

Photo credit: Pauline Snell

This handsome young cockerel went to a great new home in Franklin on Good Friday and we hear he is settling in well. His Barnevelder ladies are so far ignoring him, but at least they aren't plucking the feathers from the back of his neck at night, as happened to poor Russell after we brought him home.

Unfortunately seven of our first batch of eight chicks turned out to be male. One other lucky fellow is now enjoying the good life with a lovely local family.

The remaining five young blokes were not so lucky today. It was our first rooster cull and we did it as quickly and humanely as possible using the broomhandle method (warning for the squeamish: that's a video). I feel a little sad about it, but anyone who keeps chickens must be prepared to do this. In a few hours we will pluck or skin them ready for cooking. Not really looking forward to that job either, but I am looking forward to cooking up a huge pot of coq au vin someday soon with the meat from our own flock. I hope it is a fitting tribute.

P.S. If you would like to save two more lovely young cockerels from this terrible fate, we currently have two nine week old boys who will be ready to go to new homes in a month or two.

Ova

Last week I had to resort to buying supermarket eggs again. We are down to two laying hens, one of those is moulting and we're only getting one egg every few days... I expect supply will stop completely soon. I wanted to make a cheesecake that requires five eggs, so supermarket eggs it is. We feel kind of ripped off buying them. And the free range date stamped supermarket eggs look quite ghostly next to our Barnevelder eggs.

Mt Field National Park

This lovely park is one of the most accessible hiking (and in winter, skiing) areas in Tasmania, only a short drive from Hobart. Yesterday I visited the famous and popular Russell Falls with friends, in the pouring rain, thus assuring a good viewing.

We then took a short walk through the beautiful alpine vegetation around Lake Dobson.

We abandoned plans to do a slightly longer walk to Lake Nicholls. I can't wait to go back and see more of the place.