Silent snow in spring

We got up to let the dog out at a quarter to six this morning, to find that the biggest blanket of snow we've had here so far had softly and silently fallen overnight.

A walk in the forest

Yesterday we attempted (and failed) to walk in a big circle through the forest, returning to our place. Regardless, it was great exercise and we took the dog. Several parts of the walk were along very boggy tracks and Baerli happily ran through the puddles and sank into the mud. We successfully tired her (and ourselves) out.

Along the way we saw a dead Tasmanian Devil, alerted to its presence by a large bird flying off from the path. Of course it would be better to spot a live one, but we're pleased to know they are still in our area. The facial tumour illness has almost wiped them out in some parts of Tasmania. We saw one running along our fence the first night we were here - they have a very distinctive gait - but as I haven't seen one since, I was starting to wonder if I'd imagined it.

Wood for the fire

We don't have a wood fire - sadly - both of us would like one. But we regularly see people who do heading up into the forestry area a little further up our road, and returning later with a tray load of chopped wood. Clearly that's not the intended purpose of the plantations, but it seems accepted that people will help themselves. According to a neighbour, you quickly learn which is the 'good stuff' to chop down that burns slowly.

Things I don't miss about Sydney

A work trip to Sydney this week got me thinking about this. Some of the things I really don't miss about the place include:

• Beige cubicles in the office
• Bus travel and sitting in traffic on Military Road
• The taste (and look) of the water. Tank water is brilliant
• Feeling grubby thanks to the pollution
• Being unable to park anywhere near where you want to go
• Angry, aggressive people who are happy to (literally) tread on you rather than let you in.

Things I do miss about Sydney:

• Banter with the locals at the doggy park in Narraweena most afternoons
• Trek training with Wild Women on Top
• Yoga with Damien Lovelock at Manly Leagues Club
• Woolworths Homeshop - big stress buster and essential in Sydney
• Rupee Room Indian restaurant at Collaroy - so far the only decent curries I've had here in Tasmania are ones I've cooked myself.

And I would say our friends and family, except truth be told we didn't see most of them as often as we should have in Sydney either. Life just got in the way too much.

Antarctic blast

A Weather Channel article yesterday warned of an 'Antarctic blast' heading for Tasmania bringing strong cold winds and potentially snow down to sea level. That hasn't quite happened (yet - it's still snowing on and off) but after last week's warm sunny Spring weather it has certainly been a cold blast. We've had a lovely blanketing of snow.

View from the office window this morning

First seeds

Yesterday I sowed our first small lot of herb and vegetable seeds for planting out in the garden and in bigger pots later. In the past, I have only grown things from bought seedlings, so this is all a bit new for me. As you can see in the picture, I'm trying out the 'toilet roll' method described in Lolo Houbein's beautiful book One Magic Square. The thing I like about the book is the use of existing and recycled materials like butter tubs and milk bottles wherever possible, rather than buying specialist equipment for seed raising and vegetable growing. Fingers crossed some of the seeds will actually germinate...

Apple crates in place

The four $5 apple crates that will serve as vegetable beds are now in place, and ready to be filled with a combination of soil, hay, manure, compost and straw. Two additional apple crates will be used for storage up in the shed.