WWQP Bulletin Board Chat

Being able to include photographs adds so much to the Chat Board, if not for the colour alone. We have lived in the country for nearly twenty-three years...hard to believe sometimes, and I would not move back to the city for the world. Towards the end of the summer we purchase one or two flat-bed trailer loads of wood, eight to ten feet long and at least eight to ten feet tall strapped onto the trailer. The trees, stripped of their branches require a cherry-picker to remove each tree which is carefully swung off the flat-bed and onto the ground beside the laneway. Once September comes, the cutting begins. By Thanksgiving, the second week-end in October, we are ready for family & friends to come and help split the wood with a commercial log splitter. This should all run smoothly. This year, it didn't. With fifteen hands ready to help split, the log splitter gave up the ghost and the job was left unfinished. A few die-hards took the axe and started splitting but tomorrow will see the last of it split. Another log splitter sits in readiness by the wood pile. It's fun getting ready for winter but it's a two-person team effort to live comfortably in the country if you're going to heat by wood. We go through 7 to 8 bush cords a year from Oct. to May.

Marion, I cannot ever imagine having to live under the conditions of unexpected earthquakes. I would be completely unnerved, as I'm sure many are in the area of Christchurch at the moment. I don't know how you keep calm and likely you don't. You must be aware and on edge since this has happened.

Off shortly to assess an Australian Shepherd for Aussie Rescue. That part of rescue, for me, is not easy and in fact, quite painful. But rehoming dogs is a good thing when it needs to happen.

Rosey