Living Contentedly

I've noticed lately that, despite being productive around the garden, that I'm feeling wasted. I reason that it's a post Camino let down. After putting down so many kilometres and encountering  so many new villages and vistas, it's back to the farm. I love it here, but it's too familiar, too same same . This morning I searched about info on "post Camino Blues" and after wading past semi commercial schemes I found one by a writer. The typical thing, highly polished, almost poetic writing, but predictable. I did find one passage, a quote from a Pilgrim who had obviously come to terms with these feelings:-   "I think the real way to move forward in your life is to make sure that you're being true to yourself. What do you have to offer the world? What are your gifts? Are you using them? I think another thing that I realized on the Camino is that we all have limitless potential but if you don't actualize your gift you'll spend the rest of your...

Conservative state premier Minns has created a direct link between the shooting of Jew1sh people at a religious celebration by Musl1m extremists acting in isolation (an AFP inquiry confined) to introduce a team of blacked out police commandos carrying high powered rifles during NYE celebrations in Sydney.  Minns claims this is "offer safety" to party goers when in fact it only serves to engender fear among citizens; the great friend of conservative politicians.   And, the door is open to use these rifle toting goons at all major public gatherings in an ICE like presence on Sydney. ice thugs on USA, guilty of assault and battery, courtesy of conservative politicians.   

It's a busy time December. Every year I wish I had removed myself to a quiet river somewhere. When I used to think about this, I thought I'd have ABC cricket coverage on softly in the background, but now I can't listen to cricket without thinking about players as major league wankers. Cricket Australia's get to know the players scheme has backfired and we've witnessed some wealthy and depraved ratbags on show.  I also wanted to be drinking coffee, but now I'm a coffee snob I'm not sure I can provide a decent cup.  But yeah drifting along watching endless miles of vegetation and varying cloud formations will do the trick.   This is my son's dog Cuddy. He's been minded by my daughter while I was on the Camino and we've been reunited.  .+.    +.    +.    .+.    +.    + It's after 10:30pm and after a big day landscaping and stacking rocks, I ate and drank as lot before falling asleep. Well as every sixty ...

11 DEC 25: yesterday's news that my order was at Paterson would normally fill me with glee. However, being busy getting Paddy the Digger home the truck depot, I knew I had little chance of seeingy solar gear directly So this morning, after covering Paddy to protect from a light drizzle I went to collect my order which was; two LifePo batteries, two controllers and an inverter.   I soon learned that replacing the controllers and inverter takes more work than the batteries hands down.  The old battery charger is now obsolete too and was removed.  The new Controllers are larger than the old ones so they had to be relocated off an already cluttered control board. This I n turn meant extending relevant   cabling. The new inverter needed smaller diameter cabling, actually less than half the cross sectional area. So off to Jaycar to buy cable off the reel, terminals and heatshrink which cost $90.  At home, rather than disable the old system, II just made up a...

Nought better than riiding my motorsickle, especially on quiet roads. Earlier today, following on from great success with a lithium batteries retrofit, I dismantled the railings on the verandah, tidied up & began installing a new system. But going into the afternoon, I needed a mental health break  I loaded swimming gear, a fishing hand reel and running gear. At Lemontree Passage I got going with a 30 slow jog along the foreshore. It was made betterg by running along a beach that is along a rarely visited shoreline. There were obstacles like rocks, low hanging trees and their roots, but few people.  Afterwards I tried fishing with a lure by hand. Mmm, a lighter line needed.  Afterwards I ran into Koori guy in from Orbost to attend training. We quickly established that he knew my daughter's situation at Peak Hill through a shared contact in the NPWS. All pretty anaazing. After, I rode to Tilli Creek for a sunset on the beach photo.   

After having to abandon the soal install project this pm, I decided to take Paddy for a test out. Before starting I replaced the 400mm bucket with the 200mm bucket. I set out to dig a trench to the east of the hill awcriob to the house. Moving large boulders had Paddy bounce about. Then we set to the trench for water run off. After a while I started getting groove & completed 5m. I'm really impressed with this .machine, she digs quite well. Yes its easy to almost stall her out, but essentially its azquite good machine.   Paddy Todays trench . GOAT Supervisor

Cant believe I picked up my new mini excavator & did not take one photo all day.  Not when I didn't see him for black plastic wrapping.  Nor when I cut the wrapping off & saw his manly yellow toughness.  When he was loaded & I fired him up to position on the float.  On the road, or unloading at home using car tyres for a ramp. Not one photo was taken.   Well here's Paddy.  I drove him up by the house to check him over, fit the hood  & well just because I can.  My new friend Paddy will repair my driveway for safer boat trailer, car & motorcycle access, landscape my lawn & anything else I would like him to.  

My " baby boy" Joe, who is actually a foot taller than me, joined the RFS a few years ago as a local volunteer & about  a,year scored a fulltime position with Mitigation aka MIT.He has come alive with the work and works out most days and is totally into his work.  This morning he went to the Koolewong fire ground just a few days after around 12 homes were lost.Joe and his crew are involved on blacking out; locating and dowsing hot spots. Although no householders have been killed in more than 50 fires across the state, a firefighter has died after being struck by a falling tree. Naturally I do worry, but mostly I feel proud as ai know he is doing exactly what he wants; helping dowse fires and serving the community.  Photo of the Koolewong devastation. Credit ABC 8/12/2025

Sunday 7 Dec '25: Today I rode my Himmy on the Annual Newcastle Ride for Kids Toy Run. Apart from the thousands of other riders & pillions, I was really pleased to see Joe scoot past on the way down.  He'd been fighting fires overnight. Little did I know that his boss was a keen rider (he has a Shadow 750 like mine) & arranged to make it to the TR with Joe, so they apparently put themselves on "stand bye mode" & drank a lot. Anyway, I knew Joe would make it if he could because he wanted to show pride in  his new Honda 650. Its unique to this event that your day, well just before ,& durong the depart, becomes an annual snapshot of your life. One year I rode the Royal Enfield with Joe rode his Yamaha 150 on a Learner's permit. The next year he rode the Royal & I rode my chopped Honda. And so on.     After rumming over the bridge & seeing the roadside crowd gathering, we parked up at Stockton by the harbour. The weather conditions were prett...

This bad boy. Simple, elegant, capable.  Front basket (snacks, water, phone, boardies) Trailer (pets, groceries, bivvy)

A great day that could only gave been improved if I'd gotten away earlier.  I launched at Mambo with bananas & water into a steady SE headwind coming slightly offshore. I didn't consider paddling the opposite way because of the strong ebb flow - I would have shot away & had to paddle to windward on the return. I mined the treelined shore for protection & did well until Peppers. Typical of any large tidal port the tide can change at the mouth while upstream its the other way. Gradually the two meet where there is a tussle until the new flow wins out. Bring a headland, Peppers attracted a strong tussle of tides, but also wind as we faced off with the ocean for the first time.  Fortunately a kayak, even end inflatable one, is a slippery fellow & we forged ahead. Clear of the harbour I went ashore to reset the seat position, add air due to the cool water, swallow a banana & guzzle water. From there we headed to Bagnalls, but going by a smaller headland I was ag...

I bought a mini excavator that will help repair the driveway. This will reduce damage to vehicles, improve safety & smooth was for the boats. Himmy is almost on rego after replacing the front tube. Unfortunately, I paid the CTP at the post office & after 9 hours this has not been processed! Really, if its not through before Sundays Toy Run I will be massively pissed off.  Today was hot, not sure but around 40°C. & a fire south of Buladelah flared up & is raging out of control. Tomorrow will be 40° again with the added risk of electrical storms. .  Recent reports indicate that Global Warming is progressing "faster than expected". 

Well, I feel like I'm making great progress.  Health: Viruses  - seem to be nearly done Fitness - two x 2hr walks, am routine, back ache resolved with stretches, pushing to walk, ride, surf several times a week,  diet is good ( discovered rice paper as bread replacement). Mental Health - praying several times a day gives me peace, clarity of thought, simplicity. Positivity is never guaranteed, needs constant promotion. Listening to podcasts, watching utube to avoid random rubbish, offers motivation.  House: Hot water - pump fitted, all good Solar    - ordered   Digger - ready to order Other - verandah gate, tidying underway.  Motor Vehicles :  Subaru - new battery, oils bought for engine & trans. Honda - batt rebooted, decide to strip it down later. Himmy - batt charged, cleaned, tube ready for chx.  Royal - drive stripped waiting for parts Today's Report: Waking I did lower back stretches to good effect. Later I ...

A not often mentioned result of a long holiday overseas is returning to a mess at home. No, actually Joe did a great job of minding the house, but its theotor vehicles that suffer most.  They all have flat batteries, several of the bikes have flat tyres (they usually reinflate ok)  and one bike is out of rego. A third bike that had fuel blockages beforehand & was left sit has mega blockages that will force me to strip out the carbs, of I can fond them, & a flat batt.  So plenty to do before i even think about going sailing ... which will come after I retrieve the pets from the Central West.  Luckily I'm retired.  Mia assisting with the wheat harvest. Why is she drawn to large vehicles?!