We don’t often talk about the ol house in St Peters, but it is an area which is fast getting a fantatsic reputation for the street art in May Lane, which our house backed onto. Anyway last week in the mail Lee-Ann got sent the Time Out Sydney (magazine), Oct 2009 issue (not sure who sent it).
In the mag there is an article Sydney’s Best Graffiti which all the images come from Mays Lane St Peters. Flicking thru the article what do we see on the 2nd page – our house in May St, St Peters. Woohoo
After the dust clouds came through last week (more on that below). How cold did it get. Yass temps for the weekend were
Sat 4-10
Sun 3-7.8 (icy winds blowing from the mountains as well)
Mon 3.2-11.9 (and very little wind)
On the dust storm, I missed the first one in Yass (caught it while in Sydney). Anyway as you may be aware, we drink the water from out tank and up until now that has been fine. But since the dust storm the water is a bit murky (and even a new filter does not help). Do people know if I just have to wait for the fine dust to settle in the tank (will it settle) before it becomes clean again? Or is there something else I should be doing?
Yep, the heading is correct I have a part time/casual job. I now work in retail. I work Sundays 10.00am – 2.00pm in the Little Dog Bookshop, Yass. My first time in retail and the job is only till Christmas, but I thought it would be a great way to meet people in town. The shop itself is a small indi bookshop with various other items eg cards, candles etc. You can visit the site at http://littledogbookshop.blogspot.com/.
So Sunday was my first day and Kate the owner showed me how it all works and next Sunday I open and close, no help. And one other thing about the shop – it is certified caron neutral.
Little Dog Bookshop, Yass
Remember shop local, you are not only helping the community but also the environment.
Here are some pictures of the best breakfast I have ever had. Of course I have had many wonderful breakfasts over the years but there is something extra special when the eggs were fresh from the chook pen and the purple broccoli and asparagus picked just minutes before eating.
Basically we had a sort of do it yourself style Hollandaise suace – which we took from the Hugh Fearnly-Whittingstall episode – which aired last Wedensday night on ABC. Soft boil some eggs, and then when in the egg cup add a dob of butter, a drop of apple cider vinegar and sprinkle with salt and pepper. And then you can dip the asparagus into the egg, or dip intot he salt and pepper first and then into the egg.
It was so yummy we did this on Saturday and Sunday. But sadly, since the asparagus has only been in the ground for a year, it may be better in the long term to leave the asparagus alone for the rest of spring.
Breakfast @ OGA Fresh eggs and asparagus picked that morning
Yesterday (Wed 2nd Sept) we had our first sitting of a snake. Last summer we were told there was a snake seen out the front of our property but we never saw it. Two days ago my neighbour came up to me while gardening to tell me that they have seen a snake out front, she had run over it but it slithered off.
The snake probably disturbed as we had our ‘slasher’ guy over and he does the front as well. It didn’t worry me too much, but yesterday afternoon the girls got off the bus and were walking down the lane towards our house and I heard my eldest shriek, so I went out and she said snake. The snake looked at them so they weren’t moving. I told them to step back and I got in the car and drove over the snake, the girls quickly getting into the car. Even thou the snake had been run over twice (I assume it is the same one out neighbour had told me about) it slithered away.
The snake was approx one metre in length. The funny part about this being the girls had no problem touching a snake last Saturday when we were shopping and a wildlife handler had a snake in the Gungahlin shopping centre. In the flesh without a handler it is quite scary, especially since everyone here has been telling us about the King Browns and Tiger snakes, and how these snakes are not afraid of people. So I am forever telling the girls to wear shoes not only for snakes but also because of the many red backs we have around the place – maybe now they will take more notice.
If I can get a picture I will try, although I am not keen to get out there searching for a snake. Anyway despite the grass slashing causing the snake to appear, the place does look quite nice – like having a haircut it feels all fresh and light.
It has taken a while, but a month ago (or two) Lee-Ann and I went on our first kid free holiday in years. The flight details were Canberra to Adelaide and return. We were gone from Wed 24 June returning Mon 29.
The flight itself was booked a good 10 months earlier, soon after Tigar Airways said they were flying to Canberra and just one of the days when they had cheap flights. The other part is being a Sydney Swans fan, when ever I can book cheap intersate flights I try to make it around a Swans game. This week it was to be Swans vs Adelaide Crows.
Anyway the flight was good and the plane OK . We took off 5-10 minutes late and arrived in Adelaide 5-10 minutes late. After finding our hotel (Rockford http://www.rockfordhotels.com.au) in Hindley St we headed out for a beer and a feed. With both of us being big fans of the Cook and the Chef, we headed off to the Hilton to Simon’s Brasserie (web link). Food and wine did not disapoint and recommend it to anyone, came back to the hotel stuffed.
The next day it was hire a car and off to the Barossa for a few days where we stayed in Tanunda, in a small self contained cottage (http://www.merlotcottage.com.au/). The cottage is on the main road of Tanunda but up an embankment so very little noise. On the other side is the caravan park, but that is down in the gully so again very little noise from it. The cottage was perfect, but I would not recommend for anyone over 170 cm – I am 168 and on one doorway smacked my head. The cottage itself is a 1 bedroom with kitchen, bathroom, longe and dining nook, Great for that romantic getaway.
Once there we only visited a few wineries, one which was really a shop front (Taste Eden Valley). This is a cooperative cellar door and wine bar in Angaston, the person in charge was Sarah Lehman (Daughter inlaw of Peter Lehman).
An hour and so later and a case ordered to be sent home we left.
That night we ate at another great little restaurant 1918 (http://www.1918.com.au/) who have local wines and a seasonal menu. Now I must say at this point I think I was going thru a pork belly moment as I ordered Pork belly that nite and also the nite before, two lots done completly different ways but both fantastic. Onve again we walked out stuffed.
The Friday visit was to Bethany Wines (http://www.bethany.com.au) had some of their stickes and bought a few bottles for the rest of out stay in SA. Also had to go out and check the Whispering Wall (http://www.southaustralia.com/9001624.aspx), slghtly overcast and the damn was full. A bit freaky for those vertically challenged. On the water side only a metre to where the water is, on the flip side a 40 meter (guess only) drop. But you can hear people from one side to the other by just talkling at a normal level. The last place we visited was Maggie Beer’s shop (remember I mentioned Cook and Chef earlier). We saw Maggie and Simon, filming their last episode. We also picked up goodies and took photos.
Saturday was time to head to Adelaide for the footy. I stuffed up with the game times as I thought the game was at 7.00pm, no it was a 2pm game.
Getting to AAMI Stadium was way easy, bus right outside the hotel we were staying in. Also I have to say that AAMI stadium is one of the best in Australia, easy to get a beer, lots of leg room and generally a good mood by all.
Sydney Swan Barry Hall, last Sydney game 2009
Sydney did loose that day and it will be remembered as Barry Halls last game for Sydney. Oh well.
That nite back in Adelaide we made a bee line for one of the cities eating precincts – Gouger St. It seems to cover all the eating styles and we settled on Indian (seeing in Yass we do miss Indian food) (Gouger St is also where the Central food market is open durinng the day).
Sunday we headed off to Glenelg via the ‘ol tram’ A nice beachside suburb, we had a few beers and a bit of lunch.
Andrew and Lee-Ann visiting Glenelg SA
Now this is where things got interesting on the way back to the hotel, walking down Hindley, which is a bit like a busy pub street/come never sleep 24 hour street (the other end is the Arundle Mall). We pass a quiet street and a cop van. We cross against the red light and two cops spring out and book us for walking against the red. Can you believe this. This is Sunday at 6.30pm and the only people out are tourists. This is nothing more than revenue raising. The street we crossed is a one way very narrow street. I questioned them why were they not doing this Sat nite when all the intoxicated people would have been out, the response being “oh no we are far too busy on Saturday nite” Of course that they are only fining tourists at this time and not educating the locals seemed beyond this police woman. Oh well up until that point I would recommend SA/Adelaide, but to everyone avoid it, the cops are dicks (or maybe just avoid Adelaide). The following morning back to the airport and home.
My mum had been looking after the kids but I think by that time she had, had enough, we got home (Once again Tiger Air were fine), her bags packed and varoom, straight out the door.
Sorry have not blogged for a while, I will be doing some catching up next weekend. But there is something I do have to tell you about.
Chickens like eggs. I did know that from reading about this in magazines and books, but I have now witnessed it for the first time.
This egg eating by the chickens occured yesterday (Monday) and it has to do with the structure build and the location of the chicken coop.
Chicken coop structure. We have two small latches (one on each side) where we can remove the eggs, but at present the coop is located against some bales of straw (I use straw as the boundaries of my vege patches). The position of the coop is my future strawberry patch. So on Monday the chickens laid their eggs on the opposite side to where I could get easy access. Normally this is not really an issue as we just gently knock the eggs (using a piece of wood) across to where we can pick them up. This time we cracked one of the eggs. It was a free for all, the chickens raced to it and started to devour it. Luckily we got the other two eggs out.
Now my understanding is that the chickens should not get the taste for eggs, if they do they will start to eat them all the time. So today Lee-Ann is going out every hour or so and grabbing the eggs, so far she has two of the three we normally get. My thought being if we go a few days removing the eggs straight away we should be OK. Otherwise it may be stock for them.
As I back out of cycling advocacy in Sydney (Currently I am VP of BikeSydney (http://bikesydney.org and I was Pres for 8 years – and VP of Bicycle NSW for a number of years as well). I turn my mind to my new patch – Yass. Now the Federal Gov has been passing out Stimulis Packages for infrastructure. So far there has been a general one and one for cycling. Councils could apply for this money – well Yass has applied for nothing cycling related. Time they realised there is a cyclist in the village.
Looking at the Yass Council website I find this
Yass PAMP and Bike Plan
In 2005 Yass Valley Council engaged the services of Community Development Initiatives Pty Ltd to prepare an integrated Pedestrian Mobility Plan (PAMP) for the township of Yass and a PAMP strategic overview for the villages of Murrumbateman, Bowning, Binalong, Gundaroo and Sutton. The project included a review of the existing Bike Plan for the township of Yass and was funded by the Roads and Traffic Authority and the Motor Accidents Authority
Key aspects of the development of the PAMP and Bike Plan were:
To facilitate improvements in level of pedestrian access and priority, particularly in areas of pedestrian concentration.
To reduce pedestrian access severance and enhance safe and convenient crossing opportunities on major roads.
To facilitate improvements in the level of personal mobility and safety for people with disabilities, older persons, children and other user groups, through the provision of pedestrian infrastructure and facilities which cater to the needs of all pedestrians.
To ensure pedestrian facilities remain appropriate and relevant to the surrounding land use and pedestrian user groups.
To link existing and planned road user plans in a coordinated manner, such as maintenance programs.
To meet obligations under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
Increase bicycle usage in the Yass Valley Council area.
Encourage alternative methods of transport.
Improve community health.
Provide safer routes for bicycle users.
A number of community consultations were held in each of the towns and villages as part of the development process. This also included individual meetings with representatives of community groups such as the Access Committee, aged care facilities, community centres and schools. In total 54 consultations were held, with 27 group/services and 27 individuals being consulted. For further information please contact Yass Valley Council Road Safety Officer on 6226 9249.
Nothing else, but pointsbelow are encouraging
Increase bicycle usage in the Yass Valley Council area.
Encourage alternative methods of transport.
Improve community health.
Provide safer routes for bicycle users.
As I cannot find anything else on the website regarding this or cycling. I quickly fired off an email this aftrenoon.
Hi there, I have noticed in 2005 that there was a Yass PAMP and Bike Plan. Could I get a soft copy of this as I cannot find it on the Yass Council website (obviously if it is on the website could you email me the URL).
Also did Yass council apply to any of the Federal Gov stimulus packages in relation to cycling? There has been at least two packages that could be used.
Package: $40 million National Bike Path Funding as part of the Jobs Program
Package: Regional and Local Community Infrastructure (CIP)
If no request were made for the above, where is Yass Council up to in adopting the Yass PAMP and Bike Plan in particular in regards to the points mentioned on your website?
* Increase bicycle usage in the Yass Valley Council area.
* Encourage alternative methods of transport.
* Improve community health.
* Provide safer routes for bicycle users.
Flying out on Tiger from Canberra to Adelaide this arvo (24th) and will be in SA to Monday when we fly back. While down there a few days in the Barossa, Swan v Adelaide on Sat nite, drive around Sunday. My mun is looking after the tin lids, good luck
