Light eggs

"People don't know how chickens can turn on you, but they can -- just like mad dogs."

Mary Ann Shaffer

Whether it was the long hot summer, the consequent fires or some other stressor, our six laying girls decided around 10 weeks ago to shed most of their feathers and stop making eggs. Whilst a few weeks off is normal around this time, we were beginning to get a little worried as the days stretched on and each evening revealed yet another disappointing view of sad empty nesting boxes.

So we made up some mash of cooked beef, rice and oil to supplement their diet, as well as high quality grain and plenty of vitamins and minerals. All of our patient care has been rewarded as they came back online this week and we have some eggs appearing again. Apparently they can sense the lengthening days and with more light comes more eggs. Nice one girls.

We have also invested in an auto-feeder and auto-waterer to take some stress out of our lives, although no doubt it would be cheaper to just buy some eggs from time to time! The garden has benefited from all of their droppings, and soon the great cycle will kick in again. We also managed to remember to spray for leaf curl at the right time this year so here's hoping for a good crop of peaches and nectarines come summer.

Whilst cleaning up the plastic from one of our local beaches this week (on the shores of Kangaroo Bay) we took a lovely pic of the scenery, and also we thought the view of the driveway trees coming back to life was very pretty (spot the sheep in the background)!

Direct flight nirvana

"Aeronautics was neither an industry nor a science. It was a miracle."

Igor Sikorsky

So maybe we are a little bit in love with air travel again? After a horror flight from Dubai to Perth in 2015 we swore off being sandwiched inside a smelly tin can with fellow sufferers (and more than a few sadists), eating truly awful food and being subjected to all manner of inhumane treatment in the name of "security" (thanks Pete and Emirates).

We are pleased to report that our junket to Perth this week using Virgin Australia's direct route was relatively civilised. We still had to line up more times than needed, but it was a great opportunity to catch up with family and friends.

It was with much relief also that we were able to track down the final resting place of Kym's dad Eric and although unconventional and subject to the usual familial discombobulation it turned out to be a tranquil spot. We spent some time remembering the moment we helped him move from pain and infirmity to the next level which at the time was quite a formative experience for both of us.

All up it was a great but seemingly fleeting visit - and if the direct route survives modern economic rationalism, then we will definitely be using it again.

The next gen enjoying rare family time together

A very Perth "swan coffee"

The local cafe complete with dog mural

Eric's outlook

In the backyard with our "grandpuppy" Ella

Divergence

"It is one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it is another to think yours is the only path."

Paulo Coelho

For those who visit here to see the latest goat picture or video:

Shadow puppets using fluffy ruminants as a backdrop

Please keep coming back! For those seeking nerdy goodness - we have split the blog and you might want to head over to https://onecircuit.blogspot.com/ from now on to get your fix.

Onecircuit also has a youtube page where you can see various circuits in action. Over the last three years we have overzealously stockpiled a heap of cheap electronic components for projects. Some projects have been finished but there are too many buckets of boxes of compartments filled with lovely OpAmps, Transistors, Logic Chips, Modules, Sensors and a multitude of other late night acquisitions which need to be used in some way.

They could sit and we could spend the next few years admiring their dormancy OR we could get inspired and make one circuit a week to demonstrate their utility or otherwise.

Blog by blog we will attempt to document, video, draw, link, etc., each electronic creation in an effort to help us (and others) remember how to use some of this stuff (maybe to help prevent too much magic smoke escaping).

See you on the other path?