Judy Sutherland
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By Judy Sutherland • October 12, 2009 • 0 comments
I have written about buying our hill amongst the vehicular wrecks, constructing a driveway, building a shed in which to store stuff and live, and of trying to tame the land and even some animals. Each episode has its amusing side along with the learning curves. But sometimes I just stop and smell the roses. Come with me for such a walk ”¦ More …
Green fingers
By Judy Sutherland • September 21, 2009 • 1 comments
I must confess that I have never been much of a gardener. I love gardens and frequently wander through other people's, praying for the ability, time and passion to develop my own. I have had several attempts over the years and, probably like many of us, had wonderful beginnings: any amount of money spent on buying seeds and seedlings, ground well-prepared, seeds or small plants sown and nurtured for a week or even a month—then the weeds start popping up and somehow I have more important things to do! More …
Toy
By Judy Sutherland • September 7, 2009 • 2 comments
Toy arrived in a horse float, being slightly too big for any other vehicle. He did look ridiculously small in the float but made enough noise for a full-sized horse. His owner declared he was actually a gentle creature, so long as he didn’t have to compete with fellow stallions for attention—especially from the female gender. More …
Sheep shearing shenanigans
By Judy Sutherland • August 24, 2009 • 0 comments
As hair grows on humans, so does wool grow on sheep. Our lambs arrived in a rather wooly state, and it wasn’t long before they needed a visit from the sheep barber. We found a willing man with the right equipment; it was our job to get the sheep to a new, specifically built enclosure so he could perform the act. More …
Fire!
By Judy Sutherland • August 10, 2009 • 3 comments
A few weeks ago I wrote about removing gorse from our hill. But, of course, we didn’t actually remove it—just chopped it down and left it, some in large heaps and some scattered over the hillsides. Naturally, it couldn’t remain like this, so when it was somewhat dry hubby took on the pyromaniac mantle, armed himself with newspaper and lighter, and attacked the offending dried heaps of weeds. All went up in fire and smoke as expected, hubby had a wonderful time and I washed many blackened garments. More …
Of sheep and shrubs
By Judy Sutherland • July 27, 2009 • 0 comments
Judy welcomes her first livestock to the hill: five white, one brown and one black heavily wool-laden lambs are escorted over the top into the big paddock. The grass is abundant and they are in sheep heaven—for a few days. More …
A paint palette
By Judy Sutherland • July 13, 2009 • 0 comments
The gib-stopping of our shed flat is done. Some is satisfactory, some I’ll forever look at in horror and some (the ceiling) I am pleased I can say, “M did that!” Now to paint, and hope a layer of colour might hide a multitude of sins. More …
Gib-stopping and carpal tunnel
By Judy Sutherland • June 29, 2009 • 3 comments
With tiles successfully, and almost painlessly, laid I am ready to tackle my next learning curve: gib-stopping. Our professional gib-stopper friend was sought; a broad knife and a chamfered broad knife borrowed or bought, and friend’s wisdom gained—well, a small impartation of it, anyway! One also has paper tape (sticky on one side), corner strip and joint compound (herewith called “goo”) which resembles a sloppy plaster-of-paris. More …
Tinker, tiler…
By Judy Sutherland • June 15, 2009 • 1 comments
Our shed is up and the flat in which three of us will reside temporarily has walls and room divisions. The kitchen is in place as is the woodburner, toilet and other bathroom fixtures. Living on a learning curve and needing to feel useful, I tell The Man that I will finish our rooms to a suitable standard of living. He readily agrees as he can’t see the need to spend money where unnecessary. More …
Gorse attack
By Judy Sutherland • June 1, 2009 • 6 comments
I have mentioned the views from our hill. As one faces the sea to the north, on your left one can see the ranges and over your shoulder is the mountain (a wonderful sight when it chooses to appear!). We won’t mention the derelict sheds, rusting vehicles, motorbikes and other junk to the right that we have been told “will be moved”. As yet, I haven’t mentioned another 'asset' we purchased with the hill.... More …
Hammer and nails
By Judy Sutherland • May 18, 2009 • 1 comments
Construction on Judy's hill continues. The causeway is complete—now it's time for the shed. Or 'home', as it shall become. We rejoin Judy for more tales from her home-to-be on the hill. More …
A causeway and a compactor
By Judy Sutherland • May 4, 2009 • 0 comments
We have purchased our hill. We now own approximately 1.6 hectares (four acres to you less-informed readers) of mainly gorse-covered hillside. At present, to access our hill we must negotiate the hazards of assorted vehicles in varying states of decay. And not only vehicles but sheds, drums, plastic and metal, and many other items crying out to be unceremoniously dumped. More …
We buy a hill
By Judy Sutherland • April 20, 2009 • 4 comments
Once we Earthlings reach a certain age, many of us are inclined to look for a different lifestyle as we realise we have fewer years in front of us than are behind us. Some choose to travel extensively, some relocate to be nearer children and grandchildren, some downsize and move into town so social lives can take precedence over home and section maintenance. Then there are those who do just the opposite ... More …
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