Ahem, I live at *******************, will happily provide tea/coffee/milo/something stronger.

Only if you enclose the whole bowl in a paper or plastic bag. The apples/banana gives of ethylene gas which ripens the other stuff. Same as colesworth does in its warehouse when it wants to sell us ‘ripe’ fruit.

All the fish please. With mayo and coffee.

I understand that it’s now OK to do this - apparently having the kid on a leash/harness means they “can explore their world with both hands” rather than going through life with one hand raised up above their head in their mother’s grasp. Apparently the leash/harness is good for brain development and posture. I’m from the first generation where such harnesses were not OK (the Dr Spock baby in person), and I sorta kinda get where they’re coming from. Also a less stressed mum.

Thanks!

Grilled cheese on toast and coffee please.

Airflow. I mean it.
Open the dampers (top and bottom) before you light the fire. Then when it’s roaring, close the bottom damper 3/4 of the way and the top one 1/2 way. When the flames settle down a bit, close the top damper almost all the way and the bottom damper likewise. Then put on wood ONLY when there’s a bed of coals gently glowing. When you do, open the bottom damper a bit to let in some oxygen and close it again after 10 mins when the new wood has caught.
The heater does not need to be roaring to heat the house. A bed of coals is much more efficient and cheaper in wood.
If you want chapter & verse on setting up the initial fire, just let me know. There’s a hundred tricks to it depending on what wood you use and the set up of the heater. Or consult youtube.

Fair point. Schedule it in for next week???

Could this be related to cat?
Sending virtual hugs.

Please add Curing the Common Cold to the list. Someone needs to do this.

Thank you!

Bacon & eggs on toast please with coffee.

I used to be like that, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realised that I would much rather be comfortable. Still, May is only a couple of weeks away … Next week will be drier I understand, so not so chilly I hope.

Fully agree. The digest on the abc justin news is a good foretaste. link

I have turned on the ducted heating.

Try Warrnambool. Shepparton is classy beside.

Ooooohhh, that’s kinda sexy for a Tuesday …

No.

Used to work in the racing industry many moons ago as an exercise rider and stable hand, and got a deep look at how things worked. Then I was a professional 3 day eventer and show jumper for nearly 15 years. Most of my own horses were survivors of the racing industry. Yes, there are some survivors, and the ones that do survive are amazing horses. But the racing industry itself is an alternative universe with its own customs, rules and laws. Which may or may not be congruent with the law of the land. I’m glad I did it, but once I left I had no desire to ever go back. Besides, eventing was much more fun.

Book of about 40 in northern hemisphere, another same same in southern hemisphere at the other end of the year. All thoroughbred foals have to be ‘naturally’ sired - no artificial insemination permitted. 40 leaves a bit of wiggle room for a return service if the mares involved didn’t catch on the first try. Also, there’s a huge advantage to a foal bred/born early in the season cos they’re older and stronger when they tick over into 2 year old status and can start to race. So there’s a practical limit to the number of mares that can be bred by a stallion in a given year. This is factored into the price of a stud fee for a top rated stallion. A mare can produce maybe 10-12 foals in a lifetime, a stallion is much more productive, and profitable.