An Age of Magic

Redoing the kitchen

As we go around the new house we keep finding more and more things which need either renovating or replacing. We are not into the ‘fixing’ thing – we prefer to replace with new rather than do a patch-up job.

The kitchen has now come under fire for a makeover. We are planning to instal one of those discount Kohler sinks and pull up the old carpet and replace with a tiled ceramic floor. Why on earth people thought to place carpet down in the kitchen is beyond me because all the spills that happened over the years have collected under the pile.

All I need now is a nice aga cooker and I will be happy!

Popularity: 27% [?]

Fighting the fires with whatever is available

I was just recalling the terrible bushfires of 1994 that surrounded Sydney and the fact that most of those who fought those blazes were volunteer firefighters – unpaid heroes and some paid with their lives.

When the flames get too close you find yourself defending your property with whatever is available – a garden hose, buckets of water, even draining water from the swimming pool. Most of the population dont give a seconds thought to the cause of the volunteer bush fire brigades until the bushfires hit each year and only then does it become apparent just how much they need public funding.

They need equipment for the trucks, water pumping gear with industrial knobs that can do the job properly, safety gear for the volunteers themselves…

Its a thankless task they perform but one which is a vital service in Australia.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Australian infernos

It is hard to believe the hell that is happening in parts of rural Victoria in Australia right now. With the death toll from the bush fires almost reaching 300 the most infuriating aspect is that the most lethal of those fires were deliberately lit by firebugs – arsonists.

I know first hand what it is like to be caught in the midst of such a firestorm and it is something I never wish to experience ever again – I just hope that the fires do not last too much longer. A good drenching of rain is very much in order for the people of Victoria…you listening up there God…?

Popularity: 20% [?]