More Smoke Than Fire

Possibly because the washing machine is currently in constant use the grey water is not leaching into the hidden soakaway in the garden as it should. Greg Mouland of Mouland Drainage visited this morning to have a look at it. The solution seems to be to insert a small channel to the near manhole where the overflow will join the drainage pipes from the kitchen.. He will fit this towards the end of the week.

We are still without a car, for which a part has been ordered and will be fitted as soon as possible.

This inspired Jackie over the last three days to make some inroads into the piles of soggy garden refuse for burning.

I spent a good deal of time today reediting two posts from Classic to Block:

The first of these has been recategorised as Garden.

This afternoon I took my share of attempts at incineration – more like uncontrolled smouldering in an old wheelbarrow.

This is what the piles for burning look like.

Once I had the initial burst instigated by one match and one fire lighter, we enjoyed

more smoke than fire.

This evening we all dined on Jackie’s classic cottage pie; tender runner beans; firm broccoli and carrots, with meaty gravy. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Fleurie.

67 comments

    1. Thanks very much, Merril. It would have been better to wait until it had dried out.

  1. You two never sit idle. You always find something that needs doing.
    A lesson that should be taught in school for our youth!!

  2. Possibly because of the more on than off drought situation, we are not allowed to burn garden refuse. It would be a lot more manageable if we could yet I understand how quickly a fire can get out of control when everything is so tinder dry. Both of you must surely be suffering from burning eyes after all the smoke today.

    1. We only have one neighbour near enough for it to be a problem, and I always ring first to let them know

  3. That’s a whole lot of smoke, Derrick! At least it’s finally burning up. I hope you guys get your car back soon, being without is not fun.

  4. More smoke than fire indeed. I sympathise. I’m in Jackson where the bins are not being emptied, the water is a bit on the dodgy side, our internet and TV are not working (due to connection issues with the new supplier), our roof has a leak and the truck was not starting (but is now fixed, fingers crossed). It’s funny how things happen all at once.

  5. You both seem to be coping admirably with all the challenges that have come your way, Derrick. The smoky photos make me want to cough. ???? I like the sound of your dinner. Yummy. ????

  6. Sorry to hear you are still without a car. That can be tough. But there always seems to be things to do at home, in the garden, and in the yards…it’s that way for us.
    Great photos! More smoke than fire for sure! And as long as the fire or smoke is not coming for the kitchen…all is good! Ha!
    I’m sure Chef Jackie has NEVER had that happen! She is such an amazing chef! ❤️
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
    PS…an old joke…”He’s such a bad cook he uses the smoke alarm/detector as a timer to know when the food is done.” HA!!!

  7. The grey water going to a hidden soakaway in the garden sounds like an interesting, eco-friendly use of grey water. Now, I’m wondering how to use that smoke.

    1. Of course I knew we would struggle, Andrew. I would much rather have waited, but we have so much. The alternative is several trips to the dump – each one having to be booked on line. I never made the Scouts. I was ejected from the Cubs for mucking about – too much like an extra school day for me

  8. Thank you again for the mention in that older post, Derrick. I do love those calendula blooms! I have also eaten the petals on salads. A friend makes salves and tinctures from them, too.

    Grey water systems – we are not allowed to have them here, but it would be nice to have that water for the flowers in summer.

    I hope the car comes back to you and Jackie soon, and without too much expense.

    1. Thanks very much, Lavinia. You will know by now that your hopes about the car have materialised

  9. Seeing as we’ve needed similar work doing lately, such as our oil tanks and pumps, I’m waiting to hear that you need a new septic tank! We had ours replaced last year and the soakaway channel extended.

    1. That is what we prefer to do. Unfortunately too much has piled up in recent wet months. We will be taking a lot of compost bags to the dump – the problem being that we have to book half hour slots on line and this will require a good number of trips.

  10. So sorry your washing machine is acting up and you’re having trouble with the leach line. Oh, the joys of home ownership, huh? And the car is still on the blink? Oh, the joys of car ownership! I think I wanna go live in a tent somewhere remotely! Hah! But, ay least you and Jackie know how to use your “trapped” time constructively. :o) Good for you!!

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