Wednesday 24 November 2010

Chickens, potties, refflections.

Well it has been a touch on the wet side of late. Monsoon time, no less. We are all soggy of foot, but not in spirit.



And our Chicken Mum continues to cluck about, maintaining a high profile so that all can see what a grand chicken she is. Top of the pecking order now, she can claim pole position when food is around, and also chooses her own nest site at night. Her babes are doing well, and learnt today that I represent food, so every time I appear they launch themselves at my feet. Little hooligans.

And off they all go for a walk, heading towards the junky environment of the ex-kitchen caravan, the one that is wearing it's awning as a hat. 'Twas the wind that did it!


Turning your eyes towards the left, and that is where we are sleeping. Love caravan life. Would prefer it to be history now though!  And see that little white boxy looking object? That is our retired porta potti, still sort of in situ just in case it is needed in a desperate moment during the night. But a trot across the Courtyard to the house, even in the nuddy, and even when it is freezing, is preferable to wrestling with that appliance.

Et voila:

The reason why the porta potti is going into retirement: the proper potty! Delivered unto us by friends Val and Ron, when they visited a few weeks ago.

But it did not remain in its resting state. Because Ron twiddled about, and hey presto! Uno toiletto!


Proudly the new potty stands upon its own plinth, making it very comfy to sit on. And it is a joined up potty, so one that does not need emptying by Hubs. What I mean is, that it is connected to the fosse, so everything that our bods don't need, and which then gets deposited in the loo, goes into our very own waste disposal system. Our deposits stay here, to fertilize our own land. Cool heh!

Have a bit of prob with the seat of the potty, though. It came with a fragile plastic seat which kept coming apart such that one was in danger of being launched sideways at an inopportune moment if one did not concentrate on staying in the right sitting position. So a nice firm wooden one was purchased. Didn't quite fit the toilet itself, but not to worry, it cushions one's buttocks wonderfully well, and makes the loo experience totally satisfying. For me. Unfortunately the new loo seat does not allow for the abundance of the masculine nether regions. Apparently it is too squashy. Not to worry, though. If care is taken, then all is well. Apparently.

The loud roar of a truck shattered the calmness of Labartere yesterday:


And these beams were deposited. Today they were lifted up onto the Tall Barn roof. Progress!

The temperatures are starting to take a dive, now around freezing, but it is the end of November, so we can't complain about the cold, because we haven't had any really. Just rain. And lots of it. Making us ever so pleased that we can stay under one roof for the hours of our days. A quick trot across to the bedroom caravan at night, and then back again in the morning. Not too far.

And we have a Half-Loo. Why 'Half'? Because it has to be 'flushed' by hand, which means going to and fro the cold water tap out by the main gates to fill the watering cans with which to do the 'flush'. But at least we don't have to scramble about with the porta-potti now. Sometimes things got quite risky. Fumbling about with one's clothing, plus stooping over to get the porta potti sorted out, did take precious minutes. Difficult, if one had an urgency upon one.

So the days are shortening. We are in better shelter than what we were last year, so better prepared for the winter ahead. As my daughter Karen said in an email today: 'Amazing how you deal with stuff when you have to. And when you look back, you think 'My god, how did I do it'..... Human nature - very strong!!! Good to test it.' On looking back to the last two winters, when the house was still unliveable, I would agree. How did we manage! But we did. And still could if we had to. Stirling stuff, the human spirit!

12 comments:

Diane said...

Once you have moved into the house you will really wonder how did you do it. We used to have a caravan at a site in S.Africa which was a get away for weekends. The weather was generally fairly warm, but the porta potti drove me mad. I would rather walk a kilometer to the main facilities and take the chance of stepping on a puff adder at night then use the damn thing. I am sure this will be your best winter yet and now of course you have those electric blankets :-) Diane

Anonymous said...

Dear Vera,
How your post made me smile! Though the bit about hubs and the loo might have been just too much information!! Ha Ha
I'm so pleased for you that you will have a few more home 'comforts' this winter, and so hope that you will keep safe in the cruel weather.
My weather forecast tonight is for snow, which I absolutely hate, as I am afraid of falling and injuring my shoulder, which I am waiting for surgery on. So I have got the boots and salt and grit out ready.
Your roof beams look wonderfully substantial, what an event it will be getting them in place!!
All the best Vera And Lester,
Ondine

Ken Devine said...

A much better situation than last year. I bet it was a lovely sight to see the roofing arrive and especially to see them hoisted into position.
Happy winter.

DUTA said...

Enjoy the new potty whose wooden seat "cushions one's buttocks wonderfully well"!

As to your concluding sentence - it reminds of my Mother's words: "Humans are made of steel".

Vera said...

Diane: Yes but our nearest available loo is in Plaisance, which is a ten minute car drive away, no do-able when needs are urgent! You are right about our electric blanket - it is working a treat.

Ken: Nice to have you back. Yes, it was good to see those roof beams go up. Another big step forward!

Ondine: Oh shame about your shoulder. That must be difficult for you, waiting for an op. Can see why you would be worried about dealing with icy weather as well, so will put you on my absent healing list. And all the best to you too, Ondine.

Duta: Your Mother's words speak the truth. We are made of steel, if we care to live positively and with good grace. I try to do that. Sometimes my 'steel' turns to jelly. But not for long!

Anonymous said...

Hello again,
Thank you Vera for such a very kind thought, in fact I think that I feel a little bit better already.
Ondine

Vera said...

Ondine: Glad you are feeling better, and will continue to send out my thoughts to you.

steve brown said...

Hi. Just love this blog. Will be returning lots of times. www.stevebrownbds.blogspot.com

Vera said...

Hi Steve, and welcome. Hope your plans for your house renovation speed along, and hope the rain stops and that you manage to save the wood, chestnut if I remember correctly.

Roz said...

Hey it's coming on - I love that wall next to your loo!!!! and that hen is really pretty too.
Have you got snow yet?xx

Olga said...

I just found your blog and love it. It's always interesting to see when people do renovation. It's a fascinating process - especially the "before and after" :)

SueC said...

thanks for making contact _ hope you will read my new blog Segala sunrises now that I have finished 82 to 82 ( we're here now so done that!) Glad you have a roof for the winter I will look forward to reading more of your progress