August 2006

Ketchup
August 2006

Let's start with a double rainbow out front

In August, large high pressure cells drift one after another just south of Australia and they dominate our weather. Its the month for strong wind warnings in the tropical regions, created by those High pressure cells generating the relaible south east trade winds that make it one way sailing at this time of year. Locally it has been anything but regular. We live in a zone similar to the northern hemisphere's horse latitudes which means we can get anything. We had a few frosty days so hushed it was like being in a deep freezer, and then we had some days where strong southerlies blew white caps down the river, and then there were others that were much worse; just plain cold, windy and wet. But we also had ten days, maybe two weeks, of warmer than spring days that were a joy. So bright and clear, the birds sang all day and it was bliss to be out soaking up the mid-day rays from the sun.

'Cat in a Hat' Brendan's school dress-up
Grandma snapped this pic before taking them to school

Where, first they held a parade, then awards were presented
Brendan is on the left holding his Dr Seuss's book

Health-wise everyone is quite well here. Julie's the changing one, getting bigger with the next little one due early next January. Meanwhile, little Jayden continues to thrive. He's beginning to walk, so here comes trouble. Soon Ally and Jase will be chasing the little man as he searches out new mischief. And, if you believe Ally, then Poppi's half to blame.

Yep, life's pretty sweet at the moment, though more work on Banyandah would make it sweeter still. Poor baby, her engine has needed some attention after an incident reminiscent of when we tried to enter a tiny harbour one dark stormy night.

This time there wasn't the danger we had then, just a strange strangling sound during one of her routine runnings while tied to the wharf. Then, losing power, sudden silence. That's a worry for the Banyandah to do that. But I tracked it down to a shattered coupling that is suppose to lock the injector pump to the primary drive. Kerpow! When it goes, the engine is thrown way out of time and stops. The last time this happened I was a young buckaroo and we were just entering the fabled harbour at Rhodes. Dark and rainy, blowing heavily from the North, there wasn't time to figure it out then, so while I hoisted sail in an almighty fury, Jude steered us through the narrow opening once straddled by the giant Colossus. We were probably too busy to be scared. Today all I remember is the shadow of an ancient stone fort passing close by, then calm water and the moving lights of early traffic. And yeah, me letting out a big sigh when the anchor was sent down.
Afterwards was bliss, snug inside, watching the new day come alive.

Here's that benchtop we were making last time - now in service. Good Luck Don. Your shop looks great.

Sales counter for Triple XXX

Installed and in use.

Work-wise, there is all we want.
Our action at Precut is gaining momentum in new areas now that their library of cabinets is nearing two hundred.
Using a program developed by Professor Dave, it takes about forty-five minutes to enter a complete order for kitchen, vanities and laundry, and to adjust everything; sizes, colours, hardware. We see the drawing, print out reports, then send the data to another program that locates all the bits optimally on multiple sheets of panel stock. The computer program then directs the router to cut each component and drill all assembly holes. Takes about an hour to manufacture the cabinet componenets for a four-bedroom house. Keep your fingers crossed because we, meaning PreCut, have just bid on the cabinets for a new retirement estate, the third in our area. Winning that contract could add another kitchen per week to our forward order book.

Now if that were all, Jude and I would probably be sailing. But there always seems to be a project of some sort going through our small shop. They certainly help pay the bills, and kind of fun at the same time, so we're not minding. Do you remember that private development near Broken Head? Beautiful, safe, and hardly any development in sight, we did the joinery for most of their multi-million dollar units and now whenever they sell one, they send us the remodelling work. Like the job we accepted last Friday to remodel a few items in two units purchased by the same man; one on the beach, the other for his mother, a little way up the hill with ocean views to forever. At this time of year a few years back, we were fitting out those hillside units and I watched three Humpbacks breach and blow spray several times as they frolicked across the bay and it was very hard to do any work - Especially when they came in close and could be seen against the aqua bottom. Now, with a bit of luck, the next few weeks could be just as hard as then.

Everyone loves posing for the camera
Our little princess took her first snap with her brother pushing in and loving it, then we all got together for a close up