The Quest for Diatomaceous Earth.

So...we finally have some Diatomaceous Earth. I have travelled about asking at local farming supply stores if they had any only to be faced with a shake of the head or a very puzzled look with fear behind the eyes as they suspect I am a loony.Finally I messaged a store across the border in New South Wales and though out of it said that they would get some in and when they did they messaged me back and I went and collected it.So now we have the means, hopefully to deal with the killer mites. The woman at the store in New South Wales was less convinced of it's efficacy and suggested a drop of cattle drench on the back of each bird's neck...but we can try that if the Diatomaceous Earth does not work.I have been doubling my efforts to quoll proof the Pen of Doom as we intend to douse all the 'chooks' with the earth and then move them up there to the scene of that terrible crime for awhile, while we de-mite the old pen and clear it out.To be continued....

From my daily walks...

To Toowoomba - Two

So...we went to Toowoomba at the weekend. We were there to see Kate Miller Heidke in concert.I have never heard any of her songs but have heard her name mentioned at Women in Voice and she has performed at Women in Voice  but in the early 2000's. She is classically trained and her songs were a mix of pop and opera. She has an incredible voice and I was blown away by the show and am very surprised that she isn't more widely known.We went to see the film 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' on Saturday. It was very dark, full of colourful language and violence but it was a great story with excellent acting.We came home yesterday and were stopped on the New England Highway south of Warwick for about 30 minutes because of a bush fire close to the highway. Eventually the police escorted the traffic past the fire and we were able to get home. 

Getting on again.

On going battles.

Battle 1.So... in the Second Great Vermin War we have had to resort to Chemical Weapons. Our unwelcome residents have been multiplying and there appear to be at least three different families living in the ceiling now. The other day I went to close up the 'chook' pen and saw at least eight of the little blighters scarpering away from the 'chooks' grain feeder. The 'chook' shed is like an all inclusive holiday resort for these rats and they are loving it. We have ordered a new feeder that remains sealed until a 'chook' stands on the feeding perch and then the lid opens for them so that will put and end to this rodent Shangri-La.We have set out four poison baits carefully sealed inside boxes with openings that are possum proof. I saw three different possums outside last night.The baits have been out for two days and it does appear that the ceiling activity has lessened. Something drastic had to be done or else we would have been overrun.Battle 2.So...since our pig out at 'Blackbird' in Brisbane when I felt my stomach was going to burst I have resolved, again, to try and lose some weight and have for over a week now been walking down the hill to the Frogknot Gate and then back up again to the house each day. Already I am feeling fitter and on each trip I have been collecting a white quartz rock which I will use to make something later. Suggestions on a postcard please.