Musing's of a Gardener

The Problem Our kitchen has big cupboards. The largest is nearly three metres high which means I need to stand on a stool that is perched on a chair to reach the second to top shelf, else I need to bring a ladder in from the shed! The height arises from the fact the house has cathedral ceilings for its entire length, and these cupboards are mounted in the centre of the house from floor to ceiling. At the bottom of these cupboards are two cupboards, one that houses the hot water system (one day to move out doors) and the second is the pantry. The pantry was old, and was lined with selves, and although relatively tidy was not an efficient use of space. My wife always wanted the pantry changed – getting rid of the hot water service would be one way. Inside the old pantry Doors: these have not changed We finally decided to do something about it, so after examining countless magazines and brochures and visiting local kitchen show rooms, we settled on a pull-out syst...

I took five weeks off in May and spent a few of those on the north coast of New South Wales – mostly in Yamba with friends. Yamba is a fabulous little spot off the main highway and on the mouth of the Clarence River. It is probably over crowded during the summer holidays, but was calm and tranquil during the time my wife and I were there. The water was warm and the weather balmy although it did rain a little in the second week. If you ever visit Yamba – take time to visit Iluka which is a small village on the opposite side of the Clarence River, which you either drive to (approx. 40 km), or catch the small ferry. It has a beautiful beach (one can drive on it) and some beautiful native forests.  Also impressive are the views from the Pacific Hotel in Yamba (18 Pilot Street Yamba) which overlooks the ocean. The dinning room and has a very large expanse of glass allowing 180 degrees of view. We visited both for lunch and dinner – typical pub meals being in-expensive but filling – whi...