Bushfire Assessment Level details

After we learned about the new building regulations, Eric gave us some documentation about the key steps to assess where our property falls as regards bushfire risk.

We spent some time during our visit to go through it... Below is what we came up with based on our measurements:

• Relevant FDI = 100
• Classified vegetation types: Woodland at rear of house (the state forest) is Group A forest , Low Open Forest 04
• Distance of site from classified Vegetation: 60m
• Effective Slope under classified Vegetation: Upslope

The map below is not to scale but shows measurement of where the ridgeline (change from upslope to downslope) occurs in the woodland, position of house, fences etc.



As to what this means for our Risk level however, I haven't a clue. Cleverly, Eric didn't give us the section that tells you how to calculate it - as he didn't want that to sway our estimations! We'll just have to wait and hear back what he says... fingers crossed!

Romantic Vineyard

While we were at Amherst in April, we stayed at the Romantic Vineyard. It was the perfect base - just 10 minutes walk.

We rented the cottage which had fabulous views over the vines, as well as wonderful open fire and small kitchen. Not that we used the kitchen often given Renee's fabulous cooking and Dave's amazing home-brewed beer... and that's before we got to the wine. :-)

Overall, highly recommended as a place to stay, we will be back!





This was the view we had every morning at sunrise, watching kangaroos hopping through the vines.

Bay window

For our Christmas present a few years back, Dad got us a lovely bay window - most likely to go in the old house in the bedroom. I've only just got round to getting a photo - here it is:

Work begins on the "boathouse"

Really it's just a glorified shed, but boathouse is a nicer name. :-)

Originally this was planned to be on the edge of the dam, but when we got there and saw how much of the central ridge was exposed, we decided to take the opportunity to build it in the middle of the dam instead.

Building the boatshed from Lynette on Vimeo.

Dad was the ringleader and did all the planning and calculations. Dave and Pete assisted at various stages, but this was basically Dad's project. He even sourced a lot of the materials from his stocks of scavenged wood, so with the exception of the pier supports, it will basically be all from recycled material.

By the end of the few days he had managed to get the base in and floors nailed down, and the frame and windows for the walls on one side. It wasn't quite as far as he'd hoped, but hey... I think it was an amazing effort all things considered.

Building it on the ridge made it a bit more complicated than it would have otherwise been - we needed to secure the stumps deep enough as if for a pier, and we eventually will need to have a ramp walkway. But it will be worth it in the end, just imagine being able to sit on the edge and look out over the water. :-)

Stripping paint

While Dave was busy on the tractor, I spent most of my time during our visit stripping off paint from the old window and door frames at the front of the house.

The old paint was loose enough that with the help of scrapers and elbow grease we managed to get it all off without resorting to using a heat gun or chemicals.

Here's a few before and after photos:





I can't take credit for doing all of it though, I had huge help from Pete and Jen (my brother & sister), and also of course Dad who had arranged for the scaffolding to be set up...

The big day arrives: installing the Ozzikleen tank

Woohoo! The Ozzikleen tank is in!

Ozzikleen tank gets installed from Lynette on Vimeo.

It arrived on my birthday, which I guess makes it a birthday present of sorts... :-)

Dave digs a big hole

The big test for the tractor came when we needed to do a fairly major excavation, to fit the wastewater treatment tank.

It took Dave nearly 2 days, but he did it. :-)

Dave digs a big hole from Lynette on Vimeo.

... and for a taster of the full noisy experience, here's a short clip:

Planting trees

As has now become tradition, every visit we plant some more trees.

This trip we put in the special trees that Dave's Mum had been nurturing for us, as well as some replacement lemon gums to fill in the few odd gaps along the driveway.

Planting trees from Lynette on Vimeo.

Nelson, Dave's 11 year old nephew dug all the holes with the tractor - he was the best at using it, I guess due to all the practice playing with the machines at the Science Museum and the like. :-)

Once each hole got dug, Dave and his Dad and brother installed irrigating pipes and added better soil before planting the trees. The finishing touches were some rocks to help act as a sort of mini dam in catching water which Anne and Dave's Mum helped with, as well as strong fencing and shadecloth to protect from the sheep, kangaroos and wind.