Big Girls Toys

It's been a huge week at the Enchanted Garden, in terms of fulfilling country dreams. Hot on the heels of the fire crisis (during which I was NEVER in any real danger!), it soon became clear that in order to survive my relocation to the bush, I really had to invest in two essentials - a ride-on mower, and a fire pump. 

As it turned out, both were purchased from the power tools shop in Lithgow. The bloke who had been doing my lawns told me about a good-value secondhand mower that had just been traded in; I went straight out there on his advice and put a deposit on it. And what a little beauty it is - red and hot and oh so sexy!

Oooh, so pretty!

In the meantime, I also talked to the shop proprietor Rod about getting a fire pump; being at the height of the fire crisis, he said they were selling like hotcakes but he'd put one aside for me and bring it down and assemble it when he had a chance. 

Rod is one of those country characters you couldn't invent - he's lived in Hartley Vale for 60 years, knows the land and everyone on it like the back of his hand, and has an opinion about everyone and everything. Once he found out I was a journalist, he let fly with a barrage of spit-filled invective, slagging off everyone from local cops to drunken volunteer firies who were "going out there pissed as newts and just getting in everyone's way." He accused them of mismanaging the fires, disregarding local advice about backburning and killing the wildlife by setting fire to bushland in an irresponsible manner. Not the usual "let's salute our brave firies" mantra that accompanied bush-fire press, for sure.

I just laughed off his rant; but the following morning, my friend Ange who works at the Tele flicked me an article about the fires in Hartley. There was my mate Rod, in all his glory, letting fly to another journo. Clearly I hadn't done my job and published his story, so he found a more pro-active ear. 

http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/rfs-accused-of-ignoring-advice-as-hartley-vale-faces-onslaught-from-wind-and-fire/story-fni0cx4q-1226745284988


Anyhoo, Rod is just one of the Lithgow locals who has taken me under his wing and decided that I need to be looked after - a project, in other words. After delivering my mower, he checked out my existing irrigation system and declared that it could be replaced by the fire pump he'd deliver later that week. 

Then my neighbour Macca got in on the case, saying he'd help set up the system, repair my broken ag pipes and get my watering system working properly so I had decent pressure. Between the two of them, I now have a brilliant watering system which will not only protect me from fire, but also keep my beautiful garden hydrated. 

My awesome new fire pump

In the meantime, Macca continues to treat me as his special pet. Today I came home to find he'd been in my garden whipper-snippering what I call 'scary gully' over near the dam. He told me he'd seen a five-foot brown snake heading that direction; and rather then let me be spooked, he got in there to clear away the long grass and make it less snake-friendly. He then continued along the dam bank, de-snaking to his heart's content. 

I'm the first to admit my limitations in terms of both machinery and know-how - so I'm totally grateful for the kindness and generosity of these good-hearted country blokes. Macca has become a good buddy - he certainly likes a chat, and we've had dinner together twice this week, shared a bottle of wine and the odd cup of green tea. It's great to know an experienced bushman and handyman has my back, and that a neighbour is within hollering distance if I'm ever in trouble. I'm not scared of snakes, but I do respect them and want them to keep their distance - so any clearing Macca wants to do, he's welcome. 

He declares it's also in his interest - if my block is clear of shit, it's better for him. He's also grateful that the place wasn't bought by "ferals" (and I don't think it hurts that I'm a single, slightly clueless woman either!)

After slaving away on my dam bank this afternoon, he decided to present me with another tool to add to my collection - a whipper snipper. He then attempted to give me a lesson in snippering, which is actually harder than it looks. I found getting the goddamn thing started a big enough challenge - much to Macca's amusement.  

Macca de-snaking the dam bank

So new tools, new toys - new necessities, I should say - now grace my shed. I think my life here in the country is pretty much complete!