Friday, January 6, 2017
What Not To Do!
Photo Credit: http://nga.gov.au/AboriginalMemorial/land.cfm;
I was prompted to write this short article because I recently saw a
video about survival in Arnhem Land. In this video a number of suggestions were
made that I do not agree with. Rather than rubbish the video or the presenter,
I prefer to simply advise what not to do in this blog.
I lived for 10 years in the Territory, I survived cyclone Tracey in
74, & prior to that I lived in an Aboriginal camp in Arnhem Land for two
months.
When travelling in the Territory, wet season or dry season, do NOT
set up camp anywhere near water if you intend to spend the night there, & certainly not in shaded areas near
water. The reason for this is:
(1) mosquitoes breed in water, & they love to
be near water & particularly swarm in shaded areas. The dry season can get
chilly & therefore less mossies especially if there is a stiff breeze
blowing, but in shaded protected areas the mossies are still there.
(2) Leaches. Leaches love the damp, & they are not just in
the water. Leaches can be found in the damp areas anywhere near water & you
do not want these in your shelter.
(3) Snakes. Snakes love the water & frequent low damp areas, this
is where they find their food. They are also great swimmers & will often
travel by water. If snakes are to be found anywhere, it will be near water.
(4) Crocodiles. Crocs are everywhere in the Territory, a safe water
hole one season may not be safe the next, because during the wet season crocs
travel overland. Crocs can be hard to spot in the water, & they will often
leave the water. Crocs can also run very fast on land for short distances. If
you don't want a croc dragging you out of your shelter at night then don't camp
near the water! If you have to fetch water, NEVER put your hands in the water,
NEVER stand on the water's edge. Use rope, cordage or at the very least your
waist belt through the handle of a billy to dip water. Crocs are amazingly fast
so take care!
(5) Rising Water. In the wet season water holes, creeks & rivers
can rise very quickly & if your shelter is too close to the water you can
get flooded out.
If you are going to make camp do it in an open area high & dry if
you can with a tree or two for shade. In this way you can take advantage of any
breezes blowing that will help keep you cool & hopefully keep the mossies
at bay. Sometimes there is no escaping mossies, I have covered myself with a
blanket, used a mossie net, & sat all night by a Buffalo dung fire drinking
rum all night. The latter won't keep the mossies off, but after half a bottle
of rum you don't really care! Come morning though you will not be feeling so
good from the rum or the mossie bites!
You take care out there.
Keith.
Keith.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
They Exist, so let's hope they are friendly!!!
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
The Final Countdown. Climate Change!!!
Time is fast running out to stop irreversible climate
change, a group of global warming experts warns today. We have only 100 months
to avoid disaster. Andrew Simms explains why we must act now - and where to
begin.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Our New Three Sisters Garden. Hugelkultur.
This season we are trying a slightly new garden method, just to see if it works. This will be our three sisters garden, corn, beans & squash. This method of making a garden bed is known as Hugelkultur .
I will be making a video of this later when the crops are up, but right now this is as far as I have got. I dug a trench first & filled it with garden refuge, cut grass & weeds, heavier tree trimmings on top of that, some old garden edging logs that we have replaced, then the soil on top. I did add some chook manure before adding the soil to help break down the refuse.
When I started mounding the earth, I soon realised that I was not going to have enough soil to cover the highest logs. I did not want to bring more soil from elsewhere or use our compost that we needed for our other garden beds, so I removed two of the top logs.
I will be making a video of this later when the crops are up, but right now this is as far as I have got. I dug a trench first & filled it with garden refuge, cut grass & weeds, heavier tree trimmings on top of that, some old garden edging logs that we have replaced, then the soil on top. I did add some chook manure before adding the soil to help break down the refuse.
When I started mounding the earth, I soon realised that I was not going to have enough soil to cover the highest logs. I did not want to bring more soil from elsewhere or use our compost that we needed for our other garden beds, so I removed two of the top logs.
The two pumpkins are volunteers from last year.
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