Thursday, March 14, 2024

Cotton Tree and Volunteering.

 I've been stuck in Cotton Tree for far too long, trying to sort stuff out. Here the weather controls my life. Sunny and I'm loving it, out and about making the best of what the region has to offer. But of late the wind, rain and constant drizzle take their toll. Locked indoors for extended periods sees me reviewing old records and diary entries. This one, not very complimentary about volunteering and volunteers, I will share. But it's NOT always like this...


BA Volunteers

I'm working with three other volunteers and all three admit to having impaired hearing. Two might be a bit younger than me and one is proud of being 82 years old. The youngest, my estimation about 60, is fit. Next eldest is reasonable fit but vision impaired as well as hard of hearing. Eldest, a fit enough 82 year old, does not always have his hearing aid in or turned up. For privacy I refer to them as Eldest, Lo-vis and Young. 

Young and Lo-Vis are very tolerant of Eldest; a good example for us all to follow.

Eldest drives me bat-shit crazy. Eldest will repeat and speak over what others are saying moments after they have started to say it. He also tells the same story to every new farmer or volunteer he meets or even us time and time over. Eldest consistently hi-jacks the conversation bringing it back to about him and his exploits. He talks over anyone else raising his voice to get and maintain the floor.

Young is a hard worker but has no regard for chainsaw safety. He never uses the chain brake and drop starts the saw. He walks around stepping over branches with the saw idling and no chain brake. Eldest will assist him when he is cutting timber working beside, in front or behind and with very little clearance. Nobody checks for bar oil until smoke is very apparently coming from the chain bar.

Lo-vis constantly relates stories of other camps he has attended telling tails of misfortune and conflict. He is quietly spoken, funny at times, and generally a nice bloke. Well, other than these repeated stories of negativity and friction.

I am constantly reminding myself of my mantra: patience, tolerance and humility and find it best to not engage, challenge the BS or pester on safety. Well as best I can anyway. So far, being just a small group has been working out as the three seem to be able to get on.

The dynamic changes as new people arrive. Friday a husband and wife turned up. Hubby is quiet and wife is obviously the dominant partner. She and Eldest will have to establish the pecking order of the 'loud speaking bullshitters'. Sunday another couple arrived showing a heightened level of entitlement and parking their van without permission or direction in front all the others, effectively blocking the view for everyone. Not the way to win friends and influence people or get along at a new camp. Typical caravaners me thinks. I'm not bothered being right down the back. But I wait to hear the discontent.


A photo; cos don't all posts have a photo?



Tuesday, November 21, 2023

VW Multivan Mozzie Screens

It would be nice to be able to leave the front windows open when I'm sleeping in the VW. To this end I brought weather shields for the windows from Kombi Life in Sydney. Probably not the cheapest place to get them but cheaper than the VW spare parts.

VW spares - well over $200 for a pair and they slot into the window with metal brackets. According to some opinion on-line that can interfere with the window closing.

Kombi Life - $108. They do sell both but recommend these stick-on ones. Just need to prep the door outer surface correctly. So I went with the stick on ones and am very happy. Look good and add no extra wind noise that I could detect.

So now with mozzie netting in place I could leave the windows open a bit even in mildly inclement weather. Or on clear nights leave the windows all the way down. Hmm, not me.

Kombi Life sell a mozzie screen that is held in place on the outside of the window with big magnets. Not the look I would be happy with.

So did some thinking and came up with a solution that will work for me. Stitching a cord into the top edge of the mozzie material and pushing it into the grove where the window goes when it closes. Then magnets stitched down the long edge of the window, going on the inside. Then push the bottom of the net into the gap between the lower window and the top of the door trim with a credit card. Install time under a 60 seconds. Window glass can be open just a few millimetres, all the way down or somewhere in between. Nice. 

So to the build: It seemed prudent to make a template of the full window space first. I did this using paper. Tested two thicknesses of cord and selected the thicker one. Cut the material to the pattern. Sewed the top edge with blanket binding tape and the cord to slot into the upper window and then magnets down the long side. Binding tape for all the other edges improves strength and appearance. Job done. 

Finished (rough but honest)

Tested the cord width first


Saturday, November 18, 2023

Miriam Vale BA

Miriam Vale is about 375km north of Maroochydore. New BA camp opened and needed volunteers so for just a couple of days I went north.

Large farms and small 'blockers' been hit by a fast moving hot fire. Nothing new here more blackened paddocks some somewhat inaccessible and a dozer needed to clean access first.

Walking the track first is always a good idea. Down the gully, up the other side, then stop before a sharp 3-point left turn at the top of the next incline or it's abandoning the car and trailer in the bush and walking home.



Camera shot never looks as steep ;(