Portland Produce

We are here! Finally we have arrived in Portland, and are beginning the next phase of our life.
The DEC paid for removalists for us, and they did a great job, but it was a two day job which left some logistical problems - specifically, our neurotic cat. After climbing through the dust and detritus under the house I finally lured her forth, and proceeded to break the painstakingly built trust between us by shoving her unceremoniously into her catbox. Cath's mother was called and an emergency trip to Portland organised so that we could keep Nimue under controlled circumstances. She moves very well, for a cat, but we are always nervous about it for a couple of days. I stayed and 'supervised' the removalists, and then headed up to Portland. Thankfully the truck driver graciously offered to drop off Cath's bed on his way to the depot.
Our first night - one bed, one lounge, two sleeping bags and an irate cat. It was like camping but without the sense of achievement.
6:45 am and we were off again. We removed part of the fence to get access for the truck and started unloading. We are now mostly unpacked except for the garage and of course our books. We donated about half of them and yet we still don't seem to have enough bookshelves.
On to more interesting things -
I have been working like a bastard to get the garden in for Cath, as she is constitutionally incapable of living in a house without a garden. We still have a long way to go, but the start has been made.
Steve from Portland Produce is our new best friend. He organised our gas cylinders for us, sold us fertiliser and mulch and is always on for a bit of a jaw. Country people so far are very polite and friendly (Except the guy who walked into the supermarket shirtless with a shaved head and swastikas tattooed all over him. I mean it, there were at least five. I'm JEWISH for crying out loud, of course I was upset!).

 This is the terraced area which we are converting to vegetable gardens. This is the before shot obviously. After about 6 hours work, 90 kilograms of fertiliser and half a bale of sugar can mulch it now looks like:

Obviously, for growing vegetables, this is better. We are hoping for a harvest of:

• Carrots
• Onions
• Broccoli
• Beetroot
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Peas
• Celery

We have also planted Marigolds and Salvia to help confuse the bad bugs. Good bugs, like bees, will hopefully figure it out.

We have also planted a welcome garden by the front gate.

In this garden we have planted:

• Lavender
• Purple Easter Daisies
• Pink Butterfly Bush
• Alyssum
• A nice plant with bright red flowers whose name eludes me
• Flowering Thyme
• Kale and Parsley Seeds

These last two are because Cath cannot handle having a garden that doesn't have vegetables or herbs in it.

We also replanted a rose that was folornly stuck in the middle of this area when it was grass, and Stevia.

Stevia is an awesome herb that tastes like honey. I have a dream one day of making Stevia and Mint icecream. YUM!

We also have a birdbath. We've had it for three or four years now. I've never seen a bird in it. Maybe...one day...