Posted 1:46 AM by JS

lack of posting has not been for lacking of going to Yapeen...small improvements all the time, though of course there are so many big jobs - painting, floors - that seem to be fated to never happen. the fire hypnotises me the second I get it going; if I'm there alone there are bike rides to do, and if I have the family, trips to Castlemaine or walks to take.

anyway...the good news is that the pub didn't flood. I am now reliably informed that it "used to" under circumstances like last month's, when basically the valley became a raging river. two houses down the road were soaked through. there is a new dam over the road (4-5 years) and another on the block next door (a bit of a mess but a dam all the same), so we - the neighbours and I - think that probably helped.

the land is incredibly green for this time of year. my bit is under control and the new fruit trees, if the rabbits don't get them AGAIN, are thriving. the new vegie garden was easy to dig although so far it's only a couple of vines and some sad little pumpkins.

these photos were sent to me by Katerina, who stays there each January. the dry-looking view of the back area and hill is this time last year. so different now...