You've told me about the things you love, but what about the things you love to do, in your home area.

We are on 20 acres, about 25 Km from anywhere. We set the place up so the kids could still have fun. With the horses we had the jump paddock, dressage arena, & a cross country course with 18 jumps. There is a 900 meter track around the bottom paddock, where they rode bikes then drove the old ute, as they grew up.

We have an 8Ft dinghy, & a 14 Ft canoe on the dam, & an above ground pool, but the best thing is the river.

Our back boundary is one of our little coastal rivers. The course is 20 meters deep, & sometimes the river is 20 meters deep, & 100 wide, & quite dangerous. At other times it's 20mm deep, & 1 meter wide.

It's a pretty little river, with Grevillea, she oak, black bean & ash lining the bank.

It's when the water is just flowing over a 2 metre log in the bottom, that the kids knew there was enough water to go canoeing.

Just 5Km up the road, where the river runs under a bridge we could put the canoe in, & paddle down the 12Km it takes the river to get to our place.

There are deep slow moving reaches, & little short rapids, where you scraped the bottom, & other spots where you slid over large logs part damming the flow.

If you were very quiet you could surprise turtles dozing on a log, or monitor lizards, in the low overhanging branches. But hit the canoe with a paddle, or laugh at something, & dozens you had not seen would drop into the water & swim off. The kids could never get enough of it.

The first time my wife sat down on the bank to make sure we knew when we got home. The only time she did it with 2 of the kids, after 3 hours she was quite worried she hsd gone past our place.

Sounds like a great place to live.
I see something else in your post, I can see in my mind some of the things you talk of smell the water remember days walking in deep scrub along wandering creeks.
My home while in a country village is on the highway, just a suburban block, maybe a bit bigger, fruit trees and a hedge of natives hide it.
As age stops me romping around the scrub that garden is my hideaway, that too is the name of my home.
2 dogs running madly chasing things that are not there that great song about burning the sugar cane life is to be lived and if you let it that is fun every second of it.

Are you lonely?

Nah, just got a new computer.

Don't be put off Hasbeen. We need this light relief!

I have a galvanised roof. I love the sense of warmth and safety, when I hear the rain pattering on the roof.

I love the fact that when the garden is sodden with rain,-the crickets? make a hell of a din. They love it!

I even love the racket the Rosie's make when they try and sneak up and steal fruit!

I love the sense of well-being on the recliner, and a darn good book!
Or a good DVD;-kicking back (I think that's what you call it!!), with a tube of condensed milk-leaning back, and squeezing it down my throat! Heaven!

As a result of THAT habit I AM getting older and....wider!

Dear Hasbeen,

Another delightful thread.
Thank You!

What's the most fun, around home?

For me, it's cooking. I love to cook!
I love the planning, the buying, and
the actual cooking. I had my family over
for dinner tonight, and it was a sheer delight.
I made Chicken Broth or Bouillon with German egg
dumplings as an entree. This was followed by
Beef Stroganov (old Russian recipe), roast
vegetables, rice, and Strawberries Romanoff
for dessert. The meal was accompanied by a
fine drop of Red, and later came port and
muscat with a cheese platter and coffee.

It was a lovely way to spend an evening!

<< As a result of THAT habit I AM getting older and....wider! >>

Haaahahaha!!

I’ve got rosies in my backyard too Ginx… pale-headed rosellas, that is. They love getting into the green Sorghum seedheads. A resident pair of bush stone-curlews have raised numerous youngns over the years and all manner of other birds are local residents or regular visitors. That’s what I love most about my home environment.

Hasbeen, I love to explore my wild hinterland. I’ve done it to a huge extent over the last 25 years, hiking up the ranges and out into the back country where no other non-Aboriginal human has probably ever been.

I’m an avid botanical explorer, which has really paid off in terms of many great discoveries, within a short distance of Townsville.

Ginx, that's decadent, almost.

I like to spread it in fresh bread, & let it soak in for an hour or so, before eating it. I am not getting much wider, but it is somewhat further from my front to my back.

Foxy, your post was almost cruel, for a bloke who's been batching for a week or more. Since the grand kids started my wife has gone somewhat clucky. She is down in Sydney, minding our son after his operation.

I've been living on toasted ham sandwiches, & stake. Not much veggies, but some fruit, & your post has my mouth watering. I used to eat at a little restaurant in Balmain, Sydney, run by a not young Hungarian lady. She had a weekly menu of just such food. It was great, she would fuss around her people, most of whom were regulars, while her husband did the cooking out back.

Ludwig, I used to anchor quite often in Island Head Creek, just north of the Broad Sound army training ground. Miles pf pristine beaches,. where we would find black coral washed up, & thousands of acres of near virgin scrub to explore. Always something new to find, but you needed a good sense of direction.

It was a regular anchorage for a few prawn trawlers. They fish all night, then anchor up all day, staying "out" for a number of days. They had always drunk any alcohol they had started with, so a bucket offered with couple of bottles of cold beer in it, would always come back at least half full of prawns. Heaven

Lovely stuff here!

(I might add that my reference to a little light relief was in no way directed to other matters I'm currently involved in on OLO...!! But to highlight that OLO is a serious debating forum, and it is a breath of fresh air to have threads like this. Thanks again).

There is nothing nicer that watching friends or family enjoy what is put before them;-to appreciate the food and the ambiance-nice one Fox!
(I have just done a leg of pork in cider, a throwback from my ancient cookery school days-but delish!).

Ludders: I have those flashy glaring type Rosella's. They really tickle me! They are so noisy-yet try to sneak into the apple trees!!
I actually say to them-"I know you're there". A colourful little face will pop into vision, looking down at me, and for all the world looking as if he/she is saying-"what?,-I'm not doing anything."

These are things of value to us.

Hasbeen: I saw a recipe online whereby the condensed milk is put into a LARGE (it boils up) microwave bowl-and brought to boiling until REALLY thick (NOT the caramel thing-boiling in the tin). You then chill in the fridge-and role into decadent balls. (Important: click micro on an off as this stuff heats up, watch it carefully).

These are the Portuguese?? Dolce a Leche type truffles.

I HAVE tried to do this but have got no further than opening the can with spoon in hand...

All these reveries about condensed milk reminded me that my mother resorted to feeding it to me when I was a baby - apparently there was nothing else that seemed to agree with me. I was a quite a healthy child so it must have set me up all right. In fact, I feel as if I'm missing out on something here - will have to give it another tasting.

I'm slow-cooking a Italian casserole at the moment, as my mother, daughter and her partner are coming for lunch. We all take turns at preparing a meal most Saturdays, depending on whose house it's at. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I've got a beaut recipe for
Semolina Pudding:

Try this for a finicky breakfaster.

Boil:

2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar

Add:

1/2 cup semolina
Stir and cook the semolina over low heat
until thick.

Add and stir until melted:

1 tablespoon butter

Remove saucepan from heat. Beat in one
at a time:

2 egg yolks
Cool. Add:

1 teaspoon vanilla

Place on a platter and whip until stiff, but
not dry:

2 egg whites.

Fold into the semolina mixture.

This can be used as a dessert and served cold with:

Cream, stewed fruit, or crushed sweetened berries.

My children were raised on this - they and my husband
love it to this day. As well as French toast, and
American pancakes... ;-)

Another wonderful thread Hasbeen.

Renovating my home, saving the money to complete little tasks week by week, month by month, given am starting all over after 18 years. The excitement of completing the huge front garden [last winter], the anticipation of knowing that I will have concrete or pavers as a driveway by next winter and not keep paddling my way to the front door in a foot of icy water lol. The exhilaration of installing three security screen doors to keep the flies out during summer, and have a beautiful back verandah completed by this summer to entertain family and friends with my barbeques! I have waited a long time to entertain and enjoy barbeques in a place of my own!

By Christmas time hopefully will have replaced the rotted parquetry and ruined tiles.

Next year...an extension to lease out a granny flat!

Mid next year, after enjoying my completed home efforts, I intend enjoying a vietnamese mountain bike tour for my first holiday in many many years.

I have really enjoyed reading the posts these past few days - thanks for the thread and to all who have put something in. I haven't much to offer but as I am enjoying reading from it thought I should also contribute.

My best fun at home is just being at home. I love coming home every day to our little cottage. It's humble but cute and snug.

Best fun things include:

1. Our conversations. We laugh a lot.
2. Times when my son nags me to watch movies or play computer games with him. We take turns on the tready while watching and talking and at this time of year the fire is crackling bright and warm. In spring and summer with the doors open I can also enjoy the neighbourhood sounds and scents. It's nice to sit on the front porch or steps with a mug of coffee in hand.
3. Any time that the kids come home. Always lots more chatter and nice things happening.
4. Our dawgs. One quite elderly. One middle aged and two youngsters. All small and busy. They are the funniest and funnest little beings.
5. My computer.
6. My gem collection.
7. Our huge library of movies and dvds.

I think we are the luckiest people in the world.

pynch

I'll join in with others in thanking you Hasbeen for this thread.

For me, my lathe in the shed (and all the other bit's and pieces out there)
A marine aquarium which I finally got around to getting this year. I'd had one many years ago but that was all done on the cheap and never really worked, this one has had a bigger budget and decent filtration and lighting and I'm loving seeing what grows.
Wondering in the garden foraging as I go, cherry tomato's, cape gooseberries, occasionally some blueberries or raspberries, strawberries, passionfruit, grapes etc. Sheer bliss.
My telescope, sometimes a night in the driveway looking at the wonders in the sky but more so when I get away to somewhere with a low horizon and few city lights in the distance.
The grass tree I planted just after I moved in here which sits outside the window of the room I'm using as an office and being able to enjoy the light dancing on the leaves on a beautiful sunday morning.
The sounds of the birds by day and frogs by night outside. I'm in the burbs but there are always plenty of birds in the tree's or flying by and frogs in the ponds (and sometimes one in the mailbox).

R0bert

RObert, that sounds nice, but watch out for those frogs.

A few years ago, a blood curdling scream from the far end of the house had us rushing down there, to find our youngest daughter near hysterical. Just as she was sitting down on the toilet, she had glimpsed a large green frog in the bowl.

Not your small light green tree frog, this one was at least 18cm from nose to tail, & a dull sage green.

Although raised in the bush, this daughter is a real city girl at heart. After I had caught the frog, & put it in the trees behind the house, it was a few days before she would use that toilet. It did not help that a few days later, another similar one appeared.

We are on a septic system, & after I had caught about 6 or 7 of these frogs, I was wondering just how many similar frogs would be in this colony, living in one of our septic tanks.

You will realise just how quick witted I am when I tell you, I now started to get suspicious that this was the same frog, coming back like a homing pigeon. The next time I took the thing to a lagoon, about a kilometer away, but it was back in a few days. Even taking it to a lagoon, over two Km away did not fox it, back it came.

My daughter was, by this time suffering from severe constipation, she had trouble even approaching a toilet, anywhere.

To preserve her sanity, the next time I gave it a long ride in my little sports car, to a creek near Rathdowney. This shows the extra fun had by a country dad.

My daughter has settled down, & I have not heard any reports of hysterical girls in Rathdowney, so I assume our mate has got sick of civilisation, & returned to nature. I hope so, Rathdowney is a very pleasant place, & it's a nice drive these days, but I don't need to go there too often

The most fun I have at home is playing my musical instruments, composing songs/tunes/arrangements, recording, singing. As I'm now fully retired I can devote my energies to what "really" interests me ........ my music.

Hasbeen I used to do a lot of hiking around Mt Barney and a Yowie burger at Rathdowney was obligitory on the way home.

I was recently at a camping site where the toilets have hardboard pieces between the seat and bowl to keep the frogs out, not something you would want to forget in a rushed trip in the middle of the night.

R0bert

Bring Back Anti!

Or Col R!

Piper!

If I read the word 'delightful' (Though it does remind me of Bob Franklin) one more time I'm gonna get a machete and go postal.

There's nothing so barf inducing as a bunch of old people (who aren't your grandparents) sitting around reminiscing and relating in the most mawkish terms imaginable the banality of their everyday pleasures.

Yep, sure I do love the sunshine on my shoulders, but that doesn't mean I wasn't relieved when John Denver crashed his plane.

Didn`t we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor
A beautiful day, we had lunch on the way and all for under a pound you know
But on the way back I cuddled with Jack and we opened a bottle of cider
Singing a few of our favourite songs as the wheels went around

Do you recall the thrill of it all as we walked along the sea grand
Then on the sand we heard a brass band that played the Diddlely-Bump-Terrara
Elsie and me had one cup of tea then we took a Paddler boat out
Splashing away as we sat on the bay and the wheels went `round

Didn`t we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor
A beautiful day, we had lunch on the way and all for under a pound you know
But on the way back I cuddled with Jack and we opened a bottle of cider
Singing a few of our favourite songs as the wheels went around

Wasn`t it nice, eating chocolate ice as we strolled around the fun-fair
Then we ate eels in big ferris wheels as we sailed around the ground but then
We had to be quick `cause Elsie felt sick and we had to find somewhere to take her
I said to her lad, what made her feel bad was the wheel going `round

Didn`t we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor
A beautiful day, we had lunch on the way and all for under a pound you know
But on the way back I cuddled with Jack and we opened a bottle of cider
Singing a few of our favourite songs as the wheels went around

Elsie and me, we finished our tea and said goodbye to the seaside
Got on the bus, Flo said to us, oh isn`t it a shame to go
Wouldn`t it be grand to have cash on demand and to live like this for always
Oh it makes me feel ill, when I think of the mill and the wheels goin` `round

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Thankfully Hellbq: your views count for little.

I liked the monologue though. Perhaps this stuff is only valid when YOU post it?

Give it up son, you tried to derail this pleasant thread early on. You didn't succeed then,-I hope you don't now.

Forget it Hellbq.

I'm not going to watch what you choose for me to watch.

And no,-curiosity won't get to me. I would tell you to grow up-but I don't know what the YT link is meant to signify.

So I won't.

Houellebecq,

I thought you'd turned over a new leaf for a minute there...then I realised you were having a go at us.

That song is actually quite an interesting social history narrative of a certain time in Britain.

Better luck next time...

Dear Poirot and Ginxy,

Houellie (becq) has a closed mind, but not
a closed mouth (unfortunately).

He also doesn't seem to realize that some
people are multi-talented. They can have
fun, and piss him off, at the same time.

Hey Houell, what's the most fun "you" have. Show us how "your" life and interests are superior. Come on Houell, list "your" fun things that you do, instead of whinging like a yapping dog about other peoples' fun - - - - - - - - - or does the most fun you have consist of sitting on your bum in front of a computer screen while whining and whining and whining?

Haha. Always good to get some bites. You lot cant help yourselves.

My life and the good times therein aren't something I feel I need to share benq. With you lot especially. I have friends and people I care about for that. People are different and the things I enjoy you wouldn't be able to relate to. Hence I wouldn't bore people I don't know with delightful depictions of what I enjoy.

Basically I have no interest in your favourite tea, so I cant comprehend a strangers interest in mine. Though naturally, I do enjoy eliciting cries of indignant outrage from people, and mocking all things 'nice' and wholesome.

Now, does anyone have some nice recipes for blueberry pie? Sunshine, on my shoulders, looks so loooooovleeyyyyy.

Houelly,

I think your attitude is all a cover -

I'll bet you're really a seventy year-old spinster who wears support stockings, a butterfly brooch and drives a canary yellow Hyundai.

I've got a rather nice pumpkin scone recipe if you're interested

Dear Poirot,

Nah, Houellie reminds me of the children's
story about ,"Grunter: the story of
the pig with attitude!"

It's a story of how not to treat your
fellow man, or pig! And it has an
explosive ending.

The animal's name is Granville, but he's
known as Grunter, because that's what he does!

He hates everything and everyone. He's overfed,
overweight. He is mad, bad, angry, and sad.
(and dangerous to know on days with a
"d" in).

He has serious attitude, and shocking wind!

Yesterday, he flattened the farmer, spat on the
cat, dunked the dog, catapulted the cow, and
mashed three short-sighted mice into the mud.
The day before, he bit the badger, grabbed the
goat and choked the chicks with one of his
outbursts. He ran amok in the muck, sat on the
sheep, and dropped something dirty on the duck!

The other animals thought that he was too big for
his trotters. The other animals thought that he
should be taught a lesson...

Anyway, it's a fun story ... And as I said
reminds me so much of Houellie.

Holly, "Basically I have no interest in your favourite tea"

Then why do you feel the need to interrupt the discussion. I'm was quite enjoying this especially given it's involved some I disagree with strongly at times. Your contributions are the creative equivalent of a burglar taking a crap on the carpet. If you don't like the thread then go elsewhere.

R0bert

Dear RObert,

I fully agree with you.

Although I'd go a bit further.
Houellie has what Americans call - "chutzpah,"
unmitigated impudence or effrontory.
More than just taking a crap on your carpet.
It's taking a crap on your front door mat,
then ringing the door-bell and asking you for
toilet paper.

Yes yes yes Foxy!

I remember fondly the time I realised I like OLO because it gave me the feeling of turning up to an exclusive dinner party full of pretentious twats and pissing on the table.

I've often heard people proudly proclaim their 'work' on OLO of googling for studies and making 'contributions'; well, I guess this is my 'work'.

It's a labour of love.

And you people really make my work worthwhile. I cant thank you enough, I get a lot of satisfaction.

Very good, Houellebecq.

Just think, if you were a little cleverer you could use wit to douse the pomposity - instead of urine.... Oh well, I suppose we all have to work within our limits.

I like you.

Not as much as Col though.

Yourself and Phanto are a level above most of the posters. Pelican and Pericles are ok too but in a different way.

It's those old stagers in the established users club like CJ, Foxy, examinator, r0bert and Severin that bring the tone of the forum down. They were balanced out by antiseptic and Col on this level, but without them now that level is really struggling.

I could be cleverer and use wit, but that would give something back to OLO and it's occupants. I'm a taker not a giver. Laughter and enjoyment at other people's expense enriches my soul. OLO is the gift that keeps on giving. Besides, what else am I going to do at work.

Dear Houellie,

Half a wit is better than none!

Thanks for the name check, Houellebecq.

>>Pelican and Pericles are ok too but in a different way.<<

But wild horses (whatever they are) couldn't get me to post anything on this thread.

Pericles, "But wild horses (whatever they are) couldn't get me to post anything on this thread."

"O, that men's ears should be
To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!"
Shakespeare

Suitably chastened, Cornflower.

"Peace, peace, and give experience tongue.
They do abuse the king that flatter him:
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
The thing which is flatter'd, but a spark,
To which that blast gives heat and stronger glowing;
Whereas reproof, obedient and in order,
Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err."

Shakespeare: Pericles, Prince of Tyre Act 1

Good one.

Wild horses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhVLiHPUOIM

It's interesting that you find that you like me, Houellebecq.
I, more often than not, find that I hold similar views to C.J., Foxy, examinator, RObert and Severin.
I might also add that I have found you rather intriguing...your contrary nature n'all.

poirot,

I like anyone who's got a bit of spirit about them. I liked your attempts at more interesting topics, and I haven't noticed an 'education is the key', predictable middle of the road attitude and blandness from you like the others. You seem to think a little bit deeper, and just a bit more of an independent thinker all round.

I have also not seen any attempts at policing the prose of other posters or taking people's argument on reputation and tone rather than on the content.

All in all, I give you a solid 8.

Houlley have a think about your last post. You are a bit of a policeman yourself even prone to giving ratings.

But I have a soft spot for you too for some reason.

We all have a soft spot for Houellie,
if the truth be known.

He makes narcissism look good.

Oh pelican you disappoint me. I thought you had some comprehension of my work. You don't want to slip down to the malaise down in that level with Foxy and the others with the struggles they're having in the absence of antiseptic. Their world is all out of balance, I really fear for their future. Perhaps another anti-hero will again bless them and enrich their lives.

I give ratings to encourage those posters. I (dare I say it, yes I must!) 'incentivise' (Ooh your public service heart is soaring) posters to aspire to better entertain me through my ratings. I make no demands on their prose. Although, if you think I'm inconsistent, even self-contradictory, well, I take the compliment. The best and most interesting people I know share this trait.

Foxy,

As I've said before, life is one big joke and everyone is here for my amusement. I know you're desperate to see where you stand in my list, even within the admittedly modest level your contributions place you. Maybe some other time I will get around to a fuller assessment of the more prolific posters. But undoubtedly you are quite happy with your gamma friends, conditioned as you are to associate quaint table manners as a measure of superiority.

Oh, and I must give a nod to cornflower.
Recently he (let's face it, nobody believes he's a she) has accurately and succinctly summed up the issue at hand, or identified the issue that should be at hand. Made a few authors look silly, and isn't that what it's all about. Perhaps most improved.

I've often thought I should say something at the time, but I haven't wanted to disrupt his mojo.

Dear Houellie,

Yes, it is all about YOU!

Houlley

"(Ooh your public service heart is soaring)"
Oh thou woundeth me. :P