Dec12_So what has been happening . . .

by Ryle Winn

I hate buying water. For something that’s generally free I find it difficult to shell out for it. I’ll die of thirst (maybe only half dead) before I’ll buy bottled water. I’ll crawl on my guts, dehydrated, hide cracking, tongue swollen before I’ll give in and buy a bottle of water. In my other life I was known to buy gallons of beer without quibbling about dollars, but not now and not water. No rhyme or reason.

I suppose my mindset comes from never having had town water, ever, on any property I’ve ever owned. Conservation is the key, as it is with most rural people – never knew a bushy to need a four minute shower – two max and preferably less. Graham Bond said he couldn’t stay under the shower for that long.

So where am I going with this? Some years ago I installed a 5000 litre tank high up on the hill above the house. I fill it when there’s plenty of rain about and leave it like this for emergencies. In a blackout when the pump doesn’t work we still have water and can cook on the barbecue with a torch for light. The pressure pump goes out with the power too. If we have a fire in the house we’ve still got water. The 25mm pipe delivers pressure that will knock you over. 

The dry spell we’ve been having is nothing new for September and October. My big 30,000 litre underground tank was nearing empty because we’d had extended family staying for a good while. Right, empty the 5000 litres into the big one and that should get us through.  It would’ve too if I didn’t run for the phone and leave the hose running for four hours. That’s how long it took to drain it.

Steve McCabe I wish you well, my friend. I hope you’re making plenty of money but I wish it was just a little bit less.    

Guess this is the last edition for the year so stay safe and healthy for Xmas and 2013  –  everything follows along nicely if you do.

PS I’ve got some small ideas to incorporate in each little column next year so stay tuned. And if you’re looking for a present for a friend buy one of my books and I’ll get a present too.  Available at IGA or my website   www.RMWINN.com  Have a look!