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Tue 03 Dec 2024

A neighbour is knocking down a shed, they said I can have anything in it. It's mostly junk left by the previus owner, but I think I can find a few worthwhile things in there.

Meanwhile back at the ridge, I've started on a covered entry for the house.

I see this on the way back from clearing the neighbour's shed.

One reason I like owning a vehicle like my Cruiser, I took this photo from the roof rack.

And then I see this lovely fellow.

Thu 05 Dec 2024

Back down at the shed.

Another load of stuff.

Then back down, I've got everything I want from inside so now it's time to remove the shed as well, or at least the corro sheeting.

The first sheet is off.

I do plan to remove the roofing sheets as well, but when I have a look up there I worry about how sound it would be to walk on because all that leaf matter would have been holding moisture.

So I'll pass on that.

Then I spot this little fellow, he doesn't seem happy about the new layout.

OK, that's all the wall sheets removed, I think I'm nearly done here.

Fri 06 Dec 2024

Back to working on the new covered entry. I realise that just about every ladder I own is in this photo.

The awning is finished for now, although I will extend it later.

Sat 07 Dec 2024

A friend had this structure built then decided they didn't want it, maybe it will serve as the base for a chook pen when I get around to building one.

Time for some R&R, I hang out down at the local pond.

Fri 20 Dec 2024

I decide to go down to the steel suppliers and buy a few lenghts of purlin and top hat, something to get me through the Christmas break.

I've been dealing with this mob for years and can never get out of there in under half an hour because we always have something to yack about.

Today is Pete's last day, he's the guy that submits shed designs to the council for approval and nobody else knows how to do that using the CAD software they own. It seems that Gary (the owner) has been happy to let Pete get on with that but now that he's leaving they are in a bit of a bind.

I ask Gary what they are going to do and he says that they won't be advertising as they need to find someone they can get along with and you can't tell that from an interview.

I agree and think no more of it as Garry goes back to the office and I continue talking to Pete.

Ten minutes later Gary emerges from the office and makes a bee line for us. I can see what's next.

"Would you like to give it a go?" he says.

Mon 23 Dec 2024

I've been noticing this garden art for some time, decided to stop today and take a photo or two.

Tue 24 Dec 2024

The other day the oven failed, I was not sure what the problem was but, based on the symptoms, figured it was the controller board. These cost about $200 so it was a bit of a leap of faith to buy one but I did because Geri has her heart set on creating a Christmas dinner for us and a neighbour or two and, no oven, no dinner.

I'm happy to report that the new circuit board works and Christmas dinner is now back on the table.

Wed 25 Dec 2024

The table laid for Christmas dinner with a couple of neighbours.

Our Christmas tree, we go all out here.

We get the best presents...no, not my feet.

Sun 29 Dec 2024

The old kitchen is going to be turned into a "nook", somewhere I can sit and listen to music, watch a movie, or just contelplate the world.

However it's at a level that's not equal with either the lounge room or my office and I didn't mind that as I figured I would like the "sunken" effect. But reason has prevailed, I know I'm very ambulent now but what if I become less so in future, there's no point having to negotiate split levels with my Zimmer frame if I don't have to, so and I decided to raise the floor level to match either the lounge or the office. And as it happens by adding 8" sleeper joists it's exactly level with the lounge room, so that's what I do.

Mon 30 Dec 2024

I add fly screens to the windows, finally we can leave them open all day and night.

I need to deal with the overflow from the new tanks, but at least we know they are full.

Sat 04 Jan 2025

There are two old buildings at New Moonta (not far from my place) which I've been meaning to photograph for a long time. So today I went for a drive to see if I can get anything worthwhile.

The first of the old buildings.

An old harverter.

And the second building with a local taking in some shade.

Then while I'm in the mood to photograph old buildings I drive out the other side of town to another one I've scoped before.

Mon 13 Jan 2025

I start the new job today with a feeling that I can't really describe.

There is of course the usual trepidation that comes with a new job, can I do the work, will I like the people etc. Well I know that I like the guys, I've been buying steel from them and yacking with them for about ten years. As for the work, it's not something I've done before but that was the case with every other job I've had, I will assume that I will learn fast enough.

No it's something else. Something to do with loss of freedom I think. For over 25 years, with the exception of a couple of other short-term jobs, I've been totally free to do what I want all day, and every day; and that's about to change.

Yeah I know, talk about a "first world" problem, but that's where I live.

So, that was day one on the job. I did pretty well I think given all the things that I have to learn. I could stick this out for maybe a year which is the plan, but on the other hand I am already missing my free time.

Tue 14 Jan 2025

Day two on the job. A pretty full on day unloading trucks and cutting steel in what must have been 40-degree heat and 98% humidity. Still that's why I get the big bucks eh?

I'm also getting to learn some of the procedures here, but there's a heck of a lot to learn, it will be a long haul and I don't know that I have to staying power these days. We'll see.

I know in the past I've had jobs where in the first few days I thought I wouldn't make it, but after a while is was just what I do. Hopefully this one will be the same. If not I'll leave I suppose. I'd hate to do that too soon but I was clear that we'd give it a try for a couple of months and even if I get past that I'm not looking for a career at my age.

My current thinking is that I stay here for a year, that is enough time to pay for all the work on the house, fix up the Landcruiser, buy some new toys, and have a nest egg put aside. Also when I learn the design software I will be able to train a replacement as Gary (the owner) does not know how to use it and as I mentioned they were in a bit of a bind with the previous guy leaving.

Wed 15 Jan 2025

Last september I let my forklift ticket expire because I figured a) I'll never have a job again and b) even if I do get a job it won't require a forklift ticket.

WRONG

I can foresee that I would have to to a training course to get it back as most of these authorities don't cut you any slack. So I phone the appropriate authority, and blow me down they say if I pay another 5-year subscription ($96) they'll reissue the ticket.

Mon 27 Jan 2025

I've started cladding the new bathroom wall and this will cover up some of the plumbing. So to keep a record of where the pipes are I take a photo of them with a rule before cladding.

Then I get bored with that and turn my attention to the Cruiser.

Technically the Cruiser is a 'ute' (utility vehicle or a 'truck' for my American readers), but in practice it's a half-fitted-out camper which means that it's not much use for either carting stuff or for camping. And since my other ute died I find that I miss having a vehicle that can carry decent loads, and conversely I can't see myself needing to sleep in the back of the Cruiser any time soon, and even if I do there's no real need for a camper as such, just throw a mattress in the back and head off.

The upshot of all this is I'm removing all the infrastructure from the back of the Cruiser. Stuff that took me days to make and weeks to think about.

Oh well, you get that on these big jobs.

The old girl's looking pretty spritely eh?

I did think about removing the canopy as well because that restricts the size of items I can carry and also precludes the installation of the crane I had on the old ute. But I spent ages building that roof rack and I can't see myself destroying it.

Fri 31 Jan 2025

I was inspired by someone today.

A customer came into the shop and asked about buying some tread plate. For the job he had in mind we recommended 5mm plate but a sheet of that weights about 150kgs, we can load that but we asked how he would manhandle it when he got home.

Yeah it will be difficult he said. At my age I shouldn't really be doing that sort of thing.

So just how old is he? I would have figured 70-something, that's my age and I would be able to handle that sort of work.

He's NINETY FOUR!

That's nearly a quarter of a century older than me and he's still going strong.

I admit that lately I've been wondering about the point of doing all the things I do when I might not be around long enough to enjoy them, and that may indeed turn out to be the case.

But on the other hand it may not, and this bloke is living proof of that.

So I think I've got my mojo back...gotta go, things to do.

Sun 02 Feb 2025

I'm going to try and start a new habit to further improve my health.

Many years ago I would go for a walk every day at 2PM, usually for 2-3 hours and often much of that was bush bashing. It was a good workout and recently I thought to start that again, but as you know I now work five days a week so that particular regime is not practical.

Then I got to thinking how every morning I get out of bed, make a coffee, and just sit at the computer for 2-3 hours doing, for the most part, nothing productive.

So why not walk at that time of day instead, after all they say that what you do when you get up is the rudder for the rest of the day. If I'm active for the first hour or two of the day I might just be more active than I have previously been for the rest of the day.

So today I got up at my usual time (5AM), got into some walking gear and headed off.

I also take a camera, I won't do this all the time as it does restrict a fast walk, but it's nice to get a few photos.

I won't push it for now, just walking for 30 minutes then turning around and walking back. Some of the walk is pretty steep and I walk briskly so it's a good workout I think.

On my return I'm pretty hot and sweaty and that's not a good look if I have to go to work, so until the shower is fully functional maybe I can't do this on a week day, but it's a start.

Comments

Date  ::	11 Nov 2025
Name  ::	Rod
Location  ::	Perth
Comment  ::	He's back! We still love Rob ;) It's interesting to see what you create out of your acquisitions.
Date  ::	11 Nov 2025
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Thanks Rod. Yeah I'm still getting some things done but after a day's work I seldom feel like doing much but watching a video (of which I have 100s). BTW, I just realised that I missed some stuff from Jan 25, I might have to edit this chronicle to include that.
Date  ::	13 Nov 2025
Name  ::	robert
Location  ::	sydney
Comment  ::	Rob, Thanks for the update, as usual enjoy what you get up too. Are you still with the steel company?? Its coming up to year end!!
Date  ::	13 Nov 2025
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Hi Robert, Yes I'm still there. I alternate between enjoying my time there and thinking that I need to get out and get my life back. My current thinking is that I'll stay until maybe mid February.
Date  ::	13 Nov 2025
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	UPDATE: I've just added some content from early in 2024 that should have been included yesterday.
Date  ::	15 Nov 2025
Name  ::	robert
Location  ::	sydney
Comment  ::	Rob, Your "UPDATE" date is early 2025, not 2024??
Date  ::	16 Nov 2025
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Oops, yeah I meant 2025
Date  ::	24 Nov 2025
Name  ::	Daina
Location  ::	Wollongong
Comment  ::	Orchestrating CAD submissions for council approvals is a little bit like fraternising with an old foe ;-}
Date  ::	19 Jan 2026
Name  ::	Joe
Location  ::	sunny uk
Comment  ::	Hey Rob - was wondering how the “new” job has been going? it’s been a year now which i think was your original plan - hope it’s all worked out for you Cheers!!
Date  ::	27 Jan 2026
Name  ::	robert
Location  ::	sydney
Comment  ::	What's the latest Rob..
Date  ::	27 Jan 2026
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Sorry guys (again), I just have so much on my plate these days, but I'll try to do another one now. Yes I'm still at the job, was going to be 3 months, then 6, then 12, and now I've decided to stay until end of June. But I WILL leave then...I think
Date  ::	27 Feb 2026
Name  ::	Rod
Location  ::	Perth
Comment  ::	You should retire Rob, not only do I recommend it but some graynomad bloke also recommends it ;)
Date  ::	01 Mar 2026
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Yeah tell me about it I have set a date to leave this job, end of June. It's been as good as a job can be but I really miss my freedom, the extra money has been good and it will allow me to get more done around here (for example I just spent $4400 on batteries), but it's nearly time to get my life back.
Date  ::	01 Jun 2026
Name  ::	Rod
Location  ::	Perth
Comment  ::	The end is almost nigh.... Nearly gold plated watch time
Date  ::	01 Jun 2026
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Hi Rod, Yes it is, but how did you know?

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