A few plugs for things spotted recently…

Gardens

A while back I was getting a couple of enterprising students, Keith and David, to do my mowing. They’d turn up with their dad driving a stationwagon full of gardening implements of destruction, and do the gardening. But a couple of months ago they bowed out, saying their mower had broken down. They said they’d call back when it was fixed. They haven’t called back, so I assume that either the mower is beyond repair, or is enormously complex and timeconsuming, or they finally figured out that gardening with dad’s used equipment is bloody hard work, especially when it’s either raining or hot, which accounts for a lot of days.

My sister came to the rescue. Not because she’s volunteering to do my mowing (her house is blessedly lawn-free), but because a good friend of hers, Andrew, has started up a garden services business. Makes a change from bloody Jim’s Mowing/Gardening/Brain Surgery, anyway. I got him around to go over the garden, and he did a bloody good job. His card says he used to contract for the Royal Parks, London, which is pretty impressive. I wonder if his mower has a royal seal on it?

So if you’re looking for gardening, and your own David and Keith have deserted you too:

Andrew Wozencroft
Manor House Garden Services, Caulfield
0424 068 573

Level crossing petition

David Bramwells lost his daughter in an accident at Bentleigh railway station last year. He’s now got a petition going to remove level crossings, which has gained publicity in the worst possible way: another accident at North Shore on Monday. Apart from the safety benefits, removing level crossings would also allow more frequent train services without local opposition due to traffic disruption, and less delays for street-based public transport (buses and trams) and pedestrians (including train passengers). Both Melbourne and Sydney started removing level crossings in the 60s… Sydney completed their project, but Melbourne’s stopped around 1970, with the money diverted to building the Eastern Freeway. Sign the petition.

Riding Sri Lanka for MS (or not)

Trish and Leanne are storming ahead with their charity Ride Sri Lanka for MS… though it may not be a bike ride, and it may not be in Sri Lanka. It will be for MS though.

Vietnam by Cyclo

Speaking of activities in foreign countries for charity, some guys are travelling by cyclo (a kind of three-wheeled thing) through Vietnam to raise money for KOTO, which helps former streetkids and others from disadvantaged backgrounds in Hanoi. And as they go, they’re writing a very entertaining blog. There’s a description of the project, and a printable brochure describing it all, including how to donate.

“OKay….you’ve been warned. If you don’t pay up then there will be more bare chested Adam pictures. No more Mr Nice Guy.”

Goodies coming back

The Goodies are coming back to Australia for another tour, hitting most capital cities and a number of smaller ones. At least, two-thirds of them are touring. Bill Oddie will appear by video link. With my impending mortgage and its unknown effects on my budgetting, I’m giving it a miss, but I understand the last tour was pretty good.