I finally got to install my electric fence yesterday morning, and we haven’t had any more trouble from the pigs.

For the electric fence energiser, I bought a Thunderbird BD-20. This is a neat little 2 km “strip grazer”, powered by 4x D-cell batteries.

I don’t have mains power near the pig pen because it’s well away [...]

The pigs have escaped three times this week!

Luckily, they’ve only got out into our yard. Each time, they just hang around in the garden, dig up the grass a bit, and lay in the sun. Putting them back in their pen was pretty easy – they’re just like flighty chickens. They’ll flee if you approach [...]

In our quest to eat more sustainably, we’ve been experiencing what it’s like to raise our own animals for meat. So far it’s only been chickens, but we just raised the bar another notch with the addition of three pigs to the back yard!

Aren’t they adorable? These little guys are super-cute, and you could sit [...]

[ September 29, 2010; 9:30 am to 11:30 am. ] Venue: Barren Grounds Nature Reserve Discover how science is helping protect two local threatened species: the Potoroo and the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. Gain hands on experience with techniques used by scientists, trapping, captive breeding programs, predator control and radio tracking. For enquires phone 1300 361 967. Meet: Barren Grounds picnic area Bring: sun protection, water, lunch Grade: easy Cost: Child $5, [...]

[ October 17, 2010; 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. ] Venue: Shellharbour Workers Club, Cnr Wattle & Shellharbour Rds, Shellharbour Come along and talk to a range of solar hot water and solar power suppliers in one easy location. Learn how to save on your home energy bills and find out about the government incentives available to make these systems more affordable. Suppliers of home wind turbine [...]

[ October 9, 2010; 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] Please join us for a celebration of the beautiful surroundings at Spring Creek, a site that was previously a market garden and a farm that has been restored to a wetland which is a haven for birds and other wildlife. The day will include guided walks to highlight the birds of the area. Morning tea is provided, [...]

[ November 27, 2010; 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] Kiama Produce Markets – Where taste really matters: fresh & fabulous! LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY Kiama Produce Markets is an initiative of Kiama Municipal Council. Held every fourth Saturday of each month. To register a site contact the Kiama Produce Market hotline 4232 0464. Venue: Black Beach, Shoalhaven Street, Kiama.

[ October 23, 2010; 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] Kiama Produce Markets – Where taste really matters: fresh & fabulous! LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY Kiama Produce Markets is an initiative of Kiama Municipal Council. Held every fourth Saturday of each month. To register a site contact the Kiama Produce Market hotline 4232 0464. Venue: Black Beach, Shoalhaven Street, Kiama.

I was interviewed on Monday by a researcher from the University of Wollongong about my experiences with installing solar hot water at our old house. They’re looking into why people choose solar, how they choose the system and supplier, what their experience has been, etc.

Sitting in on the interview was an interesting guy from CSIRO [...]

[ September 25, 2010; 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] Kiama Produce Markets – Where taste really matters: fresh & fabulous! LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY Kiama Produce Markets is an initiative of Kiama Municipal Council. Held every fourth Saturday of each month. To register a site contact the Kiama Produce Market hotline 4232 0464. Venue: Black Beach, Shoalhaven Street, Kiama.