Hot shower vs flush toilet… no competition in my view; a hot shower is more desirable than a flush toilet. Other toilet solutions are available. However, having both would seem to me to be the epitome of human civilization!
Potential contamination of ground water and or the sea rules out long-drops. Composting toilets require a building consent if they are in a building larger than 10 square metres (ie. habitable) - so are really only a country dunnekin option. That leaves us with incinerating toilets (hmmm and also need building consent) or chemical camping toilets and a once week trip into town to empty them into a proper receiving station.
That's why I reckon I've 'arrived' when I get a septic tank and flush toilet. We have designed our house to have a grey water (shower and laundry) recovery and filtration system so we can recycle the water for flushing toilets and watering the garden. Waste will be minimized in achieving a civilized standard of personal hygiene.
Today was bitsy. Scully and I took a long walk to process the news from fellow blogger Dave Northsider that he has been widowed. It made me very sad for him and his family. On return some seeds were sowed, some more gorse dug out, the overflow for the water tank constructed and deployed (rain is awaited…) and all my small plants (the non-edible ones) replanted in bigger pots and arranged in a place out of full sun. 100 trees, shrubs, flax and grasses. I expect I will need a couple of 1000 by the time I complete the main framework of the planting here.
Mr B rang to confirm he arrives back in NZ in the middle of October. I have a notebook full of jobs for him. I do digging and hacking. He gets the more finessed or tecnical tasks. He is an executor of his late father's estate. It is not large or complicated but over 9 months after the death the lawyers handling this still have not applied for grant of probate. Mr B is frustrated and angry about it but unable to get it to move any faster. When he does get documents to sign they often have mistakes which he points out then has to wait weeks for amendments. How on earth do such lawyers stay in business?
Right. I'm going indoors to work out how to make Afghan flat breads. That should be doable in a frying pan wouldn't you think?
You'll soon be flushed with success it seems.
ReplyDeleteIs the mystery object some sort of dish?
I, too, feel very sad right now after reading Dave's post. I am not really in the right frame of mind for commenting on blogs too much at the moment.
A grey water system is a brilliant idea. There are more reed bed filtration systems appearing as well, also good.
ReplyDeleteThe mystery object...one look says landline phone cable ! The next says umbilical cord...
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteI like that recycle of grey concept - I think it should be a minimum requirement of all new builds (or renos).
I have learned that family estate business is always long and drawn out, no matter the 'size'. In both OZ and the UK, from observation of friends' situations and then our own experience, two years seems to be the minimum - and I've not once heard of any where the solicitors have proven truly efficient. Talk about prolonging the agony... but am glad to read Mr B will be visiting again soon. YAM xx
I'm pleased to hear that Mr B will be joining you soon.
ReplyDeleteI could make several guesses at your mystery picture - coffee with milk 'on the turn,' egg white in boiling water, new species of life from the deep ocean . . .
a flusher is a grand thing to have! I can bathe in a cup so I would go for the flusher! We have had a hole, lime, in the back garden- have used compostable toilets, hate them...so yes, a flusher is the epitome of a civilized woman. I so admire what you are doing over yonder- You get many stars for this venture of yours!!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, I can see your reflection over what I assume is a pot of water with some kind of weird noodle?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we were all shocked by Dave's news. Hard to digest.
ReplyDeleteI've given instructions to my granddaughter..... Just in case.
My closer bloggers have become family. Some blogs just fade away. Dave's post was a shock