1947

Summary

Beginning of this year Beryl and her children was spending a holiday with us and when she was due to go home on the 24th January Walter decided he wanted to stay, so he played up but he still went home. Another year where mosquitoes and flies were bad. 24th January I put the cottage at Emu Park in the hands of Cullen who is an estate agent for a sale. He got a sale and it was finalised on the 29th June when I went down and handed over the keys to the new owner who was Mr Davies. 12th February we had good rain the best for 4 years and th e paper said it was the best in the central for 15 years. The 16th February Mc Kennas and I was renewing the boundary fence between us. On 1st of March we got a letter from Ken to say he had a daughter. 5th March I spent some time listening to a wirel ess of the 5th Test Match commentary. 15th April Irwin and I went to get wood and Irwin run over a stump and I was thrown into a barb wire and cut my ear on a barb wire and a back wheel run over my ankle. 1st May I marked out 4 more places for blocks for Mums cottage I am going to build for her. 13th July I was working at Emu Park and as it was my birthday O Donnells was good enough to help me to celebrate it, I was given pork, peas, pudding, lollies and soft drinks. This year I did a lot more buildi ng including a cottage for John and Iris Hickman at Emu Park. I also did more work on Charleys house as well as a lot of other people. At one time during the year tomatoes were plentiful and prices were poor. In September I was selling Rhubarb, Peas , French beans, Long beans, Strawberries, Carrots, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Rock melons, Water melons, Pineapples, Gauda beans, Papaws, Pumpkins. 22nd November I received a telegram from Reg so I caught the first train down and I stayed with Ted and Beryl. I came home with Reg when he got his vehicle fixed ready for the road, which wasnt until 12th December when we left Brisbane.

17-1-: I went to Emu Park and saw Brays and received Daggs in to the cottage. Went for a bathe.
18-1-: Arthur O Donnell and I went for an early morning bathe and I spent a quiet day. Had another bathe with Daggs.
19-1-: Arthur and I had another bathe and rested quietly until I left for the train. The train was late and I didnt get home until about 9 oclock.
20-1-: I hoed along a row of pines and did a bit to the icebox. It was very hot and I didnt hoe in the afternoon. I put in a few sweet potato slips to root.
21-1-: Hoed pines. Started to knock out dark room.
22-1-: Hoed 3 rows of pines and finished the dark room demolition. We, that is the children and I broke up a lot of strips for fire lighting and started to make lattice. It is very poor stuff awfully brittle.
23-1-: Got the last row of pines hoed and put in the panel of lattice also broke up the rest of the cypress pine strips. Reg was home for a couple of days went off this morning on his little motorbike. The weather is very close.
24-1-: Last night was very close and muggy, one cant rest much. Walter decided he didnt want to go home, played up. Beryl and children went home. I put the Park cottage in Cullens hands to make a sale if he can.
25-1-: Mostly rested as the weather is simply awful for heat.
26-1-: Just lazed about.
27-1-: There is very little being done here. The heat has us knocked out completely. I finished the icebox. It is now ready for some paint.
28-1-: I went up on the roof, put a corner piece in the spouting. Also started to go through my old giggle house timber that is the remains of it.
29-1-: Irwin and I spent a very tiring little time trying to solder the spouting; it is not much of a job. I pretty well finished attending to the timber and re sted as I am quite knocked out by the heat. Sowed nut seeds down near the old pigpen.
30-1-: I cut out armrests for 2 chairs and did a few other bits of jobs.
31-1-: Reg went to town with Herb and is going back to his work. I got the rests fixed to the chairs. The 3 are now ready for paint.
1-2--: I mixed paint and painted the 3 chair frames. Very light showers fell.
2-2--: I read and rested all day. Irwin was away all day, came home for tea.
3-2--: Very light rain came on this morning. Sky is over cast and frogs croaked loudly; very muggy every thing seems set for rain. We now but to wait and see how prospects pan out later. After 4 o clock it has rained fairly steadily all day but of course the registration has not been high, how ever it is so much cooler, that life is much more endurable. I have been working at a port I have it pretty well made except for the finishing touches.
4-2--: I put in the shallot bulbs and worked amongst the beans. Herb and I also sowed seed to grow fowl feed. We havent had much rain here yet how ever various places have had big falls and conditions appear very favourable for more rain. Reg came by train.
5-2--: Rain fell during the night and now at 7a,m. still looks promising. However we appear to be out of the track of sufficient rain to bring the creek down. Evening not a lot of rain fell although it was raining throughout the night.
6-2--: Herb and I sowed 4 more rows of milo seed and I pulled out grass from the pineapples. This morning has been fine except for 1 little shower. I pulled grass out from the bottom side of 3 rows of pines. I then was too tired that I had to give it up. Took 2 aspros to see if they would steady my nerves a bit. Rain has held off all day.
7-2--: I sowed the rest of the fowl feed seed and Frank pronged most of it in. I had to do some and raked the grassy rubbish off. I also burned grass so that the plow won t get bunged up. Went round and started Frank grubbing guinea grass below the date palm. Only a couple of light showers fell today. Irwin did some ploughing. Herb is crook.
8-2--: The sun came up nice and bright this morning and it seems as if our quota of rain has fallen and we are now in for a spell of dry weather. I took a post round the hill before breakfast. I sowed a r ow of pumpkins, cleared grass off the land below the date palm. Dug out shallots and afternoon I dug a bed and planted over 500 shallot bulbs. Irwin did a bit of ploughing.
9-2--: Was what may be termed a rainy day. Shower followed shower. Came from the right direction for rain too.
10-2-: Rain came on properly today. We put out a few cucumber plants and I did a little digging. Also made 2 handles and put in 2 digging forks. It is getting very wet indeed and I think the creek should get down this time.
11-2-: Rained throughout the night and the creek came down a proper banker. It is still raining about 10 oclock this morning. Our land is washed about a fair bit.
12-2-: Creek is just the same as yesterday. This is the best rain for 4 years. I saw in the paper that it is the best rain in the central district for 15 years . May be better seasons coming. It has been fine today.
13-2-: Rain has come on again this morning. Later the rain eased off. I took Childs paper and had a look at his garden. Got some sweet potato cuttings.
14-2-: I went round and planted 250 shallot bulbs, came round and helped Herb to hoe and pull out grass and forked it off. Also run wires for the Gauder beans round at the shed. It was awfully hot today.
15-2-: We started to plough up near Childs house. The horse is not in good enough trim to keep going. I went and saw Mc Kenna about the dividing fence. Rain came on again.
16-2-: I went along the line of fence between McKennas and me, measured the distance from Childs corner to the creek. Saw Turner and had a cup of tea with him. Jehovas witnesses came and I sold 1/- worth of shallot bulbs to 1 of them. Flies are awful pests. As far as weather goes it has been sort of threatening day, but has not rained.
17-2-: I grubbed out wattle and hoed grass near the saw bench. Irwin ploughed and Herb hoed and pulled grass out Frank grubbed out wattle sun shone very strongly at times throughout the day.
18-2-: Herb and I cleared the grass off the bit of land we hoed yesterday and Irwin ploughed it. The sun comes out very hot, but the thermometer only registers 80° inside the kitchen and 82 in our bedroom. The creek is going down fast and well be looking for more rain shortly.
19-2-: Yesterday I chafed the skin on both of my heels and today I am having to take things a bit easy. Wrote an order for seeds from Rumseys it will be posted tomorrow. Reg came last night, has gone to town today and is off to Brisbane tomorrow. Irwin got sweet spud cuttings from Arthur. He also went and got posts for the fence between Mc Kennas and us and some for an idea of his own.
20-2-: My heels are still sore. I cut the ends off posts making them 6 ft. Irwin ploughed below the date palm and Reg went to Brisbane. I am felli ng nervy and quite off colour. I ploughed a bit among the pines. I got 5 posts ready for the fence.
21-2-: I went down to the Park. Just opened up the place and went paddling.
22-2-: I had 2 bathes today, but the water is not up to much as there is too much river water, sticks etc. It is only half as salty as usual.
23-2-: Just took things steady, never had a bathe as my heels are too sore to walk about much.
24-2-: I caught the train home. Called at Koongal and had a look at Sharrocks cottage took 2 snaps 1 of Sharrocks brought me over to town in his car and I caught the rail motor and came to Gracemere.
25-2-: I hoed pines and set out 100 strawberry runners. Slight showers came over in the afternoon. I set Frank to banking pines.
26-2-: I hoed pines and set out sweet potatoes. After dinner rain came on. I cant get Frank to bank pines very well.
27-2-: Turner brought me tomato plants. I set out sweet potatoes cuttings and dug ground over for strawberry runners. Showery weather is on at present. I now have the bit of land filled with sweet potato and tomatoes.
28-2-: Seeds came from Rumseys. I sowed the asparagus and celery. I also dug over some of the bed for strawberry plants, hoed and banked pines. Showers fell throughout the day and this puts us back with our work.
1-3--: Heard from Ken that he has a daughter. Sowed onion seed in a bed I made near the closet. The creek has come down again . Good rain fell last night. The land was too wet to work. I cut a push hoe out of an old square shovelhead, put a handle in it, but it is not quite smooth enough. The cottage over the lane is pulled down; it has been given to an American ex soldier.
2-3--: Read books all day.
4-3--: I banked 2 rows of pines and dug a hole for a post for the grape cut the end off a 4x5 sharpened a saw and rested till dinner. A very boisterous storm worked up but we got very little out of it, not that we wanted much, as the ground is pretty full of moisture from the last lot of rain.
5-3--: I cut grass in pines, cut wood and did some hoeing. It was very warm day and I felt done up. Spent a lot of time at the wireless listening to the 5th Test match commentary. Lily went in by bus, she went to Sharrocks. It is almost time the bus came out again.
6-3--: Rained a bit, I cut grass out of my last row of pines. Did some ploughing. Also did a little for a plate for the cottage. It is raining so much now that we cant get on with our work.
7-3--: Shower after shower came today and made things too wet to plough. Gave tomato plants some fowl manure. Herb, Reg and Irwin are busy at the motorbike.
8-3--: I went up and put 3 posts in the fence and made a start at getting the wires out of the old posts. Irwin did 2 trips up with posts. The sun came out very hot and mosquitoes were very bad up at the fence. I got Lily to cut my wee bit of hair.
9-3--: Sunny day opened with a breeze. I rested reading a book about William and his affairs.
10-3-: I worked at the fence between Mc Kennas and our place during the morning. Afternoon I worked among the pineapples. The sun came out very hot at times.
11-3-: I spent the day in the pine rows and pretty tiring job it was. Light showers fell at times through the day.
12-3-: Sowed celery seed. I worked among the pines. Went to town by bus and did a bit of business.
13-3-: I finished hoeing along the last row of pines and did a bit of banking. Afternoon I went up to the fencing and sunk holes and I now have 7 more holes to put down. Took a snap of Reg on little motorbike. Developed the film after tea mosquitoes are awful.
14-3-: Awful hot today. I trimmed the butts of posts and watered plants. Afternoon I went to the fence and dug the last of the holes required. After tea Lily and I printed photos.
15-3-: I went to the Park, had a bathe and that went well.
16-3-: Had another nice bathe and read and rested. Went out to the trap with Fred in the night got a small fish. Davies came and had a look at the cottage.
17-3-: Had the fish for breakfast and washed up and had a bathe, took things easy and came home by the rail motor.
18-3-: I put out some asparagus plants and did some hoeing.
19-3-: I went in by the railway motor, saw Cullen about the Park properties and Mc Kenna about pineapple suckers, paid the lodge, saw Eddingtons, came out by bus.
20-3-: I went up and put in 7 posts, came back and did a bit of digging. After dinner I went and cut 5 posts out of iron bark saplings.
21-3-: I cut down 2 trees and cut the rest of the posts for the fence. The sun shines far too hot for me these days.
22-3-: I treated white ants, went and saw Harry West about cement. Picked mulberries for a pie for dinner. Had dinner and went across to Briggs paid 8/6 I owed and talked business. Then went and saw Morrells tank, got home just befor e teatime.
23-3-: Opened muggy and cloudy I rested during the morning and afternoon I went to Charleys and then over to Sharrocks, on my way home I called and had a look at the old shops that are to be sold next Saturday.
24-3-: I finished the fence and I was very glad to have done.
25-3-: I worked at Morrells poisoning white ants and also worked at the tank job. Got the tank off the stand and righted up the 4 blocks and dug 3 holes. Came home and rested till teatime. Rather tired too.
26-3-: I went to town and fixed up the returns also to the Bulletin about the Park cottage. Went over to see Daisy, also saw West and Muskers. Gave Mc Kenna 2 post cards of his place as it was 34 years ago when it grew pines galore.
27-3-: Showers came over I got the 3 blocks ready to take up to Morrells. Took material up and put the 3 blocks in and came home.
28-3-: I cut rubbish along the track, planted a few pine suckers and put a handle in a little hand fork. Got 100 Smooth leaf pines out for old O. Donnell, came a bit showery in the afternoon.
29-3-: Mum, Herb, and I went to Emu Park to get surplus out of the cottage. They came home but I stayed down.
30-3-: I spent a quiet day at the seaside.
31-3-: I had a bathe and it was a cold one too. I fixed the garage roof but couldnt find the hasp and staple for the doors.
1-4--: I came home by train, called in at Cullens and gave him a list of the contents of the cottage. Afternoon I went up to my job, took the top off the tank and cleaned out most of the muck and got al l the frame work of our stand cut out and put 2 stays on the blocks.
2-4--: Irwin and I took up the cement and gravel to Morrells. Irwin went for wood and I stayed and worked all day. Put a stay on a casement and a T hinge on a door, finished the tank st and and cleaned the tank out, pointed pickets and fixed the fence.
3-4--: Went to Emu Park.
4-4--: Rested reading.
5-4--: Another easy day.
6-4--: The wind has made it impossible to sleep the last 2 nights.
7-4--: Put the fasteners on the garage doors, read and rested and came home. The train was fairly early so I got home in good time.
8-4--: I picked some pines and made a ladder for connecting Morrells tank. Afternoon went out to Flynns for sand.
9-4--: I walked to Morrells, Francis helped me to sift th e sand and to put the tank on the stand, we also fixed the door of the shed, as far as we could with out roofing nails. I painted the inside of the tank with cement and put bottom cement in, had a cup of tea and came home and undone a joint of pipe for t he tank.
10-4-: Francis and I fixed the shed door and got the tank sides coated with cement. It was 6.30 when I got home, feeling rather tired. It is remarkably hot for the month of April, however in the early morning it's cool.
11-4-: I went up and Francis helped me. We got the tap in the tank. I went round the inside twice brushing cement on. Also put another layer on the bottom. We riveted the top and soldered a joint of the down pipe. I finished up very tired.
12-4-: I went down to the Park.
13-4-: I had a bathe and read and rested through the day. Came by train.
14-4-: Sorted out sashes etc in the morning. Afternoon went up and finished the tank. It was awfully hot in the tank.
15-4-: I hoed tomatoes, sharpened the cross cut saw. Went out for wood, Irwin ran over a stump and I got thrown into barb wire and cut on my ear on a barb, back wheel ran over my ankle. I made a deal with a chap £ 2 and his bike for Reggies old bike that Irwin had done up.
16-4-: I went up and got the top in the tank, cut pickets etc. Francis helped me to sift the sand. Afternoon I bagged stones and helped Irwin to saw fire wood blocks.
17-4-: Irwin and I took up stone and firewood to Mary and Charlotte. I worked at the cementing of the stove recess . Came home at 1/4 to 5, so that I could get my ear attended to. I was quite tired although Mary carried water for me and threw old concrete through the window.
18-4-: I spent the morning at home. Afternoon I went and worked at Morrells fireplace. It is now ready to put the stove in position.
19-4-: I went and got the stove set in to position and finished the recess floor. Irwin called for me and helped with the fence. We got home at 25 to 12.
20-4-: Last night we had Keith Constable, his sister and a girl friend of Miss Constable here for tea, they went to a dance at Gracemere. My ear seems to be getting better gradually. I am taking things fairly easy today. I poisoned white ants before breakfast. Went and walked around the different places with Charley, got home a bit late for dinner.
21-4-: I picked pines and marked out ground plates, my left hand is not good enough yet to do strenuous work. Had dinner and rode the bike to town. Waited an hour to see the doctor and another hour for the lotion and another hour to get home. Syd gave me a lift and had to call at several places before really leaving for home. The weather has become warmer now and we may get rain shortly. Eddington fixed my glasses for nothing.
22-4-: I felt none too good, but did a bit towards getting the cottage frame ready. It was rather warm in the sun today, cooler weather predicted.
23-4-: I cut out more plates and did a little towards making of a port for myself I now have one more 12 ft plate to cut and all the ground plates will be ready.
24-4-: Cut out the last ground plate, sharpened a hand saw also got the aluminium angles round the port and gave the port a coat of Dulux enamel. Sun was very warm. Brown left a bag of pumpkins.
25-4-: I cleared grass and timber near the garage. Got my port ready for hinges etc also gave it a coat of Dulux. I feel quite tired; Herb came and told us that Tiger was dead in the doorway of the shed round at the pump.
26-4-: I rode a bike to town could not get on to neither timber nor cement. Got fittings for the port cost 2/9 came home at 11.20. It was quite warm in the sun today. We may possibly get a little rain a light rain fell.
27-4-: I went round and picked some beans for dinner. Afternoon I went and saw Charley and Syd can get a bag of cement so shall be able to finish Morrells cement work.
28-4-: I went up to Morrells and worked till dinner. Afternoon I put the fixings on my port and mixed ant poison. Afternoon Herb and I went for sand and cement. We got good clean sand but had to hump it over 100 yards.
29-4-: Put the day in up at Morrells. Got the floor finished and now cant do any thing until I can get more cement. The sun shines very strong these days although the nights are cool. Charlotte Bunnage had her 67th birthday.
30-4-: I burned rubbish that Irwin had grubbed out and put in a post for the grape vine. I felt so tired after yesterdays toil up at Morrells that I had to rest most of the day.
1-5--: I got another post in for the grape and marked out 4 more places for block holes for Mums cottage. The borers bored holes right near Mc Carthys. I got the 4 holes dug and cleared away blue bonnets and grass from the space wanted for the building.
2-5--: I rode bike in and attended a sale at Millars but nothing there appealed to me bought 3 sheets of solder at 1/- a stick from West. Went to the timber yard trying to get on to some timber I need very much.
3-5--: I took oranges and limes up for Mary and Charlotte, recorded my vote for weir, came home and worked a bit at getting house blocks in. Quite cool breeze today. I got 4 blocks in by 3 o clock and knocked off and had a bath and rested. It was hot at times throughout the day.
4-5--: I rode the bike to Abels and then over to Sharrocks and back. Lonnie and Mavis came up to see us took a couple of shillings worth of custard apples and gave me 5/- for the old phaeton seat.
5-5--: I got 2 blocks in by 20 to 11 in the morning. My bike ride to Koongal yesterday made me somewhat tired. Afternoon I put in 2 more blocks and then knocked off as I was feeling tired.
6-5--: I rode the bike to town after timber but didnt get on very well I got back at 20 to 11. Afternoon I started to dig a block hole, struck stone which held me up and I felt so tired that I knocked off and came in.
7-5--: Morning I dug a hole and Irwin helped me to put in the front corner block. I started Frank cutting rubbish on the look out for grape vines then knocked off for dinner. Afternoon I started another block hole. Irwin and I went to town in the utility and got a piece of timber for sills and a piece of 8x2 for Johns steps. A little spasm of rain passed over.
8-5--: I finished a hole, dug another hole and started 2 more, put in a block and then came in and rested till dinner. After dinner I got Herb and Irwin to help me to put in 2 blocks and Irwin to help me to find the corner and I put a hole down a foot and got Frank to put a bucket of water in it and hope it to be easier to sink tomorrow. The days get uncomfortably hot and the nights are cool.
9-5--: I got the last 3 blocks in and some sawed off at the top. It is very difficult with out a straight edge and today I felt quite out of sorts. I spent an hour at Johns steps. Rain would be welcome.
10-5-: I sawed the tops off 2 blocks and spent another hour on Johns steps. Finished Kens letter.
11-5-: I rested during the morning and afternoon I went down and had a yarn to Syd. Called in and saw Charley and Harriet on my way home.
12-5-: I dug out a corner block and set it in again plum. Irwin and I sawed the top off another block and I dug 4 more holes. Afternoon I put in 2 more blocks. The sun still gets very hot for this time of the tear. I was plenty tired by night.
13-5-: I cut some verandah posts and barked blocks and put a block in. Stuck some sweet potato cuttings in a tub with sand to strike them ready for planting. Afternoon I went and bought a tank from Charley for £ 1. After I came back I felt so tired I could not work any good so spelled.
14-5-: I went to town in the old ton truck with fowls and after timber 6 pieces of timber cost £ 1/9/ 8 one-piece 5/-. We put the background plate on the blocks and I mortised 13 holes in the top plate and John and Cecil Sharrock came and took flat iron for the stove recess. We packed a case o f pines for Ken and I wrote a note to tell Ken to go to the Wondai Station.
15-5-: I went in on the bike to the site of a sale, but saw nothing to appeal to me, so went to E. George and bought a hat and 6 knives. Called at Muskers and sold some pineapples got paid and they are to be left tomorrow. We sent a case of pines to Ken. Lonnie and Mavis came up and got custard apples and oranges. I felt tired and rested the whole afternoon. Before I went to town I mortised a top plate.
16-5-: I had to go to town and see Cullen about the Park cottage. When I got home from town yesterday the permit to sell had arrived. Well I was surprised that I could not get a go on about the sale of the cottage I had to sign 2 more papers. It does seem awful that all this delay has to be all of interference with peoples private concerns.
17-5-: Opened up showery and cool. However the rain cleared off by about 10 oclock. I mortised 3 top plates and did a little sawing and then turned in the work and rested and read till teatime.
18-5-: I put in the morning reading. Afternoon I rode the bike over to Koongal paid Mrs Bean for the stoves. Helped Cecil Sharrock a bit and got home just about sun down.
19-5-: Irwin and I loaded up timber and took round to where the blocks are i n. I pruned a mandarin tree. I also cut tops off blocks and got 4 plates in position. In fact I got on very well, if I had the irons I would soon have the plates fastened down.
20-5-: Irwin went in and sold pines, I worked at the joists and plates. It was a bit rainified. Phlan came out and saw me, asked me if I would put his place up for him.
21-5-: I rode a bike to town and saw Arlott and went to Wests and 2 timber yards. It rained very steadily throughout the day. I went and saw 4 gallon drums at the drill hall. Called at R.A Hoares and also had a yarn to Bailey. It would be nice if an inch or 2 of rain fell. Paid for the tank.
22-5-: Irwin and I put out a patch of tomatoes and I had Frank making sweet potato banks and we got a few cuttings in. Mum got a letter from Beryl, her husband is in another job, labourer to electrician for the Brisbane council I think it is.
23-5-: I went down to Emu Park for the weekend. Went out to the trap and got a crab and a salmon. I let Mrs Thompson have the crab and I kept the fish.
24-5-: I mostly rested and read, had to go shopping. I called on Mrs Ward and Minnie was there with 2 of her youngsters.
25-5-: I went out to the trap and got a fine mullet, which I took to Mrs Ward.
26-5-: I went up to the trap, b ut Fred has only 2 big fish 30 lb and over, he sold 1 for 30/- to Cook the contractor. I washed up, had a shave and swept out and came home on the rail motor. Herb and Frank met me in Derby Street near the Peoples Palace.
27-5-: I worked a little at the plates etc. We shaped out 2 stays. It was slightly showery, I also went over the pines. They are about done, there are just a few green ones on. Crows have become interested.
28-5-: Last night was drizzling all through. Sharrocks brought the stoves. Permission to sell the E. P. cottage came today. We filled up the sweet spud hills and started to dig ground for gerberas. I am not feeling up to much these days.
29-5-: Got lemons ordered at Thompsons. I rode the bike to town called at Muskers and got 3/-. Burns and Twiggs and got coach screws. Called at Hynes and Garricks and over to Gerards and to a hairdresser and got my haircut. Bought glass and putty and ordered casements at Lawsons. Called at Charleys and got a bottle of milk, came home tired .
30-5-: Irwin and I picked all the lemons off the tree and I got limes and took 2/- carrots to Charley and saw about cement. Also did a bit of digging and clearing rubbish in front of the house so that the ground can be dug. We are having a cool spell.
31-5-: I watered the 7 rows of tomatoes, finished cutting out the steps for Johns cottage, chopped out a lantana near the well. Irwin and I went down and got the tank from Syds. Weather is warmer again.
1-6--: I went to the Park. Cecil Sharrock took Gwen and John down and we cleared the things out of the old cottage and the 3 went paddling. I shouted them ice creams 2 came home.
2-6--: I worked among the tomatoes and picked limes. I have picked 35 dozen off the large Tahiti lime also got most of the ripe mandarins off the old tree. Went round and cut out the background plate without waste.
3-6--: Took lemons and limes in to Thompsons got only 16/6, went and had a look at a house in north street and mooched about the street. Came home by rail motor.
4-6--: I worked a bit round the hill, cutting a few joists etc. After dinner Irwin and I went out to Browns for blocks. It very tiring work and we didnt do much good. I only got 1 log that may do me for my job.
5-6--: Posted letter to L.S Council. Irwin and I went and got a load of wood and 2 blocks for me. I got 1 of the blocks in the plates in position and dug another hole.
6-6--: I went and saw Spauls and am authorised to go on with the job at house in north street up to £12. I saw Cullen and the Davies cant attend to the Park cottage sale until after carnival. I got home pretty tired.
7-6--: I put in a block and straightened up the plates a bit and put all the stays on that the coach screws would enter. My bones were aching and I felt too off colour so came in.
8-6--: I went out and had a look at Childs and Turner. I think this morning was the coldest we have had so far. A couple of men came to buy the 2-horse motor power engine.
9-6--: I worked at the foundation of the cottage. I did a good lot and was quite tired when I knocked off.
10-6-: I worked at the cottage a bit, but was handicapped by the absence of nails. I had to go in on the bike to Burns & Twiggs and buy some. I paid 2/6 for them when I got back I was too weary to do any wor k and can get a go on tomorrow morning.
11-6-: I put down the verandah ground plate; put in 2 more plates and a block. Also got all the 16 ft joists down in fact I reckon I got on very well. I fancy that is going to be pretty cold in the morning. A bree ze that is from the west seems cool tonight.
12-6-: I got the joists fixed in position for the back verandah and some of the flooring down and laid out several more boards. We took round another lot of timber. Very tired wrote to Ken.
13-6-: I rode the bike and left a message re the engine for Trafford. Went to a sale but did no good as the chairs went too dear. I also went over to Sharrocks and drew a blank as Cecil was out at work at Lakes Creek Works.
14-6-: I got the floor of the kitchen cramped and nailed in position. My right hand is pretty crook and painful and I cant work up to much. In fact I dont feel any way too well.
15-6-: A chap came and bought the little engine. He paid £5 and is to pay £ 2 per week. The price was £30. He gave me 10/ - for taking it to his place and 3/- for 4 blocks. We went to Sharrocks.
16-6-: My hand is pretty sore, but I worked a fair bit at the cottage. It was a holiday, what they call the Kings birthday although it is not the proper day, but king ship is not much these days.
17-6-: I fixed the rest of the joists and 2 plates also put 6 boards down, the 4 x 1 cramps up better than the 6 x 1 the bendy timber. I had to use for plates makes the job a bit out of true.
18-6-: I put boards down till 11 and then picked a bucket of tomatoes, rested till dinner. Afternoon I went as far with the floor as I can until the frame is up, for which I have to wait for studs.
19-6-: 3 Weeks since I ordered 3x2 at Gerards. I started to prepare blocks for the north street job also did a little to the cottage. Herb took Lily in to Hickmans and went to the show, Letter from Ken.
20-6-: I took carrots down to Charleys I paid for the cement. I also sawed the log ready to make 3 blocks for the north street job. Set the pump going for Frank to fill the reservoir.
21-6-: I rode the bike to town. Took the plans to Arlott, went to Gerards and Garricks. Got £2 from Travers, went to the lands office about Pear Poisons.
22-6-: I spent the day at home. Cecil, Willis and another chap came out. Ellen and children were here too.
23-6-: I rode the bike up to Morrells and saw Mary and Charlotte, came back and worked at the cottage awhile. Also fixed the blocks for Spauls house.
24-6-: I cut out the studs and top plate for the back. Also hoed out poppy thistles and painted verandah chairs. Yesterday and today there were big fogs and the sun shone fiercely during the day.
25-6-: Got to Cullens and fixed up sale for Park house and Lawsons for casements, Gerards about timber. Well I went to Cullens at 9 oclock and 3 or 4 times after before I could contact him. It was about 1 o clock before I got there matter finalized and the cheque banked. I also went to Gerards about the timber and Lawsons about the casements. The 4 pair are costing £7/4/-. I bought a brace and bit 10/- from West, a pen from Eddington 2/-. I got £ 8/19/ 5 more for the cottage than I expected. After I got home I painted a bit at 2 chairs.
26-6-: I helped Irwin to cut wood and cut out 7 struts, we then went to Charleys for the cement. I had to carry the studs up to the floor of the cottage. Afternoon I went up to Marys and Charlottes to finish the job up there. I attended to the door of entrance and made it so that the door will work. The tank had not been leaking much a s there was a great deal of water in it. We filled 4 tubs and 2 copper boilers and then had to let the tap run for a long time and the water to go to waste.
27-6-: I took carrots to Charleys owes 2/-. I also cut out the 10 studs left from the pieces from Gerards, painted a case that Mrs Wards glass are in.
28-6-: I got another £2 from Travers and went to Emu Park, left glass at Wards and went out to the old place had tea with Arthur and Scotty. Bought a pair of shoes from Kelly for £1/2/ 5.
29-6-: I slept in the shack for the last time last night . Went out to the trap with Fred got a crab to bring home. Afternoon Arthur, Scotty and I cleared stuff out of the room down stairs. Davies came and I had a cup of tea with them and gave them the key, so we have finished the deal and as far as the Park is concerned we are homeless.
30-6-: Rode bike to town and saw about the cement, called at Gerards and Brisbane. Bought 2 baskets from Georges. I fixed things for 17 bags of cement.
1-7--: I fixed up a place to stack the cement I now have 19 bags. Irwin brought them out and also got the casements. I sharpened the cross cut saw and hoed and dug a place for celery, got some planted out.
2-7--: I cleared timber near the fibro, pruned a tree. Afternoon I went up to Morrells, finished with the tank and worked at the floor at the back of the house.
3-7--: I went up to Morrells and put the finishing touches to the job, got back 10 oclock. Afternoon I rode the bike against a bad wind. Took 5/- shallot bulbs to Millroys and bought 35 ft of hose. Paid George for blankets.
4-7--: I went to Emu Park. Stayed at Dave Thwaites place with Iris, John and Co.
5-7--: I went and put the panes in for Mrs Ward. Rest of day I lazed.
6-7--: Bathed my toe in the sea and stuck around and read a couple of books.
7-7--: John and I put in the day at his cottage put up the back steps and started putting up the joiner.
8-7--: Carried on with the putting in of the doors.
9-7--: We finished the joinery fitting and I cemented the ridge. John and I finished the cement step and went home.
10-7-: John and I gathered up things and I helped them off. I began to get my meals at O Donnells.
11-7-: I worked at Wards putting up the clothesline and doing a job to shelter when washing.
12-7-: Put a shelf up for Mrs Ward and got paid for the job.
13-7-: Arthur with Scotties help celebrated our birthday. We had pork, peas, pudding, lollies, soft drinks. We went down to the beach and I took several photos.
14-7-: I got things ready for the north street job ready. Mum and I developed the film I took at the Park yesterday. Some of them seem to be all right.
15-7-: I worked about the place in the morning. Afternoon Herb and Irwin and I went and started the job.
16-7-: Morning I got an angle ready and other things for North Street. Afternoon Herb and I got on fairly well.
17-7-: I rode the bike to the job and fixed the block Herb and I left yesterday evening I got home for dinner
18-7-: I went to town with Herb and Lily. I walked from Nicholson Street to Hynes timber yard and then to Garricks and on to Millroys and Wests and th en over to Gerards when walking back to the city I got picked up by a chap called Ingham. I managed to get 7lb of nails 2x10 from Millroys. Burns and Twiggs had none. Every thing is hard to get now s pectacles cost 3/6 to get mended. Paid 10/ 6 for the soling and heeling of the tan shoes.
19-7-: I went to Emu Park O Donnell, Gray were pleased with the photos.
20-7-: I mooched around and came home by train. Walked to Hickmans and Herb brought me home. The night was not as cold as I had expected. I got 4/- of smoked mullet from Natoras it looks real good.
21-7-: Mrs Cifuentes came and paid the £15/4/6. I got a bit of stuff ready. Afternoon Herb and I went to North Street and put in the afternoon.
22-7-: Irwin and I went and worked all day, fixed the door and did 2 potions of the verandah except for ripping pieces to fill the small space between the last 2 boards. Home before 5 oclock.
23-7-: Irwin and I went in fixed the long side of the verandah and over half of the front. Of course there are a lot of ripping to do to the finishing stops.
24-7-: I rode the bike to Brisbanes, put in a pretty hard day and rode home again. I certainly felt tired and have exceeded the aim I was allowed to go to. Also it needs more doing to it.
25-7-: I presented my account to Spauls and got payment. I walked all over the city pretty well and was tired by time I got home. It was cold this morning, but the sun made things warm during the day.
26-7-: I rode the bike in and went to Burns and Twiggs paid for the cement and round to Travers. Took on to Brisbanes then to Tozers and over to Sharrocks. I got home for dinner and was so tired that I just had to rest all the afternoon.
27-7-: I rode the bike over to Newmans and looked at Henry and pipe joints. They are certainly all right. Both Newmans father and son are awful toilers 7 days a week. It seems senseless to me.
28-7-: I watered 2 rows of tomatoes from the tap and then started to haul out of the well and water the top ends of the tomato rows.
29-7-: Herb and I went in and finished Spauls job. We got back home at 3.30 feeling pretty tired, but satisfied too. We fixed 2 blocks. Ripped pieces and finished the floor also fixed a stay in position and attended to the lattice.
30-7-: I did some digging at the site for the bathroom, also sharpened a handsaw. Went to town and banked £30. Called and saw Hickmans and then over to Sharrocks and then back to Gerards. I then made for home where I arrived at 5.05.
31-7-: I hauled water out of the well. Restacked Masonite. Got Frank to work at cleaning the tank so that I can cement it.
1-8--: I dug material out at the site of the bathroom. Frank and I watered the tomatoes that were not done the other day. Afternoon I cemented the tank that has the tap in the kitchen. I was very tired by time I had finished; only a small part needed doing.
2-8--: Rode the bike to town. Settled up with the Spauls and went to Travers and Wests also Williams. I have a job at Charleys cementing and working at his house blocks. We also cut doorstops for John to take to Emu Park.
3-8--: I dug up near the tomato plants that Frank and I watered Friday. After that I rode the bike down to Charleys and walked around the estate with him. I was fairly tired after that and read a book and rested the rest of the day.
4-8--: I gathered 8 tins of manure and put at the tomatoes before breakfast. Before dinner I watered tomatoes and hoed 3 rows and made a start at getting ready for Charleys job. We also had to start staking the tomatoes as the wind w as breaking them off.
5-8--: We finished staking the tomatoes. I sowed some long bean seed also gave the tank a final cementing.
6-8--: I finished tying the tomatoes. Put the top on the tank. After dinner I rode the bike against a head wind to town after doing various bits of business I rode back home got here at 4 oclock.
7-8--: I watered tomatoes and burned off grass below the track that goes round the hill came in at 5 to 11 feeling ready for a rest. After dinner Herb and I took a pie melon and Mas onite to Brisbanes there was no one home so we left the stuff and got timber and came home pan 4/- from West.
8-8--: I cut out the studs we got yesterday also cut 6x2 in to lengths for sills. I felt a bit off and took things very steady during the afternoon. Bought Life Salts 2 weeks ago 3/6d.
9-8--: I took carrots to C. T. and saw Syd then went round to the sale of army buildings. I never got any thing, as the prices were too high. Reg came from Brisbane.
10-8-: I rested about at home, read a book by Winston Churchill, he wrote a few good books. Herb and John worked at Johns utility.
11-8-: I watered a row of long beans also tomatoes made a bed for carnations seeds and cut out a few pieces for the cottage.
12-8-: I shifted timber and fibro from near the banana, dug sweet spuds and sharpened a hand saw, watered the 2 rows of long beans. Herb and Reg went in and got the timber from Gerards.
13-8-: I cut out frames for casements and cut studs to the right lengths. I have a very sore feeling in the left side of the small of the back. May be lumbago or some such thing. Cut out casement openings and studs. Ken came home, walked from Gracemere. He is rather thin on it needs feeding up a bit. We are having a very dry time again.
14-8-: Watered 2 rows of long beans and Ken and I sorted out tools and made a couple of trowels to use in cementing the tank. Ken and I did more work at the forge. Made Fred Thwaite a bar. Sowed 2 rows of long beans.
15-8-: Watered 4 rows of beans. Weeded a few carrots. Burned grass near the fowl run, fitted a corner stud at the cottage. Had Life Salts 3 weeks.
16-8-: I rode the bike to town, saw party re engine. Went and paid Gerards, came home for dinner. Legs tired so rested the rest of the day. Weather is getting deplorably dry again.
17-8-: Ken and I rode bikes to Charleys, walked round the place with him, had a cup of tea; he gave me 6 eggs to bring home. Turned out a rather a raw day. Ken cut my hair off.
18-8-: Started to rain a bit during the night. Nice rain fell during the afternoon we could only rest. Ken went home to Wondai. Put out 50 tomatoes.
19-8-: I finished sowing the patch of long beans. Put out 50 tomatoes below the date palm. I sowed a few Gauder beans, I also sowed a patch of sacaline.
20-8-: I put in a row of sweet potatoes. Frank and I carried material round to the cottage site. Frank covered seed and went on with digging holes for custard apple trees.
21-8-: I put out 3 rows of tomatoes, humped studs up to the track ready to take round to the building. Rode the bike to town to see John about timber, also saw Miss Rawlings about timber at her place.
22-8-: 4th Week Life Salts. I sowed carnation seed. Frank and I made a start at putting up the frame of the cottage. Got all up on the side towards the creek and the front 32 ft in all. I managed to bust my finger with the hammer.
23-8-: Sowed rosella watermelon rock melon and peanuts my finger was too crook to work properly
24-8-: I walked across to Plans, but he wasnt there. I then went to Browns and bought a set of steps from Bill for 10/-. Got back for dinner and rested the rest of the day.
25-8-: I pronged 2 rows of long beans, sowed a row of peas, Frank and I sowed pumpkins. Reg went back to Brisbane. I cut down the fig tree and bored holes and put in poison.
26-8-: Frank and I gave blood and bone to the tomato plants we put out last week. Then we put shallots near the fowl run. I also fixed up a hoe and hoed a patch of strawberries.
27-8-: I sowed rock melons put out 12 custard apples and a citrus tree and did a bit to the cottage. We got the row of over 30 custard apple trees planted there plenty more under the trees.
28-8-: I dug a bed and got Frank to plant shallots also hoed sweet potatoes and got Frank to hoe more. Did a little cutting out of top plates and short studs to go along the casements. Crook finger makes it awkward toil.
29-8-: Life Salts 5 weeks. Frank and I put studs up. Came and lighted the fire at 12.30. Afternoon we put up more timber.
30-8-: I rode the bike to town got 7/6 from Brisbane for Masonite. Got back just in time for dinner.
31-8-: Sharrocks came out and the young uns kept us going 1 way and another. They took custard apple trees, lime, strawberries; rhubarb etc brought me a couple of nice fish for tea. Mrs Armstrong died.
1-9--: I worked a bit at the floor of the cottage. I felt no good so didnt do much. Got letters from Ken and Reg.
2-9--: Mulched the custard apple trees and carried on a bit with the building. I have aching bones and general depression feeling.
3-9--: Another nice rain came last night. Sharpened a saw, but most work was at a stand still.
4-9--: Started to make a stepladder for the house and us. Afternoon Frank and I put up a few studs and floor boards.
5-9--: Rain came on again. We took step to pieces and nails out of boards so they are ready for use on in the floor.
6-9--: Sharrocks came out and we ripped timber for Cecil.
7-9--: I took shallot bulbs to Walter Benson and got a Cavandish banana sucker. Called in at Charleys he is crook in bed. Syd and Co are busy among the tomatoes. The weather is still muggy.
8-9--: I sowed some papaws and pumpkins did some hoeing and we got our first top plate on a 12 ft. I knocked off 20 to 5 as a very tired feeling took possession of me.
9-9--: I put down some flooring during the morning and put up a plank to stand on. Afternoon we spent putting on some top plates. One 24 ft was awfully crooked and hard to put up, very tired tonight.
10-9-: I cut out a corner verandah post and bolted it in position, also cut out under casement studs. We managed to get the 24 ft plate on and it was a job, being so awfully crooked. There are now 2 more main plates to put up.
11-9-: Morning I put in a sill and 2 under studs laid some flooring and took 3 boards off galvanised iron. Afternoon we put the last 2 plates up but they are not properly in place.
12-9-: I almost finished the floor and also got most of the boards on the stove recess. Sowed some sprouted seed of beans I bought from Sinclair above the big lime tree.
13-9-: I watered a row of snake beans. Had a shave and rode the bike to town. I went right over to Koongal and back through Depot Hill. By time I got home I was very tired. Had a bit of a rest and then picked tomatoes.
14-9-: I made a lid for the strawberry box. Went down to Charleys twice. He gave me the first squash of the season and 8 eggs to sell. Syd was dusting pumpkins.
15-9-: I fixed the corner of the top plates and also put in the short piece at the back 2 studs under the sills did hoeing and dug a tin of sweet potatoes opened 2 kerosene tins and got the duster fixed.
16-9-: I dusted tomatoes. Herb and I took tomatoes in and got meat. I hoed thistles out of the tomatoes and picked a tin of fruit, also did a little to the building.
17-9-: I hoed a bit round below the date and Frank helped me to put the top plate on the back of the cottage. Herb and I ripped timber for the stays.
18-9-: I got timber out of the shed to see how I was going to be so far as the roof was concerned, also picked tomatoes, fixed a safe door, did hoeing and cut out a pattern rafter. I was fairly tired by this time.
19-9-: I sowed beans, went to town, chased around trying to get orders for tomatoes, only got order for 1 case. There are too many crook ones about.
20-9-: I was completely knocked up and just rested and read all day. I merely thinned out 2 rows of long beans and placed out 2 Gauda beans below the house. Crows are at the pines.
21-9-: I went for a walk up through the pines and over the top of the hill. After dinner I went down to Syds and Charley took me round to see the peas and I also went and saw the blocks they had got for the house.
22-9-: I felt off today and didnt get much done. It was a clear fine day. We have a good lot of tomatoes but they are not in sufficient demand to suit me.
23-9-: I rode the bike to get orders for tomatoes. Got back by 10 and picked and made up the number of cases required. had dinner and Herb and I took them in. I got a 12 inch circular saw at Tozers and we got back home by 4 oclock.
24-9-: I took the day to make the stepladder for Charleys job. I felt very tired after yesterdays effort. I dug sweet potatoes and straightened a tenon saw.
25-9-: Slight showers came over. I went over the tomatoes, sharpened a saw. Pronged 2 rows of long beans and hoed a row, dug a bit for carnations. Got a wee letter from Reg. The wind is simply awful today.
26-9-: I hoed 3 rows of long beans, dug sweet potatoes, cut out several rafters. Tomatoes are only a quarter of the price obtained last year at this time.
27-9-: Very light rain falls at intervals. I put out 100 carnations plants and sharpened hand saw. Afternoon I picked 6 kerosene tins of tomatoes. I thought it best to get them before rain came on hard.
28-9-: I went round to Syds and after yarning, went round by Tennents and had a gossip to Mr Turner and called in to Childs, had coffee and cake and on home in time for dinner. Rested afternoon.
29-9-: I was in on the bike before 7 oclock. Got orders for 8 cases of tomatoes. Came back and picked and packed and Herb and I took them in after dinner and was back by 2.30 I was nice and tired too.
30-9-: Herb and I put in the day at Charleys before I went I gave Foster 17/6 peas 6/5 beans and 3/ 9 strawberries he also owes 1/6 for Fridays berries. This is what I was growing for the month of September--Peas, French beans, strawberries, carrots, beet, lettuce, celery, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, rock melons, water melons, pineapples, Guada beans, Papaws, pumpkins , I sent 3/- for carnation seed and we have a great lots of plants, ready in about a week for planting out. These plants were planted on the 27th of this month.
1-10-: I worked at Charleys house. I fixed the worst part myself as Herb failed to get to the job. I was very pleased with my days work, but was very tired when I got home.
2-10-: I rested all the morning. Afternoon I picked tomatoes and fixed them up, dug sweet potatoes and watered my carnations. Wrote to Reg, I was very tired from yesterday.
3-10-: I helped Herb to get ready, watered my carnations and attended to Foster. Picked tomatoes and wheeled the barrows down the rows and got 2 loads.
4-10-: A little rain fell; I hoed a bit above the house and put gauda beans in place. Charley picked his first tomatoes for the season 22 cases, had a little rain.
5-10-: I took berries and beans down for Harriet, came back and made up tomato cases, hoed 2 rows of long beans and had a look through the pines.
6-10-: I rode the bike to town and got orders for tomatoes. Afternoon Herb and I went down and fixed the corner block of Charleys house.
7-10-: We took in the tomatoes £2/13/- worth. Picked up 2 dozen cases 6/- Gave Foster 20 lb of peas 1 gauda bean 2 strawberries. Afternoon we tried out the new saw it's all right.
8-10-: Morning I picked tomatoes. Afternoon Herb and I worked at Charleys and we did 2 blocks.
9-10-: Watered carnations and hoed 3 rows of beans, watered melons and hoed them, watered a row of peas and split wood for dinner. Got a letter from Ken.
10-10: Sprayed strawberries and pulled weeds out, cut a bit of timber. I got through the patch of berries and was then too tired to pick tomatoes. Today was much cooler than the last 2 days.
11-10: I left just after 6 and was over at Sharrocks at 7 and had breakfast with them. I came over to the city and saw 2 folk about tomatoes. Went to Hickmans and then home.
12-10: I rested and read Sharrocks came out and took 2 cases of tomatoes 3/- per case.
13-10: Started a new bottle of Life Salts. I watered carnations and picked tomatoes over, dug a bit for carnations. Afternoon went down to the job. Order for Tuesday 21st Seamp, George, Lamb East Street.
14-10: Busy morning Foster was later than usual and then this put us back by 10.30.
15-10: I worked down at Charleys all day. Herb put in the afternoon.
16-10: Sharpened a saw, watered plants, picked tomatoes. I was simply knocked out from yesterday. Very muggy day. Rain may come any old time. Tomatoes slow a lot of waste.
17-10: I picked tomatoes and Frank and I watered beans and tomatoes.
18-10: I rode the bike to Hickmans and then went and saw about tomatoes and went to Ellens and we picked out case timber and after dinner we came home and picked tomatoes.
19-10: Cecil and I sawed ends for tomato cases, packed tomatoes and put the doors in shelter. I gave Cecil a spirit level saw and rasp and 8/ - for his help Irwin went to stay at Hickmans.
20-10: I worked at fixing tomatoes. Herb and I took 13 cases to Johnston and when we got back I picked tomatoes and knocked up cases. Got another 7 cases ready for tomorrow.
21-10: Spent the morning with the tomatoes. Got up to 7/- per a case for what was not the best. Afternoon I went down to Charleys.
22-10: I worked at Charleys all day, Herb half day. We got the cementing done and a block fixed.
23-10: I picked tomatoes and made up 3 cases to put them in.
24-10: I pruned trees. Saw to Foster, also picked the tomato patch over and made up 3 cases for next week. Had a bit of a storm last night not much.
25-10: Worked at gauda beans, made the irons for the rafter and plates. Put out 53 carnations, letter from Ken.
26-10: I went up and got the parcel of nails Ken sent. Got an ice cream and bananas at Browns. Afternoon went down to Charleys and stayed for tea.
27-10: Went over the pines and tomatoes. Cut boughs for the gauda beans, watered plants and cut out rafters. After tea I rode the bike up to Browns
28-10: Took in tomatoes after we got home I picked a tin. Afternoon Herb and I went and cut blocks and dug round house blocks, we cut 8 blocks.
29-10: Syd and I went and got the blocks cut a log and brought it also Herb was with me for the afternoon.
30-10: Before 8 oclock I made 2 cases and packed tomatoes in them. Afternoon Herb and I went down to Charleys.
31-10: I started on making a tomato case, saw to Foster. Picked over the tomato patch. Afternoon I watered tomatoes and beans below the date palm. This ends the month of October.
1-11-: Very tired today, carried water, chopped up manure. Iguana got our eggs and I got him.
2-11-: Took 5/- berries to Charleys got 5/- for long bean seeds.
3-11-: Broke up manure, cut trees and a log. Felt crook so took aspros. I was better after dinner and hoed a patch of strawberries, also pulled a case of tomatoes for Foster. I cut a sapling for posts also so me young trees for fire wood.
4-11-: Did odd jobs till dinner. Afternoon Herb and I worked at Charleys house.
5-11-: I put in a good days work at Charleys. Herb spent the afternoon with me.
6-11-: Spent the morning on the place. Afternoon Herb and I worked at the job for C. T. Johnson.
7-11-: Sharpened handsaw 2nd this week owing to sawing nails. Sprayed strawberries and watered my beans and tomatoes below the date palm. I felt very tired owing to the toil down at Charleys being awkward.
8-11-: I put in a 4x3 stud up and did a bit of measuring at the cottage, counted iron.
9-11-: This is the second week I have stayed home expecting Lock but he failed to turn up. The sun shines very strongly these days. Rain has completely failed us too.
10-11: I worked a few hours at Mums cottage, picked tomatoes, Herb picked a good lot of beans. I got the last main plate up and Frank and I got the beans and tomatoes watered. A very light shower came over.
11-11: Cut rubbish in strawberries, bolted the plate and fixed a corner of top plate.
12-11: Very hot day, I mean muggy. I spent the day down at Charleys. I took the saw and axe and cut the last block wanted for the job and landed it near Dicks house for Syd to pick up.
13-11: Picked tomatoes. Afternoon Herb and I went and fixed the last 2 blocks of Charleys house. A storm came over and made things messy for our work.
14-11: I did various jobs about the place.
15-11: Rode the bike through Port Curtis to Depot Hill and on to Koongal. Spent time at Sharrocks and came home and had tea at Charleys.
16-11: Sharrocks came over early and spent the day with us, two young monkey children with them are very unruly and disobedient.
17-11: Belly ache from too much watermelon, crook all day. Did very little work. 5 Weeks ago I started a bottle of Life Salts.
18-11: Fixed trellis for gaudas. Put another stay on the cottage. Afternoon I got another stay fixed. There is only one more to put in now.
19-11: I did a bit of work round the hill. Then went to town and did various bits of business. Storms came over the city got more than us.
20-11: I put in the last plate of the cottage. There is now the bathroom frame to put up. Afternoon Herb and I went down to Charleys and fixed the last bad place in the verandah.
21-11: I went down to Emu Park with Sharrocks had plenty of ice cream etc. Got our stuff from the Hickman shack. Stayed at Sharrocks for the night.
22-11: Came home and on account of telegram from Reg caught the train to Brisbane.
23-11: Ted met me at the station and I got out to Gumdale.
24-11: Took things easy, Ted has the home fairly comfortable.
25-11: Took on to make a gate for Ted.
26-11: Carried on.
27-11: Reg has his truck rather dismantled. Seems as though we'll be some time before well be able to start for home.
28-11: Things are only so so. Ted has to go to work rather early and back rather late 11 miles to Brisbane from his place.
29-11: I am having a rather restful time.
30-11: Still at Gumdale.
1-12-: I am seeing a bit of Brisbane.
2-12-: We towed the Liz in to the upholsterer to have a hood and seats to be fixed up.
3-12-: The gate is now finished and ready for the hinges.
4-12-: I have been in to Brisbane a few times.
5-12-: Passed time away.
6-12-: Ted and I went in to Brisbane, bought stuff at the markets 6 squash 1/-6 parsnips 9d beet just as cheap, bunches of bananas 8/-.
7-12-: Ted took us to Southport it is rather a nice place. The sea seems to be rougher than Yeppoon or the Park.
8-12-: I took on to build a shed affair but as I could not get help I couldnt get much done. Went and saw Oppermanns stayed the night.
9-12-: Herb took to where he is building and also to his 3 childrens homes.
10-12: Got the gate hung greatly to the satisfaction of Ted.
11-12: Reg and I went in to Brisbane. Picked up various purchases and left for home at 1 oclock.
12-12: After rather a rough trip we arrived at Kens place at 1 oclock A. M. Left about 10.
13-12: Got to Wowan and had a snack at a cafe went to Herb Clanfield and got 4 gallons of petrol and a cup of tea when about 8 miles from home on the Bouldercombe road had a blow out put us back 2 hours.
14-12: Herb and I went to Yeppoon with Reg. Went and saw Sharrocks at the job. Cecil came up to take me down with my tools etc.
15-12: Cecil and I went to the job. Took timber etc from Christsons.
16-12: Shoal Bay.
17-12: Shoal Bay.
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This material has been transcribed by Connie Johnson, of Bundaberg; who has provided the transcription on the condition that any further copying and distribution of the transcription is allowed only for noncommercial purposes, and includes this statement in its entirety.

Any references to, or quotations from, this material should give credit to the original author(s) or editors.

Last modified on: Tuesday, 30 April 2002