In which inept but enthusiastic efforts are made to grow food in the suburbs of Sydney with a minimum of collateral damage. As Gramsci says, “Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will”. Or in the words of Buzz Lightyear: “That’s not flying. That’s falling with style.”
Where does my backyard end… at the bottom of the garden? In Berowra Creek, or out in the Hawkesbury estuary? The bats, the birds and the bees don’t pay much attention to property boundaries, so neither will I!
The places I live, garden, paddle are all aboriginal land. Sovereignty was never ceded. I’m privileged to spend time here on Darug, Guringai and Darkinjung country and I pay my respects to elders past present and future.
More pictures on insta at: mccnmatt
Sounds great! Glad to meet another part time permaculture-ist (is that a word…?)
Brilliant!
Thanks for the likes at naturestimeline and UKbirdingtimeline, much appreciated.
Best Wishes
Tony Powell
As a relatively new Berowra resident I find your musings inspiring. I too am a permaculture advocate and have occasional forays on my Kayak and am envious of all your photos. Thanks
Thanks Brenda! I love the idea of permaculture – in reality I think it is trickier than it seems! But the trickiness at my place is because of the many critters and their interactions with food plants, and that’s a marvellous as well as annoying thing. Who can really be irritated at gorgeous satin bowerbirds eating your kiwifruit or bean leaves? You’d have to be pretty churlish! And it is a terrific place for kayaking as well!!
Dear part-time Berowra Permaculturist
I think that you haven’t had time to update this blog in a year or so by the look of it – I used to have an (embroidery) blog myself – I get it. I wanted to spend more time doing rather than informing, myself, after a few years. However, I have passed a very enjoyable afternoon reading your blog and following up on mentions of various Oz natives (and chicken issues – male bush turkeys – Bad!). Your posts are very intelligent and informative, and I love the intermittent poetry. You sound like a lovely person and I do hope all is going well for you and yours’. Thankyou for writing this blog.
Thanks Megan – I have let the blog lapse for a while but now I finished rebuilding my kitchen I need to get back to it. Thanks for the positive words – makes me feel inspired to write again! Glad you enjoyed the blog!
I just stumbled across this today when looking for ways rid my back fence of ‘bower of beauty’
What an interesting site you have- I hope you keep going with it. I have saved your site so I can read read all your interesting snippets and stories.
Stay happy & amongst the leaves x
Lisa
Balnarring
Glad you enjoyed the blog, Lisa – so happy you want to come back again. I’m trying to keep adding a post every now and again – next one will be about the young bowerbirds I’ve been watching in my backyard lately. Thanks for visiting!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the blog, Lisa! I will indeed stay close to the leaves. You too! Nicole
Thanks so much Megan! I have been really busy this year and haven’t had a chance to update the blog at all – hoping to get a post out in the next couple of weeks. But thank you so much for your positive words! Lovely to hear that you’ve enjoyed the blog. All the best, Nicole
Hello my name is Owen Jacques with ABC News in Queensland. I’m doing a report on how brush turkeys interact with backyard hens, and would like to ask permission to use a photo of yours as part of that. I’m happy to give attribution of course.
That’s completely fine, Owen. Sorry didn’t spot your note til now. Very happy to have my photo used and feel free to get in touch if you need anything else. Attribution would be great and perhaps a link to the story – if my response isn’t too late.
Hello, I found my way here looking for a Kiwifruit solution. I have a Sweetie female currently covered in flowers but after 6 years have worked out I have the wrong male. And now I’m worried about the Satin Bowerbirds. I live in My Kembla. Ian.