Today the sun is shining and it feels like spring has arrived. The first apricot blossom has burst and I planted zucchinis. Is this really spring or will the zucchs be killed by frost?

When we moved into our 1950s fibro and tile house we were charmed by the original bathroom. With its matching pink bath, basin and toilet, sky blue fibro walls and old fashioned taps it was both practical and durable. However the toilet used 15 Litres per flush and leaked constantly as new parts were not available. It had to go.

But what do you do with a cracked pink toilet pan? I stuck it in the front garden and got on with planting my fruit salad trees. There are two varieties of apple grafted onto one tree, while another has a yellow fleshed peach and a white fleshed nectarine. Then I bought some strawberry runners and wondered where to plant them out of the way of snails and chooks. The pan beckoned. I’m looking forward to picking plump pink berries from the pink tiolet.

Resigning from my job three weeks ago has proved to be a liberating experience. I returned the company car, a huge four-wheel drive, and rode home on my pushbike. Immediately I felt that I had done something positive to help our ailing planet. My wife said she is happy we don’t have a car because now she has to ride to work. Walking or riding pushbikes is our main form of transport. Sometimes it takes longer, but it is more fun. For longer trips we take the train or ride the motorbike. Occassionally I borrow or rent a car.

All this bike riding is great training for the Bicycle Victoria’s 2008 Great Escapade which starts in Katoomba and ends 13 days later in Newcastle. It is not until April next year so you’ve got plenty of time to dust of the Malvern Star and get training.

I’ve just checked the weather forecast. Winter will return in a few days so I’ll cover up those zucchinis