the Donkey

So, I know most of you will snigger when we complain of the cold when it is 17 degrees
( at night) .....

But really, it is cold for us in the tropics!
                                        and taking cold water showers become.....
                                                                                                             a drag!

Claude took on the task to make us a donkey.  a Wood fired hot water system.

Got the drum for a few dollars and Claude raided his store for a few valves.... and elbows ....and a few metres of pipe.                     
                                     I searched the internet ( of course ;) and we decided on a 'plan'...

and within a few hours.......

                         Hot water showers  to order !!!!

 But....  the donkey  popped..........                          

                                                               Friends gave advice.....

 Although Claude had a vent pipe with a valve installed, we obviously did not crack it open enough and the pressure built up  caused the drum to pop out....

                           d a n g e r o u s !!!!

we now have the system optimised....and last night we had our second warm shower....
                                                     it works!

                                     this is  Claude having the first hot shower!

Market day (makete - fijian)

market day.....Makete (fijian)

Once a month at Vuda Marina is an organic farmers market....

If the girls perform , I am there with our farm fresh organic eggs....

hand painted tablecloths....

Fipe is there with delicious jams and pies and cakes.....

Jean and Anil from Waitika farm are the honey fundis!

Carina's kitchen has home baked bread, jams....

Produce from our farm....

We all usually sell out early in the morning.....

see you there next time!!

guava and jam....

we had a good crop of guavas...surprising to think that cyclone Winston is but a mere 8 month memory!

I gorged on guavas and made jam....
 

 Basically you chop the guavas, add the lemons, sugar and the guava juice  to a pot. Over low heat, bring the mixture to a simmer. After you remove the seeds, you may also use the guava mash and add it to the simmering mixture of citric acid (lemons), sugar and guava juice.

 Some of the jam were reserved for the Makete (market)