Wednesday 5th May

You would think any car salesman worth his while would be helpful when someone phones and says “ I have $180,000 to spend, we want a truck with a Hiab or crane, 2 ½ tonne, what have you got available?” I’ve been trying to get the local car/truck importers interested for the past 3 months. I spend more time chasing him than he has contacted us. I gave up tonight and went to the Toyota Dealer and asked what they could come up with. I’ll have whatever they can find by Monday at the latest. If they can find something within our budget that is suitable, I’ll be ringing the original person and telling them they missed out.

It’s been the same with all the Nursery equipment, I’ve been waiting for a quote from Island Enterprises since October, despite several emails, phone calls, it is always, “soon”. So we’ve ordered everything from Brisbane and IE have missed out on several thousand dollars worth of sales. I’ve not seen Phil, I am tempted to let him know, but I doubt it would change anything.

I’m applying for an extension to my contract, for an extra 2 years, very optimistic, I may get an extra year, but I’m going for 2 on the basis that I’ve wasted last year due to the political conflict with us at the Botanic Gardens, then this year will be gone just setting up the Nursery before we can be were I was meant to be at the start. Plus with the EU Funding, I have a lot more to set up and have established, again, none of it can start till the Nursery is established, so I’ll be one year into the EU Proposal before it even starts. I’d like to leave here knowing everything was finished to the walk away stage, I’ve been so frustrated by everything so far.

I had 2 journalism students over today from King George IV School, they are doing an assignment about the Childrens Park and the problems associated with it. I think I gave them enough for a series of articles about Honiara and attitudes, changing perceptions, environmental issues, anyway, they’ve promised to send me a copy of their assignment when they get it written.

Finally caught up with Andrew, he still has his thumb attached, but it is still a bit problematic. They took one of the stainless wires out, and left 2 still wound around the bone. He goes back on the 11th for another x-ray, and tests. He’s a lot happier knowing his job is secure, well for as long as SEB is operating anyway. I’ve got him, Jennifer, Rose earmarked for the Nursery, if Imelda comes back from New Zealand I’ll take her into the Nursery as well. We’re still trying to find a small motors course for Andrew to go on. I want him permanently in the Nursery as general staff, and to be the maintenance person for the equipment and repairs. If he is back to work in a month or so he’ll be able to see how everything fits together, where the pipes, wires run, and I can be showing him where the problems will arise, and how to fix them when they do.

We had rain finally last night, I’m hoping for another burst tonight, but it seems to have blown over. It’s been a really dry period lately, the el nino has been central over the Pacific for the past few months, and it is stopping the usual monsoonal rains reaching the Solomons. But when it does rain, it makes up for the dry spells in a hurry, as the washed out bridges and roads of February and March testify.

My hobby site, 419Eater.com has a few people winding me up as usual, about mixing Islay Malt with coca cola and other mixes. Heathens they all are. Similar to the people that take a perfectly well seasoned coffee pot and scrub it out, or give my 15 year old cast iron frypan a wash with soap or detergent, or cleaning powder, then wonder why everything sticks to it. There should be a Hell reserved for people like that. I have some thoughts, but not bad enough yet.

The little truck is back, with the back brake shoes adjusted so they actually touch the brake drums. I’m not holding my breath over it. Still no pedal pressure, just straight to the floor then the brakes hit, but at least it isn’t nose diving again. They still haven’t found our original battery. I’ll have to send another email about it I think.

Rose said Mum is fading noticeably now, she is down to jigsaws, and is sleeping a lot more, and has no energy for much. I’m at the most 4 days away from there, depending on when I need to go. I can get direct flights Tuesdays or Thursdays, the other days depend on transfer flights, and nothing on weekends.

My cousin John took his Dad (mums younger brother) to see her on his 82nd birthday, and got some really nice photos of Mum and Des, thanks John. One of the good things about Facebook. I hate Farmville. I have to block people off my list that fill the pages with Farmville. Given the crap internet connection we have here, I’d rather catch up with people than wade through page after page of junk games on facebook.