The tour of Japan continues so here are a couple more winning manhole covers from Hiroshima for this weeks What the….? post.
What my wife thinks is really sad is that she spotted these before me!
and here is another Tokyo Cover
Want to see more? You could always visit the web site of the Japanese Society of Manhole Covers to check out some of the more than 6,000 different covers.
Guest post by Hubert Dwight
The dining table has long been the centre of the family home and a place for sharing food, stories and experiences.
Most of us grew up recounting the events of our days, discussing current events or debating the latest hot topic in the news.
Much has been made in recent times of the decline of family communication due to the influx of digital media in our lives.
The popular wisdom is that kids and even parents are more engaged with their devices and social media feeds than they are in meaningful communication with each other.
There may be some truth to this premise, however, some recent studies have found that there is still plenty of hope that the humble dining table may yet be holding on to its critical role in our lives.
After couches, dining tables are the second most commonly purchased item of furniture, coming in at a little under 20%.
Not bad going for an item that is said to be becoming redundant.
While it is also true that this number has been declining in recent years, it is clear that there is still plenty of relevance left on the table. (pardon the pun)
It’s probably no shock that 80% of adults think that their kids are more likely to talk to them during mealtimes.
What’s surprising is that this appears to be one of the few things upon which teenagers actually agree with their parents!
Around 70% say that eating together with their parents is important.
Generation gap? . . . What generation gap?
No, we’re not recommending bench pressing your table.
However, families eating together at a common table has been shown to have numerous positive influences on eating habits.
Studies have shown that such good family meal habits result in children getting a more balanced diet.
Children that eat together with their families are 25% more likely to eat healthier foods, and 12% less prone to obesity.
Believe it or not, teens that regularly eat dinner with their families are at significantly lower risk of indulging in tobacco, alcohol and both prescription illicit drug abuse.
Studies have shown that teens in such families are up to three and a half times less likely to engage in these kinds of damaging behaviours.
According to one poll, almost twice as many kids do their homework at the dining table than at a designated homework or office space.
When compared to the bedroom, this number increases to a factor of 2.5.
Ok, so maybe that doesn’t actually mean that the table itself makes our young ones smarter but it does go to show just how important a part of their lives our “other 4 legged friends” are.
In western countries, families tend to dish up their food onto personal plates and tuck in, hence the bulkier square or rectangular shape is favoured.
In Asian countries, by contrast, the emphasis is in sharing from a communal plate. Not surprisingly, these regions favour round tables, which allow for easier access to the grub.
Custom built in 2015 in Saudi Arabia for people with special needs to eat their post-Ramadan fast “Iftar” meal, this incredible, winding table measured in at a whopping 1,508m in length!
Whatever your choice of dining table, there can be no doubt that enjoying a great meal and meaningful conversation is a fabulous way to us to bond with each other and establish healthy lifestyle patterns.
So, pull up a chair, sit at the table and Bon Appetite!
With my Japan trip continuing I was passing this Japanese display home in Kyoto and couldn’t resist dropping in to see the differences from Australian Display Homes.
The design is a ‘Modern Kyoto Machiya’ Design by LIV
It’s approximately 200sq m over 3 levels and would cost around 40,000,000 yen ($520,000 Australian) to build on your land.
I find it very interesting as we are currently staying in a restored traditional Machiya House.
Although there are many rooms set up with what I would consider ‘Western’ furniture there is one room with traditional tatami mat flooring, a sacred alcove and low doorway. (I have discovered the reason for a low doorway is to encourage you to bow as you enter the room)
A great design for a narrow block as it can fit on a block 7m wide.
As my Japanese Holiday continues I thought I would feature some Japanese Manhole Covers I have seen for todays What The…..? post.
Japan has a reputation for taking the trouble on small details, which these pictures demonstrate.
Most people don’t like to have an Inspection Shaft (as we call Manholes in this politically correct age) in their property. . . but I wonder if they would feel better about it with one of these fancy covers?
If you wonder why I noticed these it could be something to do with my 40 years working as a Water and Sewer Engineer.
My wife thinks it tragic that I walk around commenting and photographing things like this.
And finally a Nagano Fire Hydrant cover 
Much more interesting than an anonymous hotel room.
I have previously posted about a Rome Apartment.
Now here are some of the things I found from my current Japan stay.
Well here I am at the front door. . . . and that’s not an optical illusion, my head just brushes the top of the door.
That is typical of all the doorways in the apartment.
Unusual for me as I am around 1.8m tall.
The door is made from steel plate with two very solid locks and a security chain.
People say that Japans a safe country, but people obviously aren’t taking any risks.
The other thing you may notice is the step up about 1m inside the door. . . . that is where you leave your outside shoes.
This was supplemented by a standard microwave and electric kettle.
No Grill
No Oven
No Special Wok Burner
Doesn’t seem much. . . but got me thinking that it’s a long time since we used more than 2 rings on our cook top.
I would miss the grill and oven though.
Although this plan is not our apartment it is a similar size and layout, and was being advertised near where we were stopping. (Average size for 2 beds in Tokyo is 55 – 60sqm)
You will see that there are three separate rooms:
All three in a total area not much bigger than a small Australian en-suite.
It did however allow all three of us to get ready in the morning sooner than if it was only one room.
The last surprise was the laundry.
My wife searched everywhere for the location of the washing machine that was mentioned on the apartment description.
We finally found it on the balcony!
NB. Those blue crocs aren’t mine.
Guest Post by Hubert Dwight
Every household needs a home improvement kit.
You never know when you’re going to need to perform an odd job or task.
After all, while a good house will last a lifetime there is still always going to be those little repairs or acts of maintenance required to keep your place in fine condition.
Unfortunately there are some things that belong in your home improvement kit that often get forgotten.
Or they get broken, damaged, go missing or get borrowed and never returned.
Let’s take a look at five devices that are essential for home improvement, but are often forgotten.
Every household needs a rechargeable torch on hand.
A nice bright torch is a great tool to have for those random tasks around the house. It can help to provide light when working under your house, or in your roof.
It’s also great for working at night.
In a perfect world, all home improvement jobs would occur in full daylight. . . . butlife isn;t perfect
With a good quality torch, you’ll be able to make those little home improvements, no matter the hour of day.
Did you know that good old fashioned WD-40 has over two thousand possible uses?
Yet some households forget to include a simple lubricant in their home improvement kits!
Ypu can be so easy get caught up in buying the latest and greatest tools and toys that you can forget the basics.
A good lubricant can help to fix that noisy door, unstick that stuck recliner chair and remove rust from just about anything.
This is another device that is easily forgotten. If you have all the power saws, screwdrivers and spanners in the world they don’t amount to much if you can’t make sure that something is straight!
If crooked photos really bug you then you’ll want to invest in a level.
A level makes sure that you don’t hang or install anything without it being perfect.
Did you know you can even download a smartphone app to use as a spirit level? . . . Despite this awesome technology, we recommend the real deal.
A good quality metal spirit level is well worth the investment. If you need hands-free levelling, you could consider a laser level.
This is another commonly forgotten-about home improvement tool.
A hacksaw canto cut steel and many other materials.
You never know when you’ll need to cut through something, and sometimes plain old scissors, or a knife, just isn’t up to the task.
A hacksaw can cut easily through metal, but can also be used to cut plastic pipe, wood and other household materials.
Just an old-fashioned hand hacksaw with replaceable blades.
Again, another easily overlooked device.
Cable ties are a great tool.
They can get used to tidy up all those loose cords and wires in your study.
They can hold things in place while you work on your home.
You can use them as cheap child-proof locks.
Did you know you can even unclog your sink drain with a long cable tie? Just poke it down there and give it a wiggle and presto!
There you have it. for the next time you’re at your local hardware store, have a think to yourself.
Is your home improvement kit complete? . . . You might need to invest in the above five items to be fully prepared for those little jobs that pop up from time to time!
I’m always interested in people who want to recreate medieval times by building their own castle.
This one is called the Swallows Nest in Gaspra in the Ukraine and was completed in 1912.
It’s a similar size to a typical Australian house at 20m x 10m.
The view is stunning, but I would be worried if they have earthquakes in that area, as you feel it could be shaken off the rock!
Thanks to Raredelights.com for the photograph.
Guest Post by Hubert Dwight
Brace yourselves, Spring is here!
Now that the winter coats, hats and boots are packed away, it’s time to spruce up the interiors of your home as well.
Spring marks new beginnings, and why not make full use of it to make a change in not just what you wear but how your house is decorated to?
Here are 8 Wallet-Friendly Tricks To Spruce Up Your Interiors This Spring.
A fresh new vibe doesn’t have to leave a hole in your pocket!
Spring is not just a colourful season – it is a fragrant one too.
Why not bring that crisp air and fragrance into your home with diffusers, scented candles and incense?
Scents have been proven to have a profound impact on the mood and can instantly calm you down after a stressful day at work.
Diffusers and candles are a very inexpensive way to bring the glorious scents of spring into your humble abode.
One of the signs that Spring has arrived are when you see the once barren trees now start to grow in full bloom.
Purchasing fresh flowers online and adorning your home with it is a fantastic way of bringing the birth of spring into your very own home.
Aside from floral arrangements around your house looking absolutely stunning, they too bring a fresh Spring aroma into your home.
You don’t have to wait for your partner or a secret admirer to buy you flowers – jump online, get your own and start decorating!
Bright, fresh and crisp new bed linens can do wonders for your your personal sanctuary.
Who doesn’t enjoy going home and tucking into an amazingly comfortable and crisp bed for a good night of rest?
It’s time to tuck away your thick and heavy winter duvets and replace them with crisp linens and colourful coverlets.
Bring spring into your bedroom with floral designed sheets, or light colours such as pastel yellows and greens.
Don’t forget to include some accent pillows for added style and comfort.
There is no better way to breathe new life into a room than to completely revamp its color scheme – starting from the walls to your furniture covering and decors.
Statement walls are a very popular way to bring some fresh colour into a room without having to break the bank with an entire new paint job.
Painting one wall in your dining room in a sunny yellow or cream shade is a simple DIY task that you and your family can do over the weekend.
Changing the colour of your tablecloths, cushions and throws can also bring an airy spring feel into your living area.
Another great way of sprucing up your interiors is to hang up fresh, bright and modern artwork on your bare walls.
Not only do they create a sense of structure in your home, they are also visually appealing and can complement the decor and furniture in your home.
Awesome places to purchase inexpensive art work would be at thrift stores, markets and op shops – it doesn’t have to be expensive to bring some wow factor into your home.
It’s time to switch out those dull and dark drapes for something bright, fresh and airy.
Choosing light coloured curtains allows for more sunlight to enter your home, and you will be surprised at the brightening power of pale curtains.
You can even go one step further and get tastefully floral printed curtains (not the type your granny owns) to really kick the feeling of spring back into your home.
The dining table is often a space that we forget can be decorated and matched to the surrounding decor in the home.
For a fresh spring feel, adorn your table with Batik inspired place mats and napkins, light coloured crockery and some beautiful flowers in a vase as a centrepiece.
Flameless candles are also a great, safe and fresh way to add some elegance to your spring themed table.
Metallic accents and mixed metal decorations have been turning heads recently, and is one of the hottest trends for the Spring season.
Copper, Bronze or Silver accessories in the bathroom, on the walls or even on your table top can bring elements of warm metallic allure to your home – small accents that make a big impression.
You can find many of these metallic decor at thrift stores or even at inexpensive stores such as K-Mart these days.
Sprucing up your home interior for Spring does not have to cost a fortune, and with a few nifty tricks and simple know-hows, you’ll be enjoying a bright, clean and fresh living space for months to come.
Well is this the worst quilt cover and pillows you have seen?
Found this image on BEAT 102 103 Facebook Page.
If you want more spider pictures you can always try the What’s With Spiders? Post
If you have got a concreting job to do there are a few different options for getting the mix:
Up to about 0.1m3 buy premixed bags 20kg bags ( 0.01m3) from a DIY store.
Not cheap at a cost of around $7.50 a bag ($750/m3), but convenient.
For fence posts its probably better to use a rapid set premix at around $8 for a 20kg bag,
That means that the concrete sets in about 15mins.
If you want to save a few dollars you can always drop some half bricks into the hole, it will be fine as long as each stone/brick is surrounded by concrete.
I normally mix in a barrow as it keeps the area cleaner than mixing on the ground.
0.1 to 0.4m3 it will be cheaper to buy aggregate, cement, and sand, then mix it yourself.
For mix design see Concrete What Is It
Expect it to cost around $150 per m3 if you can pick the gravel and sand up, more if you get it delivered.
More than 0.4m3 I would use a local ready mix supplier, due to the saving of time and effort.
Prices are around $180 for 0,5m3 ($360/m3) dropping to $250 for 1m3.
A couple of things to bear in mind:
