It's definitely hot. It's blowtorch hot. But it's that way all over Victoria and at least it's not humid and hot here. (We're at the stage in a multiple 42c+ day cycle that we're looking for the positives). But that's it. No more on how bloody hot it is.

Unless I mention that the water in the hoses is hot enough to make tea with (or maybe mention that the poor chooks really really don't like being hosed down).

And I promise not to mention that Strawhenge is proving an excellent source of shade in the paddock. Or that we got so busy outside last night that we've still not taken the dogs to the dam for a swim yet.

But that's more than enough.

The Australia Day long weekend was a good one for us in terms of things that have to be done.

For a start we've got somewhere now to hang pots and pans (and hence unpack pots and pans). Mind you - we're still waiting for one plumber, anywhere - just one plumber to ring us back and come and install the stove.

Adam's started work on rejigging the kitchen cupboards to be drawers - something we were always going to do at the last house, but never got around to.

We've now got a functioning watering system in the orchard, which just needs monitoring rather than standing there with a hose. Drippers all round - under mulch so a lot more efficient. We've also got the watering system working in the garden in front of the big shed - I suspect it might have been a herb and flower garden at some stage, but mostly it's dead now - with a couple of plants only hanging in. I've got lavenders and other things to go out there, once the heatwaves pass (she says hopefully).

He's started on shed setting up, and we did one more load of stuff up from the old house - so all the wine bottle racks and things are here now, means we can start to set all that up. Also means that we've only got really one or two more loads on the ute and trailer to come up from the old place before we're finished. He might be able to get a couple of days off during the next cooler week so that we can hit that running and get it over and done with.

Obviously the highest priority this week has been fire defences, and the fire pump is now in and operational and whilst the hand equipment needs to be distributed, we at least know where it is. Needless to say, there's a bit of sniffing of the air going on in the last few days - just keeping an eye out.

But it's time to hang out some washing. I'll return with another post today with some terrific photos Adam took of this morning's hot hot hot sunrise. If I don't melt.