The past seven days were fantastic with clear blue skies and 4214 hours of Bright Sunshine. Daytime temperatures reached 21.6 degrees on Thursday with coldest night on Tuesday with 5.4 degrees

Current Weather

UV Index peaked yesterday with a Moderate Four between 11.30am – 12.15pm. Soil Moisture content was Index 25; adequate for garden and farm. Soil temperature was 16°C

Carbide and Bananas

Last week we talked about the times before electricity when carbide lamps were in extensive use and can still be seen on vintage cars and bicycles.

Early buses, trains and horse carriages and some street lights all used carbide lamps. They were bright and efficient.

But there was another use for carbide.

Country people often used carbide for ripening bananas. Two pieces, the size of a man’s thumbnail would ripen a tea chest full of bananas. The lumps of carbide were placed on newspaper at the bottom of the chest. A handful of dry grass was placed over the carbide. A few drops of water sprinkled on the grass and gas began to rise, both visibly and smelly. Quickly, dozens of green bananas hands were placed on top of the smoking grass covered with newspaper and held in place by a jute sack. After a couple of days a few bananas were squeezed to see whether they had ‘sprung’. Another day or so and they would all be golden.

It is no longer possible to buy carbide at a general store. Perhaps the story of the source of Power and Light will move to solar, wind and tidal systems in the not too distant future.

Joke of the week. ‘What does a grape do when you step on it? A little whine! (wine)