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When to blow? Ben Fordham loses fans with radical stance

<p>One of the biggest neighbourhood debates is when to get out the power tools or lawnmower on a weekend.</p> <p>Ben Fordham weighed in on the topic on Wednesday morning after making a leaf blower admission on his 2GB Breakfast radio show.</p> <p>Despite loving his leaf blower, the power tool has cost him a few friends.</p> <p>"Look, I know it's not popular but that's just the way I feel. There are people that love leaf blowers, and there are people that hate leaf blowers, and I don't mind other people using them either," Ben said.</p> <p>"It's not like I just want to use my own and not let you use yours. Leaf blowers are fantastic. If that loses me a few friends, well, I'm sorry, it's just me."</p> <p>The topic of leaf blowers came up when a listener called up to talk about a "respectable" time to start the lawnmower on a Sunday morning.</p> <p>Darren called the open line to explain what he thought was a reasonable time, but it opened up a can of worms.</p> <p>"Mate, I think 8 o'clock is a respectable time, although it used to be 10 o'clock from memory, on a Sunday or public holiday, but that was an unwritten law," Darren said.</p> <p>"But my biggest gripe at the moment, I think, is the blower vacs."</p> <p>Darren explained he lives in a townhouse where there are eight in the block, and believes the blower vac is causing some tensions between neighbours.</p> <p>"Unfortunately you'll have one neighbour come out with a blower vac, do his area, another neighbour will be pee-d off because of the noise, come out and do his," Darren said.</p> <p>"My question is in today's world, with COVID and everything we have like that, if it's not strata, should it really be blower vacs? I might sound like a bit of a whinger, mate, but blower vacs at 8 am on a Sunday morning? Unfortunately, with lockdowns and things like what's been happening, you'll get neighbours — I'm in the situation where you'll get a bit of animosity."</p> <p>Darren said the age-old debate can cause conflict amongst neighbours if they find they're being woken up too early, and while he thinks 8 am is fine to start power tools, a bit of courtesy is needed.</p> <p>"I have confessed that I love a leaf blower. I don't use it early in the morning," Ben said.</p> <p>A man named Chris called up and his one question for Ben — and everyone else who uses one — was, "Where do you blow leaves?".</p> <p>Ben joked that he just blows them to his neighbours' yard, but clarified he just uses it on the path, blowing it back into the garden.</p> <p>There are official times where power tools, lawnmowers and leaf blowers can be used and it differs from state to state. Here are the times it's acceptable to use these items across the country:</p> <p><strong>New South Wales</strong></p> <ul> <li>8 am to 8 pm on Sundays and public holidays.</li> <li>7 am to 8 pm on any other day.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Victoria</strong></p> <ul> <li>7 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday.</li> <li>9 am to 8 pm on weekends and public holidays.</li> </ul> <p><strong>South Australia</strong></p> <ul> <li>8 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday.</li> <li>9 am to 8 pm on Sunday.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Western Australia</strong></p> <ul> <li>7 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday.</li> <li>9 am to 7 pm Sunday and public holidays.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Queensland</strong></p> <ul> <li>7 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday.</li> <li>8 am to 7 pm Sunday or public holiday.</li> </ul> <p><strong>ACT</strong></p> <ul> <li>7 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday.</li> <li>8 am to 8 pm Sunday and public holidays.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Northern Territory</strong></p> <ul> <li>7 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday.</li> <li>9 am to 6 pm Sunday and public holidays.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Tasmania</strong></p> <ul> <li>7 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday.</li> <li>9 am to 8 pm on Saturday.</li> <li>10 am to 8 pm Sunday and public holidays.</li> </ul>

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Paul Burrell claims Prince Harry “taking a leaf out of Princess Diana’s book”

<p>After constantly appearing in the press for the wrong reasons, the Duchess of Sussex’s father Thomas Markle is currently in an estranged relationship with his daughter.</p> <p>Staging paparazzi photos, sitting down with the press and discussing a private conversation he had with Prince Harry and as of recent – comparing the royal family to Scientologists, claiming that they’re a cult. These are just a few of the ways Duchess Meghan’s father has embarrassed her since her wedding in May.</p> <p>Now, Princess Diana’s former Butler of 10 years Paul Burrell is speaking out, saying that the Prince is doing exactly what his mother would have done.</p> <p>Claiming that the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”, Burrell says that Diana would have been “furious” over the situation, and Harry seems to be feeling the same way.</p> <p>Speaking to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.newidea.com.au/" target="_blank">New!</a></em>, Burrell said: “I’ve been in similar situations where people said things about Princess Diana, and the way she dealt with it was by freezing them out.</p> <p>“It looks as if Harry has taken a leaf out of his mother’s book.</p> <p>“Diana said: ‘Once someone burns the bridge of trust towards you it’s very hard to repair it’.”</p> <p>The former butler, who has since appeared on the reality show<span> </span><em>I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here</em><span> </span>says that Meghan is fortunate to have “a man stood beside her who truly adores her”, something “Diana never had”.</p> <p>Princess Diana’s infamous marriage with Prince Charles was clouded with problems and ended in divorce in 1996.</p> <p>Speaking from experience, Burrell says that life is “not going to be easy” for the Duchess, but as long the Prince is standing by her side, they’ll learn to get through it together.</p> <p>Burrell has come out in the past to say that while the fame can seem great from afar, the Duchess should “be careful what she wishes for” because “sometimes it is not all that it seems.”</p> <p>However, he feels for Thomas Markle, saying he “doesn’t know how to behave, he is lost.”</p> <p>“I think the best thing he could do is stay quiet and try and reach out to his daughter,” he said. “Somebody has to fix it. Before it gets more broken.</p> <p>“Thankfully Meghan’s mother has survived with dignity and style and that’s the way forward.”</p>

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Super green berry olive leaf extract smoothie

<p>Give your morning smoothie a boost with olive leaf extract, which helps support your immune system and protect against cold and flu. It doesn’t hurt that it’s absolutely delicious, either!</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 2</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>1 cup of frozen berries (your choice)</li> <li>1 small to medium banana (ripe and peeled)</li> <li>2 handfuls of baby spinach</li> <li>1 tbsp. chia seeds (soaked in a little water so it forms a gel-like consistency)</li> <li>A handful of ice</li> <li>½ cup of water or coconut water (add more liquid if needed)</li> <li>1 tsp berry flavoured <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.comvita.com.au/store/OLEA" target="_blank">Comvita Fresh-Picked Olive Leaf Extract</a></strong></span> (Olive Leaf Extract is traditionally used to support the immune system to guard against cough, cold &amp; flu bugs).</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend and serve in two glasses.</li> </ol> <p><em>Recipe courtesy of holistic health and wellness coach Emma Seibold. For more wellness recipes, <a href="https://barrebody.com.au/blog/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">visit her website</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, </em>The Way Mum Made It<em>, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</span></a>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/06/berry-breakfast-smoothie-bowls/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Berry breakfast smoothie bowls</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/diabetes-friendly-apple-and-cinnamon-breakfast-parfait/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Diabetes-friendly apple and cinnamon breakfast parfait</em></span></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/get-up-and-goji-smoothie/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Get up and goji smoothie</span></em></strong></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Make beautiful leaf-shaped stepping-stones

<p>If you want to explore more of your garden, but don’t want to get dirt all over your shoes – you desperately need some stepping-stones. But who wants boring pavers ruining the look of their glorious garden? With these simple instructions, you can make your own beautiful, truly unique stepping stones using leaves from your very own garden.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">What you’ll need:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Dry concrete</li> <li>Large bucket</li> <li>Water</li> <li>A tarp</li> <li>Cooking spray</li> <li>Large leaves (rhubarb, sunflower, etc)</li> <li>Rubber gloves</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Choose your favourite large leaves from around the garden – ensuring they are firm, and don’t have any holes or tears.</li> <li>Wearing rubber gloves, make your concrete according to the instructions. Use a lightweight mix (with less gravel) for a smother stepping stone, or a heavier mix if the stone will be in a high-traffic area. The consistency should be on the firmer, drier side. </li> <li>Spray the front of the leaf with your cooking oil (this helps it peel off later).</li> <li>Place the wet concrete onto the leaf, and use your hands to pat it down and remove any air bubbles. Try to ensure the concrete fills the shape of the leaf completely.</li> <li>Allow the concrete to dry according to instructions.</li> <li>When the concrete is completely hard, peel off the leaf and you’re done. Any unwanted rough bits around the edges can be removed using a small hammer and chisel.</li> </ol> <p><em>Image credits: The OwnerBuilder Network / SuzyHomefaker</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/04/make-your-own-vertical-pallet-garden/">Make your own vertical pallet garden</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/04/make-decoupage-tray/">Making a decoupage tray is easier than you might think</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/04/how-to-make-play-dough/">Make this simple play dough for your grandkids</a></strong></em></span></p>

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Dragon lizard snapped playing a leaf guitar

<p>It looks like the next big rock star could be this dragon lizard.</p><p>Photographer Aditya Permana, who is based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, was recently exploring the local forest when he came across this dragon lizard.</p><p>After observing him for an hour, Permana was stunned to witness the lizard holding a leaf like a guitar slung across his body.</p><p>“I did not directly photograph the lizard at first, until the lizards feel calm and comfortable around me. I noticed it looked like it was playing a guitar – and it didn’t move at all,” said Permana.</p><p>Unfortunately, the lizard did not begin to start rocking out on his makeshift guitar but it sure does look like it!</p><p><img width="704" height="976" src="http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dragon-lizard-playing-leaf-guitar-aditya-permana-indonesia-1.jpg" alt="dragon-lizard-playing-leaf-guitar-aditya-permana-indonesia-1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13430" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></p><p><strong>Related links:&nbsp;</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/02/koala-driving-car/" target="_blank"><strong>Schoolboy finds a koala trying to drive a car</strong></a></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/03/baby-chameleons-taronga-zoo/" target="_blank"><strong>More than 20 baby chameleons born at Taronga Zoo</strong></a></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/03/new-primitive-moth/" target="_blank"><strong>Newly discovered moth is “a living dinosaur”</strong></a></em></span></p>

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