My brother and his wife are hoping to renovate their house this year.
They live in a lovely suburb in Brisbane, and in conversations they have been mentioning some of the ‘needs and wants’ they have for their new house plans.
It all sounded very grand, but also reminded me of how vastly different my own life is out west.
Here are some things that city people might find ‘useful’ that I would absolutely have no need for.
Ever.
1. A fridge with a computer on the front: Apparently this is very handy for being able to order groceries online and have them delivered straight to your door. Or maybe to listen to music while you cook? Or check your Facebook while you are standing up? I actually have no idea what it would be good for.
I like my fridge to keep my food cold. If it does that, I’m already having a win! Ignoring the fact that our internet is almost non-existent, there is no food outlet nearby who can deliver any groceries to me, no matter how much money I offer them.
2. On that note, anything internet related: Such as Netflix, is completely useless to me. Great for when I go away, of course, but useless nonetheless.
3. White carpet: Looks beautiful of course, however throw in a sheep farmer who works on a daily basis with grease and dirt (and we have some crazy red soils in some places out here!) and you end up with a hot mess. There aren’t too many carpet cleaners in these parts as well.
Carpets out here are best in shades that aren’t a pure white, or in houses with husbands who understand this predicament.
4. Automatic garage doors: It’s all sheds out here; not garages per se. Sheds are for machinery AND personal vehicles. For some reason I’m yet to see any wild animals inside any of our sheds (aside from snakes!), so maybe they just KNOW to stay away? Having an automatic door just seems like a luxury I could never justify out here.
5. GPS: Refer to first point about no internet. Even going for a walk/run out here with my phone is problematic for recording the journey with so many black spots!
You know how GPS in the city can warn you about potential areas of traffic congestion? I wonder if it also monitors Farmer John moving his stock across the road when I’m in a hurry to get to school? Or cattle droving locations?
I’m not suggesting you can’t own these items out where I live.
I’m only suggesting that they aren’t all that useful to me. What are other items found mostly in cities that you would never have any need for?
Tell me on Facebook. @jessthefarmerswife
