Now I believe in equal opportunities and that I am probably capable of doing most things that a man can do. However, there are some jobs that I am quite happy to leave to Pete. We have a compost toilet, which has been fabulous. It works by separating the liquids from the solids and has an electric fan to take away any obnoxious smells. The wee just mixes with the other grey water from the sinks, washing machine etc and gets flushed out. The poo is stored in a bucket until it is full. Then the bucket has a lid slipped on and it is left on deck until it composts down. We have a very posh compost loo that has a screen that slides back when you sit down (men have to sit down too as their aim can be a bit dodgy!). This means that you don't actually get an eyeful of the contents of the bucket every time you use the loo. Oh, it has just occurred to me I should have given out a warning first, I really, really hope you are not eating your dinner as you read this post. If you are stop now whilst I continue.
Well the loo worked fine until yesterday when the screen stopped sliding back and stayed open,yuck! I decided that it was definitely a Pete job to investigate the reason why, mainly as he has a much stronger stomach than me. After a bit of procrastination Pete went off to investigate. It turns out a stud has broken off that means the lid won't catch closed. Simple really, we have ordered the bit needed. But I think that I will bow to Pete's superior knowledge about these matters and leave him to fix it!!! Until then I have to master the art of lifting the lid with my eyes closed and backing up slowly......
Hmm. I've been going on and on about the usefulness of composting toilets without actually ever meeting one, face to...um, er...well, you know. But I think for now I'll stick to touting solar power and wind power, and keep my potty opinions to myself.
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Kay - don't get me wrong I think compost loos are brilliant and definitely the way forward. I am just a bit squeamish ;) xxxx
DeleteWhen we bought our caravan I made it clear to hubby that the 'waste' would be his job only!!! There are limits! :-)
ReplyDeleteKaren - I absolutely am with you. I keep telling Pete that cleaning the oven is also a 'blue' job, but he's not wearing that one! X
DeleteGuess you've got to do what you have to do in these circumstances. Reminds me of visiting my grandparents. They had an outdoor toilet with two holes in a large piece of wood, with two metal buckets underneath. Always saw inside them. Granddad would then remove each bucket as it filled, dig a big hole in the garden (he always knew where it was). After a year, he would dig up the good and by now usable compost for the garden!
ReplyDeleteDC - now that's interesting because I have been told that I cannot use the compost on the allotment, just on flowers, fruit trees etc xxx
DeleteAha, the first problem I have heard of with one of these loos. I am still planning to get one for the Vereeniging, so it's useful to be prepared. Not a nice job for poor Pete, but I do understand, Fran. Doing it blind might not work so well! :-) xxx
ReplyDeleteVal - despite this little problem I think compost loos are fabulous and definitely perfect for boats. When we get another yacht we will take out the sea toilet and put a small compost toilet in. All I would say is get the best one you can, some are a little ummm primitive us the best way to describe them! Xxx
DeleteNow I think that is funny as over here in the states the farmers collect the solids from the city waste water treatment plants and put it on there field's that grow our food.
ReplyDeleteBill Kelleher
Fran said...
DC - now that's interesting because I have been told that I cannot use the compost on the allotment, just on flowers, fruit trees etc xxx
6 April 2014 09:57
I am definitely with you on this one : )
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a man job. I've wondered how these composting toilets work, now I know.
ReplyDeleteI agree that sound's like a man's job! I hope the spare parts soon arrive! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog Fran and oddly I was only thinking recently about what method you pair used as regards to the sewerage.
ReplyDeleteThe contents of our (mine & neighbours) septic tanks are sprayed on the local fields and there is a bit of a pong a bit for a few hours!
I have been very curious about these toilets. Our daughter is always talking about having a vacation cottage and having it totally off the grid. So, one of these is in her plans. I'll be interested in hearing more about the compost as time goes by.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a speedy repair.
Keep Smiling,
Connie :)
Jo - thank you :)xxx
ReplyDeleteJo - they do have a lot of advantages xxx
Sarah - so do I! xxx
Mel - I am going to do a bit more research on using the compost - otherwise it seems such a waste xxx
Connie - I would definitely recommend this to your daughter, but as I told Val - tell her to really look in to it as they vary so much. Will keep you up to date with the compost research xxx
I am a bit confused Fran. For when I click on your photo on Followers it shows links to two other blogs do not seem to be yours ?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a man thing. Wayne takes care of our compost toilet. Ours doesn't separate liquid from solid. The compost absorbs the liquid unless you have too many users. With just the two of us the capacity of the toilet isn't stressed. Our only problem was a broken handle that rotates the drum to enhance composting. Like you, all we had to do was order a new part (and it was still under warranty and free). I'm sold on composting toilets for off the grid. - Margy
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