Hard work in the heat

The past few weeks progress has been steady - we are battling the heat, fires around the district but getting somewhere non the less.

We and some wonderful rain during the week 25mm or so in my not so scientific gauge. This summer has been particularly hard on plants and the 'garden', with the wild life looking for food. I lost a young Golden Ash to some Kangaroos. Which is a shame, I think we will need to put more protection around the plants when we do replace them during winter. As for the rest of the garden - no more planting until we are able to spend sufficient time and are able to mulch and water.

Making concrete is consuming a fair amount of water when you are also cleaning up as well so we are preying for more rain this week



In this pic you are looking at the veranda for the first 2 rows, then at row 3 we have the house wall, so with row 4 we are well inside the dining room and kitchen/pantry. Our aim is to have 7 rows (13 in total) completed by the March long weekend.

This view is towards the main bedroom were there will be a sliding glass door for access.

Stumps

The last couple of weekends have been busy as usual. The change now is that we can see the fruits of our labour, rather than see it all buried in the ground or disappear in fees, taxes and permits.

Over the Australia day weekend we finished making all of the bearers. This process was to measure and cut then join timbers so that no joint will not be supported by a stump and that the joins were staggered as best as possible. Then drilled so that we can hang a concrete stump from the underside with a bolt.

Some times it is important to remember what this is all for, I took this on the Australia day weekend after we had a visitor - the little fellow who is on our 5 cent coin - wandering through for a snack of ants.

What is surprising is just how brown the country is compared to the photos of only a few weeks ago. We have not been traveling up as this way as much as we do now - so it may be normal. No matter what the change is dramatic. Some good news is that you can see a whole bunch of dead trees on the block next door, well our neighbour visited and has advised they are coming down very soon. This will only make the view so much better.

The plans have this view from the master bedroom and the kitchen, dining area.

So with the bearers completed and stacked.

We are able to concrete them in - we now have 1 row completed, and the second hung ready for concrete next weekend. With the Third row in the trailer ready to go over the range.

The one thing we didn't photograph this weekend were the handful of potatoes from our small vegi garden on the block. Hmm either the beginnings of some self sufficiency or very expensive potatoes. I will choose a beginning.

Holes in the ground....

Who would have thought that you could get a little excited about holes in the ground.

This weekend we dug all the holes for the house all 112, 12.5 hours later.  The site looks so much different as a mine field.

I can not imagine how hard this would have been without the digger.

Much progress and no posting..

Gosh - fain surprise!!!

Yes I have been a complete flake and not posted since ever so long - but so much has been happening on the home and future home fronts.

Quilting

What have we achieved?

I completed 'The Circle Game' and have been working slowly on my 2500 squares, I have cut and sewn 1200 so far - thank goodness for the Amitie Fabric stash clubs for more to choose from..

Kitties

They are both adjusted unless Alakazam is having a moment of jealousy and thinks that Tigga is getting more love or just a pat!

Taggerty

This if you needed a guess is where all the time has gone!

The list so far, not including removing a lot of high fire risk regrowth and planting the beginnings of the orchard and a few slower growing shade trees we have completed the key points below.

• Electricity connection
• BAL
• Soil Test
• Land survey
• Poles
• Drafting services
• Energy Report
• Fencing Wire
• Owner builder permit
• Septic permit
• Building Permit
• Building Permit lodgement fee
• Building gov tax
• Storm water discharge permit
• Gravel
• Plumbing Services
• Framing and Pegs

So in short - we can commence building our little house as we have all the permits in place.

Some Photo Candy for you all..

A short post - we had a little rain

Been under the whether a little the last couple of days. Little dose of a cold... more frustrating than serious.

Have laid low the last couple of days and didn't get the camera out for our Sunday visit to the block, was a lovely day even tho it wouldn't make its mind up as to rain or shine. We lit the Stove in the shed and received visitors.

The previous owners of the property came up to show us what was were. Very nice process as the place was fire affected.

BUT we have our own water... not sure how much but some all the same.

Let it rain, PLEASE

We finished the construction  and the plumbing, tidied up and presto! We now have a tank on a stand. Now all we need is to have a little rain so that we can plan to get a water pump connected and plumbed to a sink for a little running water.







Got the mower up around the base of the dam and into the 'swampy' area... only bogged the mower once although was touch and go a couple of times. Lost the drive belt for the blades and learnt how to fix that on my own. Whilst I know help would have been at hand if I asked it was nice to do on my own.

Silly ebay post....

Really now - only want brand new rocks with no wear and tear, just as well we don't want postage as well.

Item specifics

Condition:

Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully ... Read more

Honeycomb garden rocks. In good used condition.

This auction is for the rocks pictured.

Additional rocks are available at no extra cost to the buyer (if you need them!)

Inspections welcome - contact 0402 xxx xxx - pick up only from Lilydale, VIC 3140