2 Years on from contract

In the 2 years since we signed the contract to buy our place in the country we have achieved more than I expected. Especially since we are doing everything we can to construct, build, connect and develop before calling on trades for items that require special certificates.

Since we broke ground before the Australia day weekend, we have now completed the subfloor and the floor including all insulation. We now have quotes out for the frames and trusses. So depending on costs and estimated timeframes for supply we are well on track to get to the next inspection stage, and then a roof!

You never know we may be there by the 2nd anniversary of settlement.

I love the late afternoon light we get on a cool winters day, in this pic we only had the small row on the edge. What was not fun was the ice we had to clear off before we could start the days work.

Toasty feet

Whats new - we have completed installing the under floor insulation. This product is called Foilboard it hangs between the joists below the floor level by about 25mm and is a foil coated product both sides. Once sealed and taped up and having the board on top.

The warmth in winter will stay mostly in the house and not have to deal with the heat loss into the subfloor. Besides looks great at the moment all bling.



If you were renovating you could fit this product to an existing house.

Steady progress

Over due update of progress and a couple of pics.

So far we have completed all the foundations, bearers and joists. Looking at the darker colour is the house and the lighter is the verandah. It is interesting looking at pics that the view is changing as expected and that the valley is growing.

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.

Progress towards some water..

This morning was a lovely but chilly start to the day. Just love the big blue sky and low clouds or fog if you are in the valley...

The last couple of weekends have been searching for and locating a tank and getting the mighty mower moving again.

Success on both fronts - tank from ebay and about $150 less than most retail prices, the stumps, concrete and re-claimed hardwood for the stand a couple of hundred. Now on the hunt for pipes and plumbing - we did find a length of polly pipe on a hard rubbish collection so will need a little more to complete that - then there is a water pump. That can wait a little as we have no water...

Today we had Leigh and father helping to build the stand in the stump holes we started last weekend when we delivered the tank, my house mates also come and joined us to assist.

The stumps almost done, deceptive that they are square is all in the angle of the photo...

Lumples even had a go on the mower...

Our little piece of Paradise

Well time is up! I can now spill the beans - regular readers will be aware we often spent many weekends up at Taggery, and many times over the years discussed that we would like our very own piece of the place there.

Well... now we do... which will mean only one thing - we will now spend a great many more there.

Friday 12th we settled and took possession of the 'keys' to the shed. The property has been bushfire affected and once had a home. The previous owners held on for a while but decided that there time was to be elsewhere - we want to thank them for the opportunity to be the next custodians.

We had our first day yesterday up at 'Our Place', very nice to say that... mowing and walking over every inch of the place and touching to I guess take ownership in a hands on way.

We now have the fun and enjoyment of working out the next plans to add to the place, where and what to plant - connecting electricity, getting some water on via a tank and other comforts as time comes to hand.

The view towards 'The Cathedral'

Yours truly having a break from mowing...

Leigh with the mower...

Victor on the trailer coming home for repairs...

The shed will have to be our base for a time until we decide what is the next steps and save a whole lot more to afford to build a little house.

We will be mixing this up with my sewing,

Sunday Squares

I am pleased with how this is beginning to take shape. So far I am not sure of the final quilt so until then I will make some more of these.

This is 10 rows of 10, you will see my iphone for a size comparison. I do like the scale and am pleased that I didn't go for 1 inch squares.

NOTE: this is all hand stitched not machine pieced..

When taking the photos I noticed that I had this one here on the camera - forgotten that I took it on our last weekend in March to Taggerty.

The morning mist was wonderful.

We have a very helpful little fellow at home ~ Alakazam is learning how to do the dishes, that is when he is not stalking Miss Tigga...

Thought that I would try a video....

Hope you all have a lovely week...

Sewing absence

Not sure why - but having a blockage on sewing at the moment, must be the work stuff that is not leaving me in a good space to sew... but we are now at the end of the month and the post a few days ago is the limit of the sewing for the month... not good that I have not finished the months blocks, at least I have put the boarders on all the others.

We took the van up to Taggerty for the weekend for some R&R, noice! One of the things that Leigh has been wanting to do is to have a smaller awning for when we are touring, the problem is that if you go to a manufacture or to a reseller they see caravan and charge the proverbial arm and leg. So the solution was wait and find something at a garage sale that would do.

So this was it, doesn't really provide more than shelter a the door so you don't get wet and can have a couple of chairs and a small table under cover.

We took a drive up to Mansfield on Saturday and then returned by a road from Booni Doon, turning left off the bridge as you return to Melbourne and following the road. This will take you all the way to the Eildon township. The drive follows the lake side for a good while before taking a sharp turn and heading into the mountains. Then follows the ridge line most of the way, there were many points where the views to the valleys and lake. Spectacular - really spectacular... just to think that this is only about 80% capacity.

We thought - here is the best place for a house ~ well the best place that you could see from the roadside.

Master Alakazam survived his first weekend of abandonment ~ my house mate said he was the life of the gathering that he had while we were away and that all who were here are now Cat fans.