We made another lightning trip up to Fossils Retreat on 31 December, laden with more stuff from the garage at Avalon. Prior to that, we were there for the day on 20 December, when Stan kindly gave up a couple of hours and downed some trees for us - which we now urgently need to get sawn and split so we will hopefully have some dry firewood this coming winter.
Stan taking down a small lone gum on the road on the south side of the property. Best taken down now rather than in 2 years when the Council complain it is hitting the power linesStan also took down a few willows on the east side that were preventing a gate closing, and a large macrocarpa that was starting to die on the inside. Unfortunately, nobody got a shot of the macrocarpa being felled.
Jennifer demonstrating prowess with a splitting axe. A pity that this is the only shot Denise got with her phone and the log fell over When we arrived, we were thrilled to see lots of big wrapped parcels all over the paddocks. Well, not too thrilled in that the parcels were a bit bigger than we anticipated and there is no way that one person can move one of them. Two people can't move one, actually. Hmmmm
50 big bales of baleage dotted around the paddocksJacob the builder is on holiday for a few days, but we did manage to contact and meet up with a plasterer who is going to start with the gib stopping for us. (Dry wall, for American readers).
Denise models the latest in fashion for rural Race meetings. She is thrilled to bits to find we have a 'permanent' door step
The new addition - laundry and utility room - now all lined out
Denise is looking into the corner where the new pantry will go. The wall opening has been cut into the lounge for the bi-fold doors, and the former doorway from the hall has been filled in
Our new bathroom, taken from cribbing space from each adjoining bedroom. Yes folks, believe it or not, a claw foot bath will be going in here AND a basin AND a toilet AND a few other fittings. Claustrophobic people may find visiting this wee room a bit of a challenge
We are really pleased the way things are ticking along. The only hold-up at present is that the plasterer cannot do the kitchen/dining area walls as the bracing needs to be inspected by the Council, and the chap who does this is on holiday until the 11th. We will now have to put off the kitchen going in by a week as we will need to have the kitchen area plastered and painted beforehand. Plenty of other chores to do though.
The little feijoa trees are doing very well. We are so lucky in that (to date) the hares haven't snacked on them. Potatoes seem to be doing OK but hard to tell without rummaging around in the tyres. They are only just starting to put up the occasional flower.
