Framework all up

Framework was up in a few days, came all prefabricated so builders just more or less had to nail it together.  This is the biggest part of the budget at $70k.

Rear view at the stage where they are waiting for the scaffolding to go up as it is rather high up on the roof at the back.

 John surveying his territory from the kitchen/dining/family area. Looking out through the space for the sliding doors with verandah behind it.

Views from the verandah at the back, overlooking the hills, at the bottom of the orchard is the South West Highway.

Scaffolding starting to go up.

Scaffolding waiting to be assembled.  Cladding on front bedroom.  Garage is on the left.

Its spring down in the valley and typical of spring last Saturday was 32 deg and Sunday it poured rain all day and has continued off and on all week.  Produce from the orchard, have picked a few big bunches of daffodils.

Have a great weekend

Jacky

Great Grandmother

Last week we spent two days up in Perth. Had a lovely barbecue tea with Jo and all her family.  It was noisy, exuberent and just lovely, reminded me of when I was a kid.  I never realised that we where such a noisy family until Karen a cousin, said, she loved coming to stay with us for that reason.  Was great to see Jessica and her little family there too.  Above is my four generations of my female line with nana Jo, mum Jessica and great granddaughter Amelia who just wasn't going to crack a smile. 

All the great grandchildren.  Jaidyn pulling a face in front and Jo holding Mason who is thinking 'What the heck is my crazy brother doing'.  Looking forward to being a Great great grandmother.  And just to not confuse the kids I am super nana.  The little ones are so full of energy, its hard to keep up, but love them dearly, and with 4 aunts, fortunately, I don't have to.

Its Spring down in the valley and things are starting to move

Spring is here in the valley and snapped this photo of a little wild rabbit outside the window at 9 am, thought it was a bit late for him to be out in the open.  I know they are a pest, but, oh they are so cute.

 Before spring, a last minute hoorraa Friday week ago it rained and it rained and we had floods, water everywhere, great excitement.  Reminded me of when we where kids dad would take us to see the flooded rivers in New Zealand.

Getting lots of blossoms in the orchard, I put breadcrumbs in the bird feeder, not sure who eats it but its gone when we go back the next day, hoping its birds and not encouraging possums.

 Daffodils all coming out in the orchard, the jonquils are finished now.  The previous owners planted straight rows between the fruit trees, you may see them in the foreground on the left, now I know what they are will dig up and spread around the orchard in clumps next autumn.

 Biggest exciting news is the house has been started.  Above you can see the pad for the garage has been laid, this took a few days.  Timber has arrived for poles, floor joists and flooring.

 Looking from the orchard you can see the brickwork used to build the pad level with the house.

 Poles all up and waiting to be levelled off, this was the day before the storm hit and had to wait a few days for the water to drain out of the holes.

 Putting on the floor joists. Starting to see the layout, and the surrounding land for gardens, love planning that.

 Prefabricated walls and roof panels arrive, $70,000 worth, these should go up very quickly, the hardiplank for the outside walls is also there.

 Thursday the flooring started going down, two thirds finished at the end of the day on Friday, fortunately they covered it all with black plastic as more rain arrived through the night.

 Friday I spent the day turning the soil along the western boundary and planted cuttings and some shrubs, I am hoping the wood chip mulch will loosen the soil up and I believe I need to add dolomite and lime.  Next job.

 The view from the orchard of the house with half flooring done, John was pruning the fruit trees, did a great job as he has never done it before, we also got some pelletised organic chicken manure spread all around the orchard, so should be well watered in.

 It has been up and down as to wether we could build a studio and garden storage underneath and as you can see from John standing checking out the workmanship, there will be plenty of room.  We will be in denial this week as we will be without the van for 4 or 5 days, hell, I can walk down there, about 10 minutes walk and good exercise.

And finally the roses are starting to bloom, picked this lovely lavendar one out of the garden just to share with you.
Hope you all had a lovely Fathers Day weekend.
cheers
Jacky