Outside

We have been given a cow (a Jersey bull, about 9 months old) from Brian B; he had little fed left. It disappeared on the wedding day, and Janet found it up the road chatting with the neighbours cattle. They took him back, and he now appears quite happy. Just before Christmas we made a shelter (approx 5.5 x 2.5 m) for it from H4 pine logs and second hand jarrah. We ran out of time, and so the blue trap was used until the weather is kinder to put galvanised sheets on the roof and walls.

More of the outside has been painted. We decided to paint the area above and below the windows the same colour as the roof, gutters and downpipes - minimalist. The gable still has to be completed - it's rather high!

Kitchen cupboards and painting

Kitchen cupboards (made by Character Cabinets, Armadale) were installed just before Christmas (thanks Squeak). Space is left for a floor standing 900mm cooktop/oven and rangehood, as well as dishwasher and fridge Note the blue protective covering on the bench tops still has to come off.

Laundry, with space for washer to the left. The sink still has to be installed.

Walls were painted in the last few days; Copra from Solver Paints. The ceilings are a not completely white.

Painted wall and wall paneling (Tasmanian Oak) in Bedroom 3.

Tiling in bathrooms

Above and below: tiling in bathroom 2. There is a low shower hob; we'll decide on the type of screen and mirror later. The taps will be put on this week, hopefully. The second loo and laundry have the same tiles.

Above and below: Bathroom 1. These tiles and the grout are slightly darker than that in the other bathroom. The toilet has the same tiles. Once again, the type of screen and mirror will be decided later. We plan to have a free standing towel rail.

Update

The mudlark is happy on the roof.

Front door.

The Tasmanian Oak ceiling in the alfresco area is almost complete - just some beads to put over the 45s. The ceiling is flat, except for the coffered part in the middle. And there are sections above the doors.

Gyprocking

The gyprock is being put in. View above from the dining room, to the pantry, and laundry door.

From a corner in the study through to bifold doors in the family area.

In bedroom 3.

The Tasmanian Oak ceiling in the alfresco area.

A stack on insulation in the garage ready for the walls.

Update

Plenty of green grass growing this year.

Two views of the back of the house.

Roof finished and framing

Framing, looking from the office/study to through the bathroom into the main bedroom.

The passage from the garage door, into the main living area.

A spoonbill heron came for a visit.

A walkway through the roof space.

Some views of the back of the house.

Into the alfresco area.

Roof Sheeting

The roof sheeting started yesterday. The guttering also went on in the morning.

Concrete for the veranda posts

37 veranda posts were concreted in on Saturday morning.
We had four wheel barrows on the go.

Jason emptying his barrow.

The concrete truck came with 5 cubic metres.

Bert on the barrow.

Roof trusses

Starting work finishing off the roof. View from the driveway. Gable above entry at the right.

From across the green field.

Troy and Mick on the roof.

Reflection in the duckpond.

LIfting the trusses

The roof trusses were delivered on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday morning a small crane with a fantastic reach was onsite from about 8.30 to lunchtime lifting them onto the roof, with Bert, Troy, Mick, Ed and one other person put them in place. By the end of the day the primary job was done, but about a week is needed to complete it: ceiling joists, hangers, triple grips, and the coffered ceiling. Next is the facia, gutters and roof sheets.

Framing

Wall frames are made on the floor and stacked up, before they are put in place.

Driveway

Alan Butts built the new driveway to the house.

Water

The dam had about 200mm of water in it on Friday. By Wednesday it was completely full, about 1700mm deep. The rainfall during that time was only just over 50mm.

Lots of water is still standing in the paddocks; not very deep though.