Ensuite - Xmas Project Update

Well, even with all the rain and financial setbacks we have been able to continue on and almost finish the ensuite. We wre able to cover most of the wall with the salvaged gyprock and only needed a couple of more sheets to do the wall and the ceiling. The shower was a little difficult to place due to the placement of the drain in the slab but with a little ingenuity we were able to lift the shower and the drain works a treat.

The sink fitted in great and our only trouble was locating a single tap and spout combination which I finally found on e(vil)-Bay and for a fantastic price too in Sydney! With the addition of the water filter on the side shelf and the towel rails all we have to do now is add a decent mirror and that side will all be finished.

The toilet sits nicely in the corner and we have decided to build a shelf or two on the side wall (yet to be added also), but for now we have a function toilet, sink and drinking water supply. The shower is in and the hot water system (LPG continuous hot water) has been installed... so nice warm showers are available as well.

So, what remains to be done... walls and ceiling painted, lino flooring and a little bit of tiling left.

However in the main room we did manage to score something that was going to get a demolition saw and sledgehammer through it and that was the old office kitchen at work which was being thrown out for the refurbishment of the campus. as luck would have it it fits perfectly in the guest room and looks just like it was purposely built for the room.

With the addition of a small bar fridge and some basic appliances (kettle, toaster etc.) it will now allow our guests to chill out in their own space with out coming down to the cottage. We even supply tea and coffee in the room >8^)

Outside the ensuite door to the main shed, we decide to add an old laundry tub so that we can clean up, wash up and anything else we might need a large tub for... We also continued the mini-orb iron sheeting that we put outside the guest room to make it all look the same. Even the toilet door is the same as the guest room door, a recovered cedar door from a Gold Coast nunnery which we purchased from our local salvage yard.

Please note; that we do not recommend anyone attempt their own electrical, plumbing and gas fitting and we did all the above under the watchful eyes of friends who are licensed tradesmen and we saved money by doing all the 'grunt' work for them.

So, a few more weeks and it should all be finished but that hasen't stopped people from staying, as we have already had several family and friends come and stay over the last 8 weeks.

Xmas 2011 Project - Guest Room Ensuite

With some of the framework already in place from the building of the guestroom the first thing to do was to install the window (the dark corner was immediately transformed by doing this).

The rest of the framework went up easily and the room started to take shape. Amazing how much space will be in the room itself. much of what is going into this build is recycled from a refurbishment at work, donated by friends and bought from a local second-hand business.

The shower cubicle was removed from the studio when we installed the bath, insulation was left over from the refurb at work and the Gyprock was given to us by a friend whose neighbour wanted him to dump it all at the council tip.

So much more was also salvaged, like the flooring (yet to be installed) from work, sink was a left over prop from the theatre company, wiring was given to us from the electricians as they were just going to throw it all out, as well as the switches and sockets. [all installations both electrical and plumbing were overseered by qualified tradespeople, as we did all the 'grunt' work for them.]

Luckily the previous owner who built the shed had the forethought to put all the plumbing into the concrete slab. This made it both easier to install the bathroom necessities and also harder to locate them, as the pipes were just placed at random locations and strange distances for any installations (nothing that couldn't be worked around however!)

So, it is all coming together and is almost finished... more soon!

Hi Monty or is it Kaa?

The wildlife is out on the prowl! (or slither!)

Unfortunately with the new chicks that have just hatched and the possibility of a few more soon, our local Carpet Python (is it Monty?) has turned up.

The ducks are probably a little too big for him, but those cute little fluffy chicks would make a delicious entree. Charles took these photos while I was at the office. The python over 2 metres long.

After taking a few close up photos the python flicked it's tongue and hissed at Charles before slithering off down the bank and luckily away from the gardens and Chook-house.

We have seen the odd grass snake this season but this is the first time we have seen the python since just after we moved in. Oh! there is always the resident black snake that lives in the shed but he moves away from us very quickly if he sees us or we surprise one another!

No red bellied black snakes this year so far though and luckily we have not come across any of those nasty brown snakes at all!!! Touch wood!

Well, You live in the bush you've got to expect the wildlife!!!

More and more work to do (and done)

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I love a bargain on Ebay... every now and then I find a great one.

14 square metres of paving stones for a song and the seller was happy to deliver them and help stack them. Thanks!

I cleared the old crushed quartz from the area outside the guest room (putting it all on the ground in the bush house). Spread out cracker dust over the area and laid them all out over a few evenings after work... you gotta love daylight saving too!

The result is a wonderful patio that will no doubt be a fantastic place to sit and read a book, glass of wine or to even a quiet moment or two, especially when the grape vines grows over the top.

Just walking under the small coverage that exists now is to experience a drop in temperature and a subtle 'mood' change. It was certainly hot, sweaty work and gave me a few blisters before I remembered to wear gloves.

It is an absolute joy to slowly day by day see the changes around the place and to know that everything happens because of our own blood, sweat and tears! I do look forward so much to the day we start on the house... just the extra dollars all at once! That day will come!!!

Meanwhile Charles is happy... there are a couple of Thistles growing in the paddock. Reminds him of the land of his birth!

Just a Few Pictures From Wanungara

The orchard is delivering us some beautifully tasty fruit at the moment and the best is the two apple trees we bought from Daleys Nursery. We relocated the electric fence to entwine the fruit trees and allow the cows access to the long grass that was covering the bank and spreading into the lawn area. the cows have now eaten all the grass and the orchard is benefiting from the manure.

we have also been planting lots of flowering plants where we can so that the bees are invited into the garden to help with pollination and also to add some colour around the place... there's a lot of 'green' around here and a splash of colour makes a big difference.

we have also used up some of the lattice that we were given when we bought the long poles (used up by the shed to add a bush house and outside the guest room for the grape vines) on the west-side of the cottage to add a bit of shade, protection and aesthetics to the BBQ/pizza oven patio area.

and after all this... every now and then... we can sit back and enjoy a nice cold homebrew!!! (even me when I don't have the camera in my hand.)

The Mystery Continues...

Charles adds more form work to the structure... we have been asked if it's a plunge pool, cellar, water feature or a breeding place for the famous Bufo Marinus.

A few rocks placed carefully here and there and 'hey presto' we have walls... a bit of hard work and a pathway appears.

Its getting too hot to work outside during most of the day so things have slowed a little but with the cooler weather we are having now we should (hopefully) have a bit more done soon.

In the meantime we have just added a few extra touches .

Meet the Ducks, Disco and Shuggie

A local woman who sells chickens (and also supplied us with some of our hens) found out that we had Plymouth Rock hens and asked us if we would sell them to her but we kept them ourselves, however, after two have passed away due to old age and the last one not getting any younger she offered to take her in exchange for two pullets.

We ended up with two young ducklings (she knew I had a duck before and love the taste of duck eggs), Shuggie and Disco.

Poor Shuggie was gravely ill after a week of being here and we thought we would lose him/her (lost control of the legs and wasn't eating a lot) but after 2 weeks... what a change. still shaky on the legs but every day was a big improvement.

It's amazing just how quickly they grow. they now live in the opposite veggie garden to the chooks and have plenty of shade and protection from the numerous hawks and from the many pigeons that are now hanging around after the chook food that doesn't get eaten due to the bird netting we have installed over the gardens.

I spent Saturday designing and building a Duck House that can be moved from garden to garden as required. Cutting the wheels of the bottom of the old BBQ allowed me to create the perfect mobile Duck Home...