Getting There

They say it's not the destination but the journey...

In this case it's definitely the destination.

Closed In

At last we are all closed in and the build is now lockable.

putting the windows in was a bit of a mission as the double glazing made them extremely heavy, plus they were a very tight fit. The window manufacturers did say they should have allowed an extra tolerance of 5mm but we got them in. (nice to tell me after they deliverd them)

The bathroom is all ordered including the floor tiles and underfloor heating.

Carpet has been ordered for the bedroom, and they will lay it early February, after the summer break.

It's only stage 1 but I think it's starting to look quite good. (this is looking out of the 'gallery') the seat is so I can sit and imagine...dream??

Progress

To bring you up to-date the "Barn" is finally coming together. the windows and doors are all installed, the wiring is complete and the security system is in place.

We should have electricity connected within the next few days.

This means we are able to lockup and I don't have to disconnect and role up the power cable, pack my tools into my trusty 4 wheeler and trundle them to the garage.

This little chore was a little annoying as I haven't been finishing until about 7pm most days.

The weather has been perfect for building over the last 2 weeks clear, sunny and warm.

If the wind stays away I should have the Soffits fixed ( that's the lining that goes under the eaves).

Sundown

The end of a great day - achieved a lot, the roof and Velux skylight/window are now fitted, so now the rain doesn't fall on our heads.

We finished the day sitting on our neighbour's deck sipping champagne watching the sun go down, 'what a life'

Moving On

The roofing contractor left his scaffolding behind, so I have made good use of it, its very high up there, especially when you are wrestling with a 1200 x2400 sheet of plywood.

I now know why Sloths move so slowly when they are climbing trees, they are scared of heights!

This insight came to me while I was moving very slowly over the roof.

The soffits (that's the lining under the eaves) are now being fixed, a difficult job as you have to work above your head height and up the scaffold! (good fun)

Roof

Today the roofing team arrived and now we almost have a roof, only one more side to go and we will be roofed.

Before I can start cladding the building inspector needs to check out my penetrations! (Holes in the building, e.g. pipes etc.) so he's visiting tomorrow.

Frustration!

The rain ceased as soon as it started and the sun came out, no wind, it turned into a beautiful day. No wonder we choose to do all the work ourselves, having to rely on other people can drive you to distraction.

Raining!

Bum it's raining, so no roof today, my roofers gone away (sounds like the start of a song) but I'm sure I can find some thing to do.

All Wrapped Up

The Barn is now wrapped waiting for the roof, an interesting exercise trying to tack 160 sq meters of synthetic paper to the outside of a house in a light breeze, how that artist wraps structures like the Eiffel tower? is any-ones guess.

We had hours of 'fun' just wrapping the barn, this included a lot of loud discussion.
Especially when the number one helper slipped and bumped one of her front teeth with a hammer! No tooth, very traumatic, very expensive...

Building Inspection 'Passed"

The posts for the deck/verandah were erected using the HiAb crane from M10, the next day the building inspector passed the build to this point.

The posts are now concreted in and now we can proceed to installing the deck.

We are running a little behind schedule, caused by the extreme winds over the last two weeks, it was to dangerous to work upstairs 120 - 140Km/hr winds, the building creaked and groaned but the temporary bracing worked.

Next it will be wrapping, cladding and the roof (Monday) subject to weather.