The Big Tick (sister)

My sister an brother-in law arrived on one of their flying visits, said I was very clever and the barn was huuuuge and looks good, she's an interior designer in Perth, so lots of discussion over colour schemes, all sounded a bit expensive.

Had a lovely dinner and as usual politics reared its ugly head - the US elections

She's a part time Democrat - and thought that Obama would get the vote to run, my premise was that Hillary Clinton should get the nod, I felt she had a better chance of winning against the Republicans as there would be enough Americans who would feel that the name Obama was too close to Osama and was probably a distant relation, and wouldn't vote.

Enough...

The carpet is now down upstairs and looks great, I'm currently putting the tiles in the bathroom only a few more to stick up grout and it's all finish in there.

Oh, The Pressure

Now the pressure is really on, we need somewhere to live.

A week of very long days and late nights we now have the upstairs (bedroom & en suite) ready for the carpet to arrive.

The plumber has completed his work so we can now flush...

All we need now is the electrician to liven-up the temporary power we have for the upstairs.

So it's all on track for the big move on or before the handover of our current house to the new owners - it will be a bit sad leaving as it (the house) has been a great place to live and entertain, I hope the new owners will feel the same.

Sold

The house that we are currently living in, is now sold!

Has only been on the market for a about 3 weeks, we ended up with 3 potential buyers putting in competitive bids for the house.

All we had to do is select the one we liked and accept - a cash non conditional offer to settle at the end of the month - easy, and at a price we were more than comfortable with.

I seems that the property downturn in this part of the world doesn't exist.

Weekend Off

Well things seem to have been moving slowly with the build, even though I haven't been finishing till 7 & 8pm most days.

So this last weekend had some time off, so built a fence between the current house and new section, only took a day.

Stairs Tiles & Gib

Have been to busy with the build to keep you updated but the time has arrived.

I have laid the tiles in the en suite made the stairs and fitted them, they (the stairs) came together quite well, the turn was a little tricky but we arrived at the top exactly to the mark.

I was pleased with my quantity surveying, I had only 500mm of timber left and at $20 per meter...

The Gib Board (Drywall) was delivered through the bedroom french doors on a pallet by crane, no lifting up the stairs.

I am now in the process of fitting the wall insulation plus fixing the drywall.

The plumber should arrive tomorrow to fit the pipes for the en suite and little kitchen downstairs.

This kitchen will be our temporary cooking area together with the gas barbecue ,while I get on and build the 2nd stage.

The plan is to start this as soon as our existing house sells, all going well so far had about 4 people through in the first few days and we have one coming back on Monday for a second look with another a bit latter in the day.

So if you have a spare $NZ600K it could be yours!

Xmas Family Fun

The team fixing the ceiling in the upstairs bedroom, plywood is very hard to get straight!
The seccret is to shout and stamp your feet!

Lost Pictures

I thought you might like to see these pictures that I just found of the big truss and posts being put in place, it was mind focusing, hanging from a strap putting in bolts about 7 metres from the ground, it doesn't sound high when you write about it but...

More Computer Probs

The new computer has packed a sad, so took it back and the nice man said sorry, here's another, it works! brilliant. Dick Smith is a great place to buy anything from even if you do not have a receipt to prove purchase.

We have (family) been working over Xmas on the barn and now we have the upstairs ceiling fixed, 100mm grooved plywood panelling, very hard to install, a lot of drama and loud words (me) but with paint and sanding looks great. (thanks team)

Electronic Disaster

I do not know what wrong with me, all my electronic equipment has taken a dive, camera, computer and CD player.

So you will have to put up with no visuals...

Great news, my wonderful DIY wife has bought me a new laptop. (Totally blown away) now I can see WERT keys, they were worn out (I'm not a touch typist)

Passed!

The building inspector passed me on my Pre-line Interior ( sounds like a digital Dr examination) this means I can now line the build.