Flooring is almost finished

Hi all
Another day at the coalface. We have almost finished installing the flooring which was very generously supplied by Sala Homes even though they technically could have got out of it. This is an indication of what this company has been like to deal with. Floors are beautiful and THANKYOU Scott and Damon. My cheap and nasty alternatives would not have done these lovely little houses justice. Not for one moment have I wished we hadn't used these kits. The plumber is impressed by the quality of the fittings supplied, particularly the very expensive toilets. We have had several lookers this last few days. Today it was Tony from Mackay Coloured Housing Coop. He is most interested in the style and spent a good half hour here today inspecting them. Hey, Mike, be ready now and remember my 500 bucks spotters fee.
There are a good few people talking about this project, particularly the locals which has surprised me a wee bit. I hope we pull it off well and the houses last forever.
I noticed this morning at about 9am upon opening the door to the hotter house of the two, that it was still very cool inside despite the two windows facing east receiving a fair dose of sunlight. Proof of the pudding, I guess.
I took an almost sober Russell (Trevor's brother) on a house tour Sunday morning but he had too much of a roaring hangover from a party Saturday night. He and Sandra grow plants and will be doing some work on the landscaping later on. He reminded me of Bash after a night at the Ellangowan, the way he slowly roared into life after sleeping in the bear cave in protest at Sandra's wanting to leave earlier than he. Funny to watch. But talk about stink!! the fumes were pretty strong.
Hey, Bash - channel Bob has been clear as a bell of late. He's my hero in waiting as I heard some funny noises last night so have obtained his phone number so I can call him to scare away the monsters if need be. He's been having a good run with the women this week or so. He's got a dancing partner, a drinking partner, an ex/on off partner, and I believe is currently hero to one of the office girls where he works. A busy man is Bob. He has sold one of his wrecks and the home renovations continue. Bob runs when he mows. Everything is speeded up and things can get pretty entertaining. Bash knows what I mean.
I meant to tell you too, of the Pilots' Gathering Jay organised back in February. We aren't always aware how difficult it becomes for these men to socialise with other ex Air Force personel as they get older. Jay figured out that she knew three men who had been in the Air Force at around the same time, and we plotted a way to get them together for a few hours. As you all no doubt know, my father in law Jack was a navigator in the airforce during the tail end of WW2. He is a man I admire a great deal and it was wonderful to see these three men, who didn't know each other, spend an afternoon together. We shared a delicious lunch from Weis backdoor and after we were full, left them to chat. It's Anzac Day, got me thinking about it. We will be taking Anzac Day off to attend the march here. The machinery at this place is another story entirely.
I'll be off now. Photos tomorrow as my camera batteries are flat again.

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That sister of mine. I'm not sure what she's up to but I am ready to blog...

We receive the flooring (cypress pine) today and a few of the doors. Finlaysons tell us the doors and a forklift had a collision. Forklift won. This weeks's big news is the fence. Bash pulled the ratty old one down and the fencers are there today, putting up a new paling fence. I have settled back into my old routine of cleaning the site. 11th uteload is ready to go to the dump now. We're pretty excited about it as that side of the building was looking revolting. Our new neighbours have a young staffy who likes to wander so they're pleased.
Mr Plumber and his offsider have FINISHED THE CLADDING! It looks great and I'll get hold of some touch up paint and all that side is finished bar the eaves. What a saga this has been and I am very glad it is all over. Bash has taken the shiny almost new saw home and I think he'll spend most of the journey thinking about what he can do next with it.
I had a visit late one afternoon from a gentleman who is very interested in the style of housing. He was in Mackay City Council engineering section and did express some concern about how the galvanising would hold up. I guess we are on trial here. It seemed to be a choice between termites and rust in the end...
So this afternoon will be spent doing paperwork things, getting the quotes for kitchen sorted out etc. Ron has just called to say the flooring has arrived on site, so I'd better toddle off.

The steps are our current bone of contention and we are concerned about the turning circle required to have two cars parked in the carport. It is looking impossible at present. The stairs will come off the front patio and jut out into the driveway right next to the carport.
Graeme has jetted off to the Coast and has been muttering about wearing a penguin suit - we hope Faith gets a photo as we would all like to see it.
Bash, Kate and Dotty left this morning for home. It will be very quiet without them but Sarah, we'll visit you as soon as we can.
Those of you who know Bash should discreetly ask him about our trip to Habana. Eventful. But I am sworn to secrecy. And drinking coffee, not champers so am able to keep my mouth shut at present.
Poor old iPod got squished. One too many expeditions over his front fence.

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Remember me?

Okay, we are packing up to return to Mackay today. We're all a bit out of sorts. Bash has been commandeered for work behind the bar at the Rodeo. Sarah is staying with him and Kate will bounce over with me in the Navara. All of a sudden it seems a very long way. But there are Trevor's new fish to think of. He gave them 10 days worth of tucker and today is day 10 so that's motivation.
We will be painting and Kate will probably angle for a more fun job but life's tough.
I really can't make this day interesting in any way so will stop grumbling and just get on with it.
Al and Ron have taken Easter off and Graeme will be back next week so it'll be pretty busy from there on in.
So far one end has been rough wired, lined and should be looking ready for a coat of paint. Curly and his crew have threatened to return next week to complete the other end so lining can begin. I have to sort out something regarding the solar panels. We have grid connected feedback system where I understand there are two meters, one runs forward and the other backward. It will be interesting to see what effect that has on the electricity bills in future.
This trip I will be doing Yoga classes and walking around in this 'bush' Trevor gets so excited about. Apparently there are a few walking tracks around Slade Point.
I hope Sarah gets to run at the Cathy Freeman oval, it is a beautiful place - shady and quiet and green. They have little athletics there so Ali, Aliviah and Lahni have all joined and run regularly. You won't see me running though. I was built for walking.
Hi Ned and Dulce, look forward to seeing you again.
I have given my very secret password to sister Jen who will spruce up the blog a bit as I am really not the person for the job. Stay tuned.
Congratulations Andrew for quitting smoking. Could you please whisper in Bash's ear for us? Tell him who your hypnotist is.

Wendy's reading the Blog!

So, there you go. I thought an update might be a good idea.

I have left the toilers to it up there and headed home to Augathella for a few days with Bash and Dotty the wonderdog who, by the way, killed another pig yesterday. I have been crunching numbers to make sure we don't go broke before finishing the castles and it is scary.

Loving the cool nights out here. And not having to wait for traffic before reversing out of the driveway. Miss being able to buy takeaways instead of catching, killing and cooking any food.

We haven't talked much about the team who is building this castle yet. So I thought I'd introduce 'em one by one. On account of Al being the new boss we'll start there. Here he is, the handsome brute. The extra set of arms come in pretty handy at times. Genetic mutations aside, he is always on time, never grumbles and invites us all back to his home for drinks every afternoon after work. I think I mentioned previously that he lives at a nice place with ready refreshments. This comment could be translated more accurately to read: he lives at a pub. And we love him for it. He is also the undisputed boss of tools purchasing. Even Graeme defers to his greater knowledge although he did rebel in a small way by buying a new drill without advice. We all know how that turned out, hey Grayman. Al also provides site security by way of Dee, who can climb two storeys on a ladder. A pretty mean feat for a dog. She has became the object of affection of a black dog two doors up which I think she finds faintly irritating.

I haven't yet got a photo of Captain Ron or Ben so will have to be a bit sneaky as they'll be onto my plan if anyone reads and tells Al his pic is on the internet. Lucky for me, I have zoom lens and they don't know when I'll be back there. Which by the way will be in the next few days. I have lots of painting and cleaning up to do which oddly enough, am looking forward to.

We've scored some rain and there's plenty of grass on the lighter country now. The cows and their near weaner sized calves look fantastic and Bash has finally got the weeds under control after a mammoth battle and many flat tyres. Now, there's the planting equipment to get serviced up and ready to go. We see several broken seed hoses and two flat tyres to start us off. Bash is back to look at the weather, so I'll send this one out.

Photos at long last!!

Kitchen and other Stuff

Hi all
I am trying to do photos, believe me. Spent 1/2 hour on it this morning and the video shop man helped but computer doesn't believe my phone is capable of taking photos.
We are putting external walls on and painting today and I really really wish I could put these bloody photos on. However, we do have a back up plan and I will try again tonight.
It has rained quite heavily for the past two or three mornings and remains very humid - not ideal painting weather but we have put mould inhibitor into the paint which should help.
Ali is out choosing more interior fittings which I am loving. She phoned me from the sale table at KMart - 30% off curtain rods!! Yay. I could imagine her hovering protectively with her wings out over the lengths she thought we needed while phoning me to confirm lengths. She's a true bargain hunter and it is fun to see her in action.
We had a distraught lady come in yesterday looking for her black dog called iPod. Al said he had seen it come in through the back and leave the same way so we sent her sadly on her way. After she left, he admitted it had left under his strict instructions after he caught it chatting up Dee.
The shiny new saw remains a virgin. Marty hasn't shown his handsome face yet - I think he might be scared of the device. He left yesterday after setting everything up to make the first cut. I should be there with the camera and a sheet of paper to record the great moment.
We are still wondering what the garage will be lined with. Hmm. Will it be the same as the eaves? Or maybe hardiflex type stuff.
Trevor is going to save his employers from self destructing. He is busy preparing a presentation and motivating staff to unite and figure out exactly what they are capable of doing and what should be left to others. I am surprised by the poor work conditions and low pay given to psych disability workers. Their work can be difficult and stressful and I believe should be very highly paid as I sure wouldn't like to be doing it. He was last seen doing up a chain of command poster and mumbling about feeling like a school kid.
Al and Captain Ron are toiling along very well - we are in the shade now which has made life much more comfortable.
PHOTOS>TONIGHT