It's hailing!

7.6.2011

BUILDING NEWS

It is hailing, and we are waiting for the Boral truck that is on its way to deliver the blocks for the chimneys. Boral have been really good about delivering our last minute orders by the next day. The builders drove in at dawn and drove out again fast before Edd got to speak to them so we do not know why.

I think the weather forecast was enough to put anyone off, though this morning apart from the cold it was not too bad. We have been sorting out all the odds and ends that meant sitting down with the computer and the phone. It is amazing how long organising materials takes. We are trying to get the solar tubes lights ordered and the inset for the fire order completed. I have paid a deposit for the fire but I just want to make sure we have it here before the builders are ready to start the internal chimney.

Edd is now putting the second coat of seeling stuff on the front windows. It is really good to have this time to seel them all over before they go out doors. The external woodwork is made of spotted gum and it comes up darker than the other doorframes. Edd went to meet a man who does steel work in Healesville. We need someone to make the roof frame for the solar buffer zone and are collecting quotes. This guy had lots of questions but our engineer has flue and our architect is busy so we have no answers for him yet!

We are worried that the ramp up to the roof will have to go before the builders get round to doing the chimneys. It is very expensive to hire so John only paid for it to be here the minimum time needed to set up, pour and then cure the roof. It will be really hard to get onto the roof once it is gone. This weather is really not helping at all.

OTHER NEWS

Bo came over today to practice the morning feeding and milking regime. I had everything in the right places and so everything could be done in an hour and a half. If you get things wrong or do not put buckets and other equipment back at the right place it can take much, much longer. Even doing the animals in the wrong order can result in chaos.

At least Bo has done it many times before. She is the only one of the family who puts her self out to make sure we sometimes get away. This time Josh will be here too, so I hope that together they can manage things smoothly. Donna is very good about the milking and so far Sharron stays at a safe distance whilst we are working. I am worried she will soon become more of a nuisance.

I am now making bread and ironing all the washing so that it will fit into our small storage places. I have even printed out Google maps for our trip and started packing my case. There’s keenness for you. Yesterday I shopped and got some nibbles for the journey plus some of Josh’s favourite foods. Three more sleeps to go!