Monday, Monday

29.11.11

BUILDING NEWS

Mondays always seem totally hectic. Everyone turns up all ready to roll and we are flat out making sure they have everything they need. Today we had Andrew, Larry and Phillip working on the roof putting the bricks on the top of the parapet. Gary began laying the last of the pavers in the solar buffer zone and Ayden ran around being everyone’s labourer. The stonework is now complete and the feature wall is magnificent and even has rings hanging from chains to tie up prisoners (or plants).

Richard turned up to set things up for doing the internal render and we had special expensive sand delivered, white cement and more lime for him to work with. Steve came back and put up shelf brackets and strengthening ties in the ceiling woodwork and Edd (when he got the chance) put in more of the ventilation system. I grouted another section of floor and fenced it off with discarded wiring spools to try and stop everyone walking on it until it had a chance to set.

The ground has begun to dry out after the heavy rain at the weekend. Healesville was flooded again with River Street living up to its name. It was over 30 degrees today and the house walls dried up enough for Phillip to be able to do more waterproofing.

We have run out of the final coat and need to order more to complete the job. The ceiling plasterer said he would be here but has not shoed up yet and we are not complaining because we have not put in all the air tubes. We have ordered more pipe and it should arrive tomorrow so this can be done.

OTHER NEWS

If it is not freezing cold and pouring with rain the temperature shoots up and life in the donga becomes impossible. We are happy to keep working on the new house for totally over the top hours because it is already a better place to be than up here. The good news is that Josh arrived back from Perth safely having managed the journey in two and a half days.

The bad news is that he has to get some work in for uni tomorrow and so he is not exactly good company. Edd is pretty stressed out about the building too so I am living in one room with two stressed men. Luckily Josh has decamped to Bo’s place tonight so she can try and help him with his writing. He has done all the work but finds condensing what he has discovered into a written form almost impossible.

Bo also cooked us all dinner as she guessed that it would be too hot to eat here. I am extremely lucky to have such a kind, thoughtful, hard working daughter. Especially one who lives so close! Al is still away on holiday but I have found photos of him on facebook building pizza ovens!