Mid-December report, and all's very well indeed

As Christmas looms ever closer, we can report an emerald lawn, healthy vegetables and trees, a house that's all but perfect for our needs, and very happy cats (with twice their city appetites, but that's another story). The garden is taking shape so fast we can't keep up with it. Things grow very well, and amazingly quickly, which means we've had to mow the 'lawn' three times, and that's before it's been rolled. Predominant colour is a rich green, and everything we've planted - from tomato plants to big trees - is growing luxuriantly. Great climate down here.

Still a couple of minor things to finish re the house - lights, one interior wall of paint, the exterior board and batten oil protection paint (which may be a big job in the NY) and so on, but nothing we can't cope with. The Old Forgery is proving a lovely house to be and entertain in, so more than living up to our expectations as a great place to live, work and play in, and this part of the country is also proving to be perfect for us and the way we like to spend our days and evenings. Lots of happy guests recently, and very enjoyable times being had by all. Long may it last, and a Merry Christmas and excellent, happy and healthy New Year to all of you who read and enjoy this blog.

I plan to finish the blog in January, late, about the time I started it, so the big Year of the House will come to a natural conclusion in about six weeks' time. Keep an eye out for the last couple of postings, and please, email comments etc to this site so I know you're in the picture.

The Old Forgery turns green and shows its true colours

Friday November 28, a beautiful, warm, still spring day. We have a lush lawn (pictures a few days old) and healthy plants, thanks to relentless watering and good organic compost. Plus a lot of hard work from both Keith and me. Muscles ache every evening but we're both feeling fit and certainly not complaining as the garden and general section area take real shape and direction. Roses, hedges, a bunch of grasses, potted geraniums, and a healthy raised vegetable bed are the latest additions, each adding a shape, colour, definition to exits and entrances.

Cats excelling themselves in hunting and sleeping (the perfect cat CV) and as for us, heading into late spring, and what is likely to be a long hot summer, keeping up the greenery and shade is a must. Fortunately things are growing really well here, and next week, the lawn will be rolled, after which we'll be able to do the first mow. Terribly exciting, also because after that we can get going on trees, sleepers and general structural ideas for the front door area. But after being here a mere five weeks today, we aren't complaining about the rate of progress. Quite the opposite.

Lawns, garden on the go, and happy cats

Today is Thursday, November 20, and everything is lovely in the garden. Well, it will be. We have a thin sheen of green where the lawn was sown, in what seems like record time. Daily waterings and helpful growing weather have helped the seed to strike, so we should be able to get it rolled and ready for Christmas. Thanks to the underground irrigation with the Biolytix septic tank system, there's a crop circles effect in the tender greensward - no doubt that'll disappear as the lawn gets established and a more completely natural appearance takes over.

We've also been busy planting hedges, magnolia trees and the odd other shrub and bush as we get more confident with how the section looks, and how we use it. So far, very happy with what we've achieved, and I certainly had no idea how much fun getting a garden sorted, from scratch, actually is. Not having been a mad gardener, I'm delighted with how much fun it is, and although it's certainly hard physical work, it's also very rewarding and enjoyable. Another unexpected bonus in the great Woodbury move.

The cats are in seventh heaven - have all taken to country life and the boys are out roaming far and wide on a daily basis. Blossom prefers to follow the sun around the upstairs rooms, but most importantly for us, they are all, obviously, extremely happy animals. Spike has so far been chased back home (ie out of other people's properties) by tiny dogs, big cats, deer, and the odd sheep (who only wants a playmate, I'm quite sure). He's also taken to hunting for skinks, the tiny lizards that live in the long grassy verges, and bringing them into the house for approval.

The fire works a treat. We've had a couple of pretty cool nights, so in goes a bit of wood and we light up the Lady Kitchener for a long, slow burn. Also tops up the hot water, thanks to the wetback, so we still haven't had to turn the power on to the hot water cylinder.

Finishing touches only as far as the house itself goes: paint touchups, lights, electronic data and other bits and pieces for the electrician, and the layer of bluestone on the front porch. So far, so very good - and best of all, we really are enjoying living here. It's a great life.

And now for something completely different - landscaping

We've been here for about two-and-a-half weeks (today is Tuesday 11 November) and things have been moving fast. Carpets are down, fireplace is going in today, and pictures are propped against walls ready for hanging day. But also, and amazingly rapidly, the section has been levelled, cleared, topsoiled and readied for lawn planting. Between them, two hard-working men have given us a driveway and sown a lawn, in just two days. Fantastic. I just love watching men at work - one of my favourite past-times.

Living here is even better than we'd dared hope, which is saying something. The days are just packed, and even though there are still a couple of tiny teething problems (a loo that over-runs, no matter what anyone does, and a leaking seal on the water tank, being replaced today) the house functions very well. Keith has been alternating happily between office/head work, and physical exertion, carting rocks, chopping wood, continuing work on the garage, putting up a real clothesline, and so on. I've been running thither and yon, helping, hindering, overseeing, feeding, washing, providing smoko and generally trying not to get in the way ... too much. But so much to decide! We're both fitter than before, not least because of all the running up and down the stairs we do - haven't lived in a house with stairs for a very long time.

The cats came home four days ago and have settled in beautifully. Blossom all but wept when she recognised me and has stayed close and purring ever since. George instantly flounced and rolled around house and section, and goes off exploring the entire neighbourhood, returning when he's had enough, through the deer paddock. Spike is now being just as brave, doing lots of local noseying around but definitely not sure about the sheep ... lots of checking them out from odd angles around the house. It's a joy to have them again and they help make the house a home.

We'll still have tradesmen around for a week or two as finishing touches get seen to - final paving and sealing of bluestone, bathroom fixtures to be finalised, electricians to do end jobs, all joinery to be checked and adjusted, and so on. But all good, and cannot believe how much has been done in such a seemingly short time. Roll on Christmas.

We're in! We finally made it, Labour Weekend 2008

We did it - we're living in our new house, and loving it! On Friday October 24, we finally, actually, left Christchurch for good and moved lock, stock and barrel into 589 Woodbury Road. Having brought the cats down to the local cattery on the previous Wednesday, we returned to Christchurch for the final push. House was full of packing crates and cartons, chaos everywhere, but between us and the movers, we got the house cleared and the show on the road by lunchtime on Friday. Left the cleaners doing the final once-over, then simply drove away, and by that time, neither of us had a problem saying goodbye to Trafalgar Street. We were ready.

Again, beautiful weather helped the process, and as the long day wore on, and we all congregated at various times in Woodbury, we reversed the process and dumped all our worldlies in the Woodbury house. No flooring down (apart from bathrooms), but all appliances in place, plenty of hot water, and enough room to swing all 3 cats, if only we could have them here now. Slept at Beauly that night (total exhaustion doesn't cover it, we'd been running on adrenalin and euphoria), but the next day, made a solid start in unpacking what we could and have been installed ever since. Kind of camping, but bed, showers and functioning kitchen helped.

And now, it's Thursday and we've been living here properly since Saturday. In that time the place has been crawling with builders, plumbers, electricians, tilers, and, occasionally, carpet layers, as everyone gets involved to get this place signed, sealed and delivered. All that's really left is the floor coverings (tomorrow, and again next week), and some plumbing bits and pieces. Living in plaster and concrete dust is a bit messy (I don't know why I cleaned the rugs or sofas - pointless) but that will soon be sorted.

The really good news is that the place is brilliant - we absolutely adore it and spend hours just looking out the kitchen windows at the 2 new sets of lamb triplets grazing next door, and the running of the young deer in the paddock in front of us. Views to die for. And we have a temporary office set-up, so lucky Keith has been able to do some serious work since Tuesday. A few technical hitches to begin with, and data outlets to double-check, but minor teething problems and now very much OK.

As are we - everything is lovely in the garden, or at least, it will be once we get hold of someone to clear, scrape, level and dump heaps of topsoil in the paddock we will one day call a lawn. And next week, I can get my cats back and then the house really will be a home.

October and the joinery begin together

And so it's October, finally - and as September ticked over into the new month, the kitchen started to actually look like a kitchen as the joiners and builders began the big installation. It's been all go in Woodbury for the past few weeks - Keith's been busy with the garage/workshop and has made amazing progress, with the help of wonderful neighbour Paul. The kitchen is underway, the kitchen appliances have been trucked out of Christchurch (after nearly 2 years in a warehouse), we've finalised the flooring and have made tentative bookings for getting laid. Sorry about that. Getting it laid.

And tomorrow, the 4th, is auction day for selling our Christchurch house. In spite of the dreadful property market, and worrying international financial situation, we're optimistic about a respectable sale and will be able to confirm all sorts of tentative arrangements and booking next week, once we have a settlement date. Exciting - every day brings new decisions, new information and an amendment to plan x, y and z.

The cats have been to the vet for their shots, so they're ready for a week in the country cattery; the movers have quoted and been accepted; and I've realised we don't have any spare bedroom furniture, apart from a bed. I'm planning to poke around the sales and the second-hand shops for the odd bargain, but don't hold your breath - there's a front garden to plant first.

A man and his handiwork are never parted

Keith is one tired but happy chappy - his week in Woodbury building the garage/workshop has been enormously successful and the result is quite lovely. Helped by a couple of local builders, Keith has managed to get the big stuff done and can now complete the interiors in relative comfort. Apart from a couple of minor compliance things. the building inspector gave it a pre-wrap pass mark and so next step is to nail up the plywood cladding. This now means we can store stuff for the house under cover, and start moving the contents from his current workshop down in manageable stages. The building looks sweet (not a guy word, I admit) beside the big house, and in the big picture, you can see how they complement each other. He returned home early on Thursday evening, very tired but in excellent spirits - he couldn't lift his arms above his shoulders and still can't close his right hand properly (a couple of days of the hammer and staple gun) - and has also lost 5kg! He looks, however, in fine form and can't wait for the next visit. Neither can I.

A place for the cars, and a real blokes' shed

Today is the first of September, so it's officially spring, and there's plenty of action in Woodbury. We now have an established tree, a Himalayan chestnut, sitting happily in the nor/west corner of the section, thanks to Belinda, who decided we needed an established tree to give us shade and shelter in the summer months. Something to mow around, and a place to have lunch outdoors, were her words. We're very grateful and the tree looks as if it's always been there.

Also, Keith has made an excellent start on building the garage/workshop. With the help of a couple of local builder mates, he's well underway with the basic construction and has been much helped by the beautiful spring weather. Muddy gateway notwithstanding, the weather has been mild and kind and progress is excitingly fast. He wanted to get his hands dirty by doing something practical and grounding, and has managed this in spades by also leaving traces of blood on various bits of timber, shirt fronts, hats and passing dogs and children. So a success all round.

Upstairs, the rooms are painted (stunning, couldn't be happier) and doors throughout the house are also painted, a terrific shade best described as a muddy green - it's strong and very attractive. We also have a front door now, but no handle or key yet, so we're all still traipsing in through the back door.

This week should see the garage-workshop up if not quite running, and we're also expecting kitchen and bathroom joinery to start arriving for installation. Watch this space.

Stairway to heaven (but battens are a bother)

Sunday, 17 August and The Old Forgery is nearly there now. Inside we now have a staircase, which makes going to view the bedrooms and mid-house sunroom a whole lot easier, and what lovely wide stairs they are. As you get to the top, the snowy mountain view is perfectly framed in the mid-gable window to welcome you. The main bedroom has its wall of louvre-doored wardrobes, which looks fantastic (and is something I asked for a couple of years ago when this whole project started, so many thanks, Desmond, for remembering that) and now that the gib-stoppers and plasterers are in residence too, the whole upstairs is taking its final shape. The spare bedroom is a delight - sunny, welcoming, great views and like the main bedroom, seems to have a lot of character. Hard to explain, but all of you who will be coming to stay with us will no doubt see what I mean!

Downstairs, the study and living room are being finished, while the final adjustments to kitchen and laundry joinery have been made and installation work should start very soon now. We had another highly productive meeting with Desmond and made final decisions on colours and finishes in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom, and had a stab or two at the other rooms, but time yet for that. We also inspected and OK'd the bluestone from Timaru Bluestone Quarry people for front porch, hall entrance and hearth surround - the effect should be just right.

Outside, the house is looking as handsome as ever, and the hebel block has been finished and painted, so is now 'done'. And the board and batten, which helps give the house its character and suits the village location so well, is in the process of being protector oil and colour coated. Trouble is, different colours and batches were delivered to the painter, so we now have about three discernible different finishes on various parts of the house ... the more middling colour is the intended effect (the others are too light, or too dark - shades of Goldilocks) but we've decided that as long as it's all the same in the end - consistency please! - we don't much care if the final colour is a little darker than we envisaged.

Everyone is still reassuring us that the building part of the house will be completed by the end of September (or thereabout) so we're going along with that timeline and will start thinking about carpets and other flooring to be organised some time in October, before we can actually move in. Up here, at the Christchurch end of things, we're still waiting for our signed-up buyers to sell their townhouse before they can satisfy that final condition on our sale (still a bit of time, and spring is definitely in the air). But we're ready to get the movers in - another couple of months to go, fingers crossed. We're really excited now and have worked out where our furniture, pictures and books will go (and shuddered at how much stuff we really should chuck). Lots of lovely storage we may have, but it shouldn't be taken up with cartons of crap lugged from one hidey-hole to another ... surely? On that note, really will keep you posted.

July 12 check-in (wish we could stay)

On the weekend of July 12, we spent hours and hours going through the house (proud key-holders now) with and without friends and relations. Beautiful mid-winter weather always helps, but as it takes shape, the house does look and feel absolutely fantastic. Latest is the solid amount of board and batten that's gone (and going) up on the exterior - lovely details, a nod to the Arts and Crafts movement, and as a friend said, makes the house look a bit like an Uber Cottage. So friendly and intimate while maintaining its solid, handsome overall appearance. The bits that aren't board and batten are hebel panelling, which will be finished with plaster in a kind of rough and ready way (nothing too spray-perfect-finish) and painted (Double Parchment).

Inside the house we discovered parts of stairways lying on their side ready to be installed, and lots of doors all waiting to be fitted. And outside, we spent a long time pacing around the section with our landscape concept plan - where hedges, shrubs, trees and so on might go when we can get to it (spring for the big, 'backbone' stuff). We're making general decisions about types of plants, but lots may change, and we're highly unlikely to have a lawn down before next autumn (so get used to the paddock).

So, another great visit and two very happy and excited people (us). Further promising news is that we've sold our Chch house (provisionally at this point) and the builders tell us that end of September is their likely finish date. If the planets are aligned, everything should come together at about the right time. As usual, fingers are crossed, but we've got a good feeling about it all.

Mid-winter solstice, and all is very well

On the shortest day of the year (June 21) we went to Woodbury and saw the house in all its glory. Masses has been achieved over the past couple of weeks - we even had to use a key to get inside. Although the front door isn't actually there yet (covered by a piece of plywood at the moment), the rest of the house has its extremely attractive doors and windows and we had to unlock to get in. Keith refused to carry me over the threshold, but there's time yet (front door, I think).

The sun penetration in mid-winter is ideal - all in the right places at the right times, and to my delight, at 4.30pm, just before the sun slid behind Four Peaks, the sun's rays shone through the double doors in the living room right into the fireplace, and if that's not perfection, as the fire is in the centre of the house, and given the time of year, I don't know what is. Very Stonehenge, I thought.

It's wonderful being able to see the assortment of pipes, vents, cables, wires and other bits that are currently in the wall and ceiling recesses pre-gibbing. It's also fantastic to be able to see the ceiling and wall insulation - just amazing - and the house, on a clear but cold day, was pretty warm and snug, considering it's still under construction.

We met Desmond and made decisions about wood finish, exterior colours, door handles, showers, and nearly decided on the ceiling colours, too, but that will come later. Also, very handily, we had just received an initial landscape design concept from Rob Watson, and so were able to pore over outside spaces and suggestions for planting. So, a very good visit.

Next time, updates on the building of the garage/workshop and pictures of the exterior, and, with luck, some inside work and prelim kitchen/bathroom/laundry joinery. Living in hope.

Mid-June progress report

It's Sunday June 15 ... nearly mid-winter and the house is basking in an unseasonal nor-westery glow as a freak patch of warm weather hits between two more usual very cold fronts. The windows are nearly all installed now, and the board bits for the board and batten elements are taking shape around the exterior. Next decisions involve strength and final tint of stain for board and batten - light enough to see some rough wood grain through yet sturdy enough to protect and enhance. The board and batten effect, a nod to the arts and crafts era, is to add design interest and detract from a possible monolithic effect in the finished product. All in all the house is looking very handsome, so when we next get down there (the coming weekend) we should see lots new and many things to comment on (not to mention decisions to make) so progress can continue apace.

The pictures tell the story

Wednesday late May ... I've lost track of the dates but can report lots of essential activity on the house. Fiona took the latest batch of pictures as we've been unable to get down to Woodbury over the past couple of weeks. The walls are being filled in, and apparently there's lots of activity inside as well. Detail, detail. It's Queen's Birthday holiday weekend coming up (June 4) but we're needed in Christchurch as the house here is still on the market and it's more important for us to be here than gadding about down there. Much as we'd like to. All reports tell us that things are going according to plan, so next visit, and updated pix, should be far more interesting than this one. Anyway, it's clear that pictures tell people far more than words, so feast your eyes on the latest and await a visual delight next time.

Thank you, Hoppings and Canadian rellies, for such lovely feedback. Miss you all.

This one's for you, Linda

On the day after the big birthday bash (Dad's 80th, on May 10), Mark and Linda Baxter finally paid us a visit to check on progress since they were last in Woodbury (Christmas time). Yep, there's a house there, all right. Mark was pretty interested in Keith's projected workshop area, while Linda bravely went up the ladder (no stairs yet) inside and helped make sense of all the wonderful space up there. It was a weekend of visitors, just checking it out - others included Cindy Baxter, Fiona, and Patsy. Things are progressing steadily and according to plan, so not much blog story to report, and only one or two pix this time. Expect much more after our next planned visit (a couple of weeks, probably).

The big Monday morning conference

And so it came to pass that on Monday May 5, we all met at the house in Woodbury. Present if not correct were Jane and Keith, Ken and Shane (the boss builders), Desmond (the architect), Toby, Wayne and Barry (all hammering and building busily), and Jamie the electrician. What a great group. To celebrate the roof being nearly finished, we shouted morning tea and left a couple of dozen beers for the boys.

The work is going very well indeed and the house looks amazing. It's a beauty. We had a most productive 'meeting', which lasted about four hours and left us a little dazed, but very satisfied with decisions made so far. Colours, power points, dormer access and window heights were just some of the points covered. And yes, the house is big - whoops, how did that happen? However, it's beautifully proportioned and feels balanced, so we're in no doubt that we won't regret one square metre of it. The pix scarcely do it justice, but they're all we've got right now, so unless or until you can come and see it in person, feast your eyes on the latest.

More after this weekend, as we're going down again to celebrate Dad's 80th birthday (Happy Birthday, Binks) followed by a Mother's Day brunch. She's all go in Wooders.

Dormer view, or my space?

And another eventful weekend has come and gone. We went back to Woodbury on Anzac Day, Friday 25 April, and again, what a difference after just a week or so. The Old Forgery now has an upstairs to explore, and what big bedrooms we've got! Amazing spaces, which needed a lot of quiet attention to detail as we explored the upstairs for the first time. Funny how things on a plan can sometimes look a bit different in reality ... take our bedroom dormer windows. They are seriously large, luxurious alcoves, rather than the smallish window-seat push-outs I'd imagined - more than capable of taking a comfy sofa and table. And another interesting development is the large roof spaces that will be available between the dormers ... large enough for another walk-in wardrobe, it seems, rather than a little attic 'junk' room. So, plans are underway to take advantage of the sheer space available under the roof, with the possibility of access through the bedrooms and more potential storage than we thought. Good stuff.

Half the roof is on, too, and the skylights over the stairwell and single loo look to be doing their job well. Still deciding about access to the loo - from the stair landing, so readily available to all in the house, or a door from our bedroom only, so it becomes a really private privy, just for Keith and me, especially useful when we have guests? Still pondering. With these and other construction issues in mind, we've asked for an on-site meeting with architect and builders asap, so we can make decisions before further interior work makes these options more difficult to actually do.

We had guests this weekend, too, but not, obviously, in the house - friends Kenn and Kayo stayed at Wee Beauly for the night after a holiday weekend jaunt in the district, and joined us for a large, highly successful curry night dinner for 12 at Fi and Steve's house. We were tired but happy as we all visited our Woodbury house the next morning. Lots of developments, plenty to talk and think about, and yes, we were all rather reflective as we said our goodbyes and left for Christchurch on Saturday pm. But Woodbury put on its best autumn clothes for us all, and was looking lovely, as usual, as we walked and explored and talked.

No doubt the roof will be fully on soon. We've had a revised timeline for completion from the builders and it now seems as if the house won't be finished until the end of August, which is a relief in some ways as it takes winter right out of the picture in terms of selling in Christchurch, moving and generally going through the inevitable major upheavals. So, on we go ...

Ahoy there! Up where the air is clear

It's a beautiful autumn evening, April 13, and it's been another absolutely stunning day in Woodbury. All framed up and glowing very sweetly in the sunshine, the house is looking more like a - well, house really - than ever. Now that the upper floor has its shape, and the dormers are holding everything together, the whole project is fast becoming a reality. Interestingly, the size seems to have settled into something more modest and manageable than it appeared earlier without the 'outlining' effect provided by the builders' recent work. And once the roof goes on, I'm sure it will all seem even more nestled and picture perfect.

Pictures from the upper floor are courtesy of Steve, who clambered aloft for a bird's eye view, while I handled the tamer but safer job of shooting from the ground. The fireplace has also begun, and we can now see where the stairs are going. Once again, excellent proportions and can't wait for the next exciting episode.

Going up in the world

Monday April 7 ... and as we can see, the upper floor is well and truly on its way. This photo was taken by Fi on Sunday evening (the weekend of daylight saving changes and the clocks going back). Today is predictably wet and very autumnal, but with luck, the builders will be able to press on regardless and when we go down next weekend, we expect to see even more progress. More pix next time.

The Easter Sunday gang's (nearly) all here

Easter has just come and gone - it was early this year (March) - and brought stunning weather for gatherings, celebrations, chocolate hunts, good times and, of course, building inspections. After a large extended family lunch at Fi and Steve's place just around the corner, about a dozen of us walked, biked and drove down the road on Easter Sunday to check out developments at The Old Forgery.

Beautiful weather helps, of course, but the house is looking fantastic - the supporting RSJs (reinforced steel joists, so Keith informs me) are up and now support the second storey floor joists. Lurking on the garage pad, the flooring panels are just waiting to be laid (no, I can't rephrase that) on said joists. Want to know what a joist is? Great word, but apparently a joist is a joist is a joist and there's no substitute.

So the great frame-up continues ... this week, the upper floor should start to take shape, and it probably won't be long until the complete house outline becomes evident. We can also see evidence of where the log-burner is going, and how the downstairs rooms really work for size and proportion. Once again, thank you Desmond and builders for turning dreams into reality.

This Easter will be remembered for our visitors and guests as well: Mark and Cathy, Keith's brother and sister-in-law, from Canada; Harry and Gay, Steve's parents; Greta and Skye-the-wonder-dog, from Waihi Gorge; Chris and Vanessa, from over-the-road; as well as our usual family regulars - Patsy, Fi, Steve, Jasper and Claudia.

The walls are up downstairs

And so we come to the really good bit - walking through the downstairs, admiring the framework and seeing how beautiful and spacious the rooms really are. Terrific spaces and all with the right aspects - I'm mentally arranging furniture as I go.

It's Saturday March 15 and we've just returned from a great 2-day visit to Woodbury where we met the builders and admired their handiwork. Accompanied by Keith's brother and sister-in-law from Canada, Mark and Cathy, we gave the house its detailed tour of inspection and it came up trumps. Ken and Shane, the boss builders, were very welcoming to the tour party, and Wayne and Toby, busy nailing away in the clear morning air, were equally nice to their unexpected visitors. Thanks, guys, to all of you.

Again, the pictures speak for themselves - suffice it to say that we have good solid structure in place and are delighted with the way the house is literally shaping up. We're more-or-less on track timewise and it seems as if the roof-raising party will be some time in April. Not long now.

All framed up and somewhere to go

Oh. My. God. I'm so excited I can hardly believe it - before I became an 'interested party', ie, a house-builder, I never understood how damn exciting it is to see the growth of a project, in this case, the 'dream house'. Other people's homes, perhaps like other people's babies, are wondrous to the interested parties but less than enthralling to outsiders, no matter how close in family or friend terms. Therefore I completely understand if you are only mildly interested in how the house is going, but for me, and Keith, it's enthralling. Every day brings an advance, a new view, a mini-miracle. Yes, I know it's not fair to compare it with the development of a baby, but for us, it's watching a cherished dream unfold. Therefore, take a look at the latest pictures. They speak for themselves.

It's Saturday, March 8, and kind Fiona sent us the pictorial update of Woodbury progress (and kind Belinda lent her the camera). I think the views and general progress speak for themselves, so check out the latest. We are going down to Woodbury next Thursday with Canadian rellies Mark and Cathy, over here on a long-awaited visit, to see for ourselves, and meet the master builder himself for a bit of a chat. More pictures then, no doubt. For now, enjoy the lovely pix and sorry they're so - well - thumbnail...

Shall we dance?

And now we have a verandah - or the makings of one or two. It's Tuesday, February 26, and more concrete has been poured. As well as the verandah spaces, the garage/workshop floor is also in place now and the weather is behaving beautifully for us. Of course, the country in general could do with a little more rain (farmers, and hydro lakes for winter power production, are desperate for a decent shower or two), but the current settled late summer weather certainly suits house-building.

What's next? Very likely the walls will start going up in a day or so, and then it really will start to look like a house rather than a skating rink or giant dance floor. And we're still crossing our fingers for a roof-raising party some time in March. Will keep you posted.

Our number's come up

Friday, February 15 ... and today, our number arrived in the mail from the Timaru District Council. Seems like a big number for such a small village, but there you are. More interestingly, the bright blue number plate with its 3-figure number arrived with a 2-page document on how to attach it, not so much for the mailman but, more importantly, for emergency services in the (fingers crossed) non-event of a-situation-that-dare-not-speak-its-name.

We are becoming more and more official. Also received colour swatches in the mail from Desmond, our architect, to finalise roof, spouting and window frame colours. Definitely being swayed to Greyfriars for the roof (a very deep grey/blue) but still havering over complementary shades for spouting and frames. As Desmond says, the colours won't actually 'meet' but they do need to like each other. Fortunately, we're all (we three) of similar mind, so don't foresee any trouble there. And it's been raining extremely heavily in the district, which is probably good news for us and the concrete, as things will set properly. More pix and news later.

A solid start ... says Daddy

Wow - look at our new roller-skating rink! It's Wednesday, a week since our last visit, and we obviously have smooth concrete flooring to play with. Thanks to B and B, yet another duo of village spies, we have pictures taken this evening to show progress, and in spite of slight drizzle during the week, it's clear that the builders have managed to smooth and pour the flooring. Mrs B took the pictures at 6.30 this evening (Feb 13) and we can see roughly where shadows etc are in high summer. Luckily she left Jack the indefatigable beagle at home, otherwise we might have seen tiny doggy footprints throughout which, call me paranoid, might have upset the builders.

The house swings from looking tiny to huge, thanks to the difference a drop of concrete makes. Other news from this week: the builders have asked us to think about roof, spouting and window frame colour choices, which isn't a problem as we made general decisions about these things last year. Awaiting confirmation are the following: roof and spouting in a deep blue/slate grey colour called greyfriars, and windows some version of white/cream. When we see the colour swatches, we'll confirm these choices.

Yes, it's exciting, and thanks to those of you who have posted comments on recent blogs. My favourite so far is from aj, who noticed that Keith and I looked like happy Chinese lions either side of the front door, wishing good luck into the house. Indeed we do ... and if you believe in feng shui, I suspect we've got doors, general approaches and other good luck design features working our way. Pure luck ... so far we've gone with whatever feels, or looks, right. But we'll take all the good luck we can garner.

Thank you, Dad, for your appropriate summary of the week's work: A solid foundation, indeed. Just keep that skateboard tucked away until they say you can go out to play again. And thank you both, B and B, for such a good update.

The Old Forgery ... bottoms up

It's Waitangi Day, and another absolute stunner. Down to Woodbury we went to view the builders' work, and hey, presto ... There it is, the house and garage/workshop all neatly laid out, concrete blocks in place for foundations, and the concrete ready to pour. It is so exciting actually seeing the dream house starting to take shape, and yes, it is in the right position on site.

Accompanied by various friends and relations throughout the day, we walked through the front door and down the small hall into the living room. Here, we gesticulated wildly, are the double doors to the verandah, and over here, right in the middle of the house, is where the fire will be. And now, ladies and gents, if you'll just turn to the left, you can go through the other double doors to the afternoon entertainment area - imagine the shade tree, the garden and the brick pizza oven (thank you Jamie Oliver). And finally, yes, when we get our planting/garden plan together, there will be a lot of lawn to mow. Next serious phase, the landscape 'concept' plan. Nothing too 'gardeny', a largely pastoral outlook interspersed with trees, shrubs and hedges, although the odd rhododendron, spring bulb area and fruit tree will be incorporated.

No question that we are thrilled with progress so far. The house, which we have lived with and walked through in our heads for a couple of years, is becoming a reality, and we're all on target. Thank you, builders and architect.

Why The Old Forgery? The paddock we're building on used to be part of a forge or blacksmith/farrier in the early Woodbury days (a good 100 years ago, we believe), and we keep turning up huge old horse shoes on the site. The builders have clearly been having the same good luck, as part of the fill material is littered with old iron mongery - horse shoes (the size tells us they must have been Clydesdales, surely), files and other iron oddments. We have been taking these finds as symbols of good luck, and some months ago, began calling the house The Old Forgery as a joke name. Like most stories of this sort, it has taken on a life of its own and although I'm doing my utmost to keep it as a pet name, I have a feelings it may really 'stick'. Technically, our address will be a clutch of numbers (yet to be revealed by the Post Office) Woodbury Road, but I have no doubt that any mail directed to The Old Forgery in years to come, will find its way to us.

A lovely day, the first mundane decision made (type of downstairs loo to approve as basic plumbing and drainage is next on the list, apparently - who knew? but OK) and as we said farewell, surrounded by the summer country sounds of the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees, we were certain that the moon up above, would usher in a thing called love. For sure. (Cue Dean Martin sound track if you can.)

PS: Happy birthday, Mum - a lovely family lunch in Geraldine. Many more to come.

Power to the people

It's Wednesday afternoon, the 30th of January, and today we have lift-off. This is the week of first action, and indeed, people have been busy. My village spies tell me that men have been spotted on site putting new, bigger pegs on site marking out the final house boundaries, and we now have clear corners and demarcation lines. On top of this, the diggers were busy out there this morning, playing around with the temporary power box and cable lines, and now the electrician has rung to get us to authorise a temporary builder's connection with our regular power company so electricity will be ready on site for the builders. Everything is expected to come together for Monday. Sorted.

It's hard being at work in Christchurch while these first exciting steps are being taken - the Woodbury site is an hour and a half away by car - but with any luck we'll be able to visit on Wednesday next week, which is Waitangi Day and so a national holiday. All going well, we'll zoom down for a look on Wednesday and see progress for ourselves. Can't wait. The weather is playing its part as well - the lovely settled warm weather is holding, and we can't ask for more than that. I just hope north is still where we left it.

cherry picking

Everything comes to a natural end, even trees ... And so it came to pass that the old, hollow, half-fallen and not very mighty cherry tree came to earth. The Woodbury site was empty when we bought it, except for a tatty old cherry tree that many a storm had damaged and several nor-westers had almost brought to its knees. But not quite. And therein lay the problem: could the tree be saved, and incorporated into the plans? Finally, no - it would have ended up in the middle of our living room and wasn't, when it came to it, entirely save-worthy. So down it came (a year ago, actually) but it will live on, as Keith is keen to turn the wood into a table, or little desk, or whatnot at the top of the stairs ... or something decorative, at any rate.

This has caused a dear friend of ours some concern - Kenn, who has asked plaintively about the fate of the tree (without having actually seen it) for the past year, is convinced we are philistines. Kenn, take heart: when you come to stay, you can lay your copy of 'Bonsai for Beginners' on a cherry wood bedside table, or stroke the cherry wood whatnot at the top of the stairs. And if you don't like that, there's a packing case with your name on it. The photo says it all - wood for the turning, not burning. So let's hear it for recycling in this most positive manner. And yes, we'll take you up on your offer of a new tree, planted by you (but where we say) when the section's ready for new life. Positive comments welcomed but not required.

Don't fence me in

Well, we did it, on the hottest day of the year so far. Yesterday, Saturday, was an absolute scorcher; bakingly, blisteringly hot and the back of my neck is scarlet. But what a success it was, too - we met Desmond, the architect, at 11am in the paddock that will soon be house and home, and all set to work with pegs, string, hammers and much consulting of plans. Helpful new neighbours arrived with cold juice and welcoming words - a kind of unofficial house-warming.

Watched by sheep panting in the shade by the water tank, we ran strings around posts, pushed out verandahs, quibbled about half a metre here and there, particularly when it came to garage/workshop and boundary fence, but finally, it's done: the house has been re-sited to everyone's satisfaction. It looks much more 'at home' in the paddock, and is making the most of sun and views. The weather highlighted just how important the verandahs will be, though - when it's as hot as yesterday, 35degC, in the dry, clear, baking South Canterbury summer, we'll be desperate for shade and cool, airy spaces.

Lunch and several cold beers later, we reviewed the next step: Some time during the week starting the 21st, the builders are scheduled to arrive on site and, they promise, stay there until the job is done. So they will no doubt peg the house out again properly, do some digging, get us all to take another look and give the official thumbs-up, and away we go.

Any takers on our having the roof up and a roof-raising party in March?

It's just a step to the left

Tomorrow or the next day, we're off to Woodbury again to meet the architect and high-step through the long grass and tame sheep currently in residence to fiddle about with the pegs and string lines. It's mid-summer and the weather is glorious, so most house sitings seem possible. But - we'll have to' stand' in our double doors leading to the long verandah and, no doubt, shade our eyes as we all imagine where the sun will be precisely at noon in mid-winter.

Even more importantly, I'll need to stand at the kitchen window and see just how much setting sun is going to drive me crazy on summer evenings. Yes, it's a kind of westerly aspect kitchen, part of a long wing incorporating large farm dining table, pantry and laundry, and all you morning sun/easterly kitchen fans can keep it zipped. There's a big verandah off that part of the house, too, so between siting and clever planting, I shouldn't have to find myself peeling the spuds while fighting off sunstrike. And if the worst happens, aren't there such things as pretty blinds these days?

All part of the joy, and as the architect, Desmond, is currently working on a selection of site maps showing a variety of house positions in relation to sun, shadow, and shade, I remain optimistic that between us we will get it right. Have I mentioned that this vast enterprise is taking place on a mere 1246 sq. metres? It's hardly a lifestyle block - not an emu or artichoke in sight - but just big enough to really enjoy planting out and playing around with. Compared with other sections, ours looks like a nail paring hanging onto the edge of a vast finger paddock. Pictures next time to document a series of befores and afters.

About the solar: we're going with Azzuro solar cylinders, compact tubes NZ govt approved, German design, apparently highly efficient and ideal for local conditions. Well, they would say that, wouldn't they, but after a lot of research, we're happy at this point. We'll need about 18, two lots of nine on northerly aspects of dormer windows close to the large hot water cylinder. Not cheap, at around $10,000 for system and water cylinder, but it seems crazy not to these days, especially as hot water heating is estimated to take up about a third of your electricity bill, power is a current issue (pardon the pun) and the cylinders are wet-back compliant. Come winter, reduced sun, the fire will come into its own.

Yes, of course we're having a log burner - an Environment Canterbury approved modern one with virtually zero particle emissions, so we are trying to be ecologically sound and sensible. Also, as the name Woodbury might suggest, there is no shortage of sustainable firewood. The fact that the log burner glories in the name Lady Kitchener is neither here nor there ... where do they get these names? The same place they name cars?

On the green theme, we're also planning to install a modern septic tank system called Biolytix, which apparently involves worms and recycles your grey waste water back to irrigate the land, all except the vegetable garden (something to do with sewage, I haven't asked too closely).

I am currently trying to fend off "What if we had a windmill?" hypotheticals from Keith, as I'm having enough trouble fitting house, garage, workshop, water tank and other essentials on site as it is. Maybe the section's too small - maybe we should buy another, larger section! That would solve a few problems but no, wait ... let's just not get a windmill. Sometimes the obvious is the answer.

Put another peg in the ground ...

Who else spends Boxing Day standing in a muddy paddock, new compass in hand, arguing about true north? That's where we ended up after a fractious Christmas Day involving over-excited men, GoogleEarth and a multitude of opinions about exactly where the sun would be at any given time of the day. It turns out that north is about 20 degrees off, anyway, thanks to a strange difference between magnetic and true, so after much stamping around, we finally agreed on a new, ideal site for our new house. I want the view, he wants solar maximisation, and neither of us liked where the pegs had it sited.

Ah, siting. Before you can say the builders will be here next week, make sure you agree exactly where the house will sit. We're at the end of a long stage one in this project (2 years of design, change, compromise and budget blow-outs) and now it begins.

This is the year of the house, when we finally make the move from small but charming Christchurch cottage to larger, eco-friendly house in the country, the beautiful little village of Woodbury in South Canterbury, to be exact. New house, new stage of life, lots of plans.

This blog is my regular diary to record the pleasures and pitfalls ahead as we head south - downsizing in a way, but plenty of ideas for expanding our horizons, too, both literally and figuratively. This week we meet the architect on site and re-site, so lots of pegs and stringlines ahead. And the builders say they're starting on the 21st ... hhmmm.

Of course, there's a lot of back story to all this, some of which will emerge in the weeks ahead. How hard can it be for a middle-aged couple, no kids, strong views, GSOH, social drinkers, to realise their dreams?