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 two of us at home pre fund-raiser kitchen walk for kindy
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Thursday, 27 November 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
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.
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.
Monday, 10 November 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, 2 October 2008
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.
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.
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