The Model becomes Reality

Our house is really starting to take shape, quite literally! Compare this photo with the one at the top of the blog page: Here you can see the how the curves on the front balconies and the terrace are starting to look like those on the model:

This photo shows how the new house is sitting on the block in relation to the old boatshed:

Inside, the scaffolding that was holding up the second floor has now been removed, and we can finally see the size of our open living area: Jacob coming out of the pantry behind where the kitchen will be:

Looking back towards the family room: Upstairs, the roofing has started going on; and the block piers to hold up the Garage have been built. To the right, you can see the formwork in place for the internal stairs up from the Entry Foyer to the Garage. Apologies for the gap between posts; our 12 month lease for our rental has now expired and we have had to move house to a smaller, but lovely, place in Sutherland.

We are also well overdue for a holiday after moving again, so will be off to the snow next week. Watch this space!

Brick walls completed and roof battens going on

This week the builders started on the Laundry, which is on the South Western corner of the Bedroom level, and underneath the Garage.

Here you can see Paul Healy, just back from a knee reconstruction operation, on the roof installing the battens for the roof sheeting.

Big Mark standing in the entry foyer area with the study window to the right.

We got to check out our new Laundry for the first time.

The slot you can see on top of the nearest brick wall is for a beam to support the garage above.

Still lots of rain this week, and much of the site is slippery and muddy, but at least the boys continue to make progress!

Roof Framing

Moving forward, the bearers for the roof started to get installed this week.

You can see the hole in the Laundry slab here for the dumb waiter.

Master Bedroom

 

Kid's Balcony

 

Looking from Walk-In-Robe towards Ensuite

 

Bedroom 2

 

Bedroom 3

Scaffolding also went up so the brickies' could finish the exterior walls on the upper level. Unfortunately it looks like a wet week ahead, so progress will slow.

Frames go up

After the slab pouring on Monday, the formwork came off on Tuedsay and the builders started preparing to build the frames for the upstairs rooms. We were amazed to see most of the frames for the upstairs walls completed by the end of the week (24th May), especially given all the angles - not many 90 degree corners here! The bedrooms are taking shape... And we could admire our new balconies. Downstairs was taking shape too! with the detailed curve in the brickwork at the bottom of the stairs, and our "open" column at the end of the Kitchen Bench.

Upstairs Slab gets poured

Today the concrete was poured on the slab for the middle level 

(Front Door / Office / Bedrooms / Bathrooms & Laundry):

One more truck to go...

Finished!

The thickest section is the main house; Front Door is at the right.

the lower section in the foreground is the capping over the excavation,

forming the 'secret' alleyway behind the dumb-waiter & pantry.

The house is starting to take shape.

Look up from the old boatshed.

The stairs down to the Living level.

The timberwork for the frame on the upper floor should start later this week, then it will really start to look more like our house!

Second Level begins

Last week, the Scaffold started going in to support the formwork (7 May)

This week the Bondek and formwork are almost completed.

Master bedroom and balcony are to be on the right.

The outline of the ensuite is shown in orange paint. The Front Door will be in the foreground with the office to the right.

Here the outline of the Main Bathroom and the stairwell down to the Kitchen can be clearly seen.

Lower Ground Floor completed

The Living room level has now been constructed. Here you can see the open space on the front for the Lounge and Kitchen with the pantry under the stairs. Closest is the store room behind the dumb waiter.

Lounge Room wall, with Terrace out front

Kitchen, with Fridge space on left and doorway to Pantry in Centre

Looking across Family Room, with stairs on left and WC at the back

The "Secret" alleyway behind the pantry

Anzac Day long weekend - SNOW!

On the Anzac Day long weekend, we made a quick trip down to the Snowy Mountains. Unfortunately for Jess she had to stay behind with Work Commitments, so we took Kate's workmate Jane instead. We headed off after work on Thursday afternoon, laughing to "Vicar of Dibley" DVDs on the way, and arrived at Jindabyne around 11pm. Then we got up early on Friday morning to attend the Dawn Service by the lake at Jindabyne.

It is always mystical as the local stockmen appear on their horses.

After Breakfast, we headed up the hill to look at the main range... Mount Kosciuszko looking bare without snow And played around on the chairlift at Charlotte's Pass. Back at Perisher, we got the best parking spot - right outside the Pub! Sadly it was closed.

On Saturday, we did some shopping to top up our food box in the Perisher lodge (with more grog than food!). When we got back up to Perisher, it started snowing: Within 10 minutes, the car was covered with big fluffy flakes. It amazing how quickly the scenery changes - in April! Then we headed to Thredbo, to look for a ski jacket for Jake. On the way, we called into Bullocks Flat, and did a short walk to Bullocks Hut. Nearby, we found an old steam engine, which was very similar to one we saw last month on Norfolk Island, on Anson Bay Road near Jacob's Rock. Both were previously used for logging activities and are now derelict. Bullocks Flat NSW Norfolk Island March 2008

On the way back to Jindabyne, we called into the new Schnapps Distillery for a tasting...

and admired the sculptures on the lawn. On the Sunday, we visited the Yarrangobilly Caves at the Northern end of Kosciuszko National Park. We did the self-guided tour through the Glory Cave, which was sensational. It was even more amazing to have the entire cave to ourselves! On the way out, it started to snow again, this time the flakes were even bigger and fluffier, some almost the size of golf balls! We had to get out of the car to take some more photos; the fresh dry snow in the Australian Bush just looks so unique. On the Snowy Mountains Highway down to Adaminaby, the road became quite treacherous. The contrast with the red earth was beautiful. We came across Delany's Hut, which had recently been rebuilt after the 2003 fires. Hope you enjoy the photos...