Driveway

Here's an updated shot of the driveway - we were lucky in that we can have a 5 metre wide cross over, so the driveway is straight and wide.

Don't get us started about being ripped off by the guy who did the excavation... all we can say is make sure that if the concreter tells you how much the excavation will be, that you check it with the guy who does the work before he starts.

The colour turned out nice - we are very happy with it (just as well eh?).

The rest of the front yard still needs work (obviously). At least we have some nice flowers to start the landscaping. Note the decking under construction at the front of the house. Another update coming soon!

..and later the same day

Job has been completed. The colour will lighten up once it sets. The whole thing was down about half an hour before a magpie crapped on it. Someone around here feeds the maggies bread every day, and there are usually about 20 hanging around. Most annoying!

Fine weather

The promise of fine weather brings out all sorts of early morning people...

One bite at a time

Question: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time.

After moving into a new place it pays to keep the answer in mind, otherwise you will turn into a blubbering mess with the sheer volume of work that needs to be done.

Sure, you can get someone in to do everything, but we certainly don't have that sort of money, so most of it will be done ourselves. We can always console ourselves that there's a certain amount of satisfaction involved in doing the work yourself, and one example is the flooring. The end result is worth it.

Speaking of flooring, here's another picture of how the painted tri-quad looks once it's nailed in place.

Nail holes still need to be filled, as well as the gaps between the quad and skirting

The driveway has progressed, but very slowly. Concreters are juggling multiple jobs due to the weather. We have been told that the rest of the driveway goes down tomorrow (Saturday). The kerb is in (here's a nifty link as to why it's "Kerb" and not "Curb")

Kerb is in. Waiting... (make finger tapping noises here)

Set out, but still waiting.

Some people have asked for some kitchen pictures, so at great expense to the management, here are some pics!

A kitchen which is not in a display home!

More tri-quad needed here. it will be stained here, not painted.

There's a story here - the basket and board came from a house we lived in a while back, and they fit perfectly!

Finally, there's been some work on the LexCom home network. For those that don't know (and assuming you care) the LexCom allows video, data or phone to be distributed anywhere in the house. It's like a Clipsal Star Serve system, only better :-)

Anyhow - there's a separate blog which talks about the network. Click here to visit the LexCom Home network blog. Yep. Spot the nerd.

Picture update

Ok - here it is. I now have wireless and ADSL working in the new home along with some of the LexCom Home Network components (I'll update the LexCom blog soon).

This post is to share a few picture with you that we have been asked for. Since the last batch of photos we have finished the flooring (with the exception of the quads to cover the edges), had the sparky do some work inside the house, and move lots and lots of boxes.

The electrician we used is Dave Hulstone, and we highly recommend his work if you are in the Geelong area. Dave doesn't know how to do a second rate job, and his phone number will be added to the list of "People we like".

Looking from the family room towards the front door

Looking at the laundry door. This area was the most difficult in the whole place, as the cutting was very fiddly

This picture shows the tri-quad which had been painted and installed in the fridge space. The nail holes are yet to be filled.

Dave installed the stair lights for us, and they look great. I'll try and get a night picture soon.

Dave also installed the fan for us in the bedroom. Looks like a real home now!

The central heating and cooling is all working now. The guy from Executive Heating and Cooling arrived at 8:10am yesterday and had the job done by 9 (including coffee). Great service!

Today our driveway has been hacked by the bobcat, ready for the concrete. It's planned for the weekend. Concreters are really busy at the moment (especially with the rain we have had) so if you need one, plan well in advance - speaking from experience!

We are living with the sheets and redi-shades on the windows, and have obtained some quotes for blinds and curtains.

Keeping busy!

No handover as yet, however one of the major outstanding items has now been completed - the tiling! The balcony has now been tiled and grouted, and the splashback in the pantry has been finished. Oustanding items are the stairs to be re-coated, and the flaky paint in the al-fresco ceiling to be sorted out.

Pantry splashback

Balcony tiles

Balcony again

Tiler also patched up some of the grout in the ensuite

We are not letting the time go to waste as we wait for handover - today was spent working on the retaining wall. Ohhh - my aching back....

Sleepers delivered. 200mm x 75mm x 2.4m (in "treated pine" colour for the girls)

The uprights were concreted in over a week ago. Got a fair bit done today...

Council has approved our 5m driveway, which means that the driveway can come straight down without narrowing too much. You can make out the marks where the kerb will be cut.

A closer look at the markings