This and that!
Everyone I talk to is tired of the heat and lack of rain here in Australia and when leaving Sydney on Friday, I was struck by a feeling of anticipation. The sky was dark, people were looking up at the sky and there was hope in the air! The weather world-wide is extraordinary at the moment. People in the UK must be desperate to see the end of the rain and those in most parts of the US must be desperate to get rid of the snow!
The car was loaded with bolts of fabric and light-fittings as we drove off to another site meeting in Bowral after which we would head on down to the South Coast for a weekend at the beach.
The site meeting saw us tramping through painters drop-sheets, avoiding wet paint, stepping gingerly over just-laid tiles and making yet more decisions and yes - a couple of last minute changes. We decided NOT to wallpaper the ceiling in Bedroom 4 and decided TO wallpaper Bedroom 3. Light fittings were laid out in each room and a new list was drawn up of those we still need. We watched the joinery for the living room fireplace being installed and stood outside waving our arms around deciding where the garden beds in the front garden should be.
Our friends left this morning and I have pottered around doing washing, 'house-stuff' and gathering everything together for an early start tomorrow. It will be our last site-meeting tomorrow as we (the whole family - including the little girls) are going on a holiday - skiing, Cape Town and Singita (safari). This holiday (to celebrate Mr R-I's 70th birthday) was planned a year ago when we all thought the house would be finished. Obviously it is not ideal now but I put my trust in the power of emails/photos as the final finishing happens while we are away. Sadly, I won't be here as the kitchen goes in!! The builder has promised that we will be able to move in after we arrive home... on 17 March. Hopefully, the garden hard-landscaping will be done and all that will remain will be the planting.
Everyone I talk to is tired of the heat and lack of rain here in Australia and when leaving Sydney on Friday, I was struck by a feeling of anticipation. The sky was dark, people were looking up at the sky and there was hope in the air! The weather world-wide is extraordinary at the moment. People in the UK must be desperate to see the end of the rain and those in most parts of the US must be desperate to get rid of the snow!
The car was loaded with bolts of fabric and light-fittings as we drove off to another site meeting in Bowral after which we would head on down to the South Coast for a weekend at the beach.
The site meeting saw us tramping through painters drop-sheets, avoiding wet paint, stepping gingerly over just-laid tiles and making yet more decisions and yes - a couple of last minute changes. We decided NOT to wallpaper the ceiling in Bedroom 4 and decided TO wallpaper Bedroom 3. Light fittings were laid out in each room and a new list was drawn up of those we still need. We watched the joinery for the living room fireplace being installed and stood outside waving our arms around deciding where the garden beds in the front garden should be.
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| Mud room |
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| The study - joinery gets installed late this week |
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| The potting shed |
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| This is a picture of the potting bench I would love next to the potting shed. |
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| Entry hall |
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| Courtyard off the veranda - that's a huge Ginko Biloba in the background |
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| Looking through to Bed 2 from Bedroom 1 |
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| The front door |
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| Corbett Gardens - Bowral |
After lunch in Bowral, we drove down to Mollymook for the weekend. Friends were joining us on Saturday and I was looking forward to some down-time. It was a relief arriving at the beach and the garden was looking great despite the lack of rain..
It did start raining the next morning though...bliss!
The weekend was restful and I enjoyed cooking some lovely meals. The Salmon Kedgeree (Nigella's recipe) was absolutely delicious and is definitely going to become a family favourite. We had roast lamb for dinner on Saturday night, roast organic chickens for Sunday lunch and toasted chicken sandwiches for supper!
Our friends left this morning and I have pottered around doing washing, 'house-stuff' and gathering everything together for an early start tomorrow. It will be our last site-meeting tomorrow as we (the whole family - including the little girls) are going on a holiday - skiing, Cape Town and Singita (safari). This holiday (to celebrate Mr R-I's 70th birthday) was planned a year ago when we all thought the house would be finished. Obviously it is not ideal now but I put my trust in the power of emails/photos as the final finishing happens while we are away. Sadly, I won't be here as the kitchen goes in!! The builder has promised that we will be able to move in after we arrive home... on 17 March. Hopefully, the garden hard-landscaping will be done and all that will remain will be the planting.
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| The study light fitting still wearing it's 'shower cap'! |
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| Penny gets so bored at these meetings |
I am loving all your light fixtures! Me CSW had to drive one of ours in the front seat everywhere too as those are terrible in the back of a van. How exciting that you have practically built a new house in the same time I have built an extra floor!!! It is looking superb and your garden looks like it is going to be stunning - you are a dab hand at garden design Jenny. I think you should set up a business doing them in fact xx PS Have a great time in SA and best wishes to Mr R-I - the house will get sorted either way!
ReplyDeleteThanks N-a-o-m-i!!!.... The one tied in with the seat-belt is probably going into the potting shed. Yes.. I have faith in the builders - who by the way if anyone's interested ... the BEST builders in the world!!!... how's that for a statement! They are just superb!... each and every one on site takes such pride in what he does... amazing! Thanks for the holiday wishes... should be a lot of fun... especially with three little girls under the age of three!! xxx
DeleteIt looks amazing! I will be in ct too in march. Would love to see you both and the adorable little girls!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a happy coincidence Denny! See you then!
DeleteLovely post, and the progress on the house in one week is noticeable...... Good luck with the last stage!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Mr R-I, and hope you all have a wonderful holiday. In a way, you're lucky to escape the final weeks of chaos on site...fingers crossed it's ready for your move in on your return, and that it all looks superb.
ReplyDeleteI love all your choices - the house is looking amazing. That pineapple light fitting is gorgeous! What a glam potting shed you're going to have, and you're so lucky to have a ginko in the back garden. I was thinking about putting in one to ours as we have a few feature trees to plant. Can't wait to see more... and I'm so sad it's going to be a month, at the least, before we do! Safe travels xx
Thanks Heidi!... The Ginko is such a wonderful tree... They are slow growers though and we feel blessed to have this one... I'm very nervous about leaving things here though! xx
DeleteI have potting shed envy. All looking gorgeous at Bowral. Raining here at last! The garden says thank you. Its been hard keeping it looking as lovely as it did for the wedding. Safe and happy holidays and birthday wishes to Mr. RI. - Tonkath
ReplyDeleteI've been dying to know how it all went with the wedding ... You must have been thrilled with all your hard work! Gardening is so hard when there's a drought... I just hate dragging hoses around... they get tangled, the fittings burst off!!! xx
DeleteI've emailed you a couple of photos Jenny. It was divine!
DeleteTonkath
Hate hose tangles and rolling up when finished with them!! And the fittings bursting off. Such poor quality these days Tonkath
DeleteIt looks like it's all coming together so well and I love your choice of colour for the mud room and your light fittings too. I smiled when I read rain and bliss in the same sentence although I know what you mean having lived in warmer climes! I'm looking forward to saying the sun ...bliss, soon I hope! Happy Birthday to Mr R-I and Bon Voyage - sounds like a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
Thank You! I am planning a garden trip to the UK at the end of May - to include the Chelsea Flower Show!... I was considering cancelling but after talking to people here and there ... I think we'll go ahead anyway! Hope you are all starting to dry out now? Thanks for good wishes xx
DeleteThe house is looking rather sharp! Can't wait to see the finished product. It's great that you've moved into this one. It should be a new home life and experience for you guys, and hopefully the one you settle down for good.
ReplyDeleteVancouver Canada Homes
The house looks amazing! Would you be able to share the details on where you got the lantern for the entry hall as well as study light they are both just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Sara
Thank you SJ ... Both lights were purchased from Light-Up in Willoughby, Sydney.
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ReplyDeleteI looks like you are absolutely going to love this house. I am insanely in love with the backyard and the back of the house in general. It looks like you also had a blast at the beach. We are planning on a trip down there soon but it just about getting the days off work to make it count.
ReplyDeleteJulia Stewart @ Daytona Buyers Agent