29th October

I spent yesterday battling the traffic to Cardiff to choose floorboards at Marshall's. There was a distinct atmosphere of gloom about the place as old Mr Marshall had died the previous day and floral tributes abounded. I felt quite frivolous concerning myself with the attributes of ironbark vs blackbutt and trying to remember old forest varieties so as not to support "immoral" industrial practises. I eventually settled on blue gum which is, ironically, red in colour.

I also spent hours at Roverts, choosing light fittings. I was completely out of my depth in the wattage department (too many numbers) but finally decided on a simple industrial style. The lights will be so unobtrusive that they will not be noticed which made me wonder why I had spent so much deciding on them! The problem had been providing light for such a large area so it came down to continuous fluros  for downstairs and led downlights for upstairs. And of course, Kristina K reduced the solar energy subsidy yesterday so we will have a re-think about our panel and hot water roof installations. I imagine we will still go ahead with it - as a matter of principle.

We watched Grand Designs Australia last night. A young couple built a very small and tall house in Surrey Hills. Apart from the fact that their budget blew out by about $400,000 (that won't be us!),  we had a few laughs at similarities to our build; the large kitchen bench, downgrading on taps to afford the tree on the roof garden, black frames on windows and doors and internal sliding room dividers. We are just such trend-setters - or perhaps that's trend-followers! I am sure they were all my ideas!

The parking problem continues. The official Works Zone signs have been in place for a couple of weeks and still people continue to park in the spots much to the ire of Steve and Greg. A hapless tourist mini-bus, whose occupants were off having a nice coffee, was caught there by Steve yesterday. As he pulled out his mobile to phone through the rego to the rangers, a burly driver ran up, explaining that they were the Federal Police on a trip from W.A. -  where Federal Police can park where they like. Undeterred, an inflamed Steve told him that he didn't care who they were and what they can do over the other side of the country, that he has paid thousands of dollars for that park and that they should get back on their bus etc. etc..(in builders' language of course.)  Off they went...!  Warning: Steve can be pretty scarry - rabid bulldog - if you park in his work zones!