27th November

So much has happened within a couple of days.

Firstly, on Friday the kitchen arrived. I suspect that it was taking up too much room in the joinery workshop. It seems incredibly large stacked all higgeldy-piggeldy in the lounge room at Hunter St. but when it is assembled properly it will be fine. There was some confusion with  the carriers from Samford (Winnings) who were delivering the new cooktop and taking back the "wrong" one. They were supposed to be out at Wallsend at the factory but turned up in town. Several phone calls between Carol, myself, Bob and the carrier ensued and all was sorted in the end. Simultaneously, I had discussions with Paul, the Stocktonian who is restoring several pieces of furniture, (you should see the piano stool!), phone conversations with Luke from Kingston Property and at the time my first ever eBay auctions were closing. Jacqueline had told me that you should watch the last bids because that's when everyone starts bidding - and she is right. All up I sold a couch and the Australian and National Geographics for $150! One man is travelling up from Mosman to collect the mags. I couldn't believe it. I only put $10 on each item, thinking I would get that amount. So, I think I am hooked on eBay. It's hilarious. It was a pretty hectic couple of hours though.



The kitchen has arrived in pieces

 But why was I talking to Luke from Kingston? Guess what! The AMP owners have taken action. Owing to "the urgency of the situation", which they now recognise, (apres last solicitor's letter) their engineer will check out the strength of our roof and the erection of aluminium scaffolding of THEIR wall will start very soon. It seems that they are not confident that the temporary solution will work and they have decided to replace the complete metal section asap. It may take a couple of weeks but, for us, that is terrific. Just hope it doesn't rain and that our roof is strong enough to hold their scaffold.

This is a close up of the metal covering of the light well which will now be replaced in its entirety. Some of the rusty bits are visible. The scaffolding will sit on our roof and will only cover the width of the metal.

And speaking of scaffolding...as one does...today the back of our place was scaffolded. It had to be done on a Saturday when the car park was relatively empty. This means that next week the back windows can be modified by the brick layers and some bits and pieces of plumbing and  electrical can be finished. Lester and I were over there nice and early and watched work begin at 7 a.m. It has been encased in dustproof material and wire and is, hopefully, secure.





This is a close-up of the side wall of our top storey. It has an interesting spike attached to it. There is also some graffiti which has been there many years.

Today, we paid our first instalment to Steve. It didn't feel all that bad. In fact, there was something quite satisfying about it. (Did I really say that??) Starting to pay for it makes it really real!

This afternoon we had out first rental inspection back in Stockton. I am exaggerating. It wasn't like that at all. Our landlords came up from Sydney to meet us. We talked and talked and could have kept talking for days. We share interests in many things, not the least of which is the restoration of old buildings. It was a thoroughly pleasant afternoon and I am sure we will remain friends when they move up here. After all, we will be living less that one kilometre away from them, as the crow flies (swims?)

It has become apparent that two houses opposite us, in Stockton, are for sale. Our good neighbours are auctioning their house to move down the coast and the little rental property on the corner is for sale accompanied by a DA for a two storey house. If this goes ahead then the harbour view will be diminished which would be a shame and I am glad that I won't have to live through that. We learnt the "no-one owns the view" lesson when we lived up in Tyrrell St.

This is the view I currently enjoy from my bed. The green roof which is visible is the house which will become two storeys high. I am glad that I will be leaving before this is spoilt for me.

And finally, on Friday we sold the car. The beloved Scoobie has gone to a new home in Nelson Bay where it will be lovingly driven by our good friend Brian. Barb is delighted because she now gets her Mazda and all that four-wheeled freedom, back. Rowan emerged from a tunnel in Vietnam to be greeted with the news that "his" car has gone. When(ever) he comes home he not only won't have a car. He won't have a "home" either.

So, there has been movement on both fronts; getting closer to moving in and moving out.