We have spent a weekend celebrating Lester's 62nd birthday, (significant because he has outlived his genetic inheritance - his father dropped dead of heart disease at 61). Lots of interesting food of course, Moroccan, Argentinian and modern Australian, all in one weekend. That's "Heaven" to Lester. And me. We also saw a really funny film - bit black - stars "Fran" from
Black Books. It is called
Tamara Drewe. If you are in need of a laugh, trot along and see it. All the while, details of the renovation were discussed as it is in it's prettying-up stages now, apart from the Roof Garden. Of course, after all this heat and dryness, this week it is rainy. At this stage compltet dryness is required in order to pull up the existing cover and replace it with new waterproof stuff that dries in ten minutes. The showers we have been having have prevened this from happening.
Many decisions have been made about: colours, carpet, architraves and skirting boards,shelving and edges to dodgey bits of masonry; doors, wardrobes...the good bits. The mud beds have been laid for the tiling in the bathroom/laundry and the little balcony downstairs.
I have sent my old brass bed, (which I have had since I was 18 - it came from a neighbour in Kincumber whose grandmother brought it from England when she married. She died at 93 when I was about five -- so it is a really gorgeous old bed). I managed to get a carrier to backload it - he came from Wauchope and works out of a place almost adjecent to Mackay's father. He took it to Botany in Sydney where the company specialises, not just in repairing brass beds, but in enlarging them. So, I am getting it broadened into a king size bed. Back in the old bed!
Talking of old... I have had the old cedar table restored. This was the one which you may remember used to sit in our hallway and which kids covered in "white-out" in the 1980's. (Not our kids - visitors!!!) Anyway, I had covered it with a cloth and plonked a printer on it for the past ten years. Paul, the local furniture restorer, has determined it is a piece from 1860 - 1880. (He can tell by the dove-tailed drawer and the turning on the legs. Anyway, post restoration, it is hard to believe it is the same table. I don't have a pic of the "before" but below are some "afters".
Dates are being set for removing ourselves from Stockton. Sadly, our nice neighbours, Susan and Eric moved out on Tuesday. They are moving to the Central Coast and already it feels strange to see a foreign looking vehicle in their driveway. It is quite funny that Lester booked our annual holiday right at the time when, in fact, we should be moving. So we will holiday (Port Fairy Folk Festival - Rutherglen and Daylesford - Lake House) and then come home to move in late March. We have three weekends to finally sort the stuff over here in Stocko. Did I mention that I was able to sell most of my non-fiction books to a second hand dealer? I was so pleased about this as it meant I do not have to throw many books into the recycler now. John Rosen is getting a truckload of my books because, unlike everybody else I know who says they have enough books, John says, "I love books. Don't throw them out!" Vanessa may think differently.
Here are a few photos showing details of progress;
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Detail of blocking in of the stairs. |
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Mud bed in the shower - soon to be tiled. |
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The new front balcony. It will be covered in versi-pavers and drains on the left. |
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The old table - who can revognise it? c. 1860 - 1880. |
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Detail of the central drawer. |
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Hand made nails which came from pieces of the old table |
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Filling in the bulkhead above the doors onto the new balcony. Do you get it now Rowan??? |
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