further developments..

so...... less than 8 weeks until completion and the house is really starting to take on a character of its own.the above cladding is weathertex. Weathertex is made by breaking down local hardwoods to its constituent fibres using steam and pressure (the hardwoods come from sawmill tailings, thinings and managed forests - no old growth forests are used making it very eco-friendly). the fibres are then transported to the presses in a liquid bath that removes all of the starches and sugars making the finished product very un-attractive to ants and termites. the "wetlap" (liquid goo) is then squeezed under great pressure and high tempartures in massive presses which activates the natural lignins in the timber that forms the glue which holds the structure together. this brings the product weathertex into being..
the carport is almost finished. the builder just needs to render under the radial sawn timber and lay down base. the sandstone paving effect has also come up a treat and will look even better once we wash the stones at the end of the build.
the plumber has finally linked the two largest tanks to the gutters and soon our much needed "liquid gold" will start collecting. The two tanks in the above photo have 22,600 litre storage capacity each. The one under the bow is 9000 litres and there is a small 3000 litre tank collecting water off the carport roof.

the laundry is just about complete. we are really happy at this usage of space. to the left we have cupboards and the washing machine at ground level. a sink and bench space for folding and large cupboards at shoulder/head height. on the right (not visible) it's all one very large cupboard that is layered with shelves. screened hanging space (some under cover) will be off the deck.
next week we should have the outside cladding first coat of paint finished which will really give us a first glimpse of "the look".

interiors.................

and the build continues. Pat's team are almost finished with the interior and will soon be moving outside to finish bits and pieces. there's still atleast 6-8 weeks work but the house is really starting to take character.
above is the kitchen. the cabinetry is spotted gum and the benchtop camphor laurel. in the above pic the benchtop is raw (freshly cut) and the sealer will be applied this week which will really bring out the colour and grain.

the main bathroom is really starting to take form. the shutters will provide ventilation allowing breezes to circulate throughout the house. the bathroom tiles are fedora walnut and have really come up nice (i just had to marry someone with expensive tastes).
we hired a landscaper for a few hours to assist with the stone pavers from the front stairs to the carport. they are huge sandstone blocks that required a bobcat to move (too heavy even for two). I rolled up my sleeves and was helping the dude position the blocks but almost lost my foot at one stage when I slipped in the mud and saw one of the sandstone blocks (on its side) teeter towards me. I managed to get out of the way just in the nick of time.
the painter should be in this week to finish the inside and then the plumber and electrician will move in to do their stuff.... things are changing constantly.

this year's pick of festies - PARKLIFE

Now in its ninth year, PARKLIFE is as much an Australian icon as the eucalyptus trees under which it was first staged, and once again in 2008 this festie will be bringing a tasteful array of fresh and experienced international live acts and dj’s to Brisbane and the rest of Aus.

• Goldfrapp
• Soulwax
• Peaches
• 2manydjs
• Dizzee Rascal
• Martin Solveig
• Plump DJs
• Diplo
• Jesse Rose
• Does It Offend You, Yeah?
• Blackalicious
• XXXchange
• Metro Area
• Elektrons
• Yuksek
• Van She
• Dragonette
• Boy 8-Bit
• Familjen
• Bag Raiders Live
• Ajax
• Slyde
• Grafton Primary
• Van She Tech
• & many more

BRISBANE
Saturday,
October 4 2008
Riverstage
Tix go on sale July 15th and whilst it might fall a little short on the European offerings the u.k. fixers are privy to - Sal, Shags and I reckon its worth the price of admission.
we'll be there - anyone else??

who wants to be a queenslander?

but do WE want him? no bloody way! (it looks like hodges is telling him that anyway)... I missed the match due to an inconvenient ship in freo but thanks to coltrain i was kept up to date with one of the most defiant qld battles in origin history. yeah farken ha!!!!! the queenslanders need to stand up and take a bow. steve price once again, the bloody warrier he is, lead our team into battle and all stood tall.
i just love origin.. especially when we stick it to them.....

doors....

we popped down to the property today to check out progress and its all about the doors.

the rajastani front door is on and we are pretty stoked with the outcome. its over 100 years old and just too beautiful not to be proud of it. we grabbed the handles in a cool shop in west end which suit it perfectly.

a pic of the doors leading into our bedroom. above the door there will be glass framed in hardwood and we will finish off the rest of the wall in painted gyprock.
we also dropped into the kitchen designer to have a look at our cabinent doors for the first tme. The doors are made of recycled spotted gum and our benchtop will be camphor laurel.
its all moving along quite fast now. next week the tiles, kitchen, laundry, bathroom fit out and architraves and skirting.yep its all coming along quite nicely (including our mortgage). it really is nice to see a long time dream come within reach. can't wait..
keep yer posted.

Bring on Origin 3!

30-0

INTRODUCING THE NEWEST CREW MEMBER, LITTLE ALEX HARVEY

Check out the Madness for more ......

rant

fark me.... you would think it wouldnt be so hard. I dont see what the big deal is? hunt to fullback, slater to the wing, lockyer in command and prince off the bench as one bloody effective impact player. just why don't the qld selectors give him a go? whats he done wrong? the only thing prince is guilty of this season is guiding a new team to the top of the league.
darius boyd earnt himelf a jersey and don't get me wrong he's a great player and will no doubt do us well, but is he a better option then one of the league's best players?
thank gawd steven price is back..... Anyway, ENUFF... i guess we'll just have to wait and see.... do or die..... a call to arms boys..... we have to win this year so we can rub the faces of those dirty roaches in ground and smile at an era of QUEENSLAND SUPREMACY!!!

Jimbo is looking at putting up the big screen at his house. all those that are interested give him a shout for further instructions...

high above brisbane....

check these shots taken from breeza and col's camera. col and I bought the girls a flight for their brithdays. can't highly recommend it enough though we had to giggle when we seemed to stop still right over one of brissie's dumps.....

radial sawn timber

things are proceeding along at a rapid rate now. its hard to keep up with all the decisions needing to be made. you hope the little things you may not be putting enough thought into now wont be the ones to haunt you later. a new favourite feature has taken over from the rammed earth walls at present. shaz and mark your sons name may well have been "radial sawn harvey" if you had let me choose the name of your son.....
love the look and angles the rough cut gives. i wish we had used more..

above shot is from the lounge room looking to bedroom 3 (right) and to the main bathroom and bedroom 2 (left). you can just see the front door on the floor next to one of the recessed wall lights. lock up next week....

external cladding is almost complete. on the left the white cladding (master bedroom) is weatertex weatherboard - obviously to be painted. it gives you a good indication of how our bedroom sinks into the hoop pine forest... it wont be too long until we are able post a tentative housewarming date as pat reckons he is still very much on for a august handover..

now......what do you think colamari is up to??