Mark had asked me to bring a "flash" entree to feed 10 people, so I made my ubiquitous onion tart, in Melbourne, and then left for Inglewood around 12.30
Sent a text to Ben advising that I was coming, and wondered if he'd still be there
As it was, they were all there - Ben, Charlie, Stu and Andrew. The top and back verandas had been tung oiled, and looked fantastic. The new railing had also been put on the top veranda. Ben had said that it had caused them trouble, was tricky to do
Here are some photos of the railing that Ben had sent me during the week
Once again the workmanship is very good
And then the bathroom...
Ben had also previously advised that the Bathware shop had not provided all the screws/backing mats etc. So Stu had to go and buy more, they also didn't provide instructions, and apparently shouldn't have sold that base with the screen, as they shouldn't have gone together. This was despite the fact that they were displayed as a unit in the showroom.
Anyway, the screen wasn't up, more tiles were, and the toilet and vanity were plumbed in. Stu also advised that he had to make a groove in the wall in order for the screen to fit over the base etc. This was a real hassle. So I wasn't going to be having a shower there this weekend - which was a little disappointing.
Anyway, the boys tidied up, and I did more cooking. Made a pate, thai fishcakes, red dip, and sweet chilli, coriander and cream cheese dip, as well as the previously mentioned onion tart.
Went up to Kingower after 6, and saw the usual people, and had a great time. Was a lovely afternoon/evening, just the right temperature, no wind. Justin unfortunately couldn't come, he had a previously arranged lunch which was anticipated to be, and was, rather long
Slow start on Saturday, as I woke too early after my late night, and couldn't get back to sleep.
Went and picked Justin up at the Bendigo train station, around 1pm, and then we went and had lunch at the Gallery Cafe on Maile's recommendation. Was pretty good.
Back to the house, as Justin was keen to see the progress - and yes he was impressed.
I then went and tried to have a nap, as I was tired.
Maile and David dropped in and we showed them our progress, and then we went and picked a bit more of the wild asparagus, and dug out a couple of little plants for our vegie garden. Yes there are lots, and they wouldn't be missed.
We didn't realise what the time was, and Justin wanted to get to the IGA before closing to get some savoury shapes. Got there with literally 3 minutes to spare. Justin rushed in and got them.
Then we christened our back veranda with a gin and tonic. Justin had moved the furniture from the top veranda whilst I was napping. Moving that marble topped table by himself was quite an effort (particularly with a sore back). This back veranda will be great for Summer, as it's more protected from the sun than the top veranda. Justin suggests that we put up some trellis, and grow something on the Kingower side, as you get the late Summer sun peeking through
We just grazed for dinner - basically my leftovers from the Kingower Christmas party ie pate, red dip, onion tart, fish cakes. Was enough.
Watched a movie on my laptop in the dining room after dinner. A Netflix special :- Shimmer Lake - was pretty good Couldn't really go into the big upstairs room, as the shower screen glass was on the floor there.
Sunday, and toast and coffee for breakfast on the back veranda.
Justin then put tung oil on the furniture to protect it
I watered the garden, (favoured plants) and trained up the youngberry canes on the trellis as they were going mad - all over the place
Walking around the garden I also did a double take outside the dining room, thinking I had come across a snake - belly up
My next self directed job was to clean out the back hallway, of all of the kitchen stuff that Ben and co had put there - in order to take out Alex' kitchen cabinet
Remember, this is what it looked like - crockery, food, etc
The plan is that Ben and the boys will be back around New Year to pack everything up in order for the floors to be sanded and tung oiled. We (or rather mainly Justin) had done a couple of rooms upstairs - red room, little yellow room and the hallway, and it was a horrible job. We had hired a sander, and he sanded, and then Alex and I helped by hand -sanding, knocking nail heads in etc. We definitely didn't want to do that again. (And yes, this was done, and everything is nice and safe and secure inside again)
Anyway, given that it was a bit of a nuisance coming and finding food ingredients & dishes in the back hallway, I decided to move it all back.
I put big things like the George Foreman machine and cans of food etc in the scullery wire/meat cupboards, and I rearranged the coffee stuff in the shelves to the left of the fireplace
I reckon I did a pretty good job
And the back hall was back to looking like this
I also wanted to hang some nice curtains that I'd bought at an op shop in Ocean Grove. I'd planned them for the Garden room above the kitchen
However Justin didn't feel like going and buying some curtain rods, nor hanging them, so we left them for another time.
While we were having lunch under the tree we noticed how huge the weeds were within the yuccas, some of them taller than me!
This prompted me to don the gloves again and pull them out. This was tough, hot and dirty work, and I was conscious of not getting my eyes spiked by the yuccas also. Sweat was dripping off my face and head, and afterwards when we were driving home, I noticed that some of my hair was hard and stiff from the salt in my sweat, similar to if I had swum in the sea! Justin was on wheelbarrow duty, picking up the weeds and putting them in Gordon's trailer
It was exhausting, so we had a breather and a beer, you can see how hot I was by my red face
But, it was worth it, as we got rid of them on the left side
Will have to do the right side the next time
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