Possibilities

House possibilities
I've already said that we'd like an upstairs bathroom in one of the small rooms over the down stairs bathroom.  I had also thought we could make another 2 very small "powder" rooms out of the little room leading out onto the veranda - sort of ensuites (just toilet and basin) for each of the 2 front rooms.  But apart from extending the plumbing all that way, on actually looking at it - I don't think that the space is large enough, so can that idea.

Justin is keen to remove the "fake" wall and door to the little room that leads onto the veranda - as it wasn't original (but is pretty old) and in order to let more light in - as the upstairs landing is a bit gloomy.  I'm in 2 minds about that,  I think that "room" could make a great "reading" nook with a little couch, bookshelf,  etc - and maybe the couch would be a sofa bed - for further guests - which would be another reason to keep it as a separate room.  We'll see.

I would like to have as many sleeping accommodations as possible ie at least 10 people comfortably and privately.  To that end I plan to have our king bed (which we're taking up tomorrow) and 3 queen beds permanently set up - so that's 8, plus if possible a sofa bed/divan etc in each of the queen rooms  - so that for instance non partners could also sleep in a room. And then even bunks/day bed? etc  in the other small upstairs room next to the proposed bathroom, and maybe one in the veranda entrance.  It would be fabulous to be able to put up the whole family!!  For instance, J & I in our room, Mad, April & Francesca  in one of the queen rooms, Alex and Prue in another queen room, Nin and Clare in another queen room,  Sarah in one of the smaller rooms - and the boys (Fraser, Rory, Zach, Curtis) outside in a tent??  We'll see....could be madness having 4 rambunctious boys all in one tent - maybe 2 x 2 men tents...

But back to bathroom or more precisely other toilet possibilities.  Perhaps we could put one in the scullery on the party wall next to the existing bathroom and obviously make a little room around it.

Or block off the the funny area after the stairs leading to the back door - a small powder room could be made there.

But enough about toilets and beds, what about the other rooms.  Well, I was thinking that the 2 front down stairs rooms would be "public" rooms ie one could be a study/library with lots of books, and the other would be a sitting room with I guess a tv (although it is sort of nice going there and not having any electronic distractions).  Fraser had said that he wanted a pool table - so that could be a possibility too, or a music room, remember we have that old organ - which is currently in the hall way.  We'll wait and see.  But we must block up the doorway from the right hand front room into the bathroom - looks terrible!

We were also playing around with the idea of a glass conservatory - which would be wonderful, however on closer thought - totally impractical and unnecessary.

Garden possibilities
Another thought was a Victorian type pergola - for breakfasts, afternoon teas etc.  I thought that it should be sort of hidden - down a path or something - you wouldn't just see if from the kitchen window, you would want to "arrive" there.

I also like the idea of  white gravel paths (Hedgley Dene gardens?), a rose garden, an orangerie - or at least a lemon tree and a couple of other citrus trees.  I'd love a knotted or formal herb garden, and I was quite taken with Becky's boxed vegetable garden with vigorous pumpkins - Gordon made that for her.  That's most likely what I would get first. But we want to do this garden properly and have someone design it  (and then of course someone would have to care for it in our absence)

Justin would like a shed - at the back on Storm lane. 

The kids would like a trampoline, I think it would be good to keep some "lawn" too for cricket, footy etc

I'm also wondering if it's possible to transform the copper brick formation into a pizza oven or smoker etc?  There is a little chimney for it already, and also a little carport type shelter over it all  (leaning a bit though)

Events?
I had optimistically thought that we could do our Family Christmas up there this year - we'll see how the renovations are going?

Karen and Mark had also suggested Christmas in July - much less time to get ready, but fewer people

I had suggested hosting a Nimmitabel Cup for our cricket friends from Fraser's club

Justin had always wanted to have a white tie party, so maybe there one day.... Although I doubt whether any of our friends would have white tie attire...