Given that I wasn't taking the vanity, I decided to drive the passat, as it's more comfortable, but it also meant that I wouldn't be taking Helen's floorboards to her.
I left around 8.30, and got there around 10.30, was very interested to see the progress that Ben had made
He had been sending me update photos via text during the week. He had also said that he would start last Monday, (23rd), and that he would keep the place nice and tidy and clean
Below are his photos
fixing up the loose tessellated tiles |
fixing up the floorboards at the entrance to the green room |
Green room - replacing bad floorboards |
green room adding in new floor boards |
replacing bad boards in dining room |
cellar stairs |
fixing up sunken and cracked hearth in our room |
in preparation for the hearth stone |
They had also taken the awful yellow lino out of our room, plus the lino from the back hall. The kitchen lino defeated them for the time being, it was the like the stuff in the bathroom - in effect glued to the floorboards and very difficult to get off.
Given that our room was empty (in preparation for stripping the wallapaper), he had re-set us up in the green room. We ended up taking the red room, and Fraser had the green room, which is his normally anyway.
Anyway, true to his word, the house was nice and tidy and clean (where he'd been) - so I was very pleased.
green room set up for us |
goodies that Helen left behind for us in the Sep school holidays |
dining room |
reinstated hearthstone |
bits of the mantle undercarriage (that fell on Andrew's head) |
our room - with the lino taken up |
Back hall with lino gone |
I rang Justin and advised him how good it was all looking
Went up the street, and saw a lot of yarn bombing on bollards, light poles trees etc .Nice and colourful
Bought a leg of lamb for dinner, and dropped in on the Op Shop ladies and Denise & Steven. Denise showed me her magnificent red roses, and then brought me around a gorgeous bunch.
Did an inspection of the garden and saw that the central trunk of the plum tree near the vegie patch had snapped.
Also my single asparagus spear had disappeared - not sure if eaten or disintegrated (not happy about that) - as Justin had put in a new watering computer last time, so it should have been watered every 2nd day.
The pecan and persimmon don't seem to have survived either (had bought these in the tree drive)
And the cumquat and orange in the front - have shrivelled, and that was after them looking so good 2 weeks ago. I'm assuming frost - as they're pretty in the open there. I gave them a good watering.
Justin and Fraser arrived around 12.15, ( Fraser told me how they had been driving behind a motor cyclist, who had an open pannier - items were flying out it - gloves etc. Justin flashed his lights to try and alert him. Given that it was lunch time, and a little cool, we had hot pies under the tree Fraser came as a favour to Justin, for Justin's birthday tomorrow. Fraser was also revising for his VCE exams, as he has one this Monday, another on Wednesday, and the last on the 15th.
Justin went and had his haircut after lunch, Fraser went up to study, and I donned my coveralls (too cool for overalls) and weeded out the back.
Felt like a break around 2.30, so suggested we go to the Royal for a coffee. Denise had told me that the lady had set up a pop up coffee shop for the weekend (still waiting on liquor licensing to come through, as the previous proprietor had let it lapse)
Introduced ourselves - Marg- ie (hard "g", and Sharon her bridesmaid from some time ago). Both are very ncie and friendly. So, had our coffee, and took a choclate milkshake back for Fraser who was studying upstairs.
Fraser enjoying his milkshake |
Fraser and I also did a bit of shopping at the IGA, dips, hash browns etc. Saw Noi on the way who insisted on giving me some lovely curly lettuce, coriander, dill etc
Started cooking around 4.30 or so, went and peeled some potatoes, and put the them and the lamb in the oven. Prepared a salad and a nibbles platter for the veranda - cheese, dips, pizza shapes, G&T etc
Got a little cool, so went inside to wait for dinner
The boys played some virtual "ice hockey"
Had dinner upstairs, as the dining room was dis-assembled.
Fraser then went on to study, and Justin and I watched 48 hours with Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy, hadn't seen it in years, and quite enjoyed it.
Relatively early night - in the red room
Sunday, and Justin's birthday. I made breakfast with a little help from Fraser (he cooked the eggs) :-bacon, eggs, hash browns, tomato, baked beans, coffee
Had it outside at our normal breakfast table
Justin taking a birthday call |
I couldn't resist having a go at the archery - releasing my inner Katniss from Hunger Games. I was pretty good if I do say so myself, came very close quite a few times, and at the end knocked one of the balls off also (that's what you're supposed to do)
view from the town hall |
And then wandered down the street, saw Maile & David ( a few times) Bev, Gordon's wife, Jamie and family, etc. Also went inside one of the shops on Brooke street that we hadn't been in before. Had been an old garage
The Morris Minor club was there with lots of old cars on display, plus other old cars and motor bikes. Lots of people milling around, and just a perfect day weatherwise
this bike can apparently go 60kph |
Our woodchopping event was on at 12.30. Jan, her brother Ken and I as sponsors were invited into restricted areas. Stupidly exciting for me. I was thrilled.
Took a photo of one of the boy's foot/calf to show the protection that they have under their cricket whites/volleys - just in case they slip with the very sharp axe
So, our junior event ran, and the winners and runners up came and got their cash prizes - and then had the official photos taken (the below photos are from Justin)
Met up with Ben after this (Justin hadn't met him before) and we went around the house talking about priorities. Upstairs bathroom, veranda (Ben has ordered wood for the veranda), flywire screens etc. Justin also wants decking for the back veranda, I would prefer an under stair toilet. Anyway, we'll see what Ben's plumber has to say.
Justin left for Warrnambool soon after this, and Fraser and I got a late lunch - from the smoke house brisket van.
Planted some vegies, did a little bit of watering.
Tidied up, did dishes etc, and left with Fraser around 4pm
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