slow progress but something is still happening. Had no amount of dramas with our beloved windows. So have resolved to have 7 replaced in about 8 weeks time. So moving along with the installation of poly slabs. A new experience. Very quick to install. Have also done the first experiments with rendering. Quite fun really. So will hit the straps again in the next 3 weeks with the plumbers back from holidays. Electrician starting next wednesday. Have bought a whole lot of timber for the cathedral ceiling via internet auctions. Now that is somehing else again. The plastering is being negotiated and rossy is doing the big shopping spree for the plumbing fittings tomorrow. She has also scord gold with the leadlight windows, so it will be riveting to se what she is going to create in the next two weeks.

Back at work now, so progress will be different pace and level of involvement will change. We are now very close to lock up. (what ever that means). Getting to the more detailed parts of the proces. Rossy is now out of her frenetic school and uni phase, so will take on the layout of electrics, lead lights and kitchen/bathroom fitting out. I will be starting the rendering in the next week.Roof will be finished this week. Just the capping and skylights to go.

well, today was one windy day, so the window people tossed it in, the plumber tossed it in and the roofing folk also said it was too dangerous. Bloody whimps. Nah, just kidding. I just walkwed around tying things down. Shocker of a day. but we are sneaking up to the lock up stage. just need 4 more days of good weather. We have had more than our fair share, so can't really complain.

It's nice to have some experts on the job. It goes quickly. It looks good and it gives confidence. T'will be interesting to see how the surveyor deals with it. that is Wednesday. Next step is to get the actual roof installed. Next week.

A wet day. Chippis turn up, check it out and go --NAH!!!! too wet. So moi discovered that some trusses just don't look like they should and contact the manufacturers. Quick call confirms a misunderstanding. Two options- send them back or fix them yourself. Guess which option was chosen.

well today was the day for the trusses to arrive- after two false starts - they actually arrived. Matt the carpenter was onb hand to help unload. very interesting process. learnt lots and would give very specific instructions to the suppliers next time in relation to bundling trusses. They were all mixed together. Garage trusses with house trusses. South side with north side.. Still, we have material to work with.

Well here we are final pour day. This is the big one. No more concrete after this. More than 80 cubic metres of concrete in this house. We are pretty sure it isn't going to blow away. Started at 4.30 am and finished at 5.30 pm. Very tired and overawed at the finality of the five weeks of labour. We learnt that no matter how much you plan; there is always something not anticipated. A blow-out is : WHAT? BLAHHHH, JEEZZ, but after three, we became more adapt at cleaning up and patching the hole.We learnt that if we had to do it again, we would organise it differently. The sense of completion is something that sinks in over time. The team of Scott,(pourer) Danny,Hose and flow controller) Earl or Con Trolley controller and Hannah (everything) worked their little hearts out. Ros came out with some sustenance at lunchtime, that wasn't lunchtime.At the end of the day- Now my wonderful sidekick (Hannah) will go back to the big smoke and office work. It has been a challenging and fulfilling partnership. I will miss her lots. Back to solo work, know I can't kep up the hannah communication standards and a bit tricky to take photos of yourself ( besides being really boring)

What a day! The building inspector passed the inspection, but with a list of conditions to be completed prior to the final pour [which is scheduled for tomorrow morning!] PRESSURE WAS ON! The deadline was suddenly not only looming, it was overwhelming! We had a lot to do . The day began at 7:30am, we came home for dinner at 6:30pm, and afterwards went back out to the site, working under the flood lights until 10:30pm. We are all completely exhausted. The very last pour is scheduled for 9am tomorrow morning, and there's still a whole heap to do... looks like it'll be another early start! Fingers crossed we can make it!