Week 7 & 8 of the Build

Don't you love a good footings pipe? I do - especially when they're going in the ground!

Unfortunately we lost a whole week because of rain so not a lot has been done. Basically the foundations need to be laid and the pool formed but the guys couldn't do it as when the ground gets drenched it needs three days to dry out.

The good news is it's sunny again and the weather is forecast to be fine for the next seven days and the guys on site are now working full steam ahead to make up for lost time.

The plan: form and slab the lower living level (the top 'wing', seen here, on the higher ground), the bricklayer to start laying bricks on this level, then do the same on the lower level footings (ie the bedroom 'wing'), finish the pool excavation and form the pool (ie pour concrete).

 The bricks from the original house sit in a neat pile waiting to be re-used.

I know this doesn't look at all interesting but it was exciting for me because this is the first time I've been able to see exactly where the kitchen splashback will be. You can see its spot marked in fluorescent on the fence (but it will obviously be further away from the fence line). What this means is I can have my desired clear glass splashback with a beautiful view of star jasmine growing up wires from planters fixed to the wall - rather than the view of a grotty fence or a motley collection of trees. We will replace the old wobbly fence and make it a little taller and scrub up the stonework so it looks a lot nicer as well.

That's all for now, folks, and so it's goodbye from me in my sparkly Target gumboots!