30 December 2012
It seems this will be the last post of the year. To all and everybody: We wish you a Happy New Year and the grace to do well with it.
Obviously, with the holidays around, I didn't do as much as I should. I have changed my mind as to work schedule. What is the use of having a mind if you can't change it!!
It must have been two months ago that I built the framing for another storage room. I just got fed up not being able to find my stuff. So I started work on the storage room. I put the roof up, and some of the iron sheets for the walls, but I think I ran out of iron, so I continued with the floor (plywood that was given to me)
With the floor done I started assembling shelves that I have saved from our move from Cambridge. Most of the shelves are up now, and I have moved most of the stuff out of the small (2 m by 2 m) storage room. I also managed to move stuff out of the cookhouse which is my workshop. The stuff I am talking about are bolts and nuts, hinges, doorknobs, plumbing fittings and everything that is not classified as tools. Because i use screws and nails so often, they will remain in the cook house.
Ever since we moved here, my power tools have been lying on the floor, for a lack of shelving. Now I managed to build proper shelves for all the tools. I think the whole of the next week will be spent on sorting stuff and tidying up. I also plan on visiting the scrap metal dealers to get more iron.
Have a lovely New Year!!
Sunday
16 December 2012
Since the last post, I sanded down the top part of the wall where I have replaced the weatherboards, and painted it.
I also decided that I do want the fascias on the gable ends white. When the roof was replaced it was painted the same colour as the roof, Ironsand (charcoal). To reach there, I had to build the high scaffold again, and then added a veneer of fibreboard and painted it all white. It had to be done before the veranda goes up, otherwise I would have to stand on the veranda on a ladder. We moved the scaffolds around. While the scaffolds were in position, we also managed to fit all of the beams against the wall for the veranda. Then we dug up the beams that will go on the outer side of the veranda, that part which rests on the posts. They have been cut and waiting for me for nearly a year. We painted them and then decided it will have to wait a little while.
I have been hoarding timber from everywhere. While back I bought some Kauri timber. That was stored outside our, or rather my "hoarding wall". Problem is, if you leave stuff lying around, it is easy to dump more stuff with that. I just decided enough is enough and started tidying up. We are nearly done, with the Kauri stored under the carport behind the hoarding wall. Obviously it meant we had to move some firewood around and also some of the many pallets we have collected. The only problem is that I tire quickly and it means that all work gets done at a very slow pace. Don't worry, we will get there in the end.
The bathroom floor is ready to be varnished, but there is no urgency. We have not got enough money to pay a plumber and besides, everybody will be away. So that one will have to wait a while more.
Everybody is winding down for Christmas. We will be all by ourselves and we will enjoy the festive spirit from our nice house.
Hopefully next time we can offer you a nice view of the house from the street, showing a partly built veranda.
Since the last post, I sanded down the top part of the wall where I have replaced the weatherboards, and painted it.
I also decided that I do want the fascias on the gable ends white. When the roof was replaced it was painted the same colour as the roof, Ironsand (charcoal). To reach there, I had to build the high scaffold again, and then added a veneer of fibreboard and painted it all white. It had to be done before the veranda goes up, otherwise I would have to stand on the veranda on a ladder. We moved the scaffolds around. While the scaffolds were in position, we also managed to fit all of the beams against the wall for the veranda. Then we dug up the beams that will go on the outer side of the veranda, that part which rests on the posts. They have been cut and waiting for me for nearly a year. We painted them and then decided it will have to wait a little while.
I have been hoarding timber from everywhere. While back I bought some Kauri timber. That was stored outside our, or rather my "hoarding wall". Problem is, if you leave stuff lying around, it is easy to dump more stuff with that. I just decided enough is enough and started tidying up. We are nearly done, with the Kauri stored under the carport behind the hoarding wall. Obviously it meant we had to move some firewood around and also some of the many pallets we have collected. The only problem is that I tire quickly and it means that all work gets done at a very slow pace. Don't worry, we will get there in the end.
The bathroom floor is ready to be varnished, but there is no urgency. We have not got enough money to pay a plumber and besides, everybody will be away. So that one will have to wait a while more.
Everybody is winding down for Christmas. We will be all by ourselves and we will enjoy the festive spirit from our nice house.
Hopefully next time we can offer you a nice view of the house from the street, showing a partly built veranda.
2 December 2012
Sorry, it seems we are really retired! Not too much has been happening here.
We got a call from the lawnmower centre, and went to pick up the brake parts for the ride on. We were very fortunate. All the parts were there, and only needed a proper clean and adjustment. We have brakes now!
We had the church fete, and managed to sell most of Mieke's stuff. The remainder was donated to an op shop (charity shop)
I sanded and painted the top four weatherboards on the southern wall, then moved the scaffold over to the western wall. We fitted the rafters to the wall that will take the veranda. We have to start from that end to get the proper level. I also used the opportunity to repaint the fascia / bargeboard on the western gable. It was painted charcoal before, but it does not fit in with the original character of the house.The other problem is that the paint already started peeling off after 6 years. I put a false cladding of fibreboard over it before painting. It is white now. We will put a cladding over all fascias and paint all of them in white.
We also took a day off to visit friends, it is a luxury we can use now, and not push ourselves too hard.
We have had two weeks without rain now, the farmers are getting worried. And it is HOT, a balmy 24 degrees max. Thank you New Zealand! Aussie is experiencing 40 deg.
Our tenant in Cambridge gave notice. She will be moving out on the 18th. It is a bad time and we really need the money. Let's pray that we get a new tenant soon!
Sorry, it seems we are really retired! Not too much has been happening here.
We got a call from the lawnmower centre, and went to pick up the brake parts for the ride on. We were very fortunate. All the parts were there, and only needed a proper clean and adjustment. We have brakes now!
We had the church fete, and managed to sell most of Mieke's stuff. The remainder was donated to an op shop (charity shop)
I sanded and painted the top four weatherboards on the southern wall, then moved the scaffold over to the western wall. We fitted the rafters to the wall that will take the veranda. We have to start from that end to get the proper level. I also used the opportunity to repaint the fascia / bargeboard on the western gable. It was painted charcoal before, but it does not fit in with the original character of the house.The other problem is that the paint already started peeling off after 6 years. I put a false cladding of fibreboard over it before painting. It is white now. We will put a cladding over all fascias and paint all of them in white.
We also took a day off to visit friends, it is a luxury we can use now, and not push ourselves too hard.
We have had two weeks without rain now, the farmers are getting worried. And it is HOT, a balmy 24 degrees max. Thank you New Zealand! Aussie is experiencing 40 deg.
Our tenant in Cambridge gave notice. She will be moving out on the 18th. It is a bad time and we really need the money. Let's pray that we get a new tenant soon!
18 November 2012
A lot of time was spent on rebuilding the deck of the ride on. I bought a piece of scrap steel, 750 * 750 * 3 mm. and cut and welded it in position. Basically, the whole deck has been rebuilt. I took it for a test drive on Wednesday and, apart from a few adjustments, it is working properly. I managed to cut all the grass in one hour, where I used to spend about three hours. I have not cut the part where the sheep used to graze.
Thursday was a nice sunny day, so I had no excuse for not working on the outside. I built a scaffold. It is the same one I use on the inside, only with extensions on the legs. Then I put a brace up to keep it steady. I do not want to end up in hospital. I managed to replace three rotten or damaged weatherboards. Now I will need to start sanding the old paint off. It will keep me busy for a while (a long while).
Friday we helped some friends with a problem they had, whole day gone. It is a privilege to be able to help others. We have received so much help ourselves.
Saturday as a rainy day, so we spent the time indoors, sorting through stuff Mieke left here to be sold. We are having a church fete (kerkbasaar) on Saturday coming. We hope to sell some of the stuff there. Today is windy and with a little bit of rain. When will our summer start? Luckily the forecast is for no rain tomorrow.
Love you.
G&E
A lot of time was spent on rebuilding the deck of the ride on. I bought a piece of scrap steel, 750 * 750 * 3 mm. and cut and welded it in position. Basically, the whole deck has been rebuilt. I took it for a test drive on Wednesday and, apart from a few adjustments, it is working properly. I managed to cut all the grass in one hour, where I used to spend about three hours. I have not cut the part where the sheep used to graze.
Thursday was a nice sunny day, so I had no excuse for not working on the outside. I built a scaffold. It is the same one I use on the inside, only with extensions on the legs. Then I put a brace up to keep it steady. I do not want to end up in hospital. I managed to replace three rotten or damaged weatherboards. Now I will need to start sanding the old paint off. It will keep me busy for a while (a long while).
Friday we helped some friends with a problem they had, whole day gone. It is a privilege to be able to help others. We have received so much help ourselves.
Saturday as a rainy day, so we spent the time indoors, sorting through stuff Mieke left here to be sold. We are having a church fete (kerkbasaar) on Saturday coming. We hope to sell some of the stuff there. Today is windy and with a little bit of rain. When will our summer start? Luckily the forecast is for no rain tomorrow.
Love you.
G&E
We have been to Hamilton in the week. I also went to an auction with a friend who wanted to buy some sheep. He managed to buy 5 lambs, and I carted them home for him. The drawer from last week got finished, with my able supervision.
We have decided to have the homekill guy kill our own sheep, because the grass wouldn't be enough for them. I am fed up with moving fences and screens all the time. With the section being 2200 sq m, I will not cope with the normal push lawnmower our son gave us last year. So I decided to start looking for a ride on mower. There were some on Trademe, but how would you know what you are buying? I went to the local Lawnmower Centre on Friday and asked. I was offered an old locally made mower. The cutting deck is rusted through, and the brakes doesn't work, but the rest is fine. I forgot to mention the seat cover is worn through. I removed that for repair. I managed to buy the Cheetah and was able to return the mower our son bought us. I will need to fit new blades and away we go!
Now I have a mobility scooter for when the time comes, at a fraction of the price!!!
The roof of the carport is finished. I need to add some flashing. I also managed to complete the trusses and rafters for the store room.
Sorry for you workaholics, I didn't do much this week.
28 October 2012
Elna did an enormous task cleaning the bathroom floor. Most of it is done, I would just try to clean a little bit more before we varnish it.
I spent most of my week working on the carport. I used only material from the garage we dismantled in January. I had to buy joist hangers (brackets to fit the joists to the main beams), but all of the remainder of the material was "ex stock" I constantly thought of Ben's visit and the two of us taking this garage to pieces. I managed to fit half of the roof, and cut the remainder of the corrugated to size.
There were a few interruptions though. One friend has a car with a broken cambelt, and he has got no other transport. So I helped (looked on and advised) and drove him around searching for parts and tools. That took most of Wednesday and Thursday.
On Saturday another friend turned up with a drawer from a dresser. It was moved on a trailer and the drawer came out and fell on the road, needless to say, in the face side. Luckily, I have got some oak boards, and once again, I stood looking on while he used my machines to repair the drawer. It is coming on nicely, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
It seems summer is coming (at long last). We had a cloudy day and light drizzle late in the afternoon. Hopefully our sunny days are here again!!
Elna did an enormous task cleaning the bathroom floor. Most of it is done, I would just try to clean a little bit more before we varnish it.
I spent most of my week working on the carport. I used only material from the garage we dismantled in January. I had to buy joist hangers (brackets to fit the joists to the main beams), but all of the remainder of the material was "ex stock" I constantly thought of Ben's visit and the two of us taking this garage to pieces. I managed to fit half of the roof, and cut the remainder of the corrugated to size.
There were a few interruptions though. One friend has a car with a broken cambelt, and he has got no other transport. So I helped (looked on and advised) and drove him around searching for parts and tools. That took most of Wednesday and Thursday.
On Saturday another friend turned up with a drawer from a dresser. It was moved on a trailer and the drawer came out and fell on the road, needless to say, in the face side. Luckily, I have got some oak boards, and once again, I stood looking on while he used my machines to repair the drawer. It is coming on nicely, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
It seems summer is coming (at long last). We had a cloudy day and light drizzle late in the afternoon. Hopefully our sunny days are here again!!
21 October 2012
We did manage to finish the walls and ceiling of the new bathroom. Then I started work on the door. Problem was that I had so much stuff under the lean to that I had no space to work. Well, I did manage to glue the panels of the door that were bashed by a previous tenant.
Last Saturday we had strong wins, an one sheet from the cookhouse roof blew off. Luckily Elna noticed it and I could retrieve it. We refitted it on Monday, and added a rafter where the chimney has been. In the process I learnt that the cookhouse definitely was built with a shingle roof
I decided that my carport and store room were long overdue. We started moving all the stored junk / material out of the way. Then I started measuring the carport. I am allowed a carport of 20 sq meters without a building permit. The store room that I started a wile ago will also get done. The store room may not be more than 10 sq meters.
I am not sure that I have got enough corrugated iron to do both, that is why I started on the carport as well.I will use the beams and rafters from the garage we bought in January. The garage door was fitted in the wall when we built it. Only question remaining is if I will be able to last the job.
We did manage to finish the walls and ceiling of the new bathroom. Then I started work on the door. Problem was that I had so much stuff under the lean to that I had no space to work. Well, I did manage to glue the panels of the door that were bashed by a previous tenant.
Last Saturday we had strong wins, an one sheet from the cookhouse roof blew off. Luckily Elna noticed it and I could retrieve it. We refitted it on Monday, and added a rafter where the chimney has been. In the process I learnt that the cookhouse definitely was built with a shingle roof
I decided that my carport and store room were long overdue. We started moving all the stored junk / material out of the way. Then I started measuring the carport. I am allowed a carport of 20 sq meters without a building permit. The store room that I started a wile ago will also get done. The store room may not be more than 10 sq meters.
I am not sure that I have got enough corrugated iron to do both, that is why I started on the carport as well.I will use the beams and rafters from the garage we bought in January. The garage door was fitted in the wall when we built it. Only question remaining is if I will be able to last the job.
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