The Garden

So our architect organised a landscape architect to pop 'round to see our garden.
What do we want?
Hmmm....
Something low-maintenance, drought resistant, dog-friendly and inviting.
Not a cottage garden (as neither of us have a green thumb). We will concentrate on the back as that is the place that is going to have the most work done, and it will need to marry well with the new renovation/extension. The front can be a work in progress. Plus we're not 100% sure about the crossover and whether that will happen or not. A driveway will impact a lot on the design of the front so we thought it best that we prioritise the rear.
They'll get back to us with a rough sketch of ideas, seeing as we had no clear vision ourselves (except that I don't want any water features).

Evolution 3

This meeting, we got closer to finalising the layout. We have begun discussing materials and climate control. Now that we have been in the house for a bit, we can better understand the climate variations in the house in regards to our wonderful northern aspect. Next meeting we will be seeing a colour palette and some quotes for heating/cooling, as well as some wood samples. We are liking what we are seeing. I guess when it comes down to the nitty gritties is when we'll have to make some more obvious decisions. Ie. double fridge? sliding doors in the pantry or folding? top loader or front loader? Where is the doggy door going?
The back end of the house has evolved a bit with the addition of a rear deck, which I'm much preferring. Although we will still have full length windows to take advantage of the Moreton Bay Fig. The past few nights I've started to hear the fruit bats feeding on the fruit in that tree. Marlee seems ambivalent to them, which is good.
The architect says that after plans have been through council and approved, the building process should take no more than 6 months (with a few weeks contingency). So I guess we're looking at Christmas 2008.

Our Achilles heel

So the plumber came. We had to go next door to check the drains that run along the house. Seeing as we don't have another side to the house per se, it is in the nieghbour's property. So we knock on his door to get permission to see if there was nay over flow on his side.
Well the greeting we got from him was not positive at all. He started gesticulating and talking about solicitors to get access etc etc. He thought the plumber was Craig and we had come to hassle him. He was not a happy camper.
Until I said that this WAS the plumber and we just wanted to make sure he wasn't having any problems. Oh then he changed his tune and was ever so nice. Turns out it's not the combined sewer that was the problem and was just our pipes.
But sheesh. What a reception he gave us. This is only the 2nd time I've met him and for him to give me such a stern tirade. Oh boy, are we expecting the worse from him once the plans are up to public scrutiny and demolition/building begins. Not looking forward to it.

As a plumber, I make a good graphic designer

So the drains in the bathroom were not draining freely. So a little bit of Draino and the sink is fixed.
The shower was not so co-operative.
A bit of googling, and apart from one of those machines that you stick one end into the drain and it agitates the blockage away, I decided that the plunger shoud help dislodge whatever gunk was down there.
Well, plunging away for a bit seemed to bring up some globules of hair and lord knows what else. But it still wasn't draining. Then the bathtub started to react to my efforts in the shower. Aha, so they're connected. Maybe a bit of Draino down the bathtub drain might help.
Nup.
Ok, so I'll try plunging that and see what I can remove.
Well, after a good hour or so. To no avail.
Craig has a shower and now the shower AND the bathtub are not draining at all.
It took over night for the water to drain from both.
So, on a Sunday. A plumber is coming with his whatchamie to stick down the drain, to agitate whatever it is blocking the drains. At weekend rates of course. Sheesh.
So much for D.I.Y.
Should have called the professionals in the first place.

Plan 2

Yesterday we met with the architect again. The design for the rear extension has evolved from a curved glass form, to something more formal. With angled roof forms and a glass slot gutter system. Its looking fabulous and I really like what he's coming up with.
After the meeting we went to a handover of a small workers cottage/terrace house that had just been completed. So we could meet one of the builders and see the kind of finish we can expect; and a happy client also. It was a small cosy 2 bedroom place for a single guy, and was quite nice, if teeny weeny. And that job took 12 months to complete, but they have 2 party walls to contend with. Anyway, alls well thus far.

What a day

We've finally moved in. After a hard day with the movers, we've managed to get 97% of our things to the new address. Now the unpacking... but most things will remain in their boxes. Then again, some may find themselves relieved of their duties and removed from our posession!

Packing, packing, packing

Oh how I dislike packing. But we are getting there! The big move is Monday when all the furniture is transported.
We have sooooo many books. So many books that are heavy and difficult to pack efficiently. The bummer thing is that most things will remain in boxes as we'll move out again when they start building. Sheesh.