What We Did Today

We went to the farm! Gibbo started on the hole for the new gate strainer.

Mum, Mate and Peter came for their first look and were suitably impressed. Mum, Meg and I walked through the house working out where to put some of the furniture. G picked up the two remaining cows and dropped them into one of the front paddocks. He took Doug down to have a look around and they serviced the bore pump. Poofy had a couple of trips in the back of the ute, playing Farm Dog. Desley, Ken and Pam came out from Tba for a tour and we spun around in the wet - 20mls worth. Tonight we had a birthday dinner for Meg with pumpkin soup, wagyu steak, potato bake, coleslaw, onion and mushrooms and CAKE! The Reynolds' came out too. Just as we were about to sit down to eat I went to hand some plates out - I looked towards the door and saw THIS............there he was, just standing there all nonchalant like. He came for Meg's birthday tomorrow!

He got a lift home with Nat. I wondered how he got out here - and it was explained. Just before G went to  cook the steaks he said he'd had a phone call and had to go to the yards and let some late arrival cattle in. Ken and Dave had to cook. After a while I commented that Gibbo seemed to be taking a long time; I rang to see if something had gone wrong but didn't get a response. Not long after that he walked in and that's when I went to hand out the plates - and saw Drew standing inside at the other door!! Gibbo had raced to town to pick Drew up - that's why I thought he was taking a long time! You know that split second when your mind can't comprehend what your eyes are seeing - yep, that was totally me. All I could do was scream Arrrggghhh! I was duped real good. I'm not usually duped easily but they got me good this time - and I don't mind a bit!

Measuring Up

G is keen to get a lockable gate up as soon as possible. We rushed there at lunchtime so he could measure up; we re-checked some fences and I took a couple more house shots.

Looking towards The Bunyas from near the top of the laneway.

I'll make good use of this pile of stones.

Meg arrived home this afternoon after a week long management course at the correctional centre. She's ready for her birthday on Sunday...but before that she's keen to apply all her design ideas to the new house....oh, and she's keen to go paint shopping.

Drew had a huge night last night at the final Exchange for the semester; he was texting Meg and me at 4 o'clock this morning. He's now up to 5 essays - 5 High Distinctions - although he's finding Spanish a little challenging. He has swotvac now, then 2 exams and a Spanish language test - and the semester will be over. Already.

Our New Home

At 11.08am our solicitor rang to say that settlement had been effected and that we could go pick up the keys. A short time later the bank rang to say settlement had gone smoothly and the job was done. Another short time later the nice bank man rang and asked us "did we still want to finalise the loan conditions as had been discussed several weeks ago". Yes please; and thank you for dropping your interest rate slightly so that we save a dollar or so a week.

So in amongst work commitments (trucking schedules and the imminent arrival of our two new overseas workers - look out Gina R) we sped to the little shop in the little town that will soon be our new local town and picked up the keys. After taking a few pics at the front gate we drove in....past the house (hello??)....and up the laneways to the paddocks and pastures to check what feed bulk was there. Just getting our priorities right hey?

And here it is....introducing.....the new Sliprail.

Our first goal will be - a new sign and a gate....

A glimpse of the house through the trees.

The driveway.

A laneway; cattle yards are on the left.

Another laneway taken from the top of the block.

Another laneway across to one side boundary.

Yes I checked the water using the stepping stones. One of us was too short to see over the top. We may need to add another rock or two.

The powered shed with rainwater tank.

Ye Olde Dairy.

Ye Olde Head Bail. Look out Peppie.

The cattle yards.

One of two dams.

The garage at the house.

The tank off the garage.

The pool. Another algae collector.

Getting closer.......one area of the house yard.

The back of the house.

Side view.

The laundry with view through to the bathroom.

Standing in the lounge looking at the kitchen and dining/eating area at the other end.

Dining/eating.

Cooktop built into the far bench with lounge room beyond.

A very dark picture of the lounge room. Kitchen to the left.

Wood heater in the corner.

Bedroom 1 with walk-in robe.

Bedroom 2.

Bedroom 3.

The little room in the middle of the house; was used as an office.

Standing in laundry looking towards toilet and bathroom.

Outdoor area.

Dining and kitchen on right; lounge directly ahead through screen door.

The front.

Side verandah, outside bedroom 1 and 2.

Front verandah, outside bedroom 3 and 1.

The small storeroom at the back corner; adjoins bathroom and bedroom 2 walls.

Pantry - not as big as the walk-in room I have now but definitely more than adequate.

It may not look like it now but with some compost and manure and lucerne this will be a vege garden.

My chook pens :)

The planning begins!! We'll be back there this weekend....and the one after that....and the one after that.....