I have finally found the time to write the latest blog – a bit later than usual. But we are off to Blackball again tomorrow so I thought I had better write this now. Last Friday, same as recent weekends, I meet Al in Hoki, a little bit later as I went to the funeral of my dear old Uncle Ted (Evans). When we first moved to NZ from Malaya the Evan’s family lived opposite us in Heathcote Street, they became our extended family in NZ. It was a lovely send off and I was pleased I was able to make it. xx

It is quite noticeable the change in seasons from when we first started building with it getting darker much earlier. The bonus though was a lovely moonlit night while we had tea around 9 I think. It was still warm enough to sit outside.

A sleep in would be nice but we were in BB as usual around 9 with a brief stop at Mitre 10 even. Saturday’s job was to install the 2nd hand window we got off Trade Me. This is going to be instead of the sliding door we had initially planned to put in. It is to go in the garage door opening until we build our house, and then will be removed and it become a garage/workshop/studio. We decided that a window will work better as we will have more wall space for our stuff, and we have a lot of “stuff”. Also a window ended up a lot cheaper and easier to transport to BB than a large sliding door. We also purchased a kitset kitchen unit from Mitre 10 and Al brought that over too. We were expecting some rain but it once again held off for us and we worked together to build the frame around the window. Getting the window in was a bit of a challenge especially for this shortie. Fortunately it was a bit lighter then when we first picked up as the internal sliding windows had been removed. We managed to get it into place and then remembered we hadn’t put the building wrap and tape on the frame. So out it came again! By knock off time we had 75% of the ply cladding up surrounding the window. I think this window might be well used with the BBQ going to be right beside it. We thought a couple of barstools would be quite fitting too as it has the feel of an outdoor bar. Even though it is temporary we might as well get full use out of it. We have often talked about creating an outdoor bar when we build our house and calling it Sharkey’s bar in honour of brother Kev. This will be the interim bar.

It was a big day in BB there were 2 annual events on and the town was buzzing. The first one was the Hash House Harriers which is apparently ‘ a drinking club with a running problem’. Apparently it is world wide and looked like a lot of fun similar to orienteering but with some obstacles on the way. Everywhere you looked you see the serious runners and then the joggers and then the walking brigade. The other event was the annual cricket tournament and it turned out a cracker day for it. We could hear the crowd from our place and we look forward to checking it out next year. I am sure there were a few bevvies drunk that night but alas we once again headed back to Bluespur and even had a short, loud downpour during the night.

We packed up Sunday morning as we would be going straight home from BB. As usual you couldn’t hear a pin drop when we arrived in BB it was so peaceful and we weren’t going to be too noisy. Our first job was to finish the outside cladding around the window which didn’t take too long. Then it was time to start some work inside, the aim was to put the ply on the woodshed and bathroom walls which would mean the building would be fully enclosed and lockable. We still only have building paper so not quite livable yet but getting close as the cladding is due to start on Monday. We were packed up and on the road by 2.30.

We are heading back to the coast tomorrow and Al’s parents Neil and Dianne will also be joining. The plan is to do as much of the electrical prewire on Sat/Sun and Al will stay on with his Dad, as he needs to be there when the roofers are back, to install the outside cladding Monday and Tuesday to complete the external ply. I will head home Sun pm again. Once the external cladding is finished we will be able to set up camp and not have to go to Bluespur each day – unless we want too of course. It will be nice to be able to catch up with our BB friends rather than rushing off every day 🙂