Forever House #38

Saturday 16th November, 2013

Mango!

I've had a good day. Slept eight hours without stirring - that's always a good thing. Chopped up and ate a delicious fruit salad with almonds this morning before going down to the house at seven thirty to begin my working day. The pile of dirt left over from digging the pad for the water tank was all soft and easy to work with after several recent showers. And being under the western eave of the house, it was cool and shady for that work, at that time of the morning. I was pleased with myself after filling four barrows full.

A full water tank at hand, at last - and hose

The water collection was so easy today because the new water tank is full and I had a hose fitting for it this time. Ahhh... The simple things in life...

I still had sand from last visit, so chopped enough straw for two days and set it to soaking.

The top of the walls have to be wet down where the new mud is to lay, so I did that a few times during the morning. Hot days dry the water out quickly. I mixed up two huge loads of mud and got to laying it.

Phil the man who is is re-sizing my doors for me called past when he saw my car. He was on his way home from Currawinya after five days working for neighbours. It was good to see him and show him where the doors will hang. He says he's already done one and a half of the four doors he took a couple of weeks ago. And he is working on the others on Monday. All these little bits of progress are so satisfying. Phil left and back up the scaffolding I went to get that lot of mud done. Time for my one coffee for the day and some lunch.

A light Dad had that I will use for the front entry

As I set the milk to heating I could hear what sounded like a muffled radio. I followed the sound and found my dear Mum and Dad had driven out to have lunch with me - and they couldn't have timed it better. They had a good look around. We ate and chatted on the front verandah for a good couple of hours. I wasn't worried about time because the couple of internal walls I am working on only take five loads of mud each row. I can only lay one a day - a second row would make the first row slump.

I don't get to sit and yarn with my folks all to myself very often - and in such a quiet beautiful setting. We had a lush downpour while we sat. The eaves on the verandah are nice and deep and it is generally well protected.  Mum's very keen to paint a wall when we get to that. Which isn't too far away if all goes to the timeline.

After waving them off I mixed three further loads of mud and layed it.
One mixer load, on average is a fifteen shovels of dirt, a tin of sand, three hands full of straw (preferably wet), and water to get it to the right consistency, less water than usual at the moment due to the soil holding moisture.

Next time I come out I'll complete mudding the current walls up to the ceiling. And I'm hoping I can paint the ceiling and walls the same weekend - but that is quite ambitious and probably unrealistic. We'll see.
I brought some Bond Crete with me today to trial spraying a one to four mix with water on to the brushed down wall, and then after half an hour drying time, painted a couple of patches  on top of that with water base paint. I had two kinds - some clay paint Susan gave me and a gloss outdoor paint. The bond crete spray had a wonderful effect on the wall - sealed beautifully. I don't know what I was worried about. I was trying to do the purist thing and use limewashes and prickly pear snot etc - because I "wanted the walls to breath!". But I also want something that is a really good base for whatever else it requires over time. And I don't want the walls to give off any dirt or lime. This process is really easy and it will look amazing. So I can't see why I shouldn't buy some white satin water based paint and a large tin of Bond Crete and go for it. It will be transforming - I'm very excited.

 
Sunday 17th November, 2013
I went a bit mad in the mud and bath rooms after finishing my row of mud on Sunday. I took a trowl to the mud around each bottle cleaning them up and giving them a wash. I also filled any larger cracks or holes with fresh mud so that when painting it will be a better surface. The bottles looked bright. Mud is so amicable a material.
And after that, the trusty Triton and I pulled out five lantanas. Chipping away at it. Then a swim of course before heading home till next time.We won't talk about the starter motor - suffice to say I used her as little as possible, I left the motor on when it was reasonable, and I said encouraging things to her and some prayers which all seemed to help keep any incidents to a minimum.

Bond creted wall up to ceiling above clean and tidy bottles

Patching the holes and large cracks ready for painting

I'm taking a week's holiday after Christmas New Year which means I'll be out at the farm for about eight days early January. Hopfully Jeff will be there for whatever time he can spare too. That could well see the next stage of the mudding, around the two internal walls of the main bedroom, finished. Yes I think that is the plan. In the meantime my friends and I will be working on our various tasks - mine being to compete the bathroom and mudroom, tiles, painting walls and doors, plumbing, etc all done.

By Christmas?! I have two more long weekends before then, and Jeff would come out on both, Dave will be back to assist. There's a good chance. I have to make a glass panel for the external bathroom door seeing as I stole the original to use as the front door. And I have to get some sandstone to build part of the shower recess. A plinth for the shower screen. Some mini orb, a shower and taps, and also make a mirror. Oh, and some metal and timber for Dave to go on with when he returns. Wish me luck.

Forever House #37

Friday 15th November 2013 (cont)

Thank you Susan x

I unpacked after Brisbane, repacked for the farm, stopped at Bunnings on the way out here, realised I'd left my work boots at home, met Jeff on the Bruxner Hwy to collect them (he's very kind to me). Stopped at Casino for food shopping and fuel, and then at Susan's at Mallanganee to collect a magnifique mosaic she has made to donate to the Forever House. Such a lovely gift. It is glued and grouted onto a large paver, so will be part of the pathways or garden. Such a lovely thing.

You're beautiful Dan x

I've been to Melbourne for several days since last trip to Currawinya. Had some quality time with my daughter Danika. Such a treat. It's the second visit since she went there to live and study in February this year. I'm getting to know and really enjoy Melbourne. 

While there I couldn't resist hunting down a recycled building materials outlet. I was on the look out for some original old hearth tiles to include in the design which will frame the post belly stove. I went to Steptoe and Son's at Collingwood (the website does not reflect the experience at all). 

I was like a kid in a lolly shop with the huge array of beautiful old items. From terra cotta vents, to hearth tiles, lights, mantlepieces. Lucky I couldn't go too mad because I had to be able to fly home with my purchases. 

I've bought a stack of ten hand made 1920's tiles, and two unmatched but similar wall lights which will go  either side of the bed in the main bedroom - pink to match the windows in that room, which I salvaged fom the aforementioned original homestead where the jacaranda stands, down the slope from the Forever House.

So, a bit of Dan, and Melbourne will feature in the biographical story of the house. I trust there will be an opportunity to collect something relevant to my son Spence to incorporate in the work.

So after a lovely stirfry veg with smoked salmon - I'm ready to have a read and sleep ahead of two days mudding.

Forever House #36

Western Sky

Eastern Sky

Friday 15th November, 2013 - 8:14pm

Hot and sweaty at the caravan table. I didn't get here until late today, close to seven. I spent the first while taking photographs of the evening sky and other splashes of colour and interest that caught my eye. 

Check out those closed in mud walls behind the rose

The rambling rose on the dunny has the sweetest pink flowers on it - I've never seen it with flowers before.







And, the long established jacaranda, at the site of the original homestead nearby the Forever House, was vibrant in it's contrast against the green of everything else.







There's been obvious rain; the newly positioned tank is full















and the usually dry pond (a situation I must rectify) has water in it, and everything else looks fresh and green again after all the dry weather.

The Reluctant Pond

Jeff was supposed to accompany me out here this weekend. He was going to get on with the wiring while I mudded . But our plans changed last minute. We've been gifted a quaint (good kitch) timber and gold velvet lounge by Jeff's parents who have recently moved and have been culling their belongings, especially things that don't suit the new modern unit.

Sweet moon

We drove up beside a brewing storm to their place north of Brisbane yesterday afternoon to see and stay in the new abode, celebrate Jeff's sister's birthday, and relieve them of their petrol mower and garden tools. A win win situation. We should have towed the trailer when we thought further, about the lounge. They needed it gone.
We returned from Redcliffe this morning.


Jeff very kindly offered to hire a covered box trailer in case of bad weather, which is predictable lately , and is driving back up to Brisbane tomorrow to collect said lounge suite. Another win win for Jeffs parents and us. Although we'll be storing it for the interim (wherever we can make room at Tucki) , I think ti will be quite perfect in its eventual home.

I don't have a pic of the lounge yet - that will have to wait now till it goes out to the farm sometime in the not too distant future. There are two two-seaters and two one-seaters. It will suit the ecclectic feel of the House, as well as bring a touch of Jeff and his family into the biographical nature of the fixtures and fittings. Which I think adds to the Forever House-ness.

Forever House #35

Weekend of the 26th, 27th and 28th October

Metal framework across the front - and Quans French doors

I was so excited this weekend to get out here and see what Dave has been up to with the metal work. The house looks amazing with the framework he has done across the front entry of the house and down the western side. He has about as much to do again to complete this framework around the other side of the house up to where it meets the mud wall at the bathroom.

AND!!! he installed the first set of French Doors (these ones are from Quan).

Dave and Gab came over to greet me soon after I arrived on Saturday - I think they were keen to see my excitement at this progress. I am so blessed that I have Dave and Gab's support during this mad dash to the end. Dave says it's like I'm

bringing together a hacienda and a tin shed! Which is true I guess - and it seems to be working out just fine. He's off to work in SA for about six weeks or so on the wheat harvest. There is heaps that I can do and Jeff, during that time.

Front door (still to be resized and painted)

Close up of front door glass

During the ten days since I was last here I have got on with the three panels of stained glass that I've been working on. I've changed my mind about where that door will go - it will be the Front Door. I have another door I can use on the external bathroom door - that matches the Mud room door. I've been worrying about how much it would cost me to get the intended front door from Quan up to scratch. It is fragile and would need quite a bit of tender love and care. Labour costs would be a bit high I think. I've spoken to Phil (another shareholder who lives in Lennox Head and who is a carpenter), about resizing all the doors for me. I've measured all the openings - and Phil will work out whether he will do the work at our Tuckurimba place, or take the doors home to his at Lennox. Once they are resized he will take them back out to the Forever House to hang. I will fit the glass panels, sand and paint them in situ I guess. We'll play that part by ear when the time comes.

Close up of Mud Room Door Glass

I will just keep on with all the glasswork to be ready as needed. I have nine glass projects to do: Front door, Mud room door, External Bathroom door, Two sets of French doors, two highlight windows above the sliding doors in the dining room and two wheels in the internal walls. I also have two solid timber bedroom doors and another door with six glass panels that will go between the mud and bathrooms, to resize, sand and paint.

Mud Room Door (to be resized and painted)

In regards to the time line I started last time I was here, I'm on target so far. Will try to keep on track between now and the end of January and then take stock of what's left to do. I've asked my brother in law Mick to come out in the Easter School holidays and help me bag the block walls on the outside. I'm hoping to glue gyprock on the inside of those walls. And my sister Danielle is taking on designing/tiling/mosaicing the hearth and the wall behind the fire box. So hopefully Easter will see both of these jobs done.

I'd like my hearth to have this look and feel.

If any of you living close have any old pavers that you'd like to see the back of - let me know.
And I'm also very keen to save any old stained glass windows that might otherwise live forever under a house or worse still be thrown to the tip.

Forever House #34

Sunday 27th October (continued)

Donna, Andy and Meegs Mudding in Jan 2005

My friend Andrew was saying a couple of weeks ago after I'd published my last two blog posts, that he can't believe the effort it takes me out here at Currawinya shovelling and sifting and sorting out big rocks from small rocks. He says he couldn't do one barrow load. And my friend Meegs said recently, that when she came out to help me mud in January 2005, she didn't like to say at the time, but she was pretty overwhelmed by the project I had taken on. I get what they are saying...

The burnt out house that I bought

In some ways I feel I need to qualify the manic drive I have to finish this project. On my trips out to Currawinya I often have a wave of anxiety wash over me; and when I arrive and settle in it goes away. Fires could be part of my concern. I am building on a slab that is the remains of a burnt out house. And, I always hope I'll spot any snakes before they spot me - although over the nine years I've been coming here I've not had reason to be alarmed by a snake.

The original house before the fire (Vicki and Tony's house)

There's the thought of the money I have sunk into the project over the years. Including the share purchase, the materials I've bought, and the labour I've paid for, it's about one hundred thousand dollars so far. Jeff and I have just borrowed some money to pay for a solar system and any further large ticket items like the water pump and plumbing requirements, the corrugated sheeting for the frames Dave is building, tile adhesive and grout, sealing and painting materials for walls, bagging for the block wall, etc. Then there's the time and effort that I and so many others have committed over the years, including my kids - whose young lives were largely influenced by this project.

nearly up to the roof in the bathroom/mud room area

Loving these bottles with the light behind

There's two choices I have - one is to give up and leave an expensive dinosaur on the landscape, that in no time would be consumed by the bush. Or... the other is to complete it. So although the list of things to do is immense, it's a no brainer for me - I just must keep on keeping on while I am still of an age and ability to be able to. I've made my bed so to speak and am lying in it! And happily so. I am glad to leave a huge sculpture as my life's work. In less than forty-eight weeks from now, although I may do little else for the year (other than paid work) - my efforts and drive will be rewarded. Well that is the plan.

Sometimes weird stuff drives me - for example: proving to myself and anyone else who is interested, that I'm not as useless as a certain second husband would have liked me to believe. And, another is that years ago, a friend of my first husband did an amateur reading of my handwriting. He told me that because some of my "t's" weren't crossed properly, that meant that I never finish anything. I have him to thank for completing my writing degree after nine years, and also for completing the Forever House after nearly ten!

Bedspring reinforcing. The arch formwork will soon go!

Today I completed the final row of mud that has completely closed in the external wall of the mud room. And I laid a row on the internal two walls that make up the bathroom and mudroom. Seven loads of mud all up. And tomorrow I'll do another row on those internal walls - which will take five loads of mud I'd reckon. That will leave a good three to four rows to get those walls up to the ceiling.

Forever House #33

Sunday 27th October - morning (Ali's birthday x)

The lantana I pulled out on the afternoon I arrived

Hope my Toyota starts today. It started first time yesterday when I arrived, and then again and again as I pulled six lantana bushes out in the afternoon. But at dark, she decided to play her dodgy starter motor card. I was forced to stop and come inside. Instead of my usual regime of dinner and writing my blog - it was dinner and reading some of the first draft of my sister Peita's novel. I printed off three chapters thinking that's all I'd get to during the weekend - but I've devoured those and am disappointed I don't have heaps more printed to go on with. I'm up to Chapter eight of twenty and it's a rollicking read for sure. I'm really enjoying it.


Sunday 27th October - afternoon

I swim from the right of this picture up to the little grass island far left

Kettle's on - sun is soon to drop below the western hill - Mt Currawinya. I'm fresh from my afternoon dunk in the river - swimming various strokes up to my little grass island and back twice. It's easy entering the water at the moment - perfect temperature. Blissful. If the river was not here I'm pretty sure neither would I be. It's such a treasure. All that beautiful fresh water gurgling endlessly past my Forever House.

Before mudding selfie

I'm in mudding mode, which means gathering all the materials first. It takes a bit of self talk making myself shovel and sift the rocks of five or six barrows of dirt. That done, I chop a bucket full of straw and cover it with water to soak. I took the old girl down to the river this morning after she started no worries. I prayed she would start again to bring the sand and me back up the hill. Nah. She was playing still buggers again. I sat there trying and trying - and heard a car coming along the track from further down river. I was a little hopeful it would be Dave - he's a mechanic among his other skills. But it was a couple of women and kids in a white dual-cab ute.

The crossing down at my swimming hole

They stopped behind me and it turned out to be another share-holder Karen who got out to say hello. We have only met once before so it took us a minute to work out who the other was. Karen was very kind, saying she'd just been talking about my blog and that she loves it. Made me happy. Karen and friends were looking for a swimming hole that Gav and Dave had described to her. I gave her the directions that I could remember, and then she realised I was having car trouble. Next thing four of us girls had the bonnet up trying to work out which chunk of metal was the starter motor so we could give it a knock with something. We all stood peering into the depths of the motor, and finding implements for knocking things. I'm not sure that we found the starter motor but we knocked this and that and tried to turn her over a few more times without joy. I released Karen, Kath and the girls for their swim and got the two green Coles bags of sand and the shovel out of the back of the ute, to walk back up the hill and get on with some mudding. I couldn't resist turning the key one more time and bless her she started. This also made me happy. I left the motor running, stowed the sand and shovel and drove home.

The final bit of external wall up to ceiling

Five containers of sand lugged into the house. Next was water. I was delighted during the week to read on facebook that Daphne was mentioning lush rain falling. I knew my recently moved tank would have water in it. Dave very kindly attached a tap to the tank outlet on Saturday afternoon. But I couldn't fine any tap fittings that would allow me to attach a piece of hose. Therefore I lugged water, hopefully for the last time, up and around the house from the other full tank. I'll be sure to return with tap/house fittings next time I come out.