We 're counting: Completed the Renovation and on the Market

Another stunning sunset as summer comes to an end

February and March have gone in a blur with getting the house completed and on the market. Altering pathways around the new entrance door, finishing crib walls, (having poured the concrete footing before Christmas) putting in mesh and stones to improve the appearance of the old crib wall which was still structurally ok but not pretty! And planted out with more grasses. Cleaned up and painted barge boards and soffits. Painted the base of the house and then inside the basement's garage block walls. What a transformation. Bill doesn't really want to leave his lovely basement garage. So I've promised him that he can build a new shed once we return home.

Concreting nib wall with Trevor

Pulling Bill & Compactor uphill

Preparing the driveway to be asphalted was a big project in it's self. Bill bought a little compactor as a 5-day hire was half the cost. A few Ute loads of base course have been compacted into building up the drive. And a small concrete nib wall with Trevor's help once again to complete the boundary with the neighbour.

Under stairs cupboard
complete with door knobs

New laundry coming along

Bill has also built a fence with a steel frame after borrowing Salvi's welding equipment. I think he quite enjoyed the change in project. He had difficulty sourcing the timber but thankfully his nephew was a bit slow to come and pick up the old decking which was perfect for the job. Sorry you missed out Matt! And what a difference this made to the new entrance of the house. Looks fabulous .

Painting blocks and spiders 🕷

Bill finished creating the new laundry and lay flooring in the new entrance and laundry. This has brought all the renovations together and completed the job. Even the cupboard under the stairs had a make over and with Bill's querky idea on using ten door knobs he picked up at the recyclers for coat hooks, looks amazing.

Joan with good friend Ngaire

We celebrated Joan's 90th with the Family and a friend out for lunch. We try to get her out one day over the weekends which she always enjoys the change of scenery. She has settled into the routines of Ernest Rutherford and always happy to return after an outing, which makes it easy for the Family. And then we celebrated Bills birthday at the Speights Ale House with Vicki and Trevor - another year closer to that Golden Egg 👏

Besides painting, I put in a few hours at Stuart Drummond Transport which was an opportunity to check out the Bus. In this case, move it as the yard was being graded. It was looking a bit lonely . Not long now little Bus .

A wee Beer Trail in the limited sunshine

Brother Wayne had a quick visit to Nelson too, hoping to cycle some of our local trails, but unfortunately the weather didn't play ball and the best we could offer was a walk in the rain to the Free House and a game of Cribb (he won) and Qwerkle (we won). Will try the bike trails again next year Wayne! We did have time to visit a couple of local Breweries but being Monday they weren't all open sadly. But Bill enjoyed his Paddle Board at Toad Hall.

After almost two years of living here, I still had Pipers Walkway on my to-do list which we managed over Nelson's Anniversary weekend. This is up the back of us and trails down into town. Unfortunately the walk goes no where near any cafe and I had to make do with a plunger coffee once we got home even though I was prepared with masks and money just incase I could deviate Bill a little.

Driveway extension almost there!

Our home at 177 needed a bit of a tidy up as the gardens are getting really overgrown, we had a full day up there. Once again the trusty Ute was very handy. We will be returning next February to full time back in our home, so will make do with short bursts of maintenance till then.

We worked our way through emptying out the house. Even though we have basically camped here with the furniture, it is amazing how much gear had to be removed. Habitat for Humanity came in very handy. Thankfully it is nearby.

We are now on the market after having the house staged which has made the house "Wow" and looks fabulous. The beds are amazing- 4 huge beds are all blow ups. Hope no one flops down on them! Now we just need that one Buyer