Kitchen going in

Chaps started fitting the kitchen yesterday






























And some water trough action











Lazza growing and nibbling on grass now

Weekend away in McKenzie Country

well we are just passing our two year mark :-) and to celebrate we had a weekend away in Tekapo. The neighbours fed the baby (Lazza the lamb) and the furry beasts went to a cats hotel! So Friday afternoon off we went ...

We had a great time skiing at Round Hill ski resort and munching our way through the culinary treats that Tekapo has to offer. Plus of coures the lovely soaking in the open air hot pools. The scenery of course was SUPERB with the lake and mountains looking splendid. Although not as blue as usual due to a bit of cloud until Saturday lunchtime!

Here are some pics to fill you all in with the mood............

............ counting down to lift off

Well Larry is in fine fettle although he does seem to think we are ewes who only have eyes for him!!! He is very cuddly though and will follow wherever if allowed.. . . . . even in to the house! He has a nice new shelter (north facing of course with a great view - no walk in wardrobe though). He bleats VERY loudly when he thinks we are in range despite cuddles four times a day with feeds ........


The house is really coming on and seems to be full of people at the mo. The painter has finished the ceilings and has primed the walls (here's our bedroom) colours to be started on next week. Then its the kitchen, the rest of the electrics, bathrooms fire and finally the floor coverings. OOOH it's getting really exciting now.


Then there's the fire place in the main lounge - a touch bigger than we had imagined but like most things with a build the sizing is distorted by the lack of furniture etc. to gauge it by. The base is being laid and will be followed by a layer of cut Waimakariri / Ashley river stones (thats our local touch!) so should look good and we are looking forward to our future winters with cosy CENTRAL HEATING..............

Having lots of mornings like this one lately

our new bundle of joy........Larry

Well today has been quite exciting - We started the day by chipping an ENORMOUS pile of garden waste which is going on to the front bed as mulch. Now its done its a rather small pile of bits but it should be enough for the job.

Then our neighbour (and builder) Mike came over an offered us 'Larry' who is a day old lamb (aaah) and one of triplets - Mum cannot keep up with the milk and Larry is in danger of being forgotten so we are hand rearing him for an Easter lunch :-D Ben made him a house and he soon made himself confy in his straw bed.

Let gardening commence!

The outside of the house is almost complete just the drain pipes and door furniture ... then the rest as they say is up to us!





It's been jolly cold here in the mornings (well outside anyway) with -4C fairly regular with great frosts.


Of course inside our lodgings we are toasty warm and we have noticed a huge difference between a modern insulated house and our last rental (well the four quilts, thermal undies and sleeping hat - wow what a picture- have gone :-) The sunrises and sunsets have been FAB and I am really appreciating the BIG SKY that is out here.


We have had some fantastic weather out here which has helped a great deal with the speed of the project. The gib stoppers (plasterers) are in now and should be about another week then its the turn of the painter (thats once we have decided on the colours ofcourse ...... no one said it was going to be easy!!!)


Well more action today :-) the large bed at the front got a makeover with mainly natives and a couple of imports (rhode and a couple of others) and the edge got evened out and pebbled! Quite a bit of work just to collect the stones never mind the rest and it certainly kept me out of circulation for most of the day !!! It's not quite finished - there are some bulbs and some mulch to add yet!



Mean while Ben was busy erecting the beginnings of the wood shed (just an excuse to try out his new saw if you ask me ;-) it's looking really good and just needs it wooden overcoat and roof on :-) now.