Saturday on the bike in Brisvagas

Brisbane is a wonderful city to see by bike. If you are ever here just do it. There are citycycle bikes which cost only $2 per day and more as long as you keep you trips under 30 mins, there are stations all over the place so it is not hard to do.

I traveled all over and have been playing with my new photo apps which made for a creatively fun day in the sun.

Travelled through the city and over to West End for Davies Park market - far too much good food in one place.

Headed back to South Brisbane to take in some art. I would so love to have one of though huge gallery spaces to do Viewpoints training in!

Crossed the Goodwill Bridge and rode through the botanical gardens, so so many brides and cameras.

Weaved my way through beautiful people at Eagle St Pier, up under Story Bridge and back into Fortitude Valley for a movie. One Day with gorgeous Ann Hathaway.

colour change

It's been a while since I've updated the blog and now I am finally on some annual leave I've time to share the changes.  Over the winter I've gradually been chipping away at a long list of little things to do, curtains, rearranging furniture, bits of painting and the beginning of the garden (all be it in pots for now!)

have a look around

the very beginning of a garden

curtains adapted from ikea basics - when all closed has a dado effect

more gloss black and colour in the kitchen

painting begins

 have to re-do the trims again now

Up the back from my place

I've finally started exploring the neighbourhood, thanks largely to a new neighbour friend Katherine and her two gorgeous dogs.  We have been walking on a Sunday for the last few weeks.  With the Coningham Reserve just up the road there are so many trails and fire breaks to walk through, and you can weave your way down to the beach, rock walk around the coast and back up through the streets which are themselves pretty lovely, lots of trees, unique houses and friendly people. I so love and am so lucky to have my home here.

A cosy place to convalesce

I've been in my house for four weeks, it actually seems like longer and so I'm frustrated at how long it is taking me to get things sorted, but maybe i'm being hard on myself - probably.  I've been so tired and am now sick trying to juggle work and find a little time to nest.  So here are a few photos from the last few weeks.

slow but steady progress on the guest bathroom

my library - a little of it

built by G - thank you very much

my sick bed that i am now safely in

now I will heat up some soup and have another sleep

IN

I've been quite suitably distracted by a little show I've been working on 'Construction of the Human Heart' and have had no time to blog - crazy to think about all the things that have happened since easter.

I had the inspection for occupancy the week after easter and moved in the following weekend.  I've been here for 12 days now - although I was away for 4 of them last week at TLP - yes it has been a little busy.

first night in

the view from where I rest my head - first morning

There are boxes and stuff everywhere, temporary shelving in the kitchen until the pantry is done, empty bookcases because I still have to paint the skirting and window frames and there is no point getting ahead of myself.  But nearly everyday I do at least a little something.  Put up a curtain rail, find the cutlery and put it in a drawer, sort a suitcase of clothes....

and it is so very peaceful down here.  When I make my first cup of tea, I say hi to the lama in the block next to next door and I can watch chickens in another block roam from my bed.  There is a roster somewhere but he is not too bad - not a very early riser and far enough away from mine.

It is green and hilly and just perfect.

I have only cooked one night so far, but the beast was christened with mushrooms and eggs - ah cooking with gas, am looking forward to hosting my first dinner party - maybe in a couple of months...

Am hoping to take some time off over the next month to do lots more nesting, and get ready for my first house guest......but it already feels like my home and i'm excited to be spending a lot more time here for many years to come.

big easter changes

I made the most of the easter break and even took some of my TOIL to get things moving on my house, it has been a busy week, plans had to be rearranged a few times because of a crap tradesman who let us down on the floor sanding job and some technical difficulties with his not crap replacement, but with the very generous help of my family and some dear friends a lot has been done.

 I finished tiling the toilet and the en-suit

 and then worked out how to grout

 lots of people helped paint and spak - big thanks to Bec, Sarah, Jess and huge thanks to M & G - we have two coats on pretty much nearly every wall

what a fabulous way to spend your easter holiday!

 

the sander arrived yay! and after a little hicup with power (fixed by the lovely electrician Rob) he got stuck in

 meanwhile G and I started building the kitchen carcasses downstairs

 and Mum sanded the stairs (I did help) and then put on the first coat of sealant (I helped with that too)

 while Murray did the sealant upstairs - mm glossy

It was actually a very noisy two day process, it wasn't even worth putting on the radio.  We had a funny moment when G made the sign for the top of the stairs to stop people walking on them - I explained to G that 'WET STUFF' was a sex lubricant and mum proceeded to make a new sign 'DO NOT WALK ON STAIRS - WET SEALANT'  I laughed a lot - they refused to be photographed with their signs (well mum did - and as a rule she hates being photographed).

Last night my brother, G and I went down to put in the kitchen.  It was a long but productive night,

thank goodness for Charlie P's work lights!

 

 my pretty 90cm oven all wrapped up!

everything is in and ready for Plum Bob (the plummer), the electrician and the gas man - if we can get a hold of him!!  

I have a couple more days to get bits an pieces done before I have to check in at work and get stuck into lots of rehearsal for Construction of the Human Heart.  The floor guys will be back for the next couple of coats and the house is to be inspected for occupancy next week!  fingers crossed (that I won't be moving in "illegally" - because I am moving in some form)

a blue room, a handrail and DIY progress

 all ready for tiling!

to help not falling down stairs

 my friend the tile cutter

a work in progress

with a little ( a lot actually) help from my friends Kim and Adrian I now have knowledge and (some) skills in tiling and had a very productive weekend.  Mastered the tile cutter and used a grinder for the first time! The en-suite floor and most of the skirting is done, rest of skirt and grout to go,  floor in toilet done and floor and walls in bathroom started.  I really wished I'd had an extra few days to keep going, I hate leaving a job half finished....  but will have to wait now, probably till nearly easter.

This week the floors are being sanded and sealed and then we can build the kitchen - more DIY with  the help of my parents this time. Easter will be busy but fun and hopefully I can move in very soon after.....  

Mum and Graeme also started the painting - they are very good at it and I am lucky to have so much help.  But maybe they are just trying to get their spare room back :-)