ANOTHER BUSY WEEKEND

Saturday was much as usual.  Didn't go to the market but did an early Supermarket shop.  I bought both lamb mince as well as a couple of pieces of boned lamb leg so needed to make  lamb meatballs as well as a large casserole.  Cutting the vegies and all the prepping of trimming and cutting up the meat always takes longer than I expect but I got it done although the casserole didn't go in the oven until after lunch.  I also did three loads of washing and wonder where it all comes from.  it was showery so most of it went in the porch.  I managed to get most of it dry and finished drying the rest on Sunday.  As well as this we were getting the porch ready for visitors on Sunday.  

Doug's Grandson, his wife and their two boys are here from Perth.  Last time they were here the eldest was a baby and the youngest hadn't been before.  His sister decided it would be nice to get a family photo with Grandad and everyone while they were here so they came here yesterday.  The photographer came at 4 p.m. (her choice of time) .  Luckily, everyone was able to come.  The A & E nurse had just finished her shift as had her brother, in the police. 

We had everything ready, drinks, finger food etc. and the first ones arrived at about 3 p.m.  The photographer arrived promptly at 4 and decided that instead of using the park behind us she would use our garden so most of the photos were in front of the mandarin tree.  I just love to see all the great-grandies having fun together.  Two ten years old, an eight years old, a six years old, two 3 years old and a seven month old.  They were all so good.  After the main photos in the back garden they moved to the front garden to take photos of the children in front of the Windmill the Doug built.  When it was all over most had a cuppa and cake in the porch while the children and some adults went to the playground in the park behind us.

We are both tired today but a happy tired.  Our walk was back to the Whangarei Falls and, once again, there was plenty of water.

I took a video of the Falls but can't get it to download.

CRAZY PAVING

 Doug thought that the old drive would be broken up for removal but, when he noticed that they were cutting it into squares he asked them to leave some.  Since the drive was finished he has been breaking these slabs up and making a crazy paving path around the other side of the house.

At the same time he has made the path wider where it goes past the cat run.  Below is all that is now left of the old drive.  Not sure what Doug has planned for this.

FINISHED DRIVE

It is now eight days since the concreters finished and we are able to use on the drive.  Our Toyota Spade has been living next door while the work has been going on and has now returned (being led up the drive by Blue).

Pretty much the same view before the work.

 

On another subject,  We spent a very pleasant afternoon on Sunday helping Doug's Primary school friend celebrate his 90th birthday.
 

THE DRIVE 4

Yesterday, we had our usual Parkinson walk and got home just before midday.  The concreters were already here doing their final preparations ready for the pour.  The concrete truck was booked for 1 p.m. and arrived shortly after then the hard work began.  Three workers kept going until 9.30 p.m. and we are thrilled with the job.

Our contractor had decided to put an expansion cut down the middle as well as across.  He also brushed the concrete in different directions alternately giving a chequerboard effect.  These photos were taken first thing.  They had another job at 6.30 a.m. this morning but came a couple of hours ago to start cleaning up. 

We can walk on it from tomorrow with a week before it can be driven on.  We are so pleased with our choice of contractor.

DOUG'S PAINTINGS AND DRIVE

Here are a couple of Doug's recent paintings.  He knows I love and miss robins so painted this robin for me.

He also painted another view of the Whangarei Falls from a photo I had taken.  I love the light in this painting.

 As far as the drive is concerned we had an email last night to say the concrete is due to arrive at 1 p.m. on Monday.  Our contactor was here this morning doing some more work to get everything ready for the pour.  I know he is working on a big job tomorrow involving several firms.  He was telling Doug how he plans to finish the concrete.  We are really looking forward to seeing the finished job.  

WINTER VEGETABLES

In spite of the bad weather last month my vegetables are doing well.

Cabbages

                                                       Cauliflower Romanesco (my favourite)

                                                                        Parsley

                                                                  Lovage

                                                                         Sorrel

                                                        Swiss chard and perpetual spinach

The bottom part of the drive is still not concreted.  With all the rain earlier there is a queue for the concrete truck and the larger, established firms obviously take precedence.  It is a Long Weekend this weekend (tomorrow is Matariki holiday. We are hoping the concreting will be done on Monday.

 

THE DRIVE 4

Sunset is at 5.15 pm and last night they were working until 8 pm by torchlight to get the concrete to their desired finish.  We are very pleased with it.  They came back this morning to do some clearing up that they were unable to do last night and remove the boxing.  They had worked a sixteen hour day having started at 4 a.m. on another job. We discovered today that the wife of the man who we are actually working with is in hospital and had surgery on her back today.  What with that and the long hours from yesterday apart from the clearing up and a bit of work with a water blaster they are having a rest day.  I gather they will be back to start work on the bottom part of the drive tomorrow afternoon.  These photos were taken first thing before the tidying with the water blaster.