October Review!

Hello again, one and all! I thought, as this is the last month of building (we have been told the house may be ready in as little as 3-4 weeks!), it might be time to look back on the last few months. Following is a selection of photos from this blog that highlight the journey so far. Enjoy!

One page of the architect's plan, showing the front (top) and the back (bottom) of the house.

The house gets marked out in string.

The driveway and rock wall begin.

One half of the rock wall.

Stage 1 of the foundations.

The concreter, working out how the hell he is supposed to concrete that much land (ha ha).

Foundations, stage 2.

Looking to the land, foundations, at stage 3 (gravel)

Foundations, stage 3.

I remember we got pretty excited when we saw this! It was finally happening!

Concrete, the day after pouring.

No house!

The wooden frame is removed from the foundations.

How's the concrete?!

The wood arrives.

Looked on the the local boyzzzzz...

Start of the frame and scaffolding goes up.

The day before most of the frame went up, these first planks were set.

The frame.

Mochi Maki day arrives! This was about 8.30am.

One by one, the frame was put together.

With big hammers...

...and even bigger hammers.

Some jobs were easier than others.

After lunch, the frame had progressed a lot.

And by sunset, it was almost complete.

Getting ready to throw mochi.

The first throw - this photo still makes me laugh!

The house, before it got it's curtains.

The frame, from the inside.

Looking to the house from the garden.

And from the road.

The roof one day...

...an the roof the next.

The window frames go in.

And door frames.

Looking to the kitchen.

Upstairs.

Craftsmanship!

The house gets some clothes on.

Secret business.

The inner lining of the walls goes on (the blue and white stuff) - the 2nd floor balcony.

Our first look at the siding. Outside the kitchen window.

The wood trim inside all the windows and doors.

Flooring begins.

And the walls and ceilings are put in.

More flooring.

And the longest floor.

The top half of the siding goes up.

And the walls continue.

The siding is almost complete and the curtains are opened.

Looking towards the front door from the garden.

The beloved balcony. Siding almost complete.

Painting the underside of the roof.

Pretty house!

Looking to the lounge room and my study off to the left.

Looking to the Tatami room from the kitchen.

Our bedroom ceiling, where the wooden fan will go.

The desks and bookshelves begin. My study.

Cabinet to go under the TV in the tatami room.

Cabinets and shelves, upstairs sink.

Kaoru's bookshelves and desk, in his study.

The bookshelves for the free space being made.

The stairs begin.

Freespace bookshelves completed, minus the adjustable shelves which will be added.

Sunrise, yesterday morning, from the tatami room.

 It has been quite a journey so far! We're really looking forward to the next few weeks (well, not the packing and moving part...).