New garden takes shape

Well my new garden is taking shape - just check out this retaining wall.


I've also been gibbed inside and all my skirting put back - I'll put some photo's up soon.

Nearly,nearly there

Well, I'm getting closer to being complete. My new roof is on, my garden is started to be landscaped and my interior is being gibbed ready for decoration - don't I look great? I think it will only be a few more weeks before I'm complete and we can have a party!

Resoration Continues

Here's the latest photos of my restoration - boy does it feel good to be nearly weatherproof again!

Make over

Well now I'm back my make over can start. These photos were taken a few weeks ago and show what's happening on the outside and some on the inside. It's sooo good to be on the path back to health.

Thinking back.....

I'm been so busy telling you what's happening at present and what might be going on in the future I haven't had much time for reminiscing, but now things have settled down got to thinking about about the past.

One of the things I remember was a grey fragrant bush from when I was a very young cottage - southernwood - which brushed against my eastern wall from time to time.  There was a tradition in England that a slip of southernwood was always included in a bride's bouquet, to be taken out and put in the ground by the door to the new couples' house, for good luck.  Don't ask me which young bride, planted southernwood up against my wall, its too long ago - but should someone remember then please let me know.  The  plant, probably as seed, must have come out from England to Pauatahanui to remind someone of home.

It brought warmth to my old totara heart to smell this bush again recently.  Oh joy!  There is a pocket of southernwood still here, despite the decades that have passed and the recent earthmoving activity.  Hopefully it will become part of the cottage garden being planned around me.

I'm back!!

..in more ways than one. It's been a while since the last update and I've now been put back in my original position, only about 2 meters higher!!

After I was moved from my site an archaeological dig took place to see what was sitting underneath me. A few interesting items were found and these are in the process of being cataloged and reported by the experts at Pataka. When my owners get the report I'll make sure they put it up on my blog!

Once the 'dig' took place the earth works started and boy was there a lot of earth!! Then the piles went in and then I was moved back to my original site. Take a look at the video:

Once again the boys from Britton's did an amazing and caring job - top marks again!

So now I'm back on my site and I'm safe from flooding my restoration starts! I'll get some photos of the start of restoration up soon , but for now here's some photos of the earthworks, and piling and my new location up in the air!!