Thoroughly wired & insulated .....

The Castle is pretty well at lock-up stage now.

Having not built a house in recent times, we were surprised by how thorough the insulating is.  Not counting the double-glazed windows (which were an additional cost extra), the under-floor, walls and ceiling are all fully insulated using the very effective "pink batt" approach.  Everywhere we looked was insulation, so am glad we got all the pre-wiring done, as there won't be much space to run extra wires once plastering (which starts today) is completed.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the most "wired" house that Rod Stephens has built.  There are about 36 double power points; three ceiling fans; three extra sets of down-lights; four data points for computer network connections; two telephone points; external monitor cable from the computer area to the projector; sound cable from the computer to the sound system; video, s-video and HDMI cables to the projector and speaker cabling for the rear speakers in the lounge,  On top of this there are two antennae connection points for T.V.s and two Austar cables, ready for installation of the "dish" at the appropriate time.  This doesn't include the standard power points and lights throughout the house.  Pity we don't have shares in a cable-making Company.

Going once, going twice - too late, it's sold .........

We have sold Ziegler Parade - which clears the way for our move in late October.

It's been in the pipeline for a while - we signed contracts about three weeks ago and have been waiting for bank approval for the buyer's loan.  Everyone assured us that there would be no problem, as it wsn't a large loan required, but you always wonder.

Then we had to endure three extensions of time, which began to be a bit worrying.  Evidently, since the Global Meltdown, Banks have been VERY slow in approving loans.  It seems that they need to know everything, right down to the size and colour of your jocks before they approve any loan.

Anyway, that's all behind us now.  Just waiting for Wilson Real Estate to come out and put the "SOLD" stickers on the advertising sign in the front yard. 

We can start packing now, so plenty of work ahead.

Progress can make you board stiff ........

Starting to look like a real house, now.  Nearly all windows are in, and most of the external boards have been fitted (unpainted, as yet).  The builders broke one of the main windows (lounge) during installation, but that has been fixed.  We are installing double-glazed windows and only the external pane was broken, so the break didn't cause any breach that would allow the weather in - which was great given the storms and rain we've had over the past few weeks.

Inside, the bath & shower base have been delivered and all internal plumbing appears in place.  The meter box has been cut in, and the electrician should be starting the wiring and placement of lights, power-points and switches this week.  We've provided him with wiring diagrams for the data outlets (3), additional lights (down lights) and the projector/theatre sound system.  We've purchased the ceiling fans for the three bedrooms and the ceiling mount for the projector.

It's a blue roof, and the windows are a pane .......

Progress continues on the Villa, but still no action on fixing the internal wall and making the space above the lounge window for the air-conditioner.  The latter is a little bit of a worry, as the Supervisor only measured it (at my prompting) today and found that the window was too high to allow for the air-conditioner.  Will leave it in their hands at the moment.

Completion day is now looking like late October, which will be good - the sooner the better.

Nearly all of the roof is now on - darkish blue colourbond (and we're going to have a RED front door, too).  Wall insulation starting to creep around the outside and some of the windows are in - you can start to see how the bay windows in the main bedroom will look.  These will provide a nice view down the Court and should provide a great area to sit and lap up the morning sun.

We don't have to worry about any problems with the cat when we shift.  Unfortunately, Maisie, our little pet of about 14 years died during the week - so she has been buried here with various other past members of our menagerie.

Things are looking promising as far as selling our house in Ziegler Parade, but more on that later (hopefully).  We have just had a building inspector in to check everything out, in preparation for any future sale and the old place came through with flying colours.