Front lawn & garden

Thank goodness the weather was kind to us on Saturday, as it was turf laying day!!!


So exciting, the turf arrived at 7.30am and Raymond at 8.00am, so we were off and running.   Raymond commenced the day installing the irrigation and sprinklers for the lawn and garden beds, I started on the planting, and made cappuccinos for the both of us to keep us going.   I did as much planting as I could at the time so once Ray started laying the turf, I offered to help.   So by the time we were finished I was absolutely filthy, not a good look, as our neighbours discovered - Janine with no makeup, hair not done and gardening clothes on that were disgusting, but boy I felt good by the end of the day despite the appearance and my aching knees, legs, back etc. etc., even managed to mow the back lawn as well seeing I was on a roll.

And where was David, you may ask, well he was keeping the country running at work for the weekend, so I sent him progress pictures as we went, he was very pleased when he came home to see the progress we had made.   Here's the pics: 

My little hedge along the front path -

Irrigation drippers for the garden beds.

The finished result, we had some turf left over so have started on the nature-strip, to be completed in a couple of weeks.

More frontage progress & drainage



Sorry for the lack of updates but we have been at the mercy of the weather here lately.



Charlbury Stream

 Firstly, this is what Melbourne's downpours did to our sideway:


Charlbury River



After consultation with our plumber Darren from Sustainable Solar and Plumbing who I would have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who needs help with drainage or any general plumbing.   This is the finished result:







Now, we should have absolutely no problems
with water laying up against the slab or fence as it will all drain into the silt pits that are connected to our storm water drains.

Meanwhile, after two wet Saturdays in a row, the boys came back today and completed the brickwork for the front garden beds, around the taps and boxed out the naturestrip ready for the replacement tree which died.   The council said they will replace it during the cooler months.

Looking a tad more presentable

Next week (weather permitting) we should get a massive load of soil delivered and we will be topping up the garden beds out the back and spreading soil out the front ready for turf hopefully the week after (yay!).
I now have to start seriously thinking about what plants we need for the garden.   Hmm a trip to the nursery is in order soon.

Front garden progress

We have now moved out to begin the front garden, so far we have purchased the pavers that will be our garden bed borders and Raymond & Aaron have been busy digging the trenches ready for footings.



Misty checking things out


 

In the meantime our back lawn has grown heaps and had its first haircut last Sunday.

  

 

You could literally watch the grass grow!!


   

Its so easy seeing green

The day that I have waited for for 3 months arrived yesterday.   I never thought I could get so excited about seeing a lawn, but after so long staring out the windows at dirt, I am one happy lady.


Here's the progress pictures:

Village Green turf delivered

Even Raymond is doing a happy dance for us

Installation in progresss

The finished result complete with sprinklers

The weather was just perfect today for laying the turf, now to get it established for 6 weeks or so, then mulch, paving and my modular vegetable garden can be installed.

Next weekend we begin on the front - too exciting!!

Cupcakes & Morning Shade

Very happy with these - and they taste good too

Big day here at Charlbury Manor, so many people coming and going!!   Firstly its Megan's birthday on Monday so we decided to celebrate it today, as I have to work tomorrow afternoon and we all work on Monday.   So I have made beautiful Vanilla Cupcakes courtesy of the famous Magnolia Bakery recipe book (famous cake shop in New York).   

Our trusty ex-neighbour Keith returned to install the awning for the master bedroom window, two reasons for this, it just adds to the whole character of the house and also will help keep out the heat from the morning sun and will protect the drapes from fading.   I am so 

 rapt with the end result.   I have spent the last two weekends priming and painting it in preparation.

 

The birthday girl

Raymond and Aaron were also back today installing all the irrigation in preparation for the turf which should be ready to go down in a couple of weeks.

Deb and John breezed in to have a quick look and collect some aggi pipes that we had no use for, and they have use for, so its great to pay it forward.

Best friend Deb came for afternoon tea with Keith's wife Jan and then Ryan and Kris for dinner, so I have felt like I have cooked all day.

Roll on turf day!!!!!

What a difference a day makes

Melbourne, beautiful weather this weekend, hence Raymond got heaps done in the back yard yesterday.

Here's the end result - I am so excited to at long last see a backyard, not just mud, weeds, & piles of dirt.

View from the back of the yard down the garage side

From the deck looking out

Looking across the backyard to where the vegie boxes will go

That means that we have irrigation to go in and in a couple of weeks (hopefully) we will actually see some turf go down - cannot wait.

In the meantime all the rubbish from the back is going out the front till Raymond is ready to start on the front garden and we get a skip, so we will at the moment have the worst looking front garden in the street :(