Peter's Birthday Moment

Lots of things are going on and not enough time to share about them. But at least we can pop up one for Peter's birthday having accomplished his third set of twenty-two years (a numeracy exercise for those who like that). People came by and shared moments with him. There was gifting by hand and mail. Thank you to those. There were a few cakes of varying sizes and some token candles to go with them. There was great acknowledgement and interaction - that's the important part. Now it's done, the wine consumed, the moose-cakes eaten and the singing over for another year... at least for him.

Model Houses

School is back and Peter provided his first woodcraft club for the year. He kept it simple, to a model house design. It was hard enough though because gravity cause the roofing sticks to slide a little until the glue hardened. Some students experienced a total house collapse when they tried pressing these sticks down into the glue. But otherwise it proved a nice way to start the term and many said they would return to finish their houses rather than do something new. Not everybody made a house. There was a bit of "free-build" happening as well.

Interior Painting

We've been pretty quiet because painting over half the interior of a house takes up a lot of time. We still have bits and pieces to finish but it is mostly out of the way. We did the ceilings of kitchen, living, lounge, hallway, bathroom and one bedroom. We followed that by painting the walls of all these spaces except the kitchen which had an existing wallpaper that was still OK. We went far lighter for some of the room walls until there was only just enough contrast between ceiling and wall. We post this as a time marker. Some of the walls had never had a new coat of paint for over 25 years.

Model House

The time this project happened was around twenty years ago and it now seems a good idea to be posted in order to make it a more permanent record and a helpful guide for others who might want to make a model house which adheres closely to modern building practice, including stair building. In fact, the main reason for Peter making this model was to build an open flight (with risers) and a closed flight (no risers - open space between the treads) and complete with handrails. The house went to live in Brisbane with family members.

Real floor sanding at this stage important

Bainbridge board acting as plaster board over the studs

Bainbridge board ceiling except for the stairwell space

All stud walls and windows assembled flat

Second level floor sanded before walls added

The house grew with a 1:12 vertical scale and a 1:20 horizontal scale - making the rooms smallish

Third level flooring one 'plank' at a time and weighted down until the glue held 

Note the second level interior space greater than first level through a planned overhang

Third level flooring joists extended to be attached to gable roof joists

Stairwell carefully measured for exact position

Some flooring planks needed to be weighted down well

Stairs finally fitted in - seemed a long time for this goal to be reached

Gable roof joists held by bulldog clips until the glue set

Veranda stairs, posts and awning work

Short veranda joists, roof slats, attic window

Corrugated cardboard used to catch the corrugated sheet iron look

A toilet added - found one on sale at the local newsagent

Back flap doors to close up the open side 

The finished product was pleasing and very robust (except for the corrugated cardboard areas

No attempt to deal with rood drainage was made

Profiles

Metung

We are back from a delightful time away at Metung one of the Victorian Lakes District towns. We shared the rent for a large Air B&B house overlooking the Metung Yacht Club jetty, with a view to the other side where vehicles have to be transported across by ferry. There was loads to do, like board walks, tennis, puzzle completion, celebrations, board games, cafe's, trips to nearby Lakes Entrance, watching sailing races, Lego construction, swimming and drawing. 

home made pizzas

memories

Ticket to Ride - Europe

Yacht Club race

Very complicated Lego project

puzzle start

Tennis courts so close

great space for food prep

great ornaments 

300 pieces just about right for active boys

Jetty at Lakes Entrance

Theos barbecue at Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance disused slipway

Storm brewing

cold front arrived - and what a change!

Metung Village architecture

A great picture of Ninety Mile Beach and the Lakes District

Yacht Club view from the house (black biro)

Metung 'rocky' beach (coloured texters)

Shell ornament (coloured texters)