Well, I had a couple of days off from blogging as we have been out and about. Yesterday WordPress decided it did not want to play the game when I tried to write this post. However, all seems to be well again and I am back in business.
Over the last couple of days we have purchased some materials and equipment for the next DIY project.
For a number of years we have talked about creating a defined entertaining area under our high-set house. When we first moved here over 14 years ago, this area was simply sloping dirt which was of absolutely no use and merely contributed to the dirt and dust which made its way into the house. So, we had the area concreted , albeit on a couple of levels. Since then it has really been a storage area for materials collected for future projects as well as overflow from the workshop area. We had decided that the best approach was to screen off an area for casual entertaining using battens and the remainder could still be used for storage. After literally years of discussion and refinements of the design we are ready to begin.
Initially, we planned to use salvaged hardwood for the rails but realised that we could not source enough timber of consistent dimensions that was straight and true so we opted for new timber from Bunnings in this instance. After carefully measuring and calculating our requirements we bought the necessary lengths whilst ensuring the minimum amount of waste.
The other major requirement for this project which GMan had identified was a saw which would make a quick and accurate cut. There were 21 rails to be cut plus approximately 170 (yet to be purchased) battens. He decided on this mitre saw and stand.
The rails were cut to length in no time and are now ready to be painted. We also need to sand and paint the rusted steel posts before attaching the rails.
This is clearly not a job which will be done in a week but we are confident that our planning and preparation will ensure the success of the end result.
I am looking forward to being able to use the entertainment area during the summer as our summers are becoming increasingly hotter and this area is definitely the coolest place in the house.
organised castle 
When we first moved here over forty years ago, the downstairs was a waste area, full of nesting swallows and vermin – the only thing going for it was that the flooring was concrete albeit a rough job. Over the years, we’ve transformed it bit by bit in to a cosy area where we have a small kitchenette (cupboards and sink from the old original kitchen upstairs before we put a new one in – waste not, want not), bar fridge and freezer, storage cupboards – it’s an L shaped area and in the other part a bank of desks along the wall, more cupboards, and a lounge suite – again from upstairs when we bought a new one. This area is out go to – we live down here most days and we entertain here too, rarely having the need to go upstairs. It’s been the best thing we ever did – we were fortunate to have internal stairs too so we don’t need to go outside.