Landscaping out front yard has commenced!

Before Covid, we made the decision to completely relandscape our back and front garden and to do some big maintenance jobs around the house foregoing any leave or holidays here or abroad at least until 2026. Roof repairs, tree and root removals, major site drainage (to offset the huge amount of rain we have been having), entire removal and replacement of fences around the perimeter of the property.

All work has been major and desperately needed.

We decided that the older we are getting, we will need this place to be comfortable and easy to maintain as we age. As a house built in the early 1960s, it needed extensive work. It had a renovation by previous owners inside in the early 1990s, but I was more concerned about fixing the things “unseen”.

To be honest, the inside needs work too – but it’s cosmetic – and our appliances need replacing as they’re all over 30 years old but for now, they work (except the dishwasher which broke down again and I’m washing dishes by hand) however, it’s time to get new appliances – more energy efficient. The dryer broke down months ago so I’m just drying my clothes outside on the line which is far better – and cheaper. I always said this house feels like it’s 1984 inside – and it is. Except we do have super fast internet. 🤣

Our front yard was a complete mess of tree roots, scraggly grass and weeds. We opted to have it landscaped in a similar style to the back which will make it easier to control and mow the lawn. The workers are powering ahead and it looks like it’ll be finished in a couple of weeks, a lot less than the three months it took our back garden!

Andrew is on five weeks leave at the moment and it’s a “staycation” for him. Working without leave for the last four years through the busiest time in covid, it’s taken it’s toll so he’s now relaxing. I was going to put a paint brush and roller in his hand so he can paint the second bedroom….but I thought better. 🤣 Once he goes back to work, I’ll get that room prepared and have a go at painting and styling it up myself. I had a look at the costs of paints and nearly had a heart attack but I have all the time in the world now so it has to be done.

Besides, I’ll have to check YouTube (my teacher) as I’ve never painted a room before. (I’ve painted murals on walls never just straight out plain painting). How hard can it be?!

Next on our list is to rip out the kitchen and bathroom and completely renovate those but methinks, that’ll be many years down the track. I’m not overly fussed not having a modern kitchen. I like the rustic feel of the place. It’s where people feel most like gathering when they come. I guess it makes them feel like the houses they grew up in?

For now, I look out to the workers and see the progress. Today they’ll concrete the path. Once dried, they’ll lay the tiles. They’re also building a bin shelter to put the three large Council bins away from eyesight. Then over time, they’ll lay new turf and plant some Lilly Pillies. Can’t wait to see the final result.