Sahara Q1 - happy ever after

mirz · Aug 17, 2015 10:04 am

snyde

Nicely done. I wouldn't know where to start with using one of those

These small machines are very easy to use. It's like using joysticks on Atari (sorry, I'm old school

).

mirz · Aug 17, 2015 10:05 am

Temporary ramp

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It chewed about 3 hours to build and remove.

mirz · Aug 17, 2015 10:09 am

I have stored extra top soil behind retaining walls for any future use.

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Leveling is totally out of whack, will spend time to correct this next weekend, depending on weather.

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.

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semerson · Aug 17, 2015 10:12 am

Well done. That is a mammoth task you have accomplished. It'll look fabulous once the grass is in.

knyght · Aug 17, 2015 10:59 am

mirz

knyght

Great work Mirz! Nothing more rewarding than diy! How much was the hire and where from if you don't mind me asking? Might have to do the same at my new place soon...

Thanks knyght, that is so correct. I was soar, had few blisters under my feet but it was great feeling to get it done by myself. may be call me crazy

I hire from Riteway Hires. They are based in Coburg. They have weekend special where you only pay for one day hire but use it for whole weekend. It's like pick up late on Friday and drop off Monday morning.

Rental charge for Kanga was $240.

As I don't have towbar so asked then for pick and drop service. This service cost me extra $90.

If you are going to hire, pls don't forget to request for 4 in 1 bucket instead of standard one. That helps a lot with leveling.

You are very close to finish line now. btw your house looks stunning.

Thanks Mirz.

mirz · Aug 17, 2015 5:49 pm

semerson

Well done. That is a mammoth task you have accomplished. It'll look fabulous once the grass is in.

thanks semerson, cant wait to make it ready for kids.

anyway wifey already added decking in alfresco and front porch in my next DIY list after this and garden shed, lol.

Neth04 · Aug 18, 2015 7:49 am

That's great work Mirz, I have this Aussie Backyard book and have been studying it, but we definitely have to do a Bunnings work shop to attempt it.

Do you remember who pays for the Builder's Warranty insurance, is it the builder or the owner? My brother in law is building with Henley and got a set of forms from QBE.

mirz · Aug 18, 2015 9:28 am

Thanks, thinking to look for different ideas beside just grass. If anyone would like to share pics, would be great.

I think builder buys this insurance on our behalf.

We would be the one paying for it from right or left, lol.

mirz · Aug 18, 2015 5:44 pm

here are some further ideas hitting my head

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and

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lot of thinking to go through ::hyst::

Neth04 · Aug 18, 2015 6:12 pm

This is something I loved and kept saved
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Another one as I always loved ponds!
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mirz · Aug 18, 2015 6:49 pm

They are just lovely, great choice Neth.

Thinking on something similar to add one or two feature areas instead of going grass only.

Neth04 · Aug 18, 2015 6:56 pm

mirz

They are just lovely, great choice Neth.

Thinking on something similar to add one or two feature areas instead of going grass only.

Back in Sri Lanka, (that's from where we are), our house had this indoor courtyard with pond. We had three Tortoises in that with fish.

(that's our son when he was 2 yrs!)

We are thinking of introducing a similar feature to the alfresco, if possible.

Izzyb · Aug 18, 2015 7:01 pm

Looking good Mirz! Nothing better than hard work!

mirz · Aug 19, 2015 9:39 am

Neth04

mirz

They are just lovely, great choice Neth.

Thinking on something similar to add one or two feature areas instead of going grass only.

Back in Sri Lanka, (that's from where we are), our house had this indoor courtyard with pond. We had three Tortoises in that with fish.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q628/Chandanie_Atapattu/Pictures-A%20054_zpsjbahitja.jpg
(that's our son when he was 2 yrs!)
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q628/Chandanie_Atapattu/Picture-May%20July-2006%20080_zpsui2l5slk.jpg
We are thinking of introducing a similar feature to the alfresco, if possible.

In our previous house, ex owners built similar area under the pargola. It was looking very nice but unfortunately we had to remove that. It was used to create very moist and saturated feeling to whole area during winters. Not sure if it was due to their plants selection or us not used to with that.

I'm not sure which house you have finalized yet, but the way we have alfresco in Sahara it would be difficult to build such water feature. It has two sides open and other two sides have sliders.

mirz · Aug 21, 2015 1:22 pm

Here is a quick mockup what going through my mind at this stage.

Plants in large garden beds behind retaining walls.

Portico with path, base would be something like lillydale toppings. Large 600x600 pavers in portico and 300x600 in walk way.

Will use leftover sleepers to make 7m long garden bench on rear retaining wall edge.

2-3 garden chairs with a fire pit in middle of portico.

Small seasonal floral garden beds around portico and walk way.

Rest would be natural grass.

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All ideas most welcome.

Ilaeria · Aug 21, 2015 1:41 pm

That sounds awesome mirz

Can't wait to see!

semerson · Aug 21, 2015 3:00 pm

That would look fantastic. ..but my kids would be likely to destroy anything either side of the path with balls and running through. Have you played around with the fire pit area being in a corner? 2 sides would already be enclosed so it would probably feel nice and cosy.

knyght · Aug 21, 2015 5:04 pm

semerson

That would look fantastic. ..but my kids would be likely to destroy anything either side of the path with balls and running through. Have you played around with the fire pit area being in a corner? 2 sides would already be enclosed so it would probably feel nice and cosy.

I like that concept. Maybe a curved path to a corner and a quad circle for the fire pit/seating.

Either way I'm sure it will turn out beautiful Mirz! You and your wife seem to have an eye for detail.

Are the retaining sleepers going to be painted/stained or left to colour with age?

What sort of pavers? I'm looking at travertine for our alfresco and front portico area at present.

mirz · Aug 21, 2015 7:21 pm

thanks guys for your such great feedback. actually right top corner does not get enough sun which means its gonna be very tricky to pick right kind of plants. i will re-jigg layout to move portico in that corner and see how that will look.

knight, i'm looking at this stone for pavers. according to their website they can provide in different sizes. price looks reasonable too. i won't mind paying extra for better quality and save on other end by going DIY path

http://www.stone-pavers.com.au/travertine-product-2/

in regards to retaining walls, there were two ideas, i.e. go with merbau on top of them in vertical planks, or go with same merbau colour stain to match with rest of the house. i'm more inclining towards stain, but it would be only possible once grass and everything would be settled.

currently looks like another week atleast would be a resting week as i have managed to strain right calf muscle. being positive it is blessings in disguise to think, think, and more think and plan it properly.

snyde · Aug 21, 2015 10:03 pm

Nice idea, fire pit is def a +1 vote for me.