What did you buy today ???

[grog]

Youll get there Mate. Building Tradies are just Fuckers, they do my head in. I ordered a bobcat last July, tried several others, none ever showed or phoned me back. Hence my story a while back, shovelled, barrowed 11 tons of dirt 30 metres. Nearly killed me, took 3 months, got there finally.

[Tony Nitrous]

Youll get there Mate. Building Tradies are just Fuckers, they do my head in. I ordered a bobcat last July, tried several others, none ever showed or phoned me back. Hence my story a while back, shovelled, barrowed 11 tons of dirt 30 metres. Nearly killed me, took 3 months, got there finally.

Fark!  Shifting 11 tons with a wheelbarrow is something !!

We bought in 220+ m3 of clean fill to raise one end of the house pad because I didn't like the designs "cut-n-fill" and didn't want the pad cut into the slope, and I raised the back of the shed with a 950mm tall thickening beam to keep it the same height as the existing one, plus a few other bits. The earthworks civil side I'm familiar with but it's been a mixed blessing. I could talk their language when I had subbies in but I'm pretty sure it wasn't ideal me knowing what I wanted and how I wanted it done if it wasn't their way or the easy way. I tried not to be an arse but I knew what I wanted.

I did have a few months wait for brickies because that's what the wife and I really wanted. Huge shortage of bricklayers and lots of builds. I could have had render or timber finish but it's my retirement forever home so I waited.

10 months is long enough. I just want it done now. The day they all bugger off and I can put a chain on the gate again I'll be happy.

[grog]

My arms ended up longer, was a bloody hot weather time, didnt think i could do it. Had thoughts of carted off with heart attack. Area behind little retaining wall at rear, yep, 11 tons to fill. Did spread some on front area to level for grass, that was a longer barrow trip. Amazing what you can do, even if you dont want to. Total project was 2 1/2 yrs, pool to grass. Not a machine used. Stubborn old prick i guess.

[Tony Nitrous]

2 more timber posts. 2.4m x 200mm rounds.
... and some more fittings and a 300 x 18mm drill bit.





Only another 7 gates to do.

[grog]

Today, didnt buy but insurance fitted new front fence, ridge capping and whirly bird on roof. I bought 3.5 l of Synnex 3000 and oil filter, car serviced.👍New watch, electric start adapter for my line trimmer. A great day.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Over the past few weeks:
- refurbed shocks for my BMW-K1300GT
- obdII cable and adapter and reader app for same
- o2 sensor manipulator to tune its leaned out ecu for same
- 2x 3.5l  synnex 3000 gulf Western oil for the 1400
- fuel pump module for daughter #2 car
- oil cooler for daughter #3 car
- accessory belt, water pump, idlers and tensioner assemblies for my car
- New wipers for my car
- weekend away in town in a 5☆ hotel for the good lady wife and I

Now I'm skint

[Kiwifruit]

Over the last few weeks had the concrete pad prepped and poured for our awning off the side of our shed 

[KiwiCol]

Sweet! 

[Tony Nitrous]

Bobcat and excavator on site all day, $140 / hr.  Spread excess fill, top up trenches, clean up old concrete, shape up around the house, back fill around the septic tank. We need to plan gardens, paved area, foot paths etc but that can wait. Priority is to get the place liveable and move in first then fence around the house and driveway.

[grog]

A good day for you Tony. They cost but amazing what machines accomplish.

[Tony Nitrous]

A good day for you Tony. They cost but amazing what machines accomplish.

I was paying $99 / hr over 15 years ago (operator, bobcat, excavator, tipper combo), so I don't think it was too bad. I did think of hiring one, I have my tickets and have used them enough before, but a good operator who's in one all day every day makes me look a bit less than average!

I have more earthworks planned, but that's going to have to wait. Priority is finishing the build and getting out of the rental and gear out of the storage units.

[Tony Nitrous]

I'm trying to plant something however small at least once a week. Mostly natives like Grey Gums, Bunya nuts, Tallowwoods etc but today I strayed a little...

[grog]

Keep those big trees a long way from house/ shed. Trust me, i know what can happen.

[Tony Nitrous]

Keep those big trees a long way from house/ shed. Trust me, i know what can happen.

Absolutely !    I'm keeping a good area clear around the house just as a firebreak, and so I can spot my resident Eastern Browns, as well as being on tank water the less stuff that ends up on the roof and in the gutters the better.

I have a wooded area with a spring and creek well away from the house where most of the larger trees are being planted. It's being set aside for wildlife, I'm slowly clearing the cactus, Lantana etc...

[Tony Nitrous]

I bought some warmth...