splendid shed

Having a veggie garden meant I had to have a potting shed. A few quick sketches and we had a plan. Once the posts were in place for the veggie enclosure, we built the framework for the shed to make the most of the concrete delivery.

1.shed frame

We then finished the veggie patch before embarking into the unknown. With the outdoor workshop in place

2.workshop

we set about building the rest of the frame using reclaimed hardwood.

The roof frame came next

8.roof

and the verandah.

We wanted to retain the rustic look and the scavenged corrugated iron was perfect for the roof.

It was starting to feel cosy inside.

18.cosy

We bought the windows from the local salvage yard and they were next to be fitted.

The mezzanine floor isn’t quite big enough to sleep on but it’s great for storage.

26.mezzanine

The floor joists

27.floor supports

were followed closely by the cladding. Again, the local salvage yard just happened to have the cedar cladding we needed, painted white on one side but that didn’t matter – it’s on the inside.

We allowed ourselves a break

36.inside

then finished the cladding.

Michael’s bespoke stable door is a work of art.

The flooring is Tasmanian oak seconds

and the ceiling is reclaimed pine flooring.

43.ceiling

We found a huge Macrocarpa slab for a bargain price at the salvage yard and it became the workbench.

The potting shed was complete. The chair is a gorgeous circa 1910 commode I couldn’t resist.

46.inside

We had just enough bricks to pave the verandah,

52.paving

the perfect place for freshly picked pumpkin.

53.pumpkin

Everything I need for playing in the veggie patch is in “my” potting shed and it is the ideal environment for drying onions & garlic.

We are very proud of our shed and, as you probably noticed, our home-brew stout was a crucial element to our success.

56.cheers

 

renovation ruminations: part 5

I have never had an impressive kitchen so wasn’t too disappointed with the existing one.

1.old kitchen2.old kitchen

The lino was evicted the day after we moved in, revealing Tasmanian oak floorboards. The cupboard space was adequate and with the island we brought with us, the kitchen was functional.

3.old kitchen14.old kitchen25.old kitchen

I then saw the cooker of my dreams in a catalogue, an offer too good to refuse. And so, it began. We had to relocate the electric water heater from the corner and solved that problem with solar hot water.

6.during

The huge cabinet only just fit through the door but determination won out.

7.during

We tried not to let the demolition get in the way of cocktail hour.

8.cocktail time9.tiles off

We removed the old door and window next to it to create a wall and fitted a new door

10.door11.door13.door14.door15.door16.door17.door

then returned to the task of demolition.

18.rustic

Next, we were ready for the professionals, who very quickly created a masterpiece.

19.rebuild

The Belling Range takes pride of place.

19a.new cooker

Our kitchen, and home, is now complete.

20.after north view21.after east view22.after south view23.after west view24.after front door25.outside door

 

magical mountain

Cradle Mountain on a perfect spring day is very different from the winter experience. The looming mountain lends a stunning backdrop for Dove Lake.

1.dove lake

Weindorfer’s boathouse rests peacefully at the water’s edge.

2.boathouse33.boathouse2

I never tire of the scenery as we walk the Dove Lake Track

and Lake Lilla exudes its usual tranquility.

8.Lake Lilla

The cheeky currawongs are always hopeful for a bite to eat.

9.currawong

The best way to see more of the spectacular landscape, without expending too much energy, is by helicopter.

10.helicopter

Dove Lake and Lake Lilla appear much more expansive from the air.

11.Dove Lake, Lake Lilla & Wombat Pool

Crater Lake, despite its name and appearance, is not a volcanic crater but was formed during previous ice ages.

13.Crater Lake

Barn Bluff is visible from most areas of the National Park.

14.Barn Bluff

With ideal flying conditions we were treated to a close-up view of Fury Gorge.

16.Fury Gorge17.flight718.flight8

Mount Ossa is the highest peak in Tasmania, composed entirely of Jurassic dolerite.

19.Mt Ossa

The visual feast continued

as we made our way to Lake Windermere and the cluster of Cradle Mountain huts on the Overland Track.

23.Windemere

Cradle Mountain from the southern side bears no resemblance to the iconic image we all know.

24.Cradle Mtn

The road and walking track lead to Dove Lake, a companionable distance between them.

25.Walking track:road

Until next time, the mountain will be waiting in all its majesty.

26.mountain1

contented Christmas

We decided to do something different for Christmas Day this year. Life is so busy, time spent relaxing together seems to get less and less, so that’s what we did. We packed up Betsy

1.Betsy

and headed for our rainforest. There is a special spot we call The Glade and we made ourselves comfortable.

2.cheers3.Poppy

A nice bottle of wine

4.wine

and main course of roast chicken and salad.

5.main course

The local residents didn’t intrude, they were silent and beautiful.

Not being a lover of fruit mince and having a tonne of rhubarb in the veggie patch, rhubarb muffins made the perfect dessert.

6.dessert

The after lunch entertainment was outstanding.

Sadly, it had to end but there will be more days in the forest to come.

19.tired Poppy

I hope you all had a special Christmas and wish you a safe & happy 2016.

winter wonderland

Cradle Mountain is stunning any time of year but winter brings an enchanting wonderland. A couple of years ago, we treated ourselves to a three day spa package at Cradle Mountain Lodge. It didn’t snow for us but there had been heavy falls the week before. On the way, we stopped at Cradle View Lookout to take in the expansive vista across the valley to snow covered mountains.

1.cradle view lookout2

Our cabin at The Lodge was welcoming

2.lodge13.lodge2and we watched the changing colours on the mountain as the sun settled for the night.

4.mountain from lodge15.mountain from lodge26.mountain from lodge37.mountain from lodge4

The frozen lake formed abstract mosaic patterns.

Icy Dove Lake is shadowed by the mystical mountain, enshrouded in cloud.

18.Dove Lake219.Dove Lake520.Dove Lake1

Lake Lilla is serene,

21.Lake Lilla

the walking path too perilous to navigate.

22.Lake Lilla path

King Billy Walk winds its way through ancient forest

23.King Billy Walk

and joins the Speeler Track, opening up to scenic button grass plains

and spectacular mountain views.

30.Speeler Track7

Cradle Valley Walk goes all the way to Dove Lake.

We stopped for lunch at Snake Hill and caught the shuttle bus back to The Lodge where we had a date for a massage.

36.valley walk9

The Waldheim Spa has an enticing menu of treatments or you can opt to enjoy The Sanctuary. The hot tub is suspended above nature and the cool plunge pool is invigorating.

Waldheim Walk passes through diverse landscapes

41.Waldheims146.Waldheims7

and the historic Waldheim Chalet offers insight into the founding father of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. Built in 1912, it remains a memorial to Gustav Weindorfer and his wife, Kate.

The Waterfalls Walk is an easy track to Knyvet Falls

47.waterfalls (Knyvet)

and Pencil Pine Falls.

48.waterfalls (Pencil Pine)

I talked Michael into a body scrub and Vichy Shower for our final treatment at the spa. I found it very relaxing but he had some concerns about the durability of the paper G-strings we had been given to wear!

52.spa5

I think another winter weekend at The Lodge is looming…..

53.final pic