Part IV - Turf Time

Some of the turf was starting to decompose because it had sat a day too long...we really had to get it down. Matt put it into overdrive and somehow we managed to get the whole job done.

While he got started I had to take down the chimney so the roofers could come and torch on a patch...






The roof provided a great vantage point for the turf laying...I got down to help but jumped up every couple of hours to document the progress...














Matt passed out on the lawn...said it was the nicest lawn he has ever passed out on...!




The brothers get it done again...

Landscaping - Part III

I begged Matt to come over for another round of punishment...the work was just getting overwhelming and the deadlines looming. I also asked my friend Pam to again help. Luckily the both of them were ready and willing to assist...it's times like these I truly see the importance of having family and good friends.

The house was looking good with the brown accent...






More planting...




Matt putting the finishing touches on the wall








The turf arrives!



The yard has to be perfectly levelled for the turf...




Got too late that day...Matt figured he saw a UFO. Hey, as long as they can pick up a shovel come on down!!

Landscaping - Part II (And Tofino)

The next day it was up to Matt to take over the retaining wall and he did so with NASA-like precision...damn fine job!!








I worked on the side retaining wall and the perimeter drain...




Had to do some funky stuff to get it below grade




Pam came to help with planting...



...and Tash painted the belly-band




Unfortunately all too soon it was time to take Matt back to the plane. I dropped him off on my way to Tofino for two overtime shifts




On the winding road to the west coast a bear presented himself. He had no problems with me being only 15 feet away...




OK, maybe NOW he as a problem...




The beach in front of my hotel...








On the way back I ran into another bear...it is that time of year!




Just another reason it would be difficult to leave the west coast

Landscaping - Part I

It was time to push forward on the landscaping and I had numerous people working on it to get things rolling. My brother Matt flew over to help...family is always there when you need them most!


A blank slate...






The beginnings of the slate fireplace...






The fumes were obviously getting to Connor...




Retaining wall time




Levelling and pruning...




At the end of the day a much needed steak BBQ!

Crunch Time

It is now officialy crunch time. The appraiser will be here May 7th and the transfer process has officially begun. That means hitting the house harder than ever before...this weekend it was literally "extreme renos". The excavator came for Fri/Sat and Cliff and I finished the fence Sunday. Saturday was by far the busiest day with Connor, Keith, myself and the excavator working a 12hr day.

We started first with the big mound of dirt in the back yard...gonna miss the ol' thing...













Time to get rid of the old fence...







Cliff didn't know what to think with it all gone. Hey, at least his gate still works!




The big pile was dragged out to bring the back yard level up




The cat was oblivious...




I was the concrete man...used the mixer and transported what seemed like a hundred barrows of the stuff




But it sure as heck was worth it...










The front yard was no smaller a challenge. Got a whole pallet of landscape ties and Connor and Keith went to work...










What a grand entrance, this on it's own should sell the house...