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[hamptonspringshomebuild]

Part of the improved management strategies is to increase the number of paddocks. So Steve G doubled our paddock numbers by putting a fence through each of the stock paddocks. This will enable us to better manage the sheep’s intestinal worms, weeds, pasture and lambing.

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

But wait! There’s even more! A short conversation with Steve G, our excavator/farmer/fencer, and a week or so later the entire dam has been transformed. I know it looks a bit barren, but as soon as we get some rain, the grass and clover seed will be spread with great enthusiasm. The carrying capacity of this dam will have been increased at least 3-fold. It will provide for stock, birds, native animals and insects. We’ll let some reeds naturalise but will keep it under control from now on

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

Day 2, beers in hand, and the bridge is complete

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Day 2, the bridge is almost complete

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But wait! There’s more!! Once you’ve found the island, you should build a bridge to said island! And build it they did. There was no stopping Steve and Phillip. Day 1 one of bridge building. Some fairly impressive engineering feats.

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

Before and after slashing the north side of the dam

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

It’s been a long time since I posted anything from Hampton Springs. We’ve been busy settling in to the new house. We’re now starting to improve the manageability of the property. We’ve had very little rain this year, similar to many other NSW areas. So we’ve taken the opportunity to address the main dam. There’s a small island in this dam which has beautifully cultivated blackberry bushes and other various weeds. The low water level means there is access to clean this whole area up and also excavate the weed and silt out of the body of the dam. A big job, but we know some guys! This is Phillip. He’s a jack of all trades and is a skilled tractor handler. He and his little machine slashed the island and the dam.

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

So, a trap for young (or not so) players... Don’t forget to have a conversation with your designer and builder about how big your car is. YES, size does matter! Steve has about 8cm at each end if the ute. I, on the other hand, have oodles of room!

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

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Oh yeah! With a rechargeable vacuum robotty helper, solar panels and too much to do to keep this shiny floor clean, Darth (as in vader) is on the job!

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

We’ve finally made some semblance of order in the house today. All is good with the world. The kitchen is cooking its first meal tonight, the last of the tradies dirt is gone, thunderstorms are actually producing some substantial rain to fill the ginormous tank, the sheep are in the meadows and the cows aren’t here... We still have some “homey “ touches to come (like a couple of couches which are on order) but so far, its good to be here. Rabbit doesn’t like it at all!

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

It’s official! We’re in!!!! Bed and coffee machine have been moved in, so that’s it! The place is a shambles, but it’s clean and useable. We worked hard today to get food, seats, beds, data and an entertainment unit sorted. Dean, our electrician has been amazing. More photos and info tomorrow

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

Now THAT’S going to be a lot of concrete! We’re so looking forward to reducing the amount of dirt and mud being tramped into the house

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

I’ll be bloody glad when people stop digging up the yards!

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

Tim and his concreting gang have been in to do some more earth works and form up. This is the north side entertainment area.

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

The sparkies came in on Saturday and put in more lights, power points, the oven and some of the exterior lights (prior to the concreters arriving.

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

I finished harvesting the garlic today. A bit of urgency involved, as we’d had 50mm of rain a couple of days ago. But here they are (about 1,200 plants). And boy it makes the new garage stink! They’ll dry here for a few days, until Joe can get the racks up in the store room for me. Then I’ll sort and bundle. Look out Rydal Show!

[hamptonspringshomebuild]

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.... then.... we turn on the tap and water runs from the header tank, using gravity only, to us! No power needed! Not bad pressure either. Probably as good as what we have at the moment with the pump. The simple things in life!