Keep on brickin'...

It's been a week since our last post and the brick work continues methodically along and after next week the lower level will nearly be complete. We were originally told the 1st 40 courses of bricking would take 3 weeks and it looks like after 1.5 weeks we are pretty much on schedule for that. It's really looking great and our 'brickie' is doing a fantastic job. I'll have another update next week to compare to the current stage, but hopefully the rain will stay away and we'll continue to stay on track!

Slowly, But Beautifully....

Bit by bit, day by day the brick work (or at least the first 40 courses of it), will continue over the next 3 weeks. The 'Brickie' is methodical but very, very good and we are really happy with how the bricks are looking and will end up looking when they are done! We were reassured from both posting forums and our bricklayers that the mortar will turn out much, much lighter once it has dried fully in about two weeks, so eventually the mortar will be a very light off-white color and once the bricks are cleaned, they will look stunning! I won't write much over the next 2.5 weeks, just post pictures of the daily progress, so enjoy!

Brickwork Has Begun!

More bricks have been delivered, another 1/3 of the foil wrap has been done and the brick work itself began in earnest today. I don't know much about mortar, but the mortar we 'ordered' was an off-white color (essentially the lightest color we could get) and this mortar looks a bit brown. I do realize however that the mortar is wet and takes a week or two to fully dry out and will (hopefully) lighten up considerably. The craftsmanship on the brickwork however is beautiful. Very happy with the work these guys are doing!

4 Bedrooms & We'll Need Them All!

Well, today was Father's Day in Australia and my Father's Day present is this picture. Yep, that's a positive pregnancy test and our 'attempt' to add a little girl to our male dominated family is now officially underway! Best Father's Day present ever and bitter sweet as regardless as to what the baby ends up being, this will be our third and final. Baby is due May 8th, so we really want to be in as soon as possible now! Go Henley, Go!

Starting to get Wrapped

We have been 1/2 wrapped in a nice Green Henley 5 star Energy Rated blanket! This thing material keeps moisture from reaching the wood and interior of the home and serves as protection and insulation from the brickwork as well. The house will be 2/3 wrapped in this blanket, then the brickwork will begin. As of now brickwork is scheduled to begin on September 10th however if he manages to make it on site before that date, we'll have an update for you. Bricklayer will go up 40 courses, or roughly the first level and then the Scaffold will be put up. Next the Fascia & Spouting (gutters) will be installed and the roof cover/tiles will be put on and then the bricklayer returns to complete the job. After that the detailed work inside begins, so we are looking for some busy times ahead. We'll update again when we've been fully wrapped and of course when the bricklayer starts, so watch this space!