backyard renos

our backyard was in need of a bit of TLC and considering it's not a big space, we decided we'd do it ourselves.  i mean, how hard could it possibly be?!  we started with covering the space with black plastic to "solarise" the soil which effectively involves getting the earth so hot underneath that it kills the weeds, etc...  super easy! 

we left it covered for 3-4 months before uncovering it to till with a rotary hoe, jackhammering a small concrete pad and moving 10 cubic meters of top soil into the backyard.  we installed custom made garden boxes along the sides, laid a path to the back-back where we have the veggie patch and laid the turf.  it was a lot of work but i think the turf laying surprised me the most - i didn't have an appreciation of how heavy a roll of turf actually is!!  in the back-back, we pulled out a plum tree, laid a weed mat and covered the space in recycled wood chips.  it's not quite finished but we're definitely on the home stretch! 

no surprises but the backyard renos took up a lot of time on multiple weekends so, to celebrate the completion, hubby and i went down the coast to have a bit of R&R a couple of weekends ago.  we had a lovely time away, including some delightful treatments at a spa as belated birthday presents to ourselves :) 

i put the plants and shrubs in last weekend so we're all ready for the warm weather and longer days so we can sit on the patio and enjoy the ambience. the veggie seedlings will go in the back-back in due course - they're all too little right now. 

we've also been busy with the usual social activities, including an xmas in july dinner party which was awesome!!  hubby's finished his contract and starts a full-time job tomorrow which is most exciting - it's a stone's throw from my office!  i've readjusted my work schedule and am now working 10 days in 9 days (so longer days with one day off a fortnight). it's tiring but i'm loving my days off and it's a sneaky way to try and get a bit more of my life back.  we'll see how effective it is :)  when i'm back from holidays, i'm going to look to volunteer somewhere nearby! 

i had a chat with an old colleague the other night - he was drunk in canada and i was on my way home from work in melbourne.  it was fun to catch up - i miss canadians - we're a great bunch of people! 

i hope you're all enjoying life!

hugs,

s

p.s.  fingers crossed the pictures load in the right order :)

p.s.  i'm off to malaysia for a holiday in a couple of weeks so i might be better at keeping the blog updated while i'm away :D