So there we were, in the middle of winter, taking ‘refreshing’ walks and purposely passing by the new red shiny sporty little car, almost covered in snow, and just waiting for us to buy it. Yes, we wanted to buy a new car, but somehow between looking at engines and wheels, we ended up signing on the dotted line to build a brand new abode instead. So, no gas guzzler, but lots and lots of building blocks…uhm bricks. Even though we’re not physically piling or erecting anything ourselves (leaning tower avoidance here) it still has been one of the most nerve-wracking yet exciting experiences so far. Our very first assignment was to choose a kitchen when there was only a hole in the ground, uhm cellar. Yep, try planning a kitchen from four black lines on a floor plan. Oh, and forget those free online kitchen planners, because, when you finally hand over your ‘this-is-my-dream-ta-daa’ design to the professional with the dazzling white teeth, he shatters your dreams into tiny little pieces by shaking his head and telling you that the big double-door refrigerator will not fit into the alcove. On the plan it did not look like an alcove. Whatever. Then after hours and hours spent deliberating with the dazzler, and reluctantly removing a cupboard or ten, you finally have it. A headache, and of course a new ‘clip-art’ kitchen! Arghhh! So hard to visualise something on paper, not so? We also spent a LOT of time choosing doors and floors, sockets from dockets, lights for nights, basins and baths, and yes, after all of that, we still love one another…wink wink…As all this was so time consuming, we’ve not had enough time to update our blog, but now there’s some breathing space, so here it is. Our story. Brick by brick. Storey by storey…

Point. Point. That one over there! This is the beginning of our home sweet home. The cellar!

Next up, covering up the cellar…and soon after, the first floor being built over it. Progress!    

Snow, snow, go away! It’s brrrry cold, but the work goes on regardless. Preparation for floor two. From the same perspective (right), sans snow, but with beautiful dandelions!    

Cranes, cranes everywhere! The rest of the newly developed neighbourhood. Bring it on!

Yep, that one over there is ours. As you can see, floor number two is now complete. Huhu!      

FINALLY!!!! Floor number three. The Penthouse! And it is OURS! Whoop-whoop-hooray!

New neighbours (foreground). Houses springing up like mushrooms…absolutely amazing!    

Curiosity killed the cat, as they say. We just could not wait to get a look inside, despite all that dangerous looking scaffolding stuff. This view is of the inside of our living room. After seeing this we had another look at the floor plans. Why did it look so small?? It’s supposed to be at least forty square metres!! After lots of nail chewing, we were told that it is normal. Bare brickwork always appears to be smaller. Don’t worry. Yeah right! We worried. At the very first ‘free-from-danger’ opportunity, the tape measures were rolled out. Sure is sure.

Here they are preparing and sealing the roof. The view on the left is of the front (main entrance) and the one on the right is from the side, showing some of the balconies.     

Phew! Looking much better inside, and of course, bigger. Jumping for joy! This is the living room again, with very big windows. Oh let the sunshine in tra-la-laaa…Starting to ‘feel’ the place now, and also finally able to envisage where to place what, like a couch big enough to seat an army, or something ‘out of this world’ to store our millions of music cd’s…*grinning*

This is the current view from our balcony (left). And hmmm yes, we are so lucky to have an almost 360 degree field of vision which stretches out over all the rooftops to a wonderful and amazing view of the fields and forest, which is only one or two hundred metres away.

Underfloor heating! Yay! Warm feet! Double Yay! The one on the left is the living room again, and the one on the right is our future bedroom. Even though much progress has been made so far, it will still be another few months before we can move in. Can’t wait!

It has been only one week, since they installed the underfloor heating, ONE WEEK, and abracadabra, covered and plastered already. Must be some kind of ‘just-add-water’ cement because the floor is already dry. Well, at least dry enough for two very ‘just-a-quick-look-see’  inquisitive and excited pair to trod on. That’s our living room on the left, and the bathroom is on the right. As one loves to shower and the other one loves a good old splish-splash, with lots of bubbles of course (uhm, no duckies), there’s enough room for a walk-in shower, a bathtub, his and hers basins…yay…and of course, no queues.   😀

“Someday I will fly over the rooftops, and I’ll have all that I’ve dreamed for…” are the words of a song by four lovely lads. On the left is the view from our study, and on the right is the view from our bedroom. Unfortunately it was very overcast…