The kids are having fun catching frogs in between working on the property.

On the weekend we began moving some of the big equipment away from the business. The fuel shed for the Bobcat we manouvered onto a trailer and brought it out to the property where we will be building our new house. The move went great until the ground on the driveway gave way and the truck dropped about a meter (3 feet). We spend the next five hours trying to get it out of the hole, but eventually had to call a tow truck to lift it up and move the truck forward enough so that the both sets of wheel could straddle the hole. Luckily, I had driven out separately and had my car. I drove home and grabbed the chainsaw so that we could cut logs to fill the hole and eventually drive out.

Apparantly, the neighbour beside us dug a water line through our property and it was never backfilled properly. Water had been running underground creating a hole with a 30cm (12 inch) dirt 'bridge'. The ground looked solid, but of course was not able to handle the weight of the truck. Needless to say, Husband was absolutely livid!

Temperature: 4c
Overcast

More logging in progress...





The snow is melting quickly and the ground is getting very soft. Road restrictions are now in effect, which means that no large, heavy vehicles are allowed to drive on the highways and other roads as the ground is too soft(called 'break up'). We are already experiencing terrible pot holes in the city.

I guess we can buck the branches off and wait until break up is over so we can get a logging truck out here to take the trees to the mill.

This week's purchases...

A subscription to Down to the Roots magazine, plus all back issues.

A new (and much larger) chainsaw, plus work gloves, hardhat with ear protection, wedges, oil etc.

We didn't manage to get to the property to work at all this week. Just as well, since we had another large amount of snow come down earlier this week.

Temperature -9c
Sunny

Yesterday was the first day of work on the property. Husband brought the Bobcat over and began to clear some of the snow away. We would like to begin building the large shed first, so that all the building materials can be stored and locked up for when the house building begins.

To our surprise the ground is not even frozen. A blanket of snow has insulated the ground before the really cold weather arrived.



He will have to bring out chains for the Bobcat tires next time, so that he can manoeuvre better over the ground.

While husband was out moving snow, I was busy at home preparing a lunch and dinner to take out with us. Salmon rolls for lunch, and hot dogs, veggies with dip and a lemon sponge pie for dinner.

Husband was in the truck warming up when I arrived with the kids, and the Bobcat was parked at the entrance of the driveway.



After lunch the start of falling trees and the burning of branches began.


Husband with the chainsaw


Kids being the keepers of the flame



About 15 trees dropped that day

We also had three of the neighbours drop by while we were working to introduce themselves. I think its going to be a wonderful place to live.

We have dreamt for years of purchasing an acreage and building our own house. On December 20, 2006 we finally bought our peace of paradise - four acres just outside of the city limits, and only 10 km from where we currently live.

Now comes the daunting task of clearing and building. The dream of house, gardens and chicken coop will drive us during the hard work ahead.



As you can see the building site has already been somewhat cleared and the lagoon is already in place.