And from Outer Space...

The "Martian" demolition people came today. We walked through at 8am explaining what we were hoping could stay (e.g. some only partly burned wine barrels and the [sculptured] lady in a bath].

They'll take three days to clear they said.

Should probably feel more cleansed than do... we're just a bit tired. We'll probably feel better when we see the cleared place on the weekend.

Here's a picture of what we arrived to late last night; quite beautiful really?

And for the next few days it will be machines like this:

We'll keep you posted...

Treasures Found!

We believe the debris will be taken away in the next couple of weeks. We're ready to see it all go.

We've found some great treasures over the past couple of months. Some pics here of assorted tools sans handles, candle stick holders (Aunty Joy, that's the one you gave us last year there in the bucket!), fruit basket wire (that's from you Bonnie), that plant stool I lugged back from Shanghai "antique market" (Joe, are you still laughing about that?) and fabulous garden ornaments made by Christine - some a little changed in colour - which will find their way back to the renaissance garden. There is quite a bit of Nanna's crockery in little bits; am planning to make a mosaic from those. Seems it was too hot hot hot for Le Creusset casserole dish: it's a bit bubbly, not in the chirpy way.

We've had some lovely rain and the grass is green again. Even literally. I'll take some photos when up there again tomorrow.

Thanks as always for all your ongoing support and care.

Working Bees

Stay tuned! We will be having a couple of working bees. Probably one 30th May to make sure all is prepared for winter and probably one early September to prepare for spring. We'll work out the details and what type of muscles, energy, brains, catering skills etc will be required and let you know ASAP.

Thanks everyone for keeping on checking. We won't be able to do it without you and we won't be proud in asking for help, don't worry!

Scared now? ;-)

Overseas friends breathe a sigh of relief. Momentarily. We might just think of something for you too :-)

Back to School at Screek

A quick update: tonight we're going back up to 916 to sleep in our "new" school transportable. We spent our first night back there last weekend. Would you believe on the eve of exactly one year after we moved in :-P A bit different this time :-0 We'll update more next week!

916 picture in Wine Business Magazine

WBM used picture of 916 in this article of their March edition:


We read the article with interest. It is true, the Yarra Valley is still open for business and is starting to look beautiful again after the little rain and less crazy hot weather.