Brick Saga

Matching bricks were located on Gabriola island.
The previous owners had dug them off the beach 30 years ago.

We had to re-stack them on new pallets. All 2812 of them.

I was might sore after that long day's work.

The faces have to be split off each brick.

The old front door site has been closed in.

Ultimately the 'practice planter' will be covered in stonework just like the stone walls that surround the driveway. Plants will be put in front of the old front door and a trellis erected so that Ivy can grow up and cover the brickwork.

Lets hope I get better at it before the addition gets covered.

How Kachelofen Removal Happened

The Kachelofen removal was no small task.
It took 3 days in late August to accomplish it.

First we had to take his head off.
The smoke pipe was inside his head and had to be removed.
It has been salvaged for future use or sale.

Then his body was removed, block by block with a hammer and cold chisel.
His guts were full of ash and creosote and it was a very, very messy task.

Then his legs were removed. That took more than a hammer and cold chisel.

Henrik used the Jack Hammer for a day and a half to separate the cinder blocks.
Poor HK could barely feel his arms after the event.

The cinderblocks went all the way down to the basement.

Removal of the Kachelofen

I know it would break the hearts of the previous owners but the Kachelofen has been removed. We took about three days to complete the removal (Aug 19 thru 21). The rooms are much brighter and airier on all three floors now that it has been removed.

Kachelofen in the centre of the room (Mr. Toad in front on couch)

No more Kachelofen

Frodo's progress

Frodo went for an ultrasound examination on Friday the 21st. Everything inside appears completely normal. I expected a big tumor in her belly because of her cranial abdominal enlargement. Turns out she's just fat. The appetite stimulants have been working very well and she's gone from 4.3 kg to 5.08. A rather staggering weight gain in only 6 weeks.

Bloodwork says that her liver has returned to normal but there are some signs that her kidneys are beginning to fail. All in all she's doing quite well and seems to be returning to a more normal pattern of behaviour.

Brick splitting and masonery work start!!

Splitting of the first brick pile has been started.

They are not much to look at before the faces come off but inside are quite attractive.

The first attempt at masonery work on the old front door site.

A lot of learning still to be done!!

Brick Delivery

After spending all day last Saturday moving the bricks to new pallets they were delivered to the house on Monday. Now all that remains is chipping the faces off and attaching to the house - a few more months/years to go :)

They don't look like much now but will be fabulous once they've had the treatment.

Frodo and Flowers

Little Frodo has taken a turn for the worse. She's spending a lot of time in the basement now. We moved her there because it's the only place in the house that's cool in this blistering heat wave. I hope she makes it but it's back to force feeding again.


Bean Harvest!!



The mason bees have filled in a few spaces in the new bee house.



Xeranthemum and Lemon Gems


Persian Carpet Zinnias




Benary's zinnia's next to the sweet peas.

The flowers have finally filled in in the garden. Benary's zinnias, Persian carpets, Lemon gems and Xeranthemums. The sweet peas have bloomed early and are filling the air with their sweet scent.