Relaxing!

Amy and me, Montreal, June 16

Following a busy few days Marie and I finally dragged out our bicycles and pedaled down to the lake and up the small trail towards the Saddle. It was a glorious week with nary a cloud in the sky - rain for a few hours would be nice just to fill our rain barrels. We spent the last few days cutting grass, cleaning the van, planting trees and getting ready for what will be an even busier week ahead when the structure of the house will be going up. Then a quick trip back to Montreal for some fun times with the kids and Amy, some shopping and laundry before heading out again Monday - we are off to Barton, Vermont to pick up materiel for our radiant floors before returning to the cabin. Wherever you are peace and have a happy Fathers Day!

our swimming hole

Lac de la Passe and the Saddle

 

Marie and lupins

 

biking around the Domaine

cutting grass around the fire pit

tuk-tuk our resident chipmunk on my ceramic turtle

wildflowers by the cabin

swallowtail in my garden

me cooling off in the swimming hole

Marie and the Saddle

Marie and Amy

Amy in her jolly jumper

Our Retirement Home Part Seven (Backfill and Landscaping)

After spending this past weekend in Montreal with Phil, Fer and Amy, catching up on our laundry and washing/waxing the truck - thanks to my wonderful neighbour Mark who spent the greater part of Sunday with his polisher getting it to look like new - Marie and I were back at the construction site very early Monday getting ready for another big day. The foundation contractor was there at 9am with the first of 12 big sand trucks and other heavy machinery. Last week the well contractor had put in the water line from the well through the foundation and we were ready to add the sand and insulation there.

connecting to well

It was a very hot day and we were thankful our road was dry - nothing got bogged down in mud and everything went smoothly. By the end of the day (8pm) the crew were done and we were very pleased with the day's results! Today we hope to be able to finish the septic field. ....gws

 the first of the sand trucks arrive

Jules applying the tar below grade

me and Georges, putting up the insulation

Rene starting to backfill

Jules connecting line from bathroom to septic tank

another load of sand arriving

digging out space to put sand for cement slab

backfill almost complete

Jules preparing slab

Rene landscaping

French girl in French drain

Amy - 4 months old!

Amy and Andoni, Mexico City

Sleeping Beauty

In the park with grandma

My first swing!!

Outside the daycare behind the duplex

In the lane behind our back yard

But Grandpa I don't think I can reach the pedals yet!

Our Retirement Home Part Six (Gravel and Cement)

Another week on the mountain and the house is s l o w l y starting to take shape! The concrete has been poured for the foundations, footings and walls, the French drain is in, and we now wait for the erection of the frame on the 18th. Meanwhile the pump has been ordered for the well and work continues on the septic field. More to come! gws

Truck with wall forms arriving

French drain being prepared

Gravel flowing for French  drain

More gravel...

and more...we will need another load

Whoops...next truck of gravel not so lucky!

But finally done!

Now for the forms...

Back of house with wall forms

Front of house and more forms

Pouring cement into forms

Cement set, forms removed next day

View of front of house

View to the back

the north wall

The finished form!