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Published: February 25th 2013
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On arrival back to Tasmania we stayed in a caravan park in East Devonport for two months whilst we organized everything to do with the planning and erection of our barn. Firstly we finalized the plans with the draftsman which then had to go to the Building Engineer and lastly to the Council for Planning and Building approvals. Unfortunately the power and water were unable to be connected at this point as it would have been in the way of the bulldozers when excavating for the site and driveway, hence the longer than expected stay at the caravan park. The approval came through on Friday 7
thDecember and the bulldozer and bobcat were in the following Tuesday to excavate for the barn site and driveway and also place loads of gravel down which was completed within three days. The electrician and plumber came once that was completed and we finally had water to the site and the power cable laid but unfortunately we had to wait for Aurora (the energy company) to come and connect the Electrician’s wires to their pole on the footpath. As this was close to Christmas and Aurora close down during Christmas and New Year for new connections
we missed out as it usually takes them 10 days once all the paperwork is together. We really wanted to be on our land for Christmas so we packed up and left the park and headed for Sheffield as we had the most important item and that was water and for power we are well covered with solar panels and a powerful inverter as well as gas so it was great to be on our way at last.
Well most people know about our dramas when we first started off on our trip in the 5
th wheeler and the F350 and now we have the almighty Chevy Silverado which is a great truck but these new cars have these sensors that more or less tell you what you can and can’t do. We drove about a kilometre from the park and the truck slowed right down to about 30 km/hr and wouldn’t let Trevor drive any faster. We had been having a little trouble with it but there was a part coming in from the States to rectify this fault and the truck by itself was fine but once the 6 tonne 5
th Wheeler was attached to it, it
spat the dummy. After about two hours and with the help of a really nice mechanic we finally arrived at Latrobe about 7 km from Devonport where we were to stay for a short time and ended up being two weeks at a free camping area near the town centre. To get to Sheffield there are a couple of hills which we knew the Chevy would not be able do so in the end we purchased a good tow strap and bow shackles and towed both the Chevy and 5
th wheeler up to Sheffield with the F350 and we must say the F350 did an extremely great job. The Chevy was towed to Launceston on the 7
th January and we didn’t get it back until the middle of February which is a story in itself so we were lucky we had the F350.
We spent a lovely although quiet Christmas and New Year in the 5
th Wheeler on our new property which was wonderful and we are enjoying life down here. Boxing Day was spent with our lovely friends in Latrobe whom we house and dog sit for on occasions and had a nice day with them although we
did eat a little too much but it was delicious.
Nothing happening with the erection of the barn as all workers are on holidays until 7
th February and then it will be very hectic. The slab was laid which took a week and the builder waited for five days to let the concrete cure before proceeding with the erection of the barn. The builder arrived on the 17
th January and a good day’s work was put in but unfortunately after two hours work on the Friday the rain and wind came so it was an early day for them, lucky them. Back to the job on Monday and a lot of work was done the next four days but the rain came again on Friday so unfortunately no work and being a long weekend. extra long for them (Australia Day) they were not due back until the following Tuesday and there were only two days work left to complete the job. We had a great day in Latrobe at the Australia Day festivities down by the Mersey River including ferret racing, gumboot throwing, raw egg throwing, archery and many more real Aussie games. Andrew and Lilly from Latrobe joined
us and we went back to their place to watch the latest James Bond movie followed by a nice dinner and of course a couple of drinks. Tuesday and Wednesday were both fine so the roof was completed on Tuesday and anything remaining was completed around mid afternoon on Wednesday and we were thrilled to have it up. It looks great and we had many items stored under the 5
th wheeler which are now stored in the barn so it looks much tidier. The barn is huge and now we are looking forward to starting on the building in of the residence part. The power was finally connected on the 25
th January so with seven weeks without power it was fantastic to have it connected. It was delayed because of the fires down in the South East of the State as most Aurora workers were required down there to restore power so we couldn’t complain.
I have had a go on the ride on mower and it was great fun so I am looking forward to helping Trevor now as I have never mowed before this but with the ride on it is a little easier. We are dog
sitting for Andrew and Lilly for 12 days so we have brought Scampi up to Sheffield as he loves all the rabbits we have running around the place but goodness knows what he would do if he caught one. Our container from Brisbane with all our worldly goods has arrived so it has been interesting going through everything and now we are about to have a Garage Sale as you realise what you can really live without once you have lived in a caravan or 5
th wheeler for as long as we have and there are so many items you think i will use that one day, but one never does, so it is out with all those items. Most of our neighbours are from different parts of the mainland and they all enjoy living down here very much so we hope you will all come down one day and visit us when we have the inside of the barn complete.
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Peter Cave
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Looks Impressive
Hi U 2, what progress you have made, and how excited you must be. It is a wonderful feeling to see something that you are going to live in being erected. Congratulations on such a good plan and I can't wait to see progress photos as you start on the inside. Love to you both, Peter