Hmmm…. I suppose it is time to update the blog!

A lot has been happening at Fangorn Farm. We are delighted now to have two dams. One came complete with a spring, and has consequently been filling up steadily. The other dam is small and deep, and is positioned at the top of the property. We also have a house site, which is connected to a gravel driveway, which is connected to the cabin site. The cabin site was the previous owner’s house site, but it is far too shady for our liking! We also have a little shed site next to the house site and we look forward to building a shed sometime soon!

I am excited that things are happening at our place. For a while I was concerned that we would be living like this forever: in a small cabin, in the shade of the forest! Now, with the caravan providing room for separate bedrooms, we are more comfortable. Moreover, there is the work happening on the property that reminds us that there will be a house soon!

Monte staked out the house position, and my first reaction was that it is much smaller than I anticipated! That was a surprise to me, as we have staked it out before and I thought it was huge! Monte thinks that I am comparing the actual house site to the pad that has been constructed – it has room for gardens and a circular driveway. I have walked through my ‘house’ a few times, telling Georgia which room is which. I have walked down the hall and pointed out the bedrooms. I have stood in my kitchen, imagining that I am looking out the window as Monte washes the dishes beside me. I have basked in the sunshine where the living room will be, and I have danced in my bedroom as it was flanked with brilliant sunshine!

Dreaming and having a dream realised makes all the challenges seem worthwhile! I have already laughed with Monte about what the cabin was like when we first arrived. The room that is now a playroom was one end of a shipping container. Now we have windows and nice, warm floors, and more storage area. Things are happening, but things happen in fits and spurts, and when there’s a slump it can get us a bit down.

The caravan has quite a condensation problem so I can’t wait until spring, when we can put the caravan in the sunshine to thaw it out! The cabin is lovely and warm when the fire is going strong (as it is now) and I love the cosiness of being on the couch, knitting, with a cup of tea, by the fire! It’s like a dream for me.

On the family front, we have been busy, with Monte helping Wally with the earthworks. Monte has driven the roller and has controlled the digger on a few occasions, which was pretty cool. I have been flat out with the kids and I cherish times when the weather is nice enough to venture outside, with gum boots on for protection from the copious amounts of mud around! Georgia has been on holidays from school this week because of World Youth Day, so we have spent a lot of time doing little activities together. Yesterday we went into Hobart. We went to the museum and Salamanca Markets. It was a fun day. I showed Monte my favourite sushi shop, but I didn’t visit any wool shops at all! And that is becuase of my choice! I am growing strong!

Speaking of growing strong, Monte and I are going to the gym with our friends. Miranda and PJ are teaching us self defence and we are learning some cool bits and pieces. Monte and I even bought some equipment so we can practice kicking and punching each other. It’s a great workout (especially when stressed!). We’re so grateful for Miranda and PJ taking time to teach us some of their wealth of knowledge in martial arts!