Chez Carleton, Pt I

:o
So long, so very, very long ... into the new place for ANZAC Day, out of the old place a week later, leaving myself time to clean/clear up ... Frankly, did not need that much time, and took some time off from work - mostly flex time, but then discovered that they provided a day of miscellaneous leave for moving, so that helped :)
Sarah Beale said if you are out the day before, that extra day you do not have to pay for - the logic being that the lease was for 366 days, not 52 weeks ... anyway, she reneged on that understanding - "oh, I am sorry for the confusion" Guess that will never have to happen again ;) The irritating thing is that if she had been clear at the outset (see above), I could have structured my moving/cleaning in a less time detrimental manner!
What is it about me doing things on socially important dates so that they have significance for me also, but in a different way - 9/11 with Ray, now ANZAC Day for the house purchase ...
One of the first things I have done is arrange with a bloke to move a toilet inside - the original one is out the back, in the laundry/shed area. Rather cute Australian natives in the place, particularly at front and along side to gate; 2 apples, apricot, peach, 2 lemons, mandarin, orange ... and plenty of rosemary (why, I am still struggling to contemplate). However, there are also a few other herbs scattered about - thyme, oregano, rosemary (did I mention that there is LOTS of rosemary bushes?), comfrey, etc.
Really must move on, and accept that I am now living there permanently (or at least for quite awhile) and remember to ask myself 'what do you want to do'? One of the first things is (of course) to set up vegetable garden; however, the decision is whether to go for the raised garden beds (900mm high, 3000/2500 mm long), or whether to look at a no-dig garden, at least initially ... thinking about it, the preference will be for the latter, if only because of two reasons: pricing + assessing the viability of the premises, e.g. sun exposure, soil conditions, etc. So, that is this (long) weekend's project ... that and doing some pruning, weeding, and general tidying up of the property, now that I am a 'property owner' ;)
There is a rather nice little fire in the front room, which is where I have also put my computer and study gear (desk, books, etc.), along with the mid-size lounge to enjoy. There is an interesting view out of the front window, as it looks out over the front garden, and then crosses the road to Thomson Reserve, which often has sports (AFL) on, particularly on the weekend - there is also a sizeable netball area, but that is over the other side of the park. May need to get out there a little more, do some exploring? Interestingly, there is less emphasis on exploring, but whether it is because I am older, do not have anyone (Cameron) to go exploring with, or whether, as a home owner in the area, I do not want to get to carried away, I have yet to decide ...
Then there is my bedroom, on the quiet side, away from McNeill. Furnishings are light - a (plush) seat, futon/base, and an old school cupboard, which pretty much fits in everything, except shoes are lined up next to the doorway, and bags, which sit on top of the cupboard. But, to be honest, I could easily enough arrange to put everything into the cupboard ... really, really do not have a lot of stuff. In some ways ... Suprises me sometimes how quiet the room can be - especially as I am nowhere near the train station now. Although, sometimes I can hear the trains, floating across the airwaves, filling the silences of surburbia ...
Gas stove + HWS, kitchen has quite a bit of cupboard space, and I do not think I am utilising as best as I may/should? Perhaps the best option, with the limited amount of available bench space, would be to arrange to put the toaster and kettle away when not in use? Certainly could be something to explore, I suppose ... Think that I will hold off doing much with the kitchen ATM so as to get a feel for what is required, to see what could possibly work? Of course, one thing will be to get the benches raised, but beyond that? All an interesting mind experiment, some room to manuever in terms of what fits where, what is required, and how to work it all in together.
One thing I am struggling with is what to do about the tools of Father ... what I 'should' do is fly up there for the weekend, look over what is available, pack what is required, and then arrange to have it shipped down  ... Hmm, decisions, decisions, hey?
Geelong Cats have had lights put in, and on 01/06/13 they tried them out for a night match against the GC Suns, with the star player being the son (not 'sun') of the Geelong great Gary Ablett ... Was kind of funny watching it at home with Felix, him noticing that they had fireworks, and me telling him to go outside to see/enjoy them ...