Finally!

[OldGrain]

Well fellow woods people the day finally arrived - RETIREMENT! Forgive my sudden shout.So now what? Well first off nothing.Zip,zero,nadda. Christmas with the family & then as mentioned elsewhere (Travel) down to Tassie to look at houses. You little ripper!!

[wheelinround]

Welcome to the world of never having to clock on or off again Gordon :; mind you as I am sure you have read of others this doesn't mean the four lettered word stops.
Have a great Christmas with the family and safe travels south if it wasn't so cold down there Sue and I would have been there a few years ago.

There are a number of forum members down there now. Don't hog all the nice timbers leave some for us poor mainlanders :p

[snowyskiesau]

Congratulations! You won't regret the move to Tassie. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
.

[ian]

congratulations

Enjoy Christmas with your family.

You might find that Monday, 4 Jan 2016 is your best ever day.





as the other "mugs" head back to work, you get to sit on the veranda or lean over the front fence and smirk at your good fortune

[Pittwater Pete]

Happy retirement Gordon.
Pete.

[Sawdust Maker]

Welcome to retirement
be careful of the honeydew projects

[OldGrain]

OK Folks. Today i booked flight to dear ol` Tassie. Fly out Monday 18th morn. About 2 hours later arrive & overnight in Hobart.Tues morn bus to Q/town till Sunday 24th. Fly out 8PM to Sydney. Should be an interesting experience to say the least.

[artme]

Welcome to the Club of Not Enough Time!!!!:D:D:D

[OldGrain]

369498
Morning all.Well i just got back from Q/town about 11pm last night after spending a week looking looking looking for a house.Saw a couple of miners cottages which i really like & other conventional styles but needing a "shed" for my tools i opted for.....the old 1935 Cascade Brewery Depot a couple of minutes walk into town.The land is 481m2 x 276m2 structures which comprise double garage on left (below sign),main building comprises 3 bedrooms on far side/kitchen/dining/lounge along where the awning is & the peaked roof workshop on right.There`s provision for a 4th bedroom,study or office behind that little square window.Three or four cars can be parked up the driveway/awning area.Its a WIP but thats fine.Can walk into double garage from kitchen/front entrance.Think i did alright.

[burraboy]

You're like the man with the wheelbarrow, you've got the job in front of you! As someone who has restored several buildings I can see the work but I can also see a great outcome, best wishes with it!

[Cliff Rogers]

That'll keep you busy for a couple of weeks. :2tsup:

[snowyskiesau]

Just in time for winter :)

[OldGrain]

369602
Forward of kitchen bench top to dining/lounge.3 bedroom partitions on left. Slider door to Workshop.
369610
Kitchen & Dining now.Lounge beyond intermediate Slider
369611
Looking back to Kitchen
369612369613369614
3 Bedrooms.Spare timbers in 3rd.
369615
Workshop.Possible 4th bedroom upper level room.
369616
Bathroom.Toilet in seperate room other side of wall where chair is.

[snowyskiesau]

As a real estate sales person would say 'A real fixer upper with loads of potential!' They'd probably use more exclamation makrs though And I love the free form metal ceilings.
No matter what you change, that shower curtain has to stay :wink:

I'm just jealous that I don't have my own house/shed complex to work on :((

Best of luck to you.

[OldGrain]

Howdo Snowyskies. Yes,that free form 'sisalation' needs to be covered. I`m thinking in clear coating Builders Board? stapled to rafters. The bedrooms will have coloured gal iron sheet dado walls bottom.Each room a different colour. Vertical light coloured floor boards above to ceiling & Builders board sheeting on ceiling.I`d like to sand the entire flooring back,infill the gaps with a light timber,re-sand & estapol giving an alternate dark/light brown finish.The gaps between every floor board were designed to allow melting ice to fall through being this a former cold storage depot. Haven`t figured about the bathroom yet.Probably do the floor the same & maybe raw gal sheeted walls. Not sure.Lots of ripple iron (mini orb) throughout kitchen/dining area.Full height floor boards in lounge. The list/ideas goes on & on eh. cheers gordon
Oh,the shower curtain... its a keeper. NOT! ha

****Now here`s a tip for all budding home buyers****
Most if not all councils across Oz auction off homes/land to reclaim unpaid rates.I certainly could have utilised this method if i wanted to.I chose not to wait (for auction) as i had earmarked a few houses,checked their history as far back as 8 to 10 years & determined from my list of about 20 that 4 really piqued my interest.I viewed most when i arrived. It came down to 2 then the one i bought. I will tell you i paid under 70K for it.
Now: if you are prepared to wait for an auction on unpaid rates you could be lucky in grabbing a house for as little *$1511.04 ! This is a true & current figure as noted by the council of properties due for upcoming auction which will occur if monies aren`t paid within 90 days as per Section 137 Local Govt Act.*The above mentioned figure relates to house that is real estate listed for over $100K. Meaning if the house doesn`t sell from real estate it will go to council auction.The listing i have per the council indicates some 35 properties at present with Address & Rates Due.

If Admin wish this information not warranted here please remove.

[snowyskiesau]

I looked up your new home (still listed with the RE) and you certainly got a bargain. Close to town but couldn't see a hardware store nearby :toobad:

[Big Shed]

Well OldGrain you were looking for something to renovate, you found it with bells on!

What the real estate agents call a renovators delight.

I reckon it has a lot of potential though, hope you will be happy there.:2tsup:

[OldGrain]

369681
Orr St
This is the shopping centre of Queenstown.It is clinically clean with brick paver footpaths which for 99.9% are perfectly set in place.End of the street is the Railway.Major banks/Two IGAs/Post Office/well designed Library/Pubs/Take-aways & yes,a pretty good Hardware with attached Pizza shop that opens after 4pm.Same guy owns both at present.Hospital/modern Chemist/RSL/other shops.Looking at the PO in picture,turn right & two minutes walk is my new place.

[OldGrain]

I looked up your new home (still listed with the RE) and you certainly got a bargain. Close to town but couldn't see a hardware store nearby :toobad:
There`s a ZERO cooling-off period & 30 day settlement then its removed or not by buyers choice.A few online photos show varying exterior profile/interior of the place & may or not be current.Like the fact there is a roller door on the double garage where the signage is seen.Other online pics show without when it was originally a house before the Depot was built & attached..Same as a couple of pics i posted - earlier pic shows bedroom frames whereas they are now walled. cheers gordo

[rustynail]

Ah, good old Queenstown. Thirty odd years ago I was driving under 30 camping bus tours around Tassie. On one particular tour there were two Maori fellas. They were great blokes, good muso's and loved a party.
Queenstown was our last opportunity to stock up with supplies before hitting the remote west coast.I suggested the passengers take the time for a look around town or a drink at the local pub while I did the shopping.
The two Maori chaps opted for the pub. Upon entry they were advised by one of the patrons that they didnt drink with blacks. The larger of the two Kiwis suggested that the soggy patron and his mates could go and drink outside.
Well that started it. It was on for young and old. The pub was full of miners, all with the same train of though - this pair of smarts needed to be taught a lesson.
Next hing the local police sergeant comes into the supermarket and asks if I was responsible for the two Islander chaps in the pub and would I come quickly. I obliged and upon entering, found bodies all over the floor with my two charges back-to-back, still dealing with the remainder. Once the whole thing was over and we had been bustled on our way by the cop, We made our way to Strahan. That night I handed out a rating sheet for the passengers to fill out. One of the questions was, "What was your favorite place?"
Both lads wrote, "Queenstown!!!"

[snowyskiesau]

Must go there again one day seeing it's just up the road - so to speak.
Last time was on a coach tour as a young bloke in 1970. I doubt it's changed a lot since then :)

[OldGrain]

Gday Snowyskies.Once i settle in there you & any one from here is most welcome. Got plenty of space & fresh air. And being the old depot it goes without saying the beers will be very well chilled! As i mentioned before the town is clinically clean.Oh,if you own/operate ANY type of business in town you are not allowed to smoke within the confines of the premises! You walk outside to the kerb,puff away & dispense the butt in assigned metal ashtray. Yes,i do smoke.Mostly a pipe though. And no,no wacky tabacky. Maybe i might try some 'hion' pine though!:U

[AlexS]

To fit in there, you'll have to play football. Have a look at the oval (unless they've grassed it since I was there.)

[OldGrain]

Hi AlexS. I saw it & it`ll never be grassed over.Its a doozy.Little wonder that steel knee caps rather than steel cap boots would be better to use!:U

[OldGrain]

369863
View from Station.Cream arched building middle on right is the Post Office.My L shaped home is noted by white rectangle on left of picture.

[ian]

so will this thread morph into a WIP?

I'm not sure I'd be using MDF in a building in Queenstown

[OldGrain]

Gday Ian. Once i move down there it will become a wip.The mdf which lines the bedroom walls is definately coming off to be replaced with framed coloured gal iron 1m high dado walls. Different colour in each room. Above the dado line will be clear coated floor boards to ceiling & builders boards sheeting under insulated ceiling/roof. Eventually i`d like to infill the floor board gaps with light coloured strips,sand back & estapol. Entire kitchen,dining & lounge ceiling the same. Thats the idea anyway in keeping with the structures integrity yet giving a homely feel.

[ian]

I'm thinking
Queenstown, winter, wet and cold --- lots of insulation required.

I'm not sure about using framed colourbond on the walls. I'm thinking condensation issues, and unless you go with one of the Wunderlite reproduction patterns, what's the difference between gal iron and painted plasterboard below a dado rail?
From what I recall the corro iron used in houses in Broken Hill was related to the absence of wood on the edge of the desert, with gal iron being much cheaper to transport compared to wood.

In Queenstown, I would think wood was really easy to come by.

[snowyskiesau]

With those Queenstown property prices, you just buy another house, knock it down and use the timber. Old seasoned hardwood, can't go wrong :)

[OldGrain]

I'm thinking
Queenstown, winter, wet and cold --- lots of insulation required.

I'm not sure about using framed colourbond on the walls. I'm thinking condensation issues, and unless you go with one of the Wunderlite reproduction patterns, what's the difference between gal iron and painted plasterboard below a dado rail?
From what I recall the corro iron used in houses in Broken Hill was related to the absence of wood on the edge of the desert, with gal iron being much cheaper to transport compared to wood.

In Queenstown, I would think wood was really easy to come by.
I have no time for mdf nor painted or painting plaster board.You`d be surprised just how many interiors were or now use coloured gal sheeting.All adjoining bedroom walls including those that back onto lounge/dining will be wool/fibre insulated.The kitchen walls will be mini orb.Likewise the toot. The bathroom i`m considering rough cut granite tiled walls. gordon

[artme]

Don't have any current plans to move to Tassie But at those prices it is tempting.

SWMBO just won't be in it anyway!!!:no::no::no:

[P.W.H.]

I was going to say "I hope they paid you to take it off their hands" until I saw what you did pay for it (more or less). Can't really go wrong there! Alas, 30 years ago I would've jumped at the chance to take on a project like that, but I know damn well that my body would betray me these days. 1 hour on my knees means at least 1 week of gimp .... :-(

Looks like a nice place you're moving to! Congratulations.

[OldGrain]

Don't have any current plans to move to Tassie But at those prices it is tempting.

SWMBO just won't be in it anyway!!!:no::no::no:

. Irwell Street, Zeehan TAS 7469 - House for Sale - 2012493264 (http://www.domain.com.au/-irwell-street-zeehan-tas-7469-2012493264)

Have a look at what you can/could buy in the area! And what i mention in my Reply **** #15.****

[OldGrain]

I was going to say "I hope they paid you to take it off their hands" until I saw what you did pay for it (more or less). Can't really go wrong there! Alas, 30 years ago I would've jumped at the chance to take on a project like that, but I know damn well that my body would betray me these days. 1 hour on my knees means at least 1 week of gimp .... :-(

Looks like a nice place you're moving to! Congratulations.
I`m 65.Retired recently. Only me & the pooch. Had quad bypass 8 or so years ago.Still able bodied & there`s no rush for winning a comp so i`ll just plod along keeping my mind & body active. I hope. gordo

[ian]

if you are prepared to wait for an auction on unpaid rates you could be lucky in grabbing a house for as little *$1511.04 ! This is a true & current figure as noted by the council of properties due for upcoming auction which will occur if monies aren`t paid within 90 days as per Section 137 Local Govt Act.*The above mentioned figure relates to house that is real estate listed for over $100K. Meaning if the house doesn`t sell from real estate it will go to council auction.The listing i have per the council indicates some 35 properties at present with Address & Rates Due.

you could buy two or three for parts

[artme]

Been through Zeehan a couple of times. Both were Bloody Freezing and both in summer!!:o

Must admit that it is a beautiful part of the world.:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

...and there is plenty of firewood about!

>>>and he who cuts his own wood warms himself twice!

[Big Shed]

Been watching an interesting series of programs called Back Roads, hosted by Heather Ewart on the ABC.

A series of 8 programs about different Oz towns, one of which is about Queenstown Tas.
If you haven't seen this, most are still available ABC iView.

Back Roads - Episode 7 Queenstown : ABC iview (http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/back-roads/IV1507H007S00)

[OldGrain]

Hi BigShed. Did watch it a couple of times actually. And it really is quite a pretty place now. Moreso than a lot of on-line pics you see. gordo

[skot]

OldGrain,

If Queenstown is your go...why didn't you buy the former Hospital & Nurse's Quarters. Plenty of room for Forum GTGs.

30 Rooms
20 Toilets
3000 m2 of Buildings
2.5 ha land
30 Carpark spaces

$205,000 + GST

[rustynail]

Market it as the biggest B&B in Australia.

[OldGrain]

I`m surprised no one has actually taken it up as a B&B albeit a swag of motels etc in & around the area.They all seem to be doing alright. gordo

[wheelinround]

Gordo just saw the pics wow you are going to be a busy boy. Hope you are settled in before winter hits and snows you in. Have it on good authority that when it snows can't get in or out to Hobart or Strauhn. Nice to be so close to Huon, Tassie Oak, Blachhearted Sassafras.

Progress photos of the reno please.

[OldGrain]

Gday Ray. As an introduction to some of the work ahead of me there i just this morning bought this:
371459371517
Given the ceiling height it will come in very handy.Included a pair of Outriggers.Display unit $550. gordo

[artme]

Looks like an excellent buy!! :2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

Hope it's sturdy enough at that price!!

[OldGrain]

Hi Artme. Got it online through this mob & picked up at local (Revesby) warehouse.Must be doing alright as they have some 80 plus distributors.***Added spec sheet*** above.
Home (http://www.gtpro.com.au/Pages/default.aspx) gordo

[OldGrain]

371953371954
Pics taken a few days ago by friends traveling from Maclean Qld to Tassie with their vintage `van in tow.

[burraboy]

The roof looks in good nick....

[ian]

I'm waiting to see what the place looks like inside AFTER Gordo's 3 containers arrive and are unpacked

[OldGrain]

The roof looks in good nick....
Got a 'better head of hair' than me & its 80 years old!

[OldGrain]

I'm waiting to see what the place looks like inside AFTER Gordo's 3 containers arrive and are unpacked
You & me both. ha

[OldGrain]

Howdy all.Well the 18th of this month the 3rd & final container gets delivered,loaded & transferred to removals depot.All things being equal i should be flying down a day or two later. The removalists arrive & unload on the 26th in Q/town.Then the fun begins......278 square metres of foil & insulation so i can fill the rooms with furniture. gordo

[wheelinround]

Gordo what can I say you started long before us and we have been here now over a month.

Tell the truth the freezing temps have scared you off. :U

[OldGrain]

Gday Ray. Yep,true.But there were a couple of things i wanted to do before the final move.One was catching up with my 2nd boss from 50 years ago which i did last week on the Nth Coast although we`ve kept in contact/visits all these years.(btw,got your msg while inflight coming back).But the date has been set in concrete now so no more excuses.

[OldGrain]

Evening all. Well it`s almost that time as the removal guys get here 7am in the morning & so the computer gets packed away soon. I have no idea as to when I`ll be back online so trust you all stay safe & well. cheers gordo

[wheelinround]

Watch out for the barrage of SMS then Gordo :q I guess you went to ALDI Ski sale and stocked up :U

[OldGrain]

Evening all. Well its been a few weeks since the shed in Sydney was swept up & i`m finaly online.Lots o things have been going on like rain,rain & more rain. Leaking roof hasn`t helped either. I knew about it but didn`t realise it was that bad. So a newy is being sorted but will have to be done when the weather clears. In the interim i`m living out of boxes & a converted office. I have made some small improvements......slicing a metre off the 4m long bathroom & thereby giving me a 1m deep x 2m wide alcove for the kitchen dresser. New electricals in one half of the place - 2 double p/points & light fitting in 3 bedrooms/dining/triple lights in kitchen ( I've added industrial ali shades to all) laundry & bathroom lights.The electrics came in at 400 bucks.Until the roof is fixed no bedroom furniture can be added. Garage is chockers with packing boxes etc still. Otherwise great area & people. gordo

[Big Shed]

G'day gordo, was just reading about the Unconformity Festival in Queenstown and I realised you hadn't posted for a while.

Queenstown's The Unconformity arts festival helps mining region evolve, celebrates past - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-15/queenstown-the-unconformity-festival-begins/7935648)

How's things going for you in your new residence, hope things are progressing and that the weather is warming up for you.

[wheelinround]

Gordon if this weekends weather forecast is what it is brrrrrrrr stay in doors or the pub where its nice and warm.

[OldGrain]

Hi BigShed & Wheelinround. Things move pretty slowly down here. You get told a day in a week --- but never the month it will happen. Still waiting to do the bedrooms as the leaking roof hasn`t been sorted yet. Apparently a couple of weeks away now. Fingers crossed. So in the meantime I`m just revamping the front office to a 'media' room----computer/tv/temp bedroom. And copious johnnies down at the Railway. Yep, big event here this week end.Massive mine vehicle entourage last night through main street. Heard the loudest doof doof ever coming from the cab of an excavator over & above the other mine machinery/monster semis`with stacks billowing smoke,air horns bellowing ear splitting decibels. Heaps of street stalls.Popup bars.Bands. Great week end overall.

[OldGrain]

449552
Current pic since cladding front 3rd of building.
Some trims still to do.

[OldGrain]

449556
Yes,we do get some sun down here.

[OldGrain]

449560
Clad also under roof line.

[OldGrain]

449561
Other view.

[ian]

Did you manage to sort out your electricity billing?
Was the large amount because the house leaks heat like a sieve, or just an estimate based on the property's previous use?

[OldGrain]

Hi Ian. I believe it was twofold. 1) Had to be estimates as my old meter had to be read by entering house. No one ever knocked on my door to do so. 2) I had to reclassify premises as 'domestic/residential' & not business even though my other utilities recognised it as 'residential'. In the interim i have had a digital meter installed (no cost). Now four hours away at their offices they read my meter 24/7. Last bill & first as with new meter my bill was $450 which isn`t that bad actually. I`ll have a better idea from next one as i have since fitted LED fluros in the garage as opposed to the vapor lamps that were there. Also 3 & 5W LED globes throughout the place. House remains quite cool on warm/hot days ( Av 26 degrees summer to 38 a couple times) so no need for aircon. Minimal use of small heater in winters. cheers

[OldGrain]

449585
Dining area.Front door behind right side louvres.
449586
Kitchen light bulkhead.
449587
Made this from 2.5mm copper & added the shades.