8 days to go; BUILD DAY 4

The shed from the upper walk

There's lots of action around us today as most of the other landscape sites are started and deliveries arrive in earnest. There's plenty of interest and admiration for the shed and the boys are rightly proud of what they've achieved so far. We've got a problem to solve though, as we're 1 beam short for the end wall. It will finish off the end nicely and will be quicker than packing the gap between the tin roof and wall top with small pieces of timber. Sourcing proves difficult though as these massive 9 metre beams are cut on demand and we need it today. Many phones are running hot as contacts are massaged and pleading is done. Eventually Anthony strikes gold with a source nearby who will have one ready for us tomorrow. Fantastic!

Anthony looks intent on working it out

Today's tasks for the boys involve the shed roof. We're keen to get the tin on by tonight to give the students free reign to get the fence paling floorboards down tomorrow. Stewart has had some hardwood timber battens lying in a pile at home for years, so they've been prised out of his hoard to make an appearance on the roof. Stewart says he's been saving them for something just like this. I think he's been just saving them. They're the perfect colour though to complement his tractor distressed Oregon beams, so he's happy to let them go... for now. He's got space in the backyard for more stuff now and it's only a matter of time.

Stewart's precious roof battens... Make sure you see the roof from the upper walk - it's a wave!

Natural bracing and old methods of fixing..

Rohan has managed to get some of the plywood down that forms the base for all the paths, making it easier to clean up at the end. We've found a way to vastly reduce the amount of material we use for the paths by putting in a garden bed in front of the shed and having a ramp in only one place. It deals with the height issue off the ground and means we only have to build it up in one place. We've also decided to replace much of the granite toppings with a mulch path. Not as easy to negotiate with a pusher, but much easier to pull it up afterwards and it can be recycled. So the plywood goes down so we can drive a bobcat onto the site later and pick it all up easily. I think it might be going to the bushfire area which is great news.

The plants started arriving today by the trolley load - there's so much to do now it's a little overwhelming. We can barely find places to park all the trolleys and have to keep an eye on where they all go so the paths are kept clear to work on.

Gardens like this don't happen without the foresight of major sponsors, and this one is no different. Heading up our group, the ones who approached me some 12 months ago, are Humphris Nursery. This family wholesale business develops amazing plants for wholesale to nurseries under labels like Garden Assets and Coolabah. Austraflora are another sponsor who have developed the 'King in the Garden' range of plants for Melissa King, represented in our heart garden. In the shed and cafe you'll find magnificent cut flowers from Austem, all passionate companies embracing and celebrating the uniqueness of Australian Flora at MIFGS through this garden 'Imagine'. We're all grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their vision!

Tomorrow we'll start work on the kid's garden planting area. The fairy master, Gary, is coming in the morning to see the location he's got for the fairy grotto, so I want those plants in place early. so much to do, so many sore muscles, so little sleep...