Sydney May 2011

Pat and I went to Sydney to visit Anna and Pedram, and for Pat to see their house for the first time.

 

Pastel sky, approaching Sydney.

 

“Impression” of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

 

There was great activity in the house this weekend.  When we arrived, there were two external walls missing.  A section of the front wall had been removed to include the porch into the living room, and a section of the back wall, directly behind the missing front wall, to install a set of bifold doors. This allowed a very brisk breeze to blow straight through, undeterred by two sheets of thin blue plastic valiantly attempting to impede its progress.  

 

  Icy gale whistling in from the front.

 

Missing back wall, contrasting with new chandelier.

 

A work in progress.

Pedram stands where the new front door is going to be.  To his right is the new extension to the lounge, created by demolishing the old front wall and including the former porch in the lounge.  The new front wall includes the window from the old front wall (which I painted in February).  The brickwork will be rendered, creating a new external colour for the house.

While we were there, Pat removed the dead wood from the tree in the front garden, and also pruned the hydrangea near the front door (but not too hard, as it disguises a large hole in the downpipe).

 

Now the new bifold doors are installed, and have to be stained.

 

What a luxury, having a door to close against the cold night air, even if it is only partly stained.

 

Dinner at a Persian restaurant.  The drink is doogh, a salty carbonated yoghurt drink - which tastes better than it sounds – and which I’m going to try to make at home.