Pizza Oven

Graham's wanted a pizza oven for ... well a very long time. We finally decided we'd bite the bullet and build one. After getting some quotes for someone to build the base for us, gheesh they were pricey, we decided to  do it ourselves. We went with Hebel block as it was inexpensive, strong and easy to work with.

We made it into a time capsule and put a note in it. Once the base was made, the really hard work began. We used a kit we bought from Bunnings, an Amalfi Oven. When it came time to lift the oven pieces onto the base, we had to get our friend John to come over and lend some muscle lifting the oven pieces up.

Once on, it was a race against the weather to put the insulation and then the mortar on. We had a bit of an issue when the flu didn't quite fit, but Graham was able to modify it to work. Then Graham sealed the top and painted it.

Next was the fun part - the look and feel of it. We selected some tiles which looked like piles of rocks, to finish off the bottom of the base, and chose to use ceramic tiles for the top as a working space;  we put some skinny brown tiles around the top edge to finish the look.

Rather than try to cut wierd shapes of top surface tiles to bring it in to the oven base edge, we decided to use grout and lovely pebbles and rocks and shells like they were strewn there by the sea. We've got a few more decorative touches to do, before we're finished but we think it's looking very nice.  The pizza it makes is outstanding!! We'll never have to go out again.

Here's the pictorial

Elwood likes to help

Hebel Block, much easier to work with

Laying out the bottom of the oven

Additional help from our friend John Handicott

Very heavy top bits

Men at work

Flu adjustments

All set up

Painting - I think it looks like a hippo - Our friend George keeps Graham company

Finishing the front - almost like teeth...

Tempering the oven - first flames

Tiling the top - base kick tiles on too

Fist Pizza night - I made George put on the apron for the photo...

Elwood - I can help

Elwood wants to be involved in the first pizza

Looking very nice.

Very first bite

Nice ambiance, you can see the frame of the Pergola too.

Making our little beach area on the top.

Elwood ever ready for anything that falls

Mmmmm Bellissimo!!

Hah! Spinning the dough, he's a natural.

New Look for front yard - Concrete Laid and Spray Coated

We decided we'd do a little reno on the front of the house. As usual, the fun is in the planning. We spent ages talking about, walking the shapes, Graham taped the whole area out at one point so I'd "get the vision". That was great actually.

We decided on a shape and got someone in to do the concrete, then another person in to do the spray coating. Graham designed a new centre for the rosette to go with our Star Gasing.

Here is the pictoral of the project. (Note, I was disappointed with the rosette when it was finished as the edges were not crisp, but Graham has retouched it this weekend and it looks fabulous)

Graham at Wayatina Fire - Feb 2010

Boat Harbour Trip

We had an unexpected but delightful adventure last week. Friends Rose and George called to invite us along as they had a cabin at Sisters Beach become available.

We drove our truck for more leg room in the back and left Friday morning. Our group decision - take the road through the great lakes area. We stopped at the Pencil Pine World Heritage area, and took the board walk out to Pine lagoon all very beautiful. The drive up took us about 7 hours by the time we'd meandered through a few sea side towns and stopped for coffee along the way. It as our night to cook dinner and after a full day of driving, Graham produced a wonderful seafood chowder!

Saturday morning dawned muggy and foggy. We had a hearty pancake breakfast and Sanders Adventures tours guided by Graham took us on a brilliant day. We started with a hike down to and along Sisters beach, up to the wet caves (interesting moss on the cave walls that glowed luminously green when you looked at it from the cave entrance) then over the top of the point to anniversary bay (very apt as it was George & Rose's anniversary). The different rock formations up North are amazing! When we got back we hopped into the truck and went to Boat Harbour - it was like a 1950's beach town with a white sandy beach in a bay of beautiful turquoise waters. After a splash in the ocean and an ice cream, we drove to Stanley and saw "the Nut" (we didn't attempt the climb as it was late by this time and we know we'll be this way again.) We ended the day with vegetarian curry followed by pictionary and charades.

Sunday we took the inland route home, another big day of driving for Graham and he even stopped for me to have a photo taken with the Hay people along the way!! We ended our adventure at Rose & Georges for champagne and dinner on their deck and then home to relax!

A wonderful mini vacation!!