John van Gurp

Final design

Here are some “before” photos of our property in North Queens, Nova Scotia.

Looking down the new driveway toward the building site
Looking back up the driveway
Temporary shelter - The “Shaggin’ Wagon”
Company

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May 2 update - posts in and first lumber deliveryWe arrived this morning just as the lumber truck pulled up. The loads had to be taken down the driveway with the 4WD backhoe, which was quite a show.9 of the 12 concrete posts are in and the rest will be done tomorrow. I changed the deck plan from 10′ to 12′ and it will be around 4 feet above the ground which is just fine.Also the trailer is sold and gone…======================================================

June 1 Update Well what a pleasant surprise upon my return from a week in BC. The building is up! One half of the roof still needs to be sheathed and shingled but we are on track with the plan to have a weather tight shell. By the middle of next week the windows and doors will be in and the exterior wrap will be on. The next step will be the exterior - eastern white cedar shingles that will weather to a silvery grey. I also met with my electrician Ronnie Frail of Caledonia Electric to scope out the wiring. Because we are not finishing the inside the wiring needs to be protected with a covering, so what I will do is box it all in with strapping which will look just fine.

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Some photos…

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June 9 Update - Heather and I drove down Saturday afternoon and found almost of the windows are in, the roof is complete and some of soffit is done. There’s housewrap on much of the exterior too. The exterior dorrs haven’t been installed yet, so rather than “camp” inside dealing with flies we returned to the city. I can see the front windows are way too small too! When I estimated sizes I held out a measuring tape for 24″ x 36″ and it looked fine, but of course the final window has a much smaller glass area. Too bad Imade this mistake, and in hindsight I should have designed for at least one picture window. We can do that eventually but it will have to wait.====================================================

Hello friends,

I’ve been busy with web projects for various groups and sites and between that with a steady flow of email some things will just slip. One is updating this blog and another is compiling all of my personal web pages into some kind of easily navigated single site.

At the same time we’re doing some design and planning for a cottage at Russell Lake, Queens County situated around 20 minutes before Kedjimikudjik National Park when coming from Bridgewater. in the district known as North Queens.

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2006 had it’s ups and downs, as every year does. We lost friends and saw others succeed in the face of adversity and you do what comes naturally which is to share grief and provide support and love to those who need it, and to celebrate and share in the joys and victories of others. Life goes on. Read the rest of this entry »