Back fence...

Next up was putting up the rails and the shiplapped palings for the back fence. The fence is set back a bit from the boundary line, so we can soften up the back retaining wall with some pig-face (Carpobrotus glaucescens) or other trailing plant. The house side of the fence will eventually be hidden by all the plants and landscaping.

All of this progress enticed us to go fruit tree shopping on the weekend, and we've got a bush lemon (Citrus limon), tahitian lime (Citrus aurantifolia), blood orange (Citrus sinensis), imperial mandarin (Citrus reticulata), and an angel peach (Prunus persica) tree all ready to be planted along the back fence line - exciting!

Second retaining wall goes in...

Well, 2012 is certainly going to be Year of the House [revisited] as we make good progress into some long-awaited projects. Drew found some likely lads - Mark and Jay - who were keen to earn some weekend dosh in exchange for blood and sweat and muscle. Under Drew's direction for his landscaping vision, Mark and Jay knuckled down and have done some big hours which has seen some really positive development in the backyard.

First was the posthole digger action to set posts for the second terrace retaining wall, and the eventual fencing all round the back end of the block. Then the boys started on the retaining wall, three sleepers high...

Maggies give seal of approval...

Nice to see the local maggie family (mum, dad, juvie) enjoying the garden too (eating our lawn grubs!)