So, we decided to buy a lot and build a house up North! It want’s a hasty decision, it was something we always new we’d come back to. (This is our second time around in the area) Once the decision was made there was a level of mixed emotions and a great level of excitement!

When we sold our first cottage 18 years ago, we told at each other that “one day we’ll be back”. Holding strong to our promise, the “one day” has come. Romance is still alive….!

Here’s what we’ve learned so far… All the trades are busy, the town is busy, everyone is busy! Not that people weren't busy before, this is a different kind of busy, this is “Covid, Crazy Busy”. The reason is, because of Covid, the general office working population doesn’t have to physically go into work, most are working remotely from home and probably will be from now on. For this basic reason they don’t have to live close to their jobs or in the city so they’re investing and gravitating outside the confines of their workplaces, hence, this serge of “busyness”. Our case is a little different. We’re building a retirement residence, one we can enjoy while we still have our strength. Why build? Well, we wanted to start living. This is the way my partner and I live… on the edge, getting our hands dirty, and reaping the benefits of hard work, this is what makes us truly happy. I’m grateful we share this in common, we both found what makes us happy to be alive. Now, let’s hope this build doesn’t leave a sour taste in our mouths….!

The lot is as you see it in the photos, lush and thick with greenery, so thick in fact that we couldn’t find our fire number (green address flag). The trees are mostly pine, the poor buggers are nutrient deprived from lack of sunlight. There are some, not so heathy, big birch trees, they are dry and old with lack of proper nutrients. We know we have to remove and make way for structures and machinery, I’m hoping to keep some of the healthier trees and possibly relocate them in key places when the house is complete. Size of the lot is approximately an 8th of an acre. No neighbours on either side- yet. One neighbour in front, one neighbour in back but we can’t even see his house through the trees. The soil is black and rich. Towards the back of the lot there is a conservation area that we will use to enjoy the natural habitat. We will clean it up the conservation area, somewhat, and hopefully it will attract frogs, birds and other wild life to the area. Hopefully no coyotes or snakes!

The tree clearing ceremony has begun, every Saturday we are on the lot, burning old dry trees and brush. Cutting the trees, large and small we know will be in the way. With careful measuring we’re trying not to over cut. This spring I came across red Trilliums, I’m taking care not to disrupt them, I may just fence them off or try to relocate them to a safer area.

Fun Fact

Most people know of the White Trillium — also referred to as Wake Robin or Large-leaved Trillium — as Ontario’s provincial flower. This is the flower featured on many of our provincial documents, from health cards to driver’s licenses.

The Surrounding Area - Things to do.

Where is North you ask? To be specific- South Bruce Peninsula, (population 8416) in the small town of Oliphant (population 1989). This is our second time around in Oliphant; 18 years ago we were the proud owners of a little cottage here. 15 minutes directly east of Oliphant is Wiarton. Ring any bells? Wiarton is where the famous “Wiarton Willy” lives. Each February the 2nd, the little groundhog comes out of his hole to tell us if we’re going to have an early spring or not. Oliphant is based North West on Lake Huron just North of Sauble Beach. If you haven’t heard of Sauble Beach- I highly recommend you look it up!

There is a Government Dock where you can launch your boat, Seadoo or other small watercraft. This will take you directly to the fishing islands.

Kite Boarding in Oliphant

New to the area is Kite Boarding. There is now a population of Kite Boarders in Oliphant. Starting as soon as the weather is warm enough and running into November. Kite Boarding lessons are offered in the area. I don’t think I’ll be trying Kite Boarding but it’s great fun to watch!

The Chi - Cheemaun

The Chi-Cheemaun, otherwise known as the Big Canoe. This passenger ferry will take you on a gorgeous, 45 minute boat ride to Manitoulin Island, departs from beautiful Tobermory which is at the crest of the peninsula.

This Big Canoe will hold your car, van, SUV, truck, camper, rv, or trailer right to the largest freshwater Island in the world! Here you can explore Canadian Native culture and feel like you’re in a different world. Who knew? Make your Chi-Cheemaun reservation and enjoy awesome fishing, Pow Wow’s and the most, natural beauty Canada has to offer.

Our Home Away From Home

We bought an old 2007 trailer/camper, it will be our home away from home while we build. We’ve never owned a camper before so, all will be trial and error. The plan is to eventually put the camper directly on the lot however permits are required in order to do so. For now, until we have permits we will place the camper in a camp park. We were lucky enough to find a campsite through a friend, thank you, you know who you are…. With COVID all the parks in our general area were completely full, we had to be a little ways away, about half an hour or so but so happy to have found a place. We are officially “trailer park trash”!

Finally! We have a park we can place the camper on. Our next step is to rip out parts of this interior to redo it “my style”. Can’t wait!

Fishing In Saugeen Shores

We were lucky enough to find a fabulous place to stay. (Thank you Lynn!) The park is a popular ground for fishing next to the South Hampton River. (Saugeen Shores) This well kept secret is on a conservation area, protected by the “Ontario Steelheaders”.

The House Plans

Here is our house floor plan. The house is a single level no basement or crawl space. We needed storage space so we opted for a larger garage, and mudroom. Furniture placement is the architects impression only, to give a sense of the space to scale.

After cutting down over 350 trees, (and feeling guilty for doing it) the lot was cleared. Next step is to remove the stumps. The stumps that we sat on to have lunch, made a makeshift table to eat off of. The stumps we tripped over again and again. Fell backwards, forwards, sideways. The stumps we sprayed bright orange paint on to be more visible. The stumps we nearly sprained ankles on. We were done with these stumps!

In the midst of all this hoopla, a baby was born. My first grandson, Leo. Born December 8th, 2020. Yes, he’s a Covid baby. He’ll make a fine addition to our crew.

Meet the crew. Paul, me, Tiago, Emma, Max and Baby Leo….and Buddy my Yorkie Bichon.

Exhaustion takes us home. But not before breaks and sunsets.

Finally! Machinery!

Up next. Excavation and footings.

Up next. Well drilling. This was an experience. Meet the Wright brothers, oldest community or Northern Ontario well drillers. It didn’t take long to hit water. Approximately 65 feet down.

The blocks for the foundation are delivered and foundation walls will go up.

Foundation walls. As mentioned. This will be a “slab on grade” home. There will be no basement or crawl space. The entire foundation will be back filled and covered with sand. Seems like a waste but we had a crawl space in the cottage before and It was “creepy crawly”. No thank you…

Getting ready to move the trailer out of the trailer park and move it onto our lot.

New culvert pipe. Covered and driveway complete.

Winter 2021, 2022. The trailer is safe on the lot. There’s two feet of snow, no way we’re getting in there. The last photo on the right is a photo of our conservation at the back of the lot. As I write this it’s August 2022 and 30 degrees outside. The conservation is completely dry, mostly dead trees back there. My thought is to clean up most of the dead trees and have a small skating rink back there with strings of lights in the trees, perhaps some speakers for music and a roaring fire in the winter. ( away from the trees of course ) How does that sound?

Finally Spring! New look for the trailer and exhaustion again…

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

After cutting over 350 trees on the lot our guilt was weighing heavy on all of us. We found we had to give back to the earth.

Here we are planting trees and bushes outside of the Milton Sports Centre.

SUMMER 2022

This summer things will move full steam ahead.

THIS IS CONCRETE

The front and back porch was done first. The main living part of the house was done a different day. Too much for one day…

This is the day we poured the concrete for the main slab. The slab was done in sections starting at the left side of the house.

Sorry, I’m way behind with this blog…!

FRAMING

Going back to July, 2022. Next step is the Lumber. Delivered in July 2022.

Next comes the framers. This was really interesting to watch. They are like acrobats jumping from one wall to the other.

Trusses for the roof pitch was delivered and assembled like a very complex puzzle. The entire framing of the house took 5 days. 4 men on the job.

…and by mid July we had a framed house. We were so excited to finally see a standing structure.

Hot summer nights and waiting for windows with Covid depleting.

Trenches for electrical were dug. Septic tank and bed was installed. House was Styrofoam and Typar wrapped. Summer was enjoyed.

Fall always arrives without warning…

Fast forward to the sale of our Milton home. Bittersweet but it was time to downsize. Sold in November 2022. Moved on March 1st 2023 to Cambridge. We purchased a fixer upper with potential. As soon as we can get the house in Oliphant in order we will swing the hammer in Cambridge.

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Finally! Our windows and doors have arrived.

During the winter all the electrical wires were pulled, the house was Insulated and final details for exterior colours were made.

INSULATION

EAVESTROUGHS SOFFITS AND DOWNSPOUTS

The weather finally starts to warm up. Eavestrough, soffits, and downspouts are installed.

Garage doors go in. Exterior Brick work goes in. We opted for a wider brick 16” wide. Concrete in colour, with an offset pattern, take a closer look.

BRICKWORK

Next step, siding. We wanted a vertical, board and batten. We went with crisp white and a punch of dark charcoal at the top pitch. Some exterior work still needs to be done but that will have to wait. Wood beams will be created to frame the tops and beef up the posts.

SIDING

Drywall was the next thing to be delivered.

DRYWALL

First sheet of drywall goes up. Seems so surreal that we are at this point.

WOODSTOVE

Wood stove is rough in is installed. A custom designed, concrete base is built as a platform for the wood stove. Behind it is a brick veneer. I wanted to keep everything light and bright.

A bathtub is installed and the propane tanks.

The garage floor is poured and the Rodrigues kids straighten out the concrete front door threshold.

…and just like that summer 2023 comes to a close. We will look forward to finishing up the drywall, painting, installing the flooring and staying warm by the wood stove.

Below are a couple of choices for the flooring. We opted for vinyl. I didn’t want to worry about water and sand. This is traffic and pet friendly. I went with the bottom colour, I was aiming for a warmer tone.

Finally, we are at the tail end of having a completely, self sufficient home. Paul built us a makeshift bathroom with a toilet a fully functional shower. Blown insulation was done at the tail end of summer, this added, much needed warmth to the space. Our next step is a big one. We will be looking to pass our occupancy inspection. We know there are a few things the inspector will be pointing out but nothing that isn’t instantly fixable. Wish us luck, I will keep you posted.

Following this phase of our build it starts to get a little more fun. All the interior finished have been finalized and we are ready to install throughout this fall and winter. Next up, paint, blinds, kitchen cabinets, sinks, faucets, appliances.

The Table

We’ve had this table in our basement stashed away for a very long time, even before I knew we were going to build this house. It’s a solid oak table given to my by a dear client (Doreen O’Grady). We updated her kitchen and she didn’t have a need for it anymore. She asked me if I would take the table. Knowing full well the value of the table - I graciously accepted it. I bought new legs for it fully intending to use it right away. One thing led to another and here we are many years later refinishing it.

I stripped the old lacquers off and sanded until all the finish was taken off. ( A few hours.) I asked Paul to cut away a bit of the edge of the table doing away with the rounded the edge instantly updating the edge profile. A new stain colour was applied. See below.

Can’t wait to enjoy meals with family and friends at our new table. Thank you Doreen. How about those grains….?