tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-219436862024-03-07T11:31:38.928-08:00The ExtensionWhere all our resources e.g. money time and effort have gone since February 2003. We sometimes feel like it will never be finished. . . .Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-32065921321149961362021-02-25T13:30:00.000-08:002021-02-25T13:30:05.652-08:00Insurance says we're covered<p> The insurance company says we have a valid claim. This is good.</p><p>Now the fun part.</p><p>We have started emptying all the rooms.</p><p>They all must be emptied and the floor boards removed. </p><p>How did we get so much stuff? I thought I had been good about not keeping things. I was deluded. We have way too many possessions. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieYYXn5JZKnu9IQpsnCAdzoD-CtH3NE9SBRAyep4TipOC3FFWLUoLbuSzvwAOovgtG0BRl_dipnSltcQU1EAJJfrZ7t2dFOCND0DqSBIE1N_4S30UYDJI499uXRBL8zyShCDIVA/s959/sofa+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieYYXn5JZKnu9IQpsnCAdzoD-CtH3NE9SBRAyep4TipOC3FFWLUoLbuSzvwAOovgtG0BRl_dipnSltcQU1EAJJfrZ7t2dFOCND0DqSBIE1N_4S30UYDJI499uXRBL8zyShCDIVA/s320/sofa+bed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We have started the process of getting rid of things. Some larger things went today. The sofa bed in George's room is gone. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTVR1jB-7GMd2AJJhRedoYtSnCxQXJPJ_5YMYyPHdsVVL1d0K0MiWkDkQ3A5mdvcht5t5IkJmkqZnjK66fmzqNuKBP_VFdNd9lM4LzwSgdJTv69zC7Sa2LOQn19LpAjXqhw4NVQ/s960/metal+shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="651" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTVR1jB-7GMd2AJJhRedoYtSnCxQXJPJ_5YMYyPHdsVVL1d0K0MiWkDkQ3A5mdvcht5t5IkJmkqZnjK66fmzqNuKBP_VFdNd9lM4LzwSgdJTv69zC7Sa2LOQn19LpAjXqhw4NVQ/s320/metal+shelves.jpg" /></a></div>The games trolley that held all the family games has gone. The games themselves are going tomorrow. <p></p><p>The piano is gone. Nobody plays anymore.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lv6Xc3_HZ8XEiNrGlAt5xvrrG__1HiZVEj0Lts7V-y38gKohL1FkhNQylq-ifvXOvlSzL-wxFkGTaz5rNEhC7_G0k6UnRfPybzRGFb_BkEw6g9M670Z_fUpVoyo8WuYSTdodYA/s960/Aquarium+for+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lv6Xc3_HZ8XEiNrGlAt5xvrrG__1HiZVEj0Lts7V-y38gKohL1FkhNQylq-ifvXOvlSzL-wxFkGTaz5rNEhC7_G0k6UnRfPybzRGFb_BkEw6g9M670Z_fUpVoyo8WuYSTdodYA/s320/Aquarium+for+sale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The 300 litre aquarium left this evening. It's been empty for almost two years. It took up a lot of space. I loved having it, but I'm glad it is gone now. I hope the new owner is happy with it.<p></p><p>Henry moved his record and CD collection. He put all the guitars in cases and moved them to the loft.</p><p>Art has come off the walls and been stacked in the attic next to the guitars. </p><p>We have a place to move the furniture. That will be moved in the next couple of days.</p><p>I expect a few trips to the dump will happen and then the rug will be rolled up and the work can begin.</p><p>I don't know what stresses me out more. The fact that our lovely extension has to be redone or the fact that there is way too much stuff in my life.<br /><br /><br /></p>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-91196330993337648412021-02-23T11:56:00.000-08:002021-02-23T11:56:03.678-08:00Do Over!In February, we discovered that some of the oak floorboards in our lovely extension had started to warp. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BjC2sLFFlsSjP4odx4RqaQx_zoOjWGmI16H9VHwnRwBDhSdGcF88ETDlX7cpAlRYcDAh1rijLl7gaUCpL8ZxnGoFTG35s0nTpPd7sUkmqTST53o84fq0AkbfbeiotsFU5LaBvw/s2048/IMG_4628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BjC2sLFFlsSjP4odx4RqaQx_zoOjWGmI16H9VHwnRwBDhSdGcF88ETDlX7cpAlRYcDAh1rijLl7gaUCpL8ZxnGoFTG35s0nTpPd7sUkmqTST53o84fq0AkbfbeiotsFU5LaBvw/s320/IMG_4628.jpg" /></a></div><div>It was obvious that they were getting wet. </div><div><br /></div><div>I put a call into the plumber and he came out and had a look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqhOlPrlVTHs34jAdsF4BBpiV96zWwUjCBalnWx4j1i5-Jakrvy4panxVqcfn8B1-IxOyNbuKbgjdFcAKZIwcVSEImbtwAFL0IkfRJd6Bilq8nr1CvEn54YXph9o_mJWaWtR0qw/s2048/IMG_4634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqhOlPrlVTHs34jAdsF4BBpiV96zWwUjCBalnWx4j1i5-Jakrvy4panxVqcfn8B1-IxOyNbuKbgjdFcAKZIwcVSEImbtwAFL0IkfRJd6Bilq8nr1CvEn54YXph9o_mJWaWtR0qw/s320/IMG_4634.jpg" /></a></div><div>When he lifted the boards in the hallway there was a lot of water!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ07j7NqLRdOBbBmukHMYEyRwoQPUs9OmzYuDb5AO5Pi84Bq9gvdC91WK5Ih4rM7TNP7FjDsu_n_KYp6q-9J9-Ejv5KXhNsE4Kk8_qwiN0cDPmg8cdH90na-FP_DQtTVkRWLElLw/s2048/IMG_4632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ07j7NqLRdOBbBmukHMYEyRwoQPUs9OmzYuDb5AO5Pi84Bq9gvdC91WK5Ih4rM7TNP7FjDsu_n_KYp6q-9J9-Ejv5KXhNsE4Kk8_qwiN0cDPmg8cdH90na-FP_DQtTVkRWLElLw/s320/IMG_4632.jpg" /></a></div></div><div>The plumber found the cause of the problem within minutes. The hot water tank in the far bedroom (George's bedroom) had a faulty valve. It had been running for weeks! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfBHvZxEuGCxviLAWkI_DauxAXYvvJbiJysqoVBVr_v7K4qdppqDywAxGJhEgI0EOq9NOH-2cfsaZJnbgvLECN_kUTG2THu-EmE6rBqMPHDE23qlhUQmJggWHmTxnnm4iFyaJuA/s2048/IMG_4633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfBHvZxEuGCxviLAWkI_DauxAXYvvJbiJysqoVBVr_v7K4qdppqDywAxGJhEgI0EOq9NOH-2cfsaZJnbgvLECN_kUTG2THu-EmE6rBqMPHDE23qlhUQmJggWHmTxnnm4iFyaJuA/s320/IMG_4633.jpg" /></a></div></div><div>Because of Covid-19 restrictions, George has not visited us since July. We had no reason to go into that bedroom so we never heard the water running. The water leak didn't affect the heating system or affect the water in the bathroom in that part of the house so we didn't notice anything was amiss. </div><div><br /></div><div>The damage to the walls wasn't apparent until furniture was moved! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oz_Bexsm1JFpODLih9o4AycdWNPgdUdjg2zATK80rdh1eFDQsUpAkQ0y_PasYzHXKDbs6Ze5pEmixsRJhNl06i7-_ByhW6EvHpTZrxMrMczOWul8hSHl3penFlINKUr2jV4PKg/s2048/IMG_4625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oz_Bexsm1JFpODLih9o4AycdWNPgdUdjg2zATK80rdh1eFDQsUpAkQ0y_PasYzHXKDbs6Ze5pEmixsRJhNl06i7-_ByhW6EvHpTZrxMrMczOWul8hSHl3penFlINKUr2jV4PKg/s320/IMG_4625.jpg" /></a></div></div><div>This meant a call to the home insurance company. They sent a claims adjuster out on Monday.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyQ1VpHdFG7yhrqyG2IUicoW-csYb2T-epg8fEBnqJhX0vl477HvBL-UOU3sRI27ybdgY1tvKUejCtAcBzSMXc1pr8AXqUmiFpDlF1xBcmG1FvWwa1hd74OhHU5r3O1jkJ2ygtA/s4000/IMG_5591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyQ1VpHdFG7yhrqyG2IUicoW-csYb2T-epg8fEBnqJhX0vl477HvBL-UOU3sRI27ybdgY1tvKUejCtAcBzSMXc1pr8AXqUmiFpDlF1xBcmG1FvWwa1hd74OhHU5r3O1jkJ2ygtA/s320/IMG_5591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>We had to empty the office and the bedroom so that the adjuster could see the extent of the damage.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the cupboard that holds the hot water tank <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCtEFQfng6MM-Jdhm-lVNl0JyWU5YtZiDlFkOLT7ZRgaU2kx241Z3cAgWAsuN1AvMDw1bjwZTl1OACt4HomjKQIGeHwczb9_21h2umY4a-ir7KJtjR7MaXljz06Y-PlHY9fliDA/s4000/IMG_5595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCtEFQfng6MM-Jdhm-lVNl0JyWU5YtZiDlFkOLT7ZRgaU2kx241Z3cAgWAsuN1AvMDw1bjwZTl1OACt4HomjKQIGeHwczb9_21h2umY4a-ir7KJtjR7MaXljz06Y-PlHY9fliDA/s320/IMG_5595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>It was merrily leaking in silence for weeks. <br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwaVjPftC1s2vBRREQHk1-cOP4gb4O2OvSgx9RUVLXYSH2f7rDMXIcuYi8n9HeNOthAQEEfAyongoQkzYQaUK0Asahh98ZJ234r0aTOG8u1NdZMwb31IgWxu-XF6B9OYwNhyphenhyphen7mw/s4000/IMG_5596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwaVjPftC1s2vBRREQHk1-cOP4gb4O2OvSgx9RUVLXYSH2f7rDMXIcuYi8n9HeNOthAQEEfAyongoQkzYQaUK0Asahh98ZJ234r0aTOG8u1NdZMwb31IgWxu-XF6B9OYwNhyphenhyphen7mw/s320/IMG_5596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>The insurance company says we have a claim. The hard work and upheaval is just beginning. The entire extension is going to be affected. </div><div><br /></div><div>The floors have to come up to allow the concrete to dry properly. The walls have to have the bottom three feet of plasterboard removed and replaced. </div><div><br /></div><div>Every room has to be emptied. We have to find a temporary home for all this stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is more but I can't bring myself to write about it yet. It's like having a big "do over" with the entire extension. </div><br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-56834255787983602472015-02-06T02:44:00.000-08:002015-02-06T02:44:06.739-08:00We have been here at Whitelees for twenty years now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31daPyWl19Bk7JOslbcuusZ6PrHgIfeHnJPDJD9I5R8WWNUSrikanq2dmPqNgSa7NUpeudIwNNj25lKvb7BOJ5EBqtmBe2LknnlRQNsXXsPN_ohDwUKZXFH7eVVszSiFINi2jtQ/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31daPyWl19Bk7JOslbcuusZ6PrHgIfeHnJPDJD9I5R8WWNUSrikanq2dmPqNgSa7NUpeudIwNNj25lKvb7BOJ5EBqtmBe2LknnlRQNsXXsPN_ohDwUKZXFH7eVVszSiFINi2jtQ/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's just me and Henry now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJcBrM23ktlxC-lXhQeVpIKDb9MaJKmA_f-_ovl7k5QxhGfXHMI5BtIC8edt1w5Orm-tfDoSGJLHO-uas9uNVkb6oW0CZ5cDDyUUt3hETY0AEH-eStttQ2dOn7JB98Ov6vucv6g/s1600/DSC_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJcBrM23ktlxC-lXhQeVpIKDb9MaJKmA_f-_ovl7k5QxhGfXHMI5BtIC8edt1w5Orm-tfDoSGJLHO-uas9uNVkb6oW0CZ5cDDyUUt3hETY0AEH-eStttQ2dOn7JB98Ov6vucv6g/s1600/DSC_0147.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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We like our lovely home and quiet life.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-58413345346667960142008-09-13T07:19:00.000-07:002008-09-13T07:25:51.920-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJTnE1CO-K7snOSaUIdNQJu-OTb4eEx6FLkt3frcPE7peFDPkb5gRmoMynt2NGesAqt7esMh7MTW9Jv2_vgEOODAygWkeUFn6dT2dYqq_1wl3sXceQWss7nH4teDunh12oGYoPg/s1600-h/P9120052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJTnE1CO-K7snOSaUIdNQJu-OTb4eEx6FLkt3frcPE7peFDPkb5gRmoMynt2NGesAqt7esMh7MTW9Jv2_vgEOODAygWkeUFn6dT2dYqq_1wl3sXceQWss7nH4teDunh12oGYoPg/s400/P9120052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245511894743237922" border="0" /></a>It is a long time since I posted anything on this blog -<br /><br />Just to say that a bit of a small step has been made in the last two days.<br /><br />The Man of the Place managed to power wash all the moss off this side of the house and then replace the render.<br /><br />It looks good now. Imagine what it will look like when the wall is painted and the patio slabs are down . . . .Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-55009603962984748072006-12-23T07:25:00.000-08:002006-12-23T07:30:05.148-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkN-TUH96IE3wA9bezampuzQ-2Sb7Z2yGnFu0uQtMMsySDnUHJGV7tlZJEOSXrPn1zc8uoCddyOtSV6yJUSiXYwecxW8I2cY8BexQQ6lLCp9zruT7DmdzfyhkbkwCaWgHbD5GohQ/s1600-h/P1010165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011744279684846530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkN-TUH96IE3wA9bezampuzQ-2Sb7Z2yGnFu0uQtMMsySDnUHJGV7tlZJEOSXrPn1zc8uoCddyOtSV6yJUSiXYwecxW8I2cY8BexQQ6lLCp9zruT7DmdzfyhkbkwCaWgHbD5GohQ/s320/P1010165.JPG" border="0" /></a> Merry Christmas everybody!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIng67jHxLTuKqxAUig6I-YLoF5d6gIyKRAloNfJ1LI0Y8EgwS4kSSeuPLNl36ipeeP_72PeHTEjV2l7r5QCT-nVmLAO4gOaZlnQxpyNe4XZlI5cnAidv215eCkTQgNcuCGwAxw/s1600-h/P1010171.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011744000511972274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIng67jHxLTuKqxAUig6I-YLoF5d6gIyKRAloNfJ1LI0Y8EgwS4kSSeuPLNl36ipeeP_72PeHTEjV2l7r5QCT-nVmLAO4gOaZlnQxpyNe4XZlI5cnAidv215eCkTQgNcuCGwAxw/s400/P1010171.JPG" border="0" /></a> We're almost done with this extension project. The Man of the Place is enjoying a well deserved nap in front of the fire. Faithful hound is there too.<br /></div><div>A few more things need to be finished - but over Christmas, no work is going to be done. Look forward to these finishing touches in January.<br /><div></div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-15017595388834903952006-12-23T07:05:00.000-08:002006-12-23T07:25:16.278-08:00<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0Ob_gAmE5EXJU5pf5yBENmhtm8sEuIwGnsPsMxEqMySlZysR4PwWy88ySp_YJ45pCHB-dSmZaIlj2MOYKppD0E9XCI5cnuNhEOEtONXJoPqQREJINcqiswI2A4JJqUatoFJElA/s1600-h/P1010140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011740942495257474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0Ob_gAmE5EXJU5pf5yBENmhtm8sEuIwGnsPsMxEqMySlZysR4PwWy88ySp_YJ45pCHB-dSmZaIlj2MOYKppD0E9XCI5cnuNhEOEtONXJoPqQREJINcqiswI2A4JJqUatoFJElA/s320/P1010140.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The heating was installed. The boiler has now been commissioned and is legal to heat our house. It does a wonderful job. We haven't been cold since. We're not quite used to all this warmth. I'm waking up very thirsty in the morning. Having the boiler commissioned sounded so formal. I was half expecting to have to smash a bottle of champagne over it. "I hereby commission this boiler! Bless her and all who are heated by her!" In reality, it was an unassuming man who came out, checked all the wiring, the exhaust, fuel line to the boiler etc. . .. He had a cup of coffee (milk and one sugar), gave me the forms for the guarantee and went on his merry way.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011741384876888994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U3QjJwgGKvwQ1a8EvMHZUUB3EuA0EJfg9CuEzYKyDnCzyyv_UzTwcmYFozZ0bOZA7S85__ogcZyZugAfNVDBzqD8jg_zV6jlXIn7wNEhi4ngW0-G-o2DOrKUVXVVYamL5HiX9w/s320/P1010145.JPG" border="0" />Henry cutting a channel for the thermostat. This makes for another area that will have to be repainted.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFLAftZP5WbTtFUv76ydpT2b-jJKB1U1gdf2JvsmKE1zFZLXhRi71_xYIeLipnNl6szVz3vW4qoSzkZU_WCCPS6KTHaTs2su-3zN22OUbPvrSBpAABFAfW-Zt7Si3z9QAhvkoIQ/s1600-h/P1010131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011739550925853538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFLAftZP5WbTtFUv76ydpT2b-jJKB1U1gdf2JvsmKE1zFZLXhRi71_xYIeLipnNl6szVz3vW4qoSzkZU_WCCPS6KTHaTs2su-3zN22OUbPvrSBpAABFAfW-Zt7Si3z9QAhvkoIQ/s320/P1010131.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It has been all hands to the pump the past couple of weeks. We now have beautiful oak floors.</div><div> </div><div>There are two places where the oak floors wouldn't be practical. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011740388444476274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIy365icbpjiglR5toZ7vLtRjwRpankddaDGskDXk00yOFVQJLhd81-DT2g909OYOa3DRAPB3Av-ueV9kdeg7XbyjYCL2hyphenhyphen6HZIcCvG6oVQi6uR5svykjhzFTXZ1U2d6I0s1EHw/s320/P1010156.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>The orangery and the bathroom. You can see Polly inspecting James' work as he puts down the tiles in the orangery that connects the two buildings together.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011740946790224786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadEAV9KyAPi_xVF-wo0XIAJV1UEKn2j0CgcRtKdAqBkpzeRQwIP7doCiwAkEEvnHClsiYvJynCHKgrMI0VDDpeMXs7jYfSiu_a2lwSaZFHHniHmObiiSNo7RXvOFTlnWmxmiVtA/s320/P1010142.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>This is Andy, helping out James the plumbing and heating guy. The lovely white bathroom tiles are just out of shot.<br /><br /></div></div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-35747392890820743932006-12-07T22:42:00.000-08:002006-12-07T23:00:51.612-08:00<div><div><strong>Holes in the Floor</strong></div><div></div><br /><br /><div>We are getting so close to being finished with the extension. So close in fact that last night, I asked George if, when the heating is fired up next week, would he like to move his bedroom furniture across. We still don't have doors on his new room, or the bathroom but he <em>could</em> move over.</div></div><br /><p>The major thing going on at the moment is that the heating system is getting hooked up.</p><br /><p>The electrician has put up thermostats and control panels for the two different "zones" in the house and the plumber is working on getting the heating system connected to the boiler. </p><br /><p>To connect things to the boiler, the floor boards in the corner our front room needed to be removed. This meant disassembling the dining room table and lifting the carpet.</p><br /><p>This is what it looks like . . . . </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006044922720476562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULNaHPTy0zi6dykUq_dLZtomLYlvJHp0SIEAUV3KZhoUfW8klEDt1ApRPEQVXKTgHnk4HcTlX_xWPCkBjvCLt_fokIy_GOpSCclqE1osuLn_FH2Nmhk84k0KqB3_Hk3NAgOLwRA/s320/P1010189.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>This is The Man of the Place with the enormous power tool he had to hire to do big stuff under the floorboards.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006044931310411170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJGzYyf4PQ2mUgU4HXxV_JbCGeK9Rh2e7sg2K364rdJNsb6p4Zh8uWeczuCJ5SUepS3CePaJ0ZL_fdL8VoPb3sQyev-G7EcgnNmPSs6nYUMeQOWDtHHdMQBg5JZb5fxxpRT-qaQ/s320/P1010192.JPG" border="0" /></p>Done by Christmas?<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006046932765171138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYINPVG24nhV4n78NLiQMh41uDObV9i0zqermuwRK-hJq7Islcs_VWQMF15dOnoQ6zVXODMwk3JzJJJg1oRXzbcypxqorf7pGBaY-elxnZaLU1IcOJh9XwrAj0mk9orvN6qxkLWg/s320/P1010182.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006046928470203826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ksJrgLtXiArk3Gh1OmH6qSqjT8QyQ-NDdPAOfPk3TsuM0Om8ouEMVrXp5hS7EyC1msQA6kUitcOiG4xty7h34BI242IT_VhPugx4YDpO1YISMHsxAclp6sJ2LSm2zF9oE3Bgeg/s320/P1010178.JPG" border="0" /><br />You can see the packs of oak floor boards waiting to go down.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-10190465582797448642006-11-16T09:59:00.000-08:002006-11-16T10:10:28.564-08:00Let there be Light!<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/320/PB160160.jpg" border="0" /><br />We work along and it seems like we get nowhere and then all of a sudden there is a giant leap forward.<br /><br />The above photo is a picture of the some of the lights in the ceiling of the new front room. It isn't this orange. We have a white ceiling, but with the halogen bulbs, it comes across as orange in the photo.<br /><br /><br />The electrician got to the point where some of the lights work in the new extension! He will be back tomorrow to make the lights work in more of the rooms and to start getting the boiler hooked up to electricity.</span><br /><span style="color:#c8e0d8;"></span><br /><span style="color:#c8e0d8;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/320/PB160162.jpg" border="0" />This is the light in the new back hallway.<br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/320/PB160161.jpg" border="0" />This light is in the new office. You will notice that the office has been painted a lovely duck egg blue. Pretty pretty!</p><p>The oak planks for the new floor has been delivered. The next step is that the heating system is to be completed. We expect this to happen within the next couple of weeks.</p>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-63111352933262655402006-09-09T03:07:00.000-07:002006-09-09T03:22:30.327-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/1600/P1010027.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/400/P1010027.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><strong>WRONG HEIGHT! </strong></div><div><strong> </div></strong>Now it turns out that the concrete floors are about an inch too high. Bugger.<br />Bugger bugger bugger.<br /><div></div><br /><div>When we were getting ready to pour concrete, we took advice from the joiner about where the level of the concrete floor should be. We had to take into consideration the new wood floor, the areas where the floors would be tiled and the diameter of the heating and plumbing pipes. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>The poor Man of the Place has to cut grooves in our concrete to accommodate the heating pipes. This is causing more dust than anything else that has been done to date - including the knocking down of 200+ year old internal plaster walls!</div><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/400/P1010035.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Today he is also using applied geometry to figure out where to make the cuts. I bet most of you never realized that there were anything other than evil applications for geometry.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Clever boy!</div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-33484692888935508392006-09-02T14:12:00.000-07:002006-09-02T14:17:58.066-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/1600/P1010005.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/320/P1010005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/1600/P1010006.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/320/P1010006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>We love Kevin!</div><div></div><br /><div>He's our favourite plasterer/builder/great guy. </div><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5510/2678/320/P1010017.jpg" border="0" /> <div>When it comes to plastering he is an artist!</div><br /><div></div><div>This weekend he finished the last bit of plastering in the connecting room "The Orangerie". He won't be back now until the weather dries up a bit in the spring and he does some work pointing up the stonework on the exterior walls.</div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1155327810869158842006-08-11T12:53:00.000-07:002006-08-11T13:26:03.370-07:00<strong> The window becomes a door</strong><br /><br />For years it was a window and we saw lots of great things from that window; owls, first snows and traffic going by the house.<br /><br />Then there was some new activity out the window. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010186.0.jpg" border="0" /><br />When the new room was built, the window then only looked through to a new and empty room. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010012.2.jpg" border="0" /> Now it is being taken out.<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1060054.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1060053.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010004.5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1060055.0.jpg" border="0" /><br />I was a little emotional as this window was removed this evening. Our little house won't be the same any more. While the extension was going on outside, it was . . . . outside and didn't affect our little world. Now everything is going to change.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1155325791542757782006-08-11T12:42:00.000-07:002006-08-11T12:49:51.603-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/P1050049.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1050049.jpg" border="0" /></a>The doors arrived!<br /><br />They showed up on Tuesday the 8th of August.<br /><br />You can see right through to the other side again! This naturally means that it will be easier to do things like to get to the front garden. (I'll have to see to those weeds.)<br /><br />They look pretty good but now that they are in and looking so well, it makes the weedy bit in the front and the back look all the worse by comparison. <br /><br />I'll spray the green weeds and pull up the brown ones this weekend if the rain stays away.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1155324186723782742006-08-11T12:19:00.000-07:002006-08-11T12:23:06.736-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/P1010003.10.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010003.10.jpg" border="0" /></a>More plaster has gone on the walls . . .<br /><br />and the word is that the French doors will be coming soon!Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1154720249189863542006-08-04T12:14:00.000-07:002006-08-04T12:37:29.236-07:00The plasterer has been! He was here while we were away on our holidays and got quite a bit of plastering done.<br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010001.10.jpg" border="0" />This is an area in the new front room with a big wall covered with damp plaster.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010005.5.jpg" border="0" />It may well be that the long awaited arrival of <strong>The French Doors</strong> will be soon. Please imagine that this area that is filled with plywood is where the French doors will be. We have been told that they will arrive on or near the 12th of this month. After an 18 month wait, I hope they fit and work properly or I may be blogging from prison.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010004.4.jpg" border="0" />This is a photo of the window that is soon to become a doorway. Please not the plywood on the right of the photograph. That's where a door will be. </p><p>To the left in this photo you can plainly see a big orange gas tank. The plumbing and heating guy said he would be here last week to route this tank outside. I'm going to have to start my phone campaign again. Very busy tradesmen will ignore the quiet customers and only do those jobs when there is a lull in the action. The trick here is to not be the quiet customer when you need something done. Phone them on their mobile/cell phone first thing in the morning and then again at dinner time. My battle cry has been: The squeaky wheel gets the grease. I haven't squeaked enough and this tank hasn't been moved yet. I think it is time to start.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010003.8.jpg" border="0" />This is the view from our soon to be ex-window. Note the drying plaster.<br /><br />Excited by the upcoming arrival of the doors, the builder will be knocking the hole for the door through and the electrician has been given a date to come in for a final fix. Final fix means the attachment of light switches, light fittings, power points or electrical sockets and hooking the whole business up to the mains. Between now and then, I have to start selecting bathroom lighting. </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010006.1.jpg" border="0" />The Man of the Place has a new toy, an angle grinder. It throws some great sparks! He is cutting up some an old swing frame. We had a swing hooked to it once but it prooved to be very unstable and the swing was promptly unhooked again. The frame has been rusting away, unused in the garden since (+10 years). The frame was always too big to fit into any of our cars for hauling to the dump. Now that has been cut into easier chunks, it can go.</p><p>The big sheet of blue plastic is going to be tacked to the doorway to prevent plaster dust from invading any and all spaces once the business of knocking a whacking great hole in the wall starts.</p>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1151234413468214192006-06-25T03:42:00.000-07:002006-06-25T04:20:13.490-07:00<p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/P1010007.1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010007.1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Mud, mud, glorious mud, nothing quite like it for cooling the blood . . .<br /><br />That is a line from a favourite childhood song of The Man of the Place. It could have been played yesterday and it would have been very appropriate. About 7:30 pm last night, our plumber showed up to do the small job of hooking up our new bathroom to the water main. It was raining. The plumber was <em>supposed</em> to show up two weeks ago when we were having that lovely dry spell. Nope, it was best to wait until the holes had refilled with water.<br /><br />I didn't get any action shots as Henry was getting up to the oxters in mud. It would have been supremely insensitive of me to go snapping photos like the worst of the worst paparazza while he was digging away in our very own version of the Somme. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010011.4.jpg" border="0" />The above is the finished product. The rising main in the new bathroom. We'll have to fashion a removable panel that will go behind the bath. Then, should there be a burst pipe, or some other watery disaster, we can turn the water off sharpish. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010008.2.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>This is the big hole under the bathroom window. Henry had to dig this underneath the wall of the bathroom. Note that houses built in the 1830's really don't have much in the way of foundations. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010009.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>A trench was dug a couple of months ago and the blue pipe was laid in. Connecting this length of pipe to the mains and the house didn't happen until yesterday. You can see the cut off bits of pipe floating in the rain water that has filled the hole. Henry had to bail it out before he could get in there and do his work. Expensive plumbers get even more expensive if they have to get muddy. Best to keep them dry.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010010.3.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>This is what Henry's boiler suit looked this morning before I put it in the wash. Hint: When washing the boiler suit, check ALL the pockets for nails and screws. It will lengthen the life of your washing machine.<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010012.1.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Now the holes must be refilled. It will save us a fortune in lawsuits and the lives of countless hedgehogs.</p>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1150493636509710872006-06-16T14:30:00.000-07:002006-06-16T14:33:56.520-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/P1010052.2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010052.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a fire burning in the new stove. We lit it after work today. I think it looks great! That's George on the left, still in his school uniform but wearing red rubber clogs (not part of the uniform).<br /><br />The guys have almost finished putting up the plasterboard. Photos to be posted soon.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1149367808912190592006-06-03T13:18:00.000-07:002006-06-03T14:15:29.446-07:00The new fireplace in what will be our new living room has been completed. It will be Thursday before we are confident that the cement has hardened enough to put our new woodburning stove in.<br /><br />Here is the progression of the fireplace:<br /><br />First it was an open fire in a small farm worker's cottage, circa 1835.<br />(no photo available)<br /><br />Then it was blocked up and the chimney removed as the building was no longer used as a residence. I don't know when this happened, but it was post WWII. Our neighbour, Charlie remembers an old woman living there with all her cats when he was a small boy.<br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010061.jpg" border="0" />You can see the faint outline of the sandstone flags on the floor of this room. We lifted and saved these and are reusing them.<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010215.jpg" border="0" /> This is some of the stone, stacked behind the house for re-use.</p><p>We bought in the place in 1995 and are now bringing this particular fireplace back into use. There were three decomissioned fireplaces that didn't get brought back into use.<br /><br />The builder had to put the chimney back on - Have you noticed what sort of stone he's using? <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010001.6.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/We%20have%20a%20sub%20floor.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Then we got a sub-floor put in. Notice that to the right of the fireplace there is a doorway where there was no doorway before. That is now the hall to the bathroom, office and bedroom part of the extension.<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010003.4.jpg" border="0" />Good God! Henry re-lining the chimney in preparation for it being brought back into use and worrying the wife.<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010030.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>It is all mess and destruction at this point. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010005.2.jpg" border="0" />Now the concrete floor has been poured, the framing has been done and Henry is putting the insulation in.<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010012.0.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Now today, Kevin (the same guy that built the chimney) built up the fireplace. You can see the wood burning stove in the foreground that will be going into the fireplace later on.<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010015.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010017.2.jpg" border="0" />It's looking pretty good.</p>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1148326475027961672006-05-22T12:11:00.000-07:002006-05-22T12:34:35.060-07:00Plaster board is going up!<br /><br />It seems as though nothing happens for months at a time (only because nothing <strong>has</strong> happened for months) and then we make a giant stride forward. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010103.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010105.jpg" border="0" /><br />These photos are of the new front room. The first facing south toward the garden and the second facing north towards the corridor. The fireplace in the north facing photo is full of scraps of wood and insulation. With the insulation in place between the wall joists, it looks sort of Tudor. Don't ya think?<br /><br />Why is it that Tudor is the only architectural period that we mock?<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010109.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is a photo of the bathroom. Note the frosted glass window and Henry's little Ipod docking station with speakers (Christmas present from me). He's more attached to that Ipod than is normal. Window on the floor getting a coat of varnish to keep the rain out. :-)<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010106.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is the room that will be connecting the two buildings. "The Orangerie" We've chased the swallows out of there more than once. The plasterboard should discourage them once and for all. The guy doing the plasterboard is not charmed by our annual visitors and calls them "shite-arse birds" .Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1146430202651954292006-04-30T13:41:00.000-07:002006-04-30T13:50:02.653-07:00It isn't just we humans that will benefit from improved living space. The pets gain benefit too.<br /><br />Our rabbit, Jasper has a new run. His old rabbit run had rotted to the point where we were afraid to move it one more time. Because this became a more immediate need. Henry took a break from working on the extension to build our quietest pet some new living space.<br /><br />This is Henry burning the frame of the old rabbit run. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P4280027.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here is a very happy bunny in his new rabbit run.<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P4300044.jpg" border="0" />The chickens are looking on with great envy.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1146429544866592692006-04-30T13:22:00.000-07:002006-04-30T13:39:04.876-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/Henry"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/Henry%27s%20finger.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The human cost of this extension keeps escalating. Here is the latest injury.<br /><br />He managed to stab his finger with the sharp end of a screw. His finger is fine now and we have all had our tetanus shots up to date.<br /><br />This week saw the delivery of the new boiler. It was an exciting thing when the City Plumbing delivery truck reversed into our yard and we took delivery of the boiler, the copper pipe and the new radiators. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P4300041.jpg" border="0" />This is all our sexy new copper pipe! That window with the blue base is where the doorway from this room into our house is going to be. We have been unwilling to knock this through until the worst of the dusty work has been completed. The plumbing and heating guy is going to route the gas tank outside too. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P4300040.jpg" border="0" />These are all the radiators and chrome towel warmer that will be keeping the residents of Whitelees and their towels warm next winter.<br /><br />Henry is still cracking on with the insulation. He has come to a point where he really can't insulate much more as he has to wait for the joiner to come in and do a bit more. It would be nice for that to happen. It would also be nice to have our French doors. <br /><br />We did see our joiner this week. He had dropped off some brochures with pictures of wood floors. Is he taunting us? Are we really at the point where we have to pick out wether we want oak (distinct possibility), walnut (too expensive) or pine (too soft) floorboards?Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1143440494808066452006-03-26T22:11:00.000-08:002006-03-26T22:36:28.196-08:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/frontroom260306.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/frontroom260306.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Henry has been working like a fiend to get this insulation up. He's been going in there after work and all days on the weekends (barring the days there is a football game on at the <a href="http://www.safc.com/index.php">Stadium of Light</a>) We are keen to get this extension finished. He has all but finished insulating this big barn of a new front room.<br /><br />The above photo was taken facing the south wall where the old range used to be. We removed the range and added that window (off to the left). Here is a better photo of the same window. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/lastwindow260306.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p> </p><p>Where you see a bit of building detritus through this window is where lovely gravel and paving slabs will be. </p><p>We hope that this place will be done this year. The suggestion of putting a big paddle fan up in this room has been taken up. Its such a high ceiling. I had visions of all the heat going up there and not being of benefit to those who still have to walk around on the floor.</p><p>I want the next post to be the one about how our French doors have arrived!</p>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1142315789278686942006-03-13T21:36:00.000-08:002006-03-13T21:56:29.290-08:00The Last New Window<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/120306window.1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />On Saturday the last new window went in. It still needs some hardware so that we can open and close the top, but it's in!<br /><br />We have also taken delivery of some sheets of insulation! See them there in front of the snowy window?<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/marchsnow.jpg" border="0" /><br />Now we wait for the French doors to arrive. Life will be so much more convenient when those doors get put in.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1140207240814071032006-02-17T12:03:00.000-08:002006-02-17T12:14:00.823-08:00Henry has been painting the new windows with something called <a href="http://www.sadolin.co.uk/professional/products/translucent/extra/index.htm">Sadolin.</a> The windows arrived unfinished. This Sadolin stuff isn't cheap! £40 pounds for a 2.5 litre tin! That works out to about $69.50 of your American dollars at todays rate of exchange. You get what you pay for though. I am told it glides onto the wood like a dream. It sure looks nice when it is dry. He's been going out to the unheated extension in his boiler suit every night after dinner to go and paint. To ease things here in the house, I am doing the after work stuff like cooking, vacuuming and dishes.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1139818629630267712006-02-13T00:04:00.000-08:002006-02-13T00:17:09.640-08:00The electrician has been in and done his "first fix"<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010007.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is the number of power points that will be in the new office. It looks like overkill at the moment, but if you think of the computer, the printer, the scanner, an answering machine . . .<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/p1010004.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/p1010004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is the view of the front room looking towards the hallway. </p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/P1010008.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010008.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the hallway with a door leading to the outside and a door into the bathroom, office and new bedroom.<br /><br />The windows are in. They started going in the winter of 2005/2006. The internal walls have been framed in too.<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/p1010003.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here is what it looks like so far . . . </p><br />You can see that the French doors are still missing but the new build that has connected the two buildings has been covered with render. Its looking smart!Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943686.post-1139075435175725752006-02-04T09:17:00.000-08:002006-02-04T09:50:35.196-08:00<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The New Roof</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/P1010042.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010042.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>These were the last swallows to be hatched inside Whitelees Cottage. I sure hope they find a good spot near by for next year.<br /><br /><br /></p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/1600/P1010175.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010175.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Then after all of that, we had our first delivery of building materials . . . For us, this was very exciting.<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010071.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>The new roof was put on the cottages.</p><p></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010001.0.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Then our Kevin put on the chimney. He's so talented! The stone being used on the chimney is all reclaimed from the fireplaces that were removed from down below.</p><p></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010045.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>The new slates are going on. Actually, they are USED Welsh slates, much more expensive than new, but they'll be in keeping with the cottage (circa 1835).</p><p></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010047.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Putting slates onto the shed. This will be the toolshed. This room has had a number of uses. It was used to house goats, my chickens and now, tools, bikes and lawnmowers.<br /></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/new%20windows.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p></p><p><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/new%20windows%202.jpg" border="0" /><br />New windows were also added. See the piles of stone that were removed from the walls? </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010165.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The joiner putting up the roof trusses in the rain. Poor guy.</p><p></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2968/2198/320/P1010043.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p> </p><p>Next is getting the slates onto the new build . . .</p>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445927851498985260noreply@blogger.com0