OK, haven't updated for ages - been too busy. As you probably know, we are trying to get the gite ready for spring, so we have been madly building for the last couple of months.
Today, Pete connected-up the electric circuits for power and light in the downstairs 'kitchen' area, so now I will be able to take some photos with decent light. We have nearly finished rendering the kitchen walls, and have got the worktop base in place - we will cover it with (well sealed) solid oak parquet. I have managed to source second-hand cooker, fridge, microwave and dishwasher for the kitchen for very little cost - this lot will go in very soon, so we have room in the downstairs bedroom to put stuff from upstairs while we do the floor. I can carry on with finishing-off downstairs now.
Pete has started to frame-out the second half of the upstairs roof, so we can get it at least insulated, before we lay the rest of the floor, over the shop. Working in there now is a pain, it is so cold...
There is a load of plumbing to get done, which I am trying not to think about - maybe when we can heat the place a bit I can bear to start it. Twiddling with joints and pipes with frozen fingers is not my idea of fun - makes my hands hurt.
Speaking of which, I have been trying an elimination diet to see if it helps my joints. No wheat/barley/oats, sugar, alcohol, eggs, caffeine, tomatoes, chocolate or dairy for 7 days, and now a gradual re-introduction of different foods. Once the three-day headache wore off, I realise that my joints are definitely feeling better for it. Now I only now have one thumb joint that still hurts, and that seems to be improving each day. I have re-introduced beer, sugar, oats and tomatoes so far, with no adverse effects. Watch this space! I suspect red wine and bread may end up as the culprits - hey ho, never mind.
We have safely dispatched this years lambs to the great pasture in the sky. Well, actually to the freezers in our workshop, along with gallons of stock and various soups. So the carnivores among you can safely plan a visit, knowing that lamb will feature strongly on the menu, should you wish...
We have also had a 'ureka' moment, re: building raised beds for growing veggies. The degree of compaction, plus the tons of stones/hardcore in the soil where we want to put the veggie garden mean we have to have raised beds. Using old railway sleepers is not an option at 25 euros per carcinogen-creosoted piece. We will be using corrugated sheeting, of which we have loads that came off the big hangar we had demolished, and which has been sitting quietly in the workshop, waiting for us to find a use for it. Our increased consumption of salads will be satisfied by growing our own next year!
Photos will follow soon.
The old door has been removed and we have had to set up a temporary cover to keep the weather (if not the cats) out. You can see the new door frame and the blocks we have had to use to fill in the extra space. The door is still going to be wider than the average doorway...
We couldn't face blocking in the amazing stone hinge holes, especially the top one, so we left a gap. The blocks will be rendered in the next few days.
This is the doorway from the inside. I have finished rendering around the new blockwork, so it blends seamlessly with the rest of the rendering.
The kitchen is coming on. The gaps are for (from right to left) the dishwasher, sink (in place) fridge, cooker (with tiles behind) and shelves. The work surface will be finished with solid oak parquet, which we will seal with exterior grade polyurethane.
