Author: rccentre

Saturday 14th April

Saturday was a beautiful day that we spent in the garden – Robert planted out the grape vines that he collected when we were in Aquitaine. They are looking very healthy. I decided to tackle the back of the house where we had the polytunnel that fell apart in one of the storms in December. At that time I used the plastic to covered the storage boxes that held our garden tools, lawnmower, etc. Everything looked a mess! As I removed the layers of plastic, I saw that lots of it had been nibbled. I pulled the 2 boxes (6ft x 2.5ft x 2.5) out onto the grass into the sun to unload. The top of one was covered in small pellets? Too big to be a mouse – but we never see rats …. but what if there is a RAT living in one of the boxes. I carefully open the first one…………… what a pong!!!!  It was disgusting! Started pulling the tools out and laying them open on the grass for a hose down. I had left an old pair of garden shoes in the box, lifted one up and saw that it was stuffed with ‘bits’ of chewed up sock etc. started to move it and from out of sight down in the toe, flew a little brown mouse! I managed to quickly point it to the box and that is where the mouse ended up…. LOL  I now see several little scurring figures running about in the base. I cannot tell you how disgusting it was, between the stink and about a quarter inch of wet ‘stuff’ in the bottom, no doubt it was mouse urine and excrement etc.  I removed everything and then tipped the box on its end beside the fence so that the mice would run into the little spinny and field beyond.  There were only four mice, this surprised me as I would have expected there to be many more.  I had also left a ‘batbox’ to put up when we are cladding the house, this had bits of plastic, string, and paper peeping out of the narrow entrance. The only way I could empty it was to stick in one side of a long scissors. I hooked out as much as I could, hoping all the while that I wouldn’t ‘stab’ anything (??).  Knocked it on the ground several times to empty it and when nothing more was coming out, I then got the hose and shot a few squirts of water in and out…….. next thing………. yes you guessed…………………… one little wet mouse ran out. Poor thing!  It followed the rest of its family into the undergrowth. I must say, they all looked very healthy. I don’t know what they were living on, I assume that they could get in and out somehow but they were certainly living in squalor.  I sprayed and cleaned the boxes, dried them out in the sun, and put the tools back in. I doubt the smell will ever disappear, most likely the boxes will go before the smell.  I filled a large garbage bag with the disposable ‘stuff’ and took it straight to the public bin drop.  Am I glad that job is finished, I’ll be checking that the squatters don’t return as they are known to do. 

Sunday 15th April

“Here I am – what shall I do next?

Cupboards are pulled out to connect up the sink.

Robert working out where everything must go – this is a tricky job with lots of measuring and no mistakes allowed

And when you have finished the sink Robert, would you please sort out this lot.

Worktops

Poor Robert, scrunched up, on his knees, doing the necessary jointings for the sink installation.

While Robert is out there working on the kitchen, I have been here updating the blog, catching up on laundry etc. but more importantly, filling the nesting ball. This is a ball we bought in Florida which I fill with nesting material. Not having anything appropriate to hand, I decided to cut a small piece off a sheepskin rug. Cleaned and combed a section of the wool, cut it off the skin and pushed it into the ball.  Tomorrow I will make a little box for it to hang in, to keep it dry and find somewhere safe to place it.  The next week is to be dry and sunny and a good time to present this to the many birds we have feeding here at the back of the house. We have noticed that there is an abundance of birds of prey in this area, from small halks to larger buzzards. I think the odd one drops in and picks off one of our little guys on the feeders. I try to put the birdball feeder in the branches of the tree in order to make it difficult for a preying bird to surprise the little tits and finches that feed on the balls.

Tuesday, April 11th,  2018

Kitchen floor is finished

Robert started assembling the kitchen cupboards.  By the way, the ‘breakfast bar’ will be from forefront right, back to just short of the first plasterboard seam. 

We lugged the top layer (above) of 32 boxes for the living room floor into the house. Each one was very heavy (not for himself, of course).

When Robert tested how this floor would fit with the now laid kitchen floor, he found that these boards were quite thick and cumbersome. Cutting one board on each row meant that it would have to be done with the electric saw, outside on trestles.  We also decided to return and exchange the kitchen sink which was white enamel as we wanted – but boy….. was it heavy! Weighed a ton. Off to LRM with the sink and to have a look at alternative flooring for the living room.

We changed the sink and chose different wood for the floor.  We agreed that the new sink will look much better than the white one as it blends better with the worktop. We also sourced some lovely tiles to go along the wall at the back of the worktop.  When we chose the kitchen, we ordered backing which was the same as the worktop, but when it arrived, Robert discovered that it was going to be difficult to cut it out around the windows etc. The material was such that could splinter and spoil if not cut precisely with the correct tool. So, we returned that too….. and now that we have seen the tiles, we are very happy with that decision. We are quite excited about the flooring – LRM just happened to have started a promotion on one that only costs a third of the one we bought!  This wood is quite different, but we love it.  What I didn’t love was having to load the car up with the 32 original boxes,  unload at LRM and immediately load with new 20 boxes – not as many as each board is wider – back home – unload into the house!!!   But I think it will all be worthwhile.  However, I wonder if my neck and back will ever recover!!!!

Saturday 9th April – 9 am – delivery van arrives with the kitchen.

Carried inside and sorted. 

Lots of ‘flat-packs’ to be assembled.  Alarmed that the sink is SO heavy!

Monday 9th April – 9 am  LeRoy Merlin truck arrives with the wood flooring and the cladding

Cladding comes off first

Hope there’ll be enough – doesn’t look like much!

And here is the wood for the Kitchen and Livingroom floors 

Dropped at the door – now we have to carry it all inside!

Dear dear!!!  Top ones all damaged….. 

APRIL up to the 6th 2018

The past month has been very busy, so much so, I haven’t had a chance to catch up and keep the blog up to date. I also celebrated a birthday just over a week ago and received a wonderful surprise. Somebody from my past came to visit – I don’t know who he or she was but we were given a positive indication that they were present. Robert took about six photos of me on the day – my dear sister sent me a lovely blouse and I wanted to send her the photo so that she could see what it look like on. 

These two photographs were taken immediately after each other – but do you notice that there is something more in the one below to the left of my head?

If you can manage to zoom in you can get a good look at the orb and see that this is not one of those white blob circles that one gets in bounce back when the flash activates.

It is similar to this one below – with the dotted ring around the outside and a pretty design in the middle – just like the one in my photo.  I wonder who it was.

Here are some pics of what the room looks like as of the end of March – check back to a date in May or June of last year and see how it used to be!

We had some good sunny and warm days and took advantage by going for walks on the beach. We found this ‘Peeque’ – isn’t it just perfect!

What is a ‘Peeque’ do I hear you ask.  Well, when my grand nephew was a little kiddie, he used to keep asking for a ‘Peeque’ and we didn’t know what it was. After a while, we were in the garden and he had a bit of wood in his hand,  playing about and every now and again he would point the piece or wood at something and say, “Peeeequuuu”, “Peeeequuuuu” and we then realised that it was supposed to be a gun

Robert also found this lovely stone with the white heart embedded in it – I found the little green heart made of stone too

 On the last post in March, we had just arrived home with the wood for the ceiling – with the aid of the nail gun with which Robert shot in over 3,000 nails and must have made at least 3,000 taps with the hammer to secure each plank, we managed to get the full ceiling finished  – very hard going for Robert who did all of the work with arms  overhead, whilst I was the ‘runner’, ‘holder’ and supplier of whatever was needed next. We are very pleased with the end result and so much cleaner than plastering and painting – looks great! 

Nearly finished – just a few more boards to go

The hatch into the loft stairs – this will be neatly concealed with a trap door of ceiling wood 

We have 8 ceiling boards measured to fit into this space to hide the roof hatch…. ……. …….  later….

Ceiling all done and the floor prepared for the Kitchen and Living room wood flooring to arrive ….. and the Kitchen

UOP TO THURSDAY 15th MARCH 2018

Amazing!  I see that the Blog started in March 2017 –  what a lot of work has been done since then!

March came in like a Lion!  The weather was very cold and we even had a dusting of snow.

Kerry, our electrician was feeding wiring down the walls for switches and plugs.

VIDEO –  GETTING WIRED UP

Janice and Robert waiting below to catch it and pull it out.

 Feeding finished – now the sockets and switches have to be attached

 During this week Robert had a frustrating time putting in the ‘Loft ladder’.  The frame of the one we bought was

just a ‘little’ too large and had to be honed down and adjusted to fit the space.

TUESDAY – MARCH 6th 2018

Saving the Crab – The Video

FRIDAY 2nd MARCH 2018

Two weeks ago Friday, we were in Carrefour (Like a WalMart only better) I was browsing in the garden dept and looked at a very nice Olive tree – very big considering it was in a store and not a garden centre.  I was amazed to see that the price was only €69. When I met up with Robert who had gone off to look at other ‘stuff’ – I showed him the tree and we agreed – too good a deal to walk away from.  We bought it! It only ‘JUST’ fitted into the car, seats down, front seats pulled forward and the tree at an angle across the back. The tub is at least 26 inches across and VERY heavy. Loooooooooooooooong story short  –  as of today, we have now bought 6 trees and have 2 lovely big ones waiting to be picked up, one that is covered with black olives!  Of course, each tree has meant another 2-hour drive there and back as we can only fit one tree in the car at a time.  Instant garden and they have made a big difference. By the way, we stopped at the best Garden Centre I know and priced their Olive trees – one that is close to the size of ours had a price tag on for €329.00. Small young trees with six-inch trunk circumference sell for €30 – I remember buying a tree like that when we lived in Le Quiou, 8 years later when we left, that tree was still less than half the size of what we are now buying for €69! Unbelievable. 

Can you believe it?  €69 ! 

WEDNESDAY 14th MARCH 2018

Here we are arriving home with the wood for the living room/kitchen ceiling. 46 packs 

 We didn’t realise when we bought it that this painted wood is

Ecological panelling,  paint is based on vegetable oil, healthy for man and nature
solvent free and no evidence of heavy metals in the formulation. 

Must be good then!!!

This will be going up on the ceiling on Monday 19th March

******************************

This week,  we ordered the kitchen, the wood for the kitchen floor, wood for the living room floor and wood for the ceiling (kitchen/living room) and the ‘cladding + accessories’.  The TV for the media room – Oh what a bargain we got there on a Samsung – along with a ‘GUN’ – that is a ‘nail-gun’ of course for the ceiling and cladding.

We picked up the ceiling wood ourselves as the rest of the order, including the kitchen won’t be delivered until the first week of April. Saul is coming over at that time, we will put up the scaffolding and start cladding the front and east side of the building……………. It has been a busy couple of weeks,  to say the least.

February 24th, 2018  Saturday

Nearly finished the east wall – plasterboarding in the next day or so. 

Last week!

First batons and insulation fixed – even this layer makes a difference to the warmth inside

Ready for next batons and top layer of insulation

Last of the batons going up – and then the top layer of insulation.

(He is so quick! I didn’t get a chance to take the pics with the second layer of insulation on!)

Second layer of insulation on and the studwork completed

Window sills done.

With the Siberian weather on the way we have beautiful sunsets every evening this week

 This is what happens when one ‘nicks’ the back of their hand on the metal floor studwork!  Blood spurting!  Bandages, the pressure applied, time,  patience, a spray of antiseptic,  all wrapped up and pinned with a saafety pin,  and good to go.

Right on schedule!  Plasterboard is done, other than final tidying up after the electrician has done his bit.

FEBRUARY 10th

 Finishing off the kitchen wall……

Hurray!!!! Good job Robert       

    Next project is to complete the wall (east side and to the left)  between the windows – completion date = end of the week.

Electricition coming during the first week of March to do the final fix – decoration starts after that.

(Not forgetting about the cladding!)

4th FEBRUARY 2018

My goodness, it is so long since I made a post I have to keep looking back to see how I did it before!  To bring you up to date, let me put your mind at rest, you have not missed ‘January’.  Much has happened with the Cherry’s but not much has happened on the renovation scene. Shortly after the last post in December, we headed south to Les Essieintes in Aquitaine. It is approximately a seven-hour drive. We ‘house-sat’ a beautiful B&B property for an extraordinary couple, Jo and Colin Selby – “Maison des Quatre Saisons” while they went to the UK for a month. Unfortunately for us, they took their little dachshund Lili with them. If you, family or friend, feel like a break, you will not find better.

A few days after our return from Aquitaine, Robert had a dental appointment and unfortunately, someone came in from the rainy day outside and neglected to dry himself off in the lobby, and when Robert was called from the waiting room and proceeded to walk across the reception area, didn’t see the water on the floor and went flying, bashing his head on a chair as he went down. So, he has had a few weeks of recuperation from the shock and pain in his back, hips and neck. X-ray shows no breaks, so, that is good news.

Well, now we are up to the 4th February – Robert is finishing off the front wall, batons, insulation, more batons, another layer of insulation, studwork and finally the plasterboard.

Batons with the first layer of insulation

First layer of insulation and baton being fixed

Completed – Studwork (oh so hard on the hands), and then the plasterboard

By Tuesday this wall will be completed and ready for the plumber. This is his final visit, last bit of plumbing to be done. We have three main projects on the ASAP list. Kitchen installed, cladding on the front wall, conservatory and possibly a fourth project will be to get the carport slab down. It would be good to drive the car in on that side of the house and come in through the laundry door.

December 2nd 2017 – Saturday.

Hurray!!! Everything under one roof now, nothing in stored lockups. Feels good, even if the boxes are all piled up in the workroom. 

Happy to have our China Man home again too.

Robert working on finishing off the the walls around the windows, while I have been preparing the Christmas trees to go up.

One tree but fiber optic multi colors of light

9th December – Saturday

We have had the wildest of winds on and off over the past few months, rain too. More than I can ever remember. When we are tucked away in our bedroom we have no idea what is going on outside. However, when I step from the bedroom to the living room, I can hear the howling wind around the house. It has been particularly windy last night and it seemed like the Cap Frehel lighthouse light was turned up a few notches as I could see it clearly, sweeping the sky above the house as I explored in the early hours of the morning. 

Now that we have windows to look out of, I usually walk around and do just that. BUT this morning the sight that confronted me was one I could have done without.

The polytunnel, yes, the one I said I would ‘move one of these days’, was strewn all over the back garden!

As I said, we don’t hear a thing in our bedroom, all this clathering going on out back and we didn’t hear a tinkle!

What a mess -and it is drizzling rain and we have guests coming at 2 pm for dinner! 

Robert to the rescue! He bundled everything into a pile and threw the Polytunnel cover over the lot. Sort it out later.

Birds sunflower seed bottles empty again! There are four bottles and they only last about 4/5 days. I think we are feeding the whole small bird population of Plevenon. Loads of Bluetits, Finches of every type, Wrens, Robins and more…. but no Sparrows. 

Table is prepared – Thai Curry is on the menu with a Prawn/Avocado starter and Robert is making a special ‘Nigella’ dessert.

Trees are sparkling, fire is lit, and we are all set for a nice afternoon of pre-Christmas festivity

December 1st 2017 – Friday

Robert and I can hardly believe it! It is as if we have now got a new house. When I come out of the bedroom or the laundry and see the windows and the garden outside, it comes as a surprise every time! What a difference it has made, and of course, we knew it would, but all the same, the reality comes as such a surprise.  Robert and Saul worked so hard all week, and it was hard hard, because the weather suddenly turned very cold, we had big holes in the walls, so there was no chance of keeping the house warm. Work started at 08:30 in the morning – break for lunch and after the window crunching finished at about 4:30, Robert then kept going until around 6 pm fixing in the installed windows, finishing off and preparing the area for the next two windows to go in on the following day…………. so, it was a gruelling and testing week. 

But, we survived! Here we are on Friday the 1st of December, looking back a year, we were 80% packed up to move from Le Quiou to a rental house with all our worldlies heading for a ‘lock-up’.  Who would have known at that time, that we would buy a ‘hangar’ or ‘artisan warehouse’ to turn into our little nest…. LOL 

This morning we were up bright and ‘late’, HOW do people get up at 6 and 7 am on these cold wintery mornings? Thank goodness for retirement! Anyway, on to the rest of today, Robert headed to the back room to finish off the windows and start insulating the walls preparing them for what has to come next. I set about tidying up outside and cleaning the windows, and floors etc. All the tools had to be returned to the back room, I could now put up our little table again, placed at a window where we can see out to the garden.  All is calm and more civilised now. 

Don’t worry, the ‘polytunnel’ is not staying there – I will move it one of these days

The green garden bag is a temporary cover for the gas bottle for our interior fire.

!!!!!!!*****************    Before………   ****************!!!!!!!

This room started out as our bedroom – now it is the workroom, but eventually, it will be the media room.

A room to watch TV, listen to music, the radio or read. 

This will be the view from the kitchen, the little table won’t be there and the big table will be at right angles to how it is now.

The black TV look-alike on the wall is the gas fire. Surprisingly, throws out enough heat to warm even this size of a room.

!!!!!!! ***************   Before……… ***************** !!!!!!!

Here is a video, have to start using the camcorder as the little camera is too ‘shaky’ – “Windows Installed”

Lots still to do! Garden needs to be sorted out again. Birds are feeding like crazy, mostly Blue-tits, finches, a robin, a wren and a couple of doves. Unlike Le Quiou, where we had more sparrows than anything else, entertaining and comedians. Hardly any sparrows here – I wonder is that because of the magpies!

Most important job tomorrow, get over to the ‘lock-up’ and clear out the last of our belongings. Pictures mostly, and our big hall mirror from Le Quiou, along with a few other incidentals. Then we will have all of our own ‘stuff’ under our own roof.

To finish off this post – here is a little video to show how quick our ‘man’ worked on the windows   ……………  “Fast Worker“