Monday – 26th November 2017
‘D’ day has arrived – and it was a beautiful morning as I headed off to Leroy Merlin to collect the concrete cutter. Even though I could not help but stop on the way, to take some photos and a short video, I still arrived before the main doors opened at 9 am. However, it was 09:35 before I was ‘looked after’ and turned back for home. SO frustrating! What could have taken 10 minutes seemed to go on and on with staff members seemingly taking ages to do very little – I was only the second customer on the ‘rental’ counter – but anyway, sure isn’t it the laid back way of life of this country that we love, and why we are living here.
Hard to even see Saul in the dust – over there on the other side of the ladder
Everywhere out there is coated in concrete dust – but never mind, rain is on the way 😕
Now for an update……………..
I am sure you are all wondering whatever happened to ‘FourLegs’ ?
It was very nice having little FourLegs hanging out down by the bathroom door. Never found out if it was a male or female. It slept most of the day inside its little nest and then in the evening it could be seen half-in and half-out – hence the name FourLegs. In the beginning, when it sensed our approach it dived undercover, but after a few weeks, it didn’t bother. Sadly, (?) last week, it disappeared. So, if it was male, maybe it got ‘the urge’ and went off in search of a male, as I understand they do, but usually, those males outdoors, come in looking for the gals. Or….. possibly there wasn’t enough food or it got too cold and it went off to nest somewhere else. Funny though, I do miss seeing the little creature. It does solve the problem of closing up the hole when it comes to fixing the skirting board.
29th November – Wednesday
The weather has not been as bad as expected – Monday was terrible with lots of heavy showers while Saul was cutting in the windows from the outside. Tuesday he and Robert got the first two windows installed and today they are working on the next two. Here is a little video as an example of what each day this week, has been like for us – very cold, dusty and noisy!!! Three and Four windows of six
November 26, 2017
By Golly, another week has just flown by! Where the heck is all the time going to? It has been another busy week but we have managed to fit in some leisure time, walks, visits to the shops and time spent with friends. In fact this afternoon we were invited for Sunday lung roast lamb and we had the most delicious meal with delectable company. Robert has been busy finishing work off in the master ensuite bathroom. It is not priority and only getting attention when there is time to spare.
Robert has put up this dust screen along the living room to contain the dust when three windows are cut in.
You can probably just about see the handle of the hall door which is beside where the first window will go
A view from the other end
Of course, this was another ‘moving’ experience!
And, here we have the second window in the ‘media room’ marked out and ready for cutting. Polythene sheet to contain the dust showing on the left.
Things are piling up! I went to the secure lock-up on Friday and brought back another carload of containers. Not much left.
Tomorrow is ‘D’ day for the windows. We went to Le Roy Merlin and booked the concrete cutter rental. However, on Wednesday, Robert decided that we should pop over there and make sure that they have reserved the correct machine for us. Last time, if you remember in my blog, I described how I came home (idiot) with a ‘Tile Cutter’ – in my defense I ……… no…. no defense – just stoopid on that day! So, as it turned out, LRM didn’t have the correct tool reserved for us. We went to their supplier and after getting a printout of the stats, we went back to LRM and had them confirm that the machine on the printout was what they had for us. After a lot of toooooing and froing they gave us a new reservation paper. I will be heading over there at 8 in the morning….. so…. fingers crossed. AND…… wouldn’t you know it!!! After the past two weeks of very nice dry weather – rain is forecast for this week…. starting tomorrow afternoon. Saul feels happy that he can cut all six windows 99% through tomorrow and then as the week progresses, Robert and he will complete the cut (with our own smaller cutter) and knock out the hole for the windows. Here is an example of what will be going on….. (click) Concrete Cutter
Monday, November 20th
Today I asked the landscaper to cut the grass. He said he could do it tomorrow. I spent the morning tying back those nice tall pink flowers along the fence to make it easier for him to fly along with his sit-on mower without cutting off any precious plants. I cut down the bunch in the corner as there is not much left in bloom. After saving those that still persevered, I put them in a vase to remind us of the lovely display they gave us through the summer.
Robert has been busy preparing the walls for the windows. This is the room we originally used as our bedroom. Robert has cut out the size of the window and removed the wood and the insulation. Another window space will be prepared to go in on the far wall.
This will be the living come dining room. Hanging on the wall is our gas fire. It is connected through the wall to a bottle of gas. When alight, this fire looks nice, with a flickering flame across the front and believe it or not, warms up this entire area.
About a month ago, Robert had a brainwave (another one!). We had bought a remote controlled light and had it in the bedroom. After replacing it with one that we liked better, Robert had the BW to connect the light through the ceiling to a lead that he had in the roof. This lead, with a plug on the end, he then connected to the electricity feed in the roof. Now, with the aid of the remote, we have control of the ceiling lights in the living room. Just like MAGIC!!! Better than switches, because we can turn them on and off from anywhere in the house. Our Electrician will be back, maybe in December, but for sure in January, to continue connecting us up as required, in the meantime – we have full operation of lights.
Tuesday – I planned to update the blog – but I ended up spending most of the day, moving everything from the left side of this gravel area, over to the right side. Robert was marking out the windows, and although I had not planned to do this move until the end of the week, I could see that it would be easier for him if everything was cleared. I find it continually frustrating when I plan my day and then find that my whole plan goes out of the window when I find I have to do other tasks……………… but then I guess that is what makes life so ‘interesting’…….. LOL
When these windows are in, we won’t know ourselves with everything being so light and bright.
Even the poly-tunnel had to move along a few feet.
October – First Week
Well, October is here – where has the summer gone to? We are delighted with the progress and hasn’t Robert done amazingly well! The basics of the ‘west wing’ will be completed in the next few days, we did anticipate moving from the ‘dog kennel’ floor to ceiling wood room bedroom, into that nice bright and airy front bedroom before next weekend, but why put the poor fellow under any more pressure. However, it is a possibility…………… watch this space!
Wednesday 4th October
21:30 and the bedroom is now finished and ready to move into! Tomorrow, Robert aims to have the ensuite almost finished too. Can’t wait to get out of the ‘dog kennel’ (LOL) the wooden (but cosy) room that we have used as a bedroom for the past three months. The ‘west wing’ (which is half of the house on the west side) is almost finished. The east half is three quarters done, only requiring six full windows to be cut in, stud wall and plasterboard in between the windows. Oooohhh dear, forgot, a minor detail……………………. the kitchen has to be fitted. But we are getting there. Considering that Robert has done 95% of all the work on his own, I think it is amazing that he has accomplished so much in such a short time!
5th October………………. moving bedroom day!!!
Busy day today – the elevator that we hired for 24 hours to lift the plasterboard sheets for the ceilings had to be returned by 10 am and after that a trip to Lidl and SuperU was necessary. Very rewarding too – I got some very healthy and well grown in English Box Cones x 6 (Similar to these)
Along with these at €7.99 each, Lidl also had a sale on Bird Baths with different themes – at €5 each (!) how could I resist.
Whilst on the subject of the garden, I have noticed that the Tits and the Finches who are feeding on the ball will only go to the maroon ball holder first and don’t go near the green one until there is virtually nothing left on the maroon one! The same quality balls are in both and they both hang at a similar height. Yesterday I refilled them but I moved the remaining ones in the green wheel, to the maroon wheel, and after filling both, I hung them up in the tree again. Not one bird on the green wheel, all going for the maroon one again? I wonder why?
23:31 Can’t believe it! Not sleeping in the kennel tonight. I got everything moved into our ‘real’ bedroom, meanwhile, Robert got started on the en-suite. He had some problems here and there so what should have been a 30-minute task took a couple of hours. However, the heater is up and working, the toilet is fixed and plumbed and flushing and the vanity plus mirror are in but not plumbed till tomorrow.
I have now moved everything that was under the window in the ‘Kitchen’ to the (‘kennel’) which will eventually be the ‘media room’.
I will be moving the clothes to the walk-in closet tomorrow and this room will now become the storeroom.
Well, now it is 23:50 and I’m off to bed – first night in the real bedroom – can’t wait. Robert is there already!
As I go into the bathroom (the guest one for tonight) to shower, I try to go quietly by the latest lodger! She has her funnel web just at the bottom of the door jam. She is so funny, she sits there on her porch when she thinks no one is about, but as soon as she realises we are heading in her direction she disappears into her home. Very shy!
September – Last Week
Robert has been working so hard again this past week – targets to achieve before our electrician comes at the beginning of October to service the other half of the ‘West Wing’. Of course, he met the target with a day to spare. There is so much ‘finishing off’ work to do, cutting small sections of plasterboard to fit into corners or along doors, batons to fix for the ceilings, holes to be made for switches and plugs, supports fixed for mirrors, heaters, cupboard etc. All of which takes a great deal of time, sticking up a sheet of plasterboard makes such a difference to the room, but what takes the time is all has gone on behind that sheet of plasterboard.
Master bedroom – Awaiting electricity
Back wall of master bedroom – awaiting last few panels of plasterboard.
Master en-suite, plumbing completed, only requires connecting to facilities and electric switches activated.
Viewing from Master Bedroom – this is the entrance to the en-suite and the walk-in closet
Rather than spend €800 to €2000 on a purpose-built clothes hanger/organiser, we decided to build our own.
This space will have ample room to hang clothes at two heights, shelving and drawers for other articles of clothing and shoes.
(Robert has not told me what area ‘he’ has planned for his clothes – so, I’ll let you know about that later.)
The dryer and more storage cupboards to go on the left wall – this room will be the main storage area for everything!
I am so pleased with the wildflowers at the front of the property – they have really come on beautifully.
Too far away to see from here, the wildflowers all the way along the fence dividing our place from next door, has a similar display of flowers.
The colors are radiant and bright
So simple and so pretty
We get many hikers and walkers passing along the front of our property – it is very satisfying to see several people stop to take photographs.
NOW! What is this coming next?
Aaaah – Yes! The dreaded Moviprep – that powder which when mixed with one litre of water and sent down the gullet, will be the ‘prep’ to ‘move’ whatever gets in its way. Preparing one’s colon for close inspection. How I dreaded this day – 29th September. However, I prepared myself well, cut down on food and what I did eat was very easily digested. Had the procedure Friday afternoon and everything went off perfectly – notabother.
I ordered a polytunnel on Amazon and it arrived within three days. Robert and I thought that this would be a perfect solution for storage. We cannot decide on a garden shed type building, but winter is coming in and the garden equipment needs to be undercover. This PT is perfect.
I bought a composter – I hate to waste the vegi peelings and the bits and pieces of food that go ‘off’ or don’t get eaten, now it goes into the compost and at least will be doing some good. Only thing is, when I open the lid, a cloud of little midgy flies come up. Have you any idea how to stop them?
September – Spiders!
We think that this is the same spider that we found behind the insulation. Is it possibly Mr. Foofles or Aragog? We checked behind the insulation and the spider was gone! So, guess he went on a walkabout and discovered the new bath that we had only just bought and put in place. Silly fellow could have escaped down the plughole, but maybe he’s had experience of plugholes, before and decided not to check it out.
First thing I have to do is to prepare a new home for him. This entails slipping some nice soft paper toweling into a sturdy box.
Then, I placed the box just above Aragog in the bath, and with a gentle nudge from behind, he runs into the folds of the paper.
(And then I STAMP on it!!!! LOL 🤣 🤣 )
There he is – checking out the facilities
OF COURSE, I WAS JOKING ABOUT STAMPING ON HIM! As if I would do something like that! 😇
Next thing is to set up the ladder to access the top floor. I bet you are wondering HOW she is going to fit through that gap!!!
But she does. Carrying the box, careful not to give Aragog any dizziness or motion sickness, I climb to the top of the ladder,
Rather than totally pull the insulation back, I crawl under it, on the floor. This is the view down below…..
And……. this is the view after I have ‘crawled on all 4s’ from under the insulation.
In a special place, we have ‘Spider Villas‘. There are already two other residents, who were in their homes when last we checked.
One is in a similar ‘box’ but the first one was placed in a French Face Flannel, but with the customary soft paper inside to hold it open.
So, now there are three! I should expect that they will go off and make some web nests, but might be glad of somewhere warm to go in the winter.We found this poor chap on the floor this morning. Don’t know what happened to him – hope that it is not one from upstairs 😢 We have learned quite a bit about Giant House Spiders like these. They are harmless, don’t bite, keep the house clean of small insects, need water to survive and live for 3 to 6 years. They will run and hide rather than be aggressive and they move very fast. Must lay on some water for them! 😉
So, then it is ‘back-crawl’, through the insulation, feel for the rungs of the ladder and head down to the ground floor
Insulation back in place. We will eventually have a roof hatch with drop-down steps, but at the moment the only access is a ladder.
September – Second Week
First job, as soon as the visitors left was to move everything from the ‘will be master bedroom’ to the ‘will be kitchen’. This was a major sort out.
All the tools and screws, plugs and gizmos, drills, hammers, and pounders.
I did a little wallpaper hanging too, who wants to look at all those grey blocks!
All that was left was the ironing board – but not for long. The tiles and electric material moved into the centre of the room.
Checking out the insulation we discovered this big fellow. We have named him ‘Aragog’ after the big spider in ‘Harry Potter’. Not wanting to disturb him we folded the insulation back carefully and left him to his own devices. I came across this interesting video ……….
Below, you will see the master bathroom taking shape. The door from the bedroom is in place. The area to the right will be the walk-in clothes closet. The door at the far end on the right, is actually the door from the living area into the ‘will be Laundry’ (now ‘kitchen).
Below is the same as the photo above – just a different angle. There will, of course, be a wall far end, this side of that door by the yellow baton ….
A peek at the ‘now’ kitchen
Yes, that is our new table! Makes a great working surface, now that the pile of plasterboard is gone!
Looking ‘through’ the wall of the en-suite bathroom into the master bedroom.
There’s that nifty kitchen again! It will make a fine laundry, come storeroom.
There is no other storage in the house! This room will have to be well fitted out!
7th September – Second week
Delighted that John and Jacqui arrived safely this afternoon.
They brought some beautiful artwork from my Grand Nephews Tivon and Alfie. Just what we needed to brighten up our walls
Most of the work finished and we had a nice few days of relaxing, beaching, shopping, lovely meals, and some very good wine.
9:00 am on the first morning, I hear a noise outside, and there is John fixing one of the paving stones for me. I had remarked the evening before that I knew it had dropped, but I just hadn’t had the time or energy to lift it and re-settle it! I really wasn’t hinting, really!!!!!
Jacqui and John shell hunting on Chateau Serien Beach
