August 2010 visit

David picked me up from Dinard airport at 10:20pm and we arrived at Bel-Air in good time for me to get to bed at midnight.

I'm here until the 12th September and the first job will be to work on the landing as Bev arrives next week with Katy, Amy and Eileen and she will be disappointed not to see progress.

It turned out to be quite a visit. The main job was to build a store but the weather and planning permission were very slow in coming forward. Both were a struggle. To complicate matters, Bev had kidney stone problems and ended up in hospital in Ploermel.

Our new neighbours were still at Bel-Air as they waited to complete on the sale of Joel's house and land. It was an ideal time to address issues regarding our building project and attempts to purchase a part of their property.

Everything turned out fine although the option to purchase a part of their property was firmly but politely rejected. Trying to communicate and resolve issues took quite a lot of time as their attentions were really set on the sale and accommodating visiting friends. His wife also became ill and it looked like his daughter had broken her leg during their visit.

They are a very nice family and I'm looking forward to improving my French so that I can communicate better next time I see them.

The landing seat project from start to finish...

We've already jet-washed the stone and fitted a few feature pieces into the concrete blocks. Eileen thought it a good idea to create a seating area so I've knocked it about a bit to catch the vision.

We needed a window to look out of from this proposed seating area.

That's better. Stone is now pointed and blocks rendered, beams sanded and stained, walls boarded and filled, floor brushed clean...

Starting to take shape and feel clean...

Mmm! We need to build it up a bit to accommodate tops...

That's better...seat in place too.

Getting excited now...

This is what we did this time round...
Looks complicated, but...

I THINK I know what I'm doing...extra window bits to be glued and clamped before pushing into position...

Plasterboard screwed onto the wooden back supports and edging clamped...

More clamping

Pipe covers shaped...

Plasterboard rounded, filled, sanded and painted...

and stained...well done Bev.

Using the chain saw to shape the old timber...

The old timber in place and the end section finished (by the vase). The skirting is also in place although not fixed yet.

We love it! Eileen was right about the seat. We just need to varnish, add cushions and a blind to finish the job.

The store project...a continuation from the last post...
More hardcore and footings in place...

Almost ready for the concrete base...

Protecting the base from the rain using counterbalances...

David getting on with rendering the breakfast room and doing a good job...

And Helen...

Ready to build...

Bev, Eileen, Katy and Amy arrive...

The third dormer, breakfast room and pointing all done and looking good...

Cornerstone...

I badly sprained my ankle and am really happy that the pain has subsided enough for me to carry on working...

Roofing timbers and velux...soaked!

Ready for the roofing felt...see how the grass is growing...seeded 10 days previously...

David fabricating the guttering end and down-pipe...

A mouse for the mix? Just look at my battered leg...

Door almost fabricated...

The door was fitted and stained. The tiling almost done (just a small corner to do). The edging tiles are to be done and the painting of course. It's a shame we didn't get it all finished but we are looking forward to the next stage.

Other jobs completed...
Woodworm treatment for the fireplace canopy tops.
Woodworm treatment for above the front window.
Levelling of living room window ledge.
Fitting roman blinds onto the patio doors.
Windows sanded and re-stained for winter protection.


As for David...too many jobs to list.


Back to finish the job in November.