We are still here

It has been an age since we last blogged or reported on our progress, largely as we have little evidence of progress. Or should I say we are slogging on and making progress but that the difference is not really noticeable in photographs as we have hit the tape and jointing phase of the barn.

We have completed all the fabrication, all plasterboards are up, the pluming is completed, except a small leak on one of the water heaters which is a plastic retainer which has been over tightened and will be replaced tomorrow (I hope) the waste pipes are all in fixed and tested and even connected to the fosse,, so everything is happening or has happened.

I have attempted to upload some vido clips of the attic and barn but due to lightweight dial up speeds of 36 kbps I have given up and almost thrown the computer out of the window but after a beer or two I have conceeded to FTP them and simply add a link for those who are curious enough to click the link to view ;)

Attic

Barn

Whilst I have been fitting the extractor fans and being Jimmy’s gopher I have managed to put a few coats of white paint in the Attic bedroom and bathroom. Wendy has completed the second of the inside double rooms this one will be a twin room, Wendy has sanded and stained the floor which adds real character as does the a frame very visible in the Attic room.

Once the sanding down has been completed (tomorrow) Jimmy can start on the tiling, 1 shower in the Attic and 2 showers and a bath surround in the barn. Once painted we can put vinyl down in all the bathrooms and then concentrate on the entrance hall to the barn and main bunk room again painting and 46 sqm of floor tiles to lay after levelling the floor with some self leveller.

All work and no play as the saying goes, we have made a dent in the wine lake of France and enjoyed sampling the wines of the area, well you have to don't you especially if we are going to be buying it in for guests. We have also drunk some beer blonde too. Wendy continues to astound with her cooking and how I have managed to loose a stone and a half since arriving and keeping it off amazes me...

Money is still going out, Tiles, vinyl all cost money, paint we bought whilst in the UK over xmas at B&Q, We have ordered beds direct from Ikea in Toulouse which came to a total of £1758 .99 but that includes deliver. In total this is 13 beds in the form of 4 bunk beds, 4 single beds and a fold up bed just in case all including mattresses. We went through Ikea simply because it is near on impossible to find any in the local shops and once you start to buy them with mattresses you suddenly find yourself having to hire a removals van so even though we have coughed up 350 euros for delivery we consider it value for money since it would take us 3 to 4 hours travel one way and we would have to pay tolls to use the motorways we have ourselves a bargain.

We haven't had much time nor the weather to get out on the bikes but the 1st peep of sun and we have shot off - see http://www.whereistonynow.co.uk/ for pics of the bikes ;)