Friday, November 19, 2004
Lucarnes
The
stonework for both the lucarnes is
in position. Once the uprights have set hard, they will pop on the two lintels
then it's over to the carpenter and roofer. Because the stones are 'free' standing
they have actually drilled a hole in the tops and bottoms of the stones and
passed and glued a metal bar between each pair to add strength. The top two
smaller stones on each side are actually one piece with a groove cut around
the middle to make it look like two stones. Once it's all pointed you would
never know.
The digger man was meant to arrive today to demolish the lean-to (new kitchen) and dig the foundations for it's replacement. Originally we just expected to put a new roof on, but when they dug out to lay the new concrete floor in the barn they noticed that the lean-to had no foundations and was very fragile. Hence the extra work (and cost). He's hoping he arrives first thing Monday or else our builders will run out of work very soon.
| 8:42:46 PM
Lucarnes
Poire gite has new stairs
The
staircase has finally been installed in Poire.
There is still a bit of finishing off with trim and skirting etc. but everything
is in position and glued and screwed. The builders came and gave me a lift up
to put the staircase in position. It's solid oak and very very heavy, there
was alot of grunting and groaning for several minutes. I must of measured and
re-measured a dozen times before asking for a lift up to ensure it fitted first
time. I did learn a few new French words that were muttered under their breath
when I asked them if we could lower it again to allow me to drill two fixing
holes under the bottom step. I couldn't find the words in the dictionary so
I've no idea what was said.
I
was very grateful after they helped lift it into position for the second and
final time (I suspect they were as well). It's a huge improvement over the old
stairs. A much more comfortable angle and all the steps are even. It also makes
the room alot bigger without the old partion wall.
Poire gite has new stairs
