Monday, November 22, 2004
Positioning Lintel
The new granite lintel for the old barn door was placed in position today. You can just see in the photo the original oak lintel above with a metal runner for the door. The old plan was to directly replace the oak lintel with this granite version, but once you see things in the flesh they look quite different to on a plan. So in order to make the building look less like a barn and more like two gites, we have lowered the new lintel to align with the tops of the new doors then the old oak lintel will be removed and the space above infilled with stone. The large opening will then be 'hidden' and hopefully it should look less agricultural but still retain the charm and appeal of an old stone breton building.
The three maçons didn't seem that stressed by the whole operation, but we did notice them puffing away on several cigarettes beforehand and very quickly lit up another round of fags once the stone was safely in position. It's a big piece of stone to be swinging about on the end of a fork lift.
| 8:08:18 PM
Positioning Lintel
Sugar free chauffeurs
I've commented on French driving before but after a few experiences recently I think I've worked out why it's really only at lunchtime that everyone drives badly. Quite simply they are rushing to get home for lunch after having eaten nothing since a croissant at the crack of dawn, their blood sugar levels are dangerously low as they race along the road, while thinking of steak frites. | 2:06:13 PM Sugar free chauffeurs
