Bits and Pieces

It's been another busy day for me, and with the news from Ukraine it was also quite an unsettling one. That is very close to us, really, and geo-politically a little concerning for what the knock-on impacts could be. It's out of our control though so what will be will be.

Drain pipe into the wall

Tape measure finally fitted

The boiler timer in place

Using a crowbar to take apart the old bed frame

Sink is mounted on the unit

Hooks up for the brushes

I got to see the progress the men were making as much as I could. They have fitted the waste pipe properly, cemented it in, and plastered over the channel. They also fitted the tape measure to the work bench however it was about 4mm out (Bekir had measured to the wrong side of the blade) but I caught this mistake before it set too much. They have also since begun to put varnish over the top to protect it. Other things done today include the boiler being wired in and fully working, the old bed from the guest room has been dismantled using a crowbar (I made that thing to LAST!) and the sink is fitted. They are actually going to need to come back tomorrow to tile the wall behind it and seal it against the wall to prevent water getting behind it. To wrap the day up I had Bekir fit two hooks to the wall so I could hang my shop brushes up out the way. He also put the ends on the pipes that Angela wants to grow strawberries in so that was good too.

Afternoon sun on the hills opposite

Rosie climbing onto my shoulder

Panoramic shot from the Roof Terrace

It has been cold and horrible all day then suddenly at the end of the day the sun burst through and it was lovely. It shone on the hills across the valley and then later, after Rosie had used me for a climbing frame to get onto my shoulders, I went onto the roof terrace and grabbed a sunset picture.

So there it is; I'll be back tomorrow as it happens so thanks for reading.

More sink

Another day, and maybe the second to last day of the workers being here before their much-delayed winter break. Onwards!

Rosie and Angela sat by a lake

This morning Rosie was all about the imagination. She was sitting at the end of the kitchen island saying she was sat by a lake watching the fish. Later she let Angela join her and later still she told me that she'd tried to catch a fish but it got away. She is so creative and imaginative already it is awesome.

Bekir fits the carpet

A large sink with a small unit

Fitting pipes together

The men went past the shop this morning so were a little later in and the first task I had them do was to put the carpet back down in the library which they did easily and it seems to be very well fitted again which was good. They then went and got the unit from the back of Thomas that I bought yesterday and I found I had mis-measured and it was quite a lot too small, though it was also the only option they had so I talked it through and they made it work OK; they are creative in their solutions. After this was solved the focused on the pipes and making sure the water supply was in the correct place.

One cleaned bowl

Fitting pipes to the wall with clips

Making the drain hole slope more

Another mattress into the roof

Carrying the huge frame downstairs

At lunch I finished up the last helping of the first crumble my mum had made for me; only one more to go now! The rest of the day for the men was continuing with pipework and I was busy with work. At the end of the day I went down and asked that Bekir put more of a drop in the drainage pipe which meant more drilling and hammering to make the hole a bit bigger but now at least there's a good enough drop. Finally I moved the old guest bed out of the other guest room and they helped me to move the mattress into the roof, and the actual bed frame downstairs to be deconstructed. Now I've got to make another bed up.

So there is the day; tomorrow may be the final day of the workmen for a while - I'm looking forward to the break! Thanks for reading

Grandma goes home, and sink installation

As often happens this is going to be a super long update, and as I sit here starting it, late, I'm knackered. Oh well. Onwards.

Early morning pile on with everyone

Buds are starting to appear

Grandma on our little picnic

Rosie laying down on the rug

Xena with the heavy ball

Trimming trees 

Rosie found some flowers

Going back to Saturday it was a lovely family day with lots of time outside. The morning was taken up with a trip to the vet with Xena, and then stopping for some shopping on the way back. It was such a lovely day that we had a picnic on the grass for lunch and then stayed outside the rest of the time, I was trimming some trees with the pruning saw and Rosie got to swing a bit with grandma pushing. She also found some flowers that were just coming up and we did a bit of hide and seek. Xena was having a lot of fun with Louise, and Thelma was barking at her kong.

Rosie helping to mow, with her bubble mower

I do love mowing the lawn

Rosie all bandaged after stubbing her toe

The moon rises through drifting clouds

In the afternoon I dragged the lawnmower out to do a section of the front that was starting to get a bit lush and Rosie was determined to help so she got her bubble lawn mower out and pushed it around lots. After that Grandma took her to play in the sand while I finished up. Later on Rosie stubbed her toe a bit but after she'd finished with her play bandages you'd have thought she was Little Miss Bump! The moonrise on Saturday night was something special and I got a picture to show Rosie as she loves the moon. It was a great day from beginning to end.

Early morning on Sunday

Just a little over frozen

Rosie with the Little Lady and her granddaughter

A mess of spikey branches

Now nicely trimmed back

Louise and Xena on the top bank

Just finishing up the mowing

Sunday started off bright but was forecast rain (though in the end it was only cloudy and didn't rain). Grandma was going to make me some crumble so we dug out the frozen fruit from the old freezer that I think is honestly on its last legs now. Mid morning we headed over to the neighbours for coffee and second breakfast and had a lovely time before we headed back home and Angela took Rosie and Grandma to the shops while I got the mower and pruning saw out again. I did most of the back bank with the mower and trimmed down the saplings at the bottom of my favourite tree and finished up just as they got back. I'm very close to buying a ride on mower to help keep on top of all of this more easily.

Grandma and Rosie bounce

Making crumble for me

The final bedtime story with Grandma of the visit

The afternoon was nap time and after that Rosie took Grandma on her trampoline and they were bouncing together for absolutely ages while I sat on the swinging chair and enjoyed watching and laughing along with them. After this Grandma went into the kitchen and made me the crumbles while Angela cooked an amazing roast dinner. At the end of the day only Grandma would do for reading bedtime stories as it was the last night before she would go home.

Lovely crumble for my breakfast

Angela paints the wall in Rosie's bedroom

Sat in the lovely warm sun for my lunch

Just getting onto the pass

Having a really lovely dinner

Saying goodbye at departures

Xena very happy to see me

Monday started with crumble for breakfast and it was lovely. While Rosie was at school Angela completed painting the shapes on Rosie's wall (she loved them!) and the day was so glorious I sat outside on the patio to eat my lunch and it was great. All too soon it was time to take mum to the airport. Rosie was sad she couldn't come with us and The Little Lady came over to say goodbye as well. The drive was very easy and we took lots of pictures to show Rosie including one of my giving her a thumbs up. We reached the restaurant in plenty of time and had a lovely relaxed and tasty meal before it was time for me to drive her round the corner to the actual airport. A hug, a kiss and a selfie and she went in and I headed home. When I got back I was mauled for about ten minutes by Xena who was super pleased to see me. It was very sad to see Mum go as the visit has been superb.

Rosie misses her grandma

A lovely sky this morning

Tiles piled out of the way

A long drill bit for this job

Halil sticking the metal through

Final violent exit point

Lump hammer to the rescue

Neat pipework

Boiler hung on the wall

Lots of water down these steps

And so finally we reach today. Rosie said morning to Grandma via picture and then headed off to school. It was a lovely morning though the forecast was for very heavy rain. The men were back in today and got stuck in to the fitting of a sink in the workshop. First off they cleared away the tiles and put them into the storage area under the stairs and then they headed out and bought a new drill bit that was nearly long enough to go through the wall but not quite. After first of all starting to drill in the wrong place they measured and put a hole in the right place but then had to resort to a length of metal and a lump hammer to break through the last few cm. With this done it was tidying up, then fitting the drain and then drilling another hole this time to take the water into the workshop. By the time I headed out to go and meet Lyuben the architect the boiler was in place and it was a really good day of progress. The threatened thunder and rain hit late in the afternoon and it was torrential in town. I did manage to pick up a unit that the sink can sit in, however.

So there it is; that was a long update! I should be back tomorrow; thanks for reading.