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Last post for the year. Christmas is calling so we have now downed tools. I have spent a little time tidying up and looking forward to a refreshing break.
In the 2nd bedroom we were going to have a metre high bottom panel running along the exposed stone wall. Electrics and light switch wiring were set down with his in mind. The main reason for it was the bottom part of the wall was covered in concrete so 6 months ago it was deemed easier to just cover it up. Now it isn’t and after an hour of chipping it off we have more pointing to do, but a better overall feel hopefully.
The light switch wiring has been re-routed but the power cable is too short by my estimation so we will have a word with Wilfrid when he starts back in the new year. I know how much he loves me playing with his wiring!
A quick trip in to St Jean today for the Christmas cheese supply.
Happy Christmas to everyone and we will start posting again in the new year.
Our place bathed in sunshine today.
In the 2nd bedroom we were going to have a metre high bottom panel running along the exposed stone wall. Electrics and light switch wiring were set down with his in mind. The main reason for it was the bottom part of the wall was covered in concrete so 6 months ago it was deemed easier to just cover it up. Now it isn’t and after an hour of chipping it off we have more pointing to do, but a better overall feel hopefully.
The light switch wiring has been re-routed but the power cable is too short by my estimation so we will have a word with Wilfrid when he starts back in the new year. I know how much he loves me playing with his wiring!
A quick trip in to St Jean today for the Christmas cheese supply.
Happy Christmas to everyone and we will start posting again in the new year.
Our place bathed in sunshine today.
We are back after a relaxing break and nearly ready to get going. Everything was where we left it so no problems there. We did make a slight improvement to the rather flimsy front door security.
Unfortunately I have the Christmas flu hanging on so don’t think we will start again in there until next week. So while feeling under the weather but itching to do something I started hanging some new lights in the kitchen. We found some lights that are perfect for the back barn to suspend 6 down the back wall. When we arrived to pick them up they had gone down to half price so we bought their remaining stock of 10.
So off we trot yesterday to Mr Bricolage to get switches and wire to power them. Like normal these were not cheap, but what was cheap was a three way remote control with 3 remote receivers that plug into power points. Bonus we will be able to sit on the sofa and play with the lights!
Unfortunately the big remote receivers won’t sit on the one 4 gang extension lead so one had to be wired up to another socket which meant the cable would need extending. Not a problem as the floor lamp we removed I had fitted a 4m long cable to it. Upstairs to where it was now standing to cut the cable. Measure the amount I need to cut and cut. BANG, I am thrown into darkness. I was stupid enough to cut the wire while it was plugged in. Now I am fully back into working mode. I come downstairs, reset the electrics and say to cargeekswife that we will never mention this! Needless to say, I have been shamed into publicising this act of sheer stupidity and carelessness. Thankfully my wire cutters are well insulated.
Now I have cleansed my soul with this admission I can move on and say the lights look great and the remote works like a dream.
After this I decided to hang a chair hammock in Millie’s room. Nice safe option that did go without a hitch.
Unfortunately I have the Christmas flu hanging on so don’t think we will start again in there until next week. So while feeling under the weather but itching to do something I started hanging some new lights in the kitchen. We found some lights that are perfect for the back barn to suspend 6 down the back wall. When we arrived to pick them up they had gone down to half price so we bought their remaining stock of 10.
So off we trot yesterday to Mr Bricolage to get switches and wire to power them. Like normal these were not cheap, but what was cheap was a three way remote control with 3 remote receivers that plug into power points. Bonus we will be able to sit on the sofa and play with the lights!
Unfortunately the big remote receivers won’t sit on the one 4 gang extension lead so one had to be wired up to another socket which meant the cable would need extending. Not a problem as the floor lamp we removed I had fitted a 4m long cable to it. Upstairs to where it was now standing to cut the cable. Measure the amount I need to cut and cut. BANG, I am thrown into darkness. I was stupid enough to cut the wire while it was plugged in. Now I am fully back into working mode. I come downstairs, reset the electrics and say to cargeekswife that we will never mention this! Needless to say, I have been shamed into publicising this act of sheer stupidity and carelessness. Thankfully my wire cutters are well insulated.
Now I have cleansed my soul with this admission I can move on and say the lights look great and the remote works like a dream.
After this I decided to hang a chair hammock in Millie’s room. Nice safe option that did go without a hitch.
5potTurbo said:
Hope you're feeling better. Man flu's a biatch! 
Now, please be careful with basic things on electrics, like unplugging things before cutting their cables! To have achieved so much more complex stuff, then injure yourself in a silly manner. *tut, tut*
I know. I was still on easy street I think after being used to central heating, carpets, proper lights in every room and all those other creature comforts we don't have here. Fully grounded (expose the pun) now.Now, please be careful with basic things on electrics, like unplugging things before cutting their cables! To have achieved so much more complex stuff, then injure yourself in a silly manner. *tut, tut*
We’re back on it now! Stairs have been delivered and we are fine tuning the fit of them. This will be a lot of little cuts to get it just right. Precision parts are not my favourite as it takes a long time before you get to admire the fruits of your labour. Once they are in I still can’t use them until they are sealed.
While we were back in the UK I bought a dry pressure tester for plumbing. Got it back here and it is a standard UK 15mm. Our 2 sizes are 12mm and 16mm. It is now rigged up with a bit of hosepipe jubilee clipped on one end and the other is pushed onto the 16mm pipe to test. Have pressure tested our shower and can report no leaks. Really happy on the back of this and have celebrated by covering it up with a plasterboard. A few more boards have also gone up and I have reached the point where our UK sourced bathroom tap is supposed to be going. Unfortunately there is a metal rail upright in the way and as the spout is meant to protrude at that exact spot is isn’t going to work. Ho hum another lesson learned and they will just have to be used in the back barn instead! Now cargeekswife has to find a new style of tap that is horizontally mounted.
Carrying on in the bathroom theme, I have boarded out more of the first bathroom and made a start on the shower tap in the 2nd bathroom. This is where I have got to today, but we have a sick little girl so I don’t have any help and she will be off school again tomorrow at least. Lucky we have a plasterboard lifter so I can crank them up to the first floor.
A mouse has been spotted exiting the barn through a hole in the floor, so 1 of tomorrow’s jobs is to mix up some cement and fill the hole.
Wilfrid is fitting the interior air con units. We have a rather large one in the kitchen and one in the first bedroom is going up. Shame they won’t be operational for a while as the temperature is starting to drop.
Another problem that has surfaced after our trip to England is the rear of the BMW is sitting way too low. I am hoping it is just 2 busted springs but haven’t got around to looking at it yet. Until that point the Ranger is daily driver and school run machine.
While we were back in the UK I bought a dry pressure tester for plumbing. Got it back here and it is a standard UK 15mm. Our 2 sizes are 12mm and 16mm. It is now rigged up with a bit of hosepipe jubilee clipped on one end and the other is pushed onto the 16mm pipe to test. Have pressure tested our shower and can report no leaks. Really happy on the back of this and have celebrated by covering it up with a plasterboard. A few more boards have also gone up and I have reached the point where our UK sourced bathroom tap is supposed to be going. Unfortunately there is a metal rail upright in the way and as the spout is meant to protrude at that exact spot is isn’t going to work. Ho hum another lesson learned and they will just have to be used in the back barn instead! Now cargeekswife has to find a new style of tap that is horizontally mounted.
Carrying on in the bathroom theme, I have boarded out more of the first bathroom and made a start on the shower tap in the 2nd bathroom. This is where I have got to today, but we have a sick little girl so I don’t have any help and she will be off school again tomorrow at least. Lucky we have a plasterboard lifter so I can crank them up to the first floor.
A mouse has been spotted exiting the barn through a hole in the floor, so 1 of tomorrow’s jobs is to mix up some cement and fill the hole.
Wilfrid is fitting the interior air con units. We have a rather large one in the kitchen and one in the first bedroom is going up. Shame they won’t be operational for a while as the temperature is starting to drop.
Another problem that has surfaced after our trip to England is the rear of the BMW is sitting way too low. I am hoping it is just 2 busted springs but haven’t got around to looking at it yet. Until that point the Ranger is daily driver and school run machine.
Regarding the shower valve you have so neatly cut the plasterboard around. If the valves will have a big chrome surround going over them once tiled, I'd be inclined to open up the plasterboard around the valves a little to allow access if needed. It wouldn't be the first time I have done 'keyhole' surgery to replace a valve in the wall through the small access hole covered by the chrome cover plate. They often also have throttle valves built into them, so access can be useful, but it depends on the valve.
Gingerbread Man said:
The chrome face plate is normally around A5 size. Just tile 20mm or so inside this all round and seal it up. This'll leave access if needed. Or a hole in the back of the bedroom cupboard or similar.
How I wish it was like that. Unfortunately it is against an outside wall so no such luxury of access from the rear. magooagain said:
Good progress as usual Neil. What's the Craic with them there double montants everywhere?
Stability as they are all over 3 metres and want as little flex as possible. Thanks for the good progress comment as I came in tonight and said to the Mrs that I was unimpressed with her workforce today as not much completed. Have given myself a team talk to pick my game up tomorrow! One man team again tomorrow as Millie is still off school. It is going down well. Might be able to see part of the kitchen floor soon. It will be taped and jointed. Have got another wall done today in the other ensuite. Wife is feeling redundant as it was normally her job to cut the boards but she has been stuck in the house with Millie while she has been off school.
Start of another week and more boarding has gone up. Getting quite efficient on my measuring and cutting now. Have got to the stage where I have to start putting the framework in for the false ceiling in the bathrooms to allow space for the VMC system and recessed spots. I am not enjoying having to take so many things into consideration just to put a few bits of wood up for a ceiling. Will all be worth it as we will be able to keep part of the beams visible instead of covering them completely, we get to retain character.
Tomorrow is a shopping day to get wood for the false ceiling that is straight and plumbing supplies so we can get the walls put up around the sinks and loos.
Not much else so chucking in a few pictures of the lights on in the kitchen.
Tomorrow is a shopping day to get wood for the false ceiling that is straight and plumbing supplies so we can get the walls put up around the sinks and loos.
Not much else so chucking in a few pictures of the lights on in the kitchen.
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