My Highland build 'blog'
Discussion
I know some of you have seen this (those who frequent the photography forum on this site for a start, plus the Highland contingent) - but some here may not have, and may be interested.
For the past year I've been trying to self build a house I designed on the west coast, 100 miles north of Fort William.
The build is now half way through and has been somewhat challenging to say the least - trying to get trades out to that part of the country is extremely difficult. And when they *occassionally* DO try they often get lost or stuck.
Anyway, if you have a spare 10 minutes - you might like a laugh. The blog will continue until either the house or I am finished (It's a 50/50!)
www.stevecarter.com/build/build.htm
(Some sound on the site - so those at work should dim the speakers; also those un-broadbanded should be warned that there are lots of photos)
Steve
>> Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 23 February 12:13
For the past year I've been trying to self build a house I designed on the west coast, 100 miles north of Fort William.
The build is now half way through and has been somewhat challenging to say the least - trying to get trades out to that part of the country is extremely difficult. And when they *occassionally* DO try they often get lost or stuck.
Anyway, if you have a spare 10 minutes - you might like a laugh. The blog will continue until either the house or I am finished (It's a 50/50!)
www.stevecarter.com/build/build.htm
(Some sound on the site - so those at work should dim the speakers; also those un-broadbanded should be warned that there are lots of photos)
Steve
>> Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 23 February 12:13
Thanks chaps.
Murray - thanks for the tip about the Handel. I'd forgotten that was on there. I've added a warning at the top of the thread.
As for the solar panels... well they are just there to 'top up' whenever they can. The heat pump will just circulate the water from the 60 metre deep boreholes and a condenser (working kinda' like the opposite to a fridge) will get the water to the required temperature. Well that's the theory. I'll let you know if it's crap! The heating company guarantee 21C in -2C ambient. We'll see. Queenie has just put the same system into Buck Palace (she nicks all my ideas) and even though the plot is in the Highlands, being SO close to the sea (and the Gulf Stream) it hardly ever reaches freezing there (Unlike London). As you well know, 5 miles inland it's like Norway of course, and if the ice cap melts and the Gulf Stream collapses... I'm screwed. But then we all are I guess.
I've been sourcing / buying all the electrical fittings for the whole house today - switches, spotlights, dimmers, sockets, wall lights, top lights, outside lights, and on and on and on ... what bank balance!
Steve
Murray - thanks for the tip about the Handel. I'd forgotten that was on there. I've added a warning at the top of the thread.
As for the solar panels... well they are just there to 'top up' whenever they can. The heat pump will just circulate the water from the 60 metre deep boreholes and a condenser (working kinda' like the opposite to a fridge) will get the water to the required temperature. Well that's the theory. I'll let you know if it's crap! The heating company guarantee 21C in -2C ambient. We'll see. Queenie has just put the same system into Buck Palace (she nicks all my ideas) and even though the plot is in the Highlands, being SO close to the sea (and the Gulf Stream) it hardly ever reaches freezing there (Unlike London). As you well know, 5 miles inland it's like Norway of course, and if the ice cap melts and the Gulf Stream collapses... I'm screwed. But then we all are I guess.
I've been sourcing / buying all the electrical fittings for the whole house today - switches, spotlights, dimmers, sockets, wall lights, top lights, outside lights, and on and on and on ... what bank balance!
Steve
No it's an optical illiusion. I'm staning very near it. 
I'm IN!
No broadband yet mind (BT are not that bright).
Anyway... a few pics of the finished wee hoose (sans furniture) here: www.stevecarter.com/build/build15.htm
I'm off to start unpacking.
Steve
No broadband yet mind (BT are not that bright).
Anyway... a few pics of the finished wee hoose (sans furniture) here: www.stevecarter.com/build/build15.htm
I'm off to start unpacking.
Steve
I have no money or energy to move anywhere else!
Plan is to holiday for 6-8 weeks a year Jan/Feb (bit dark this far north) and chill out (read work) here for the rest of the year.
'Cept of course, I already have a list of mates booked in to stay. Have some here already, some next week, and three fellow PHrs are up soon... and I'll be driving the slowest car (bugger).
(FYI... Ferrari 550 Marinello, 996 911 GT3 and Beemer M6). Together we should make a real blether!
Plan is to holiday for 6-8 weeks a year Jan/Feb (bit dark this far north) and chill out (read work) here for the rest of the year.
'Cept of course, I already have a list of mates booked in to stay. Have some here already, some next week, and three fellow PHrs are up soon... and I'll be driving the slowest car (bugger).
(FYI... Ferrari 550 Marinello, 996 911 GT3 and Beemer M6). Together we should make a real blether!
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 2nd October 15:54
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