Our Little Durham Restoration Project...
Discussion
Right, finally got a spare few minutes to get this updated!
Where were we? Oh yes, I'd just finished the first mezzanine storage area.......
That was so I could clear enough space so I could sort out the floor without having to move out, so that was the next job:
I'd knocked down a wall between garage and workshop and had a drop in the floor level between the two. I raised the level by building a suspended floor, in sections that were propped, levelled and then had boots of concrete set around them to hold the level. Unconventional perhaps, but the best solution based on cost or alternatives and not wanted to do any digging. It's rock solid, really pleased with it:
DSC_0261 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
DSC_0262 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
This was generally a pig of a job because the space was fairly full with heavy things and I was constantly moving things around. The new floor lost me a good chunk of space once I built it, so next up was boarding over it:
DSC_0264 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
DSC_0275 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Then move more stuff:
DSC_0276 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
This is all the other stuff to be moved, along with a large pile of floorbaords:
DSC_0290 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
More floor:
DSC_0389 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Over the concrete floor I dot and dabbed the floorboards with mortar and DPC to get a level floor, here's the last bit done!
DSC_0001_1 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Next up, I drove down to Essex to collect a load of vinyl off-cuts courtesy of a fellow PHer:
DSC_0390 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
And started gluing it down. I would have preferred one colour across the lot, but I made the best I could with the mix of blues and greys I'd collected:
DSC_0397 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
First bit complete:
DSC_0398 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Christmas eve:
DSC_0402 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Obviously I had to move everything again!!
DSC_0400 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
More done:
DSC_0013 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
And finished on my Birthday two months later:
DSC_0002_2 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
DSC_0001_2 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Where were we? Oh yes, I'd just finished the first mezzanine storage area.......
That was so I could clear enough space so I could sort out the floor without having to move out, so that was the next job:
I'd knocked down a wall between garage and workshop and had a drop in the floor level between the two. I raised the level by building a suspended floor, in sections that were propped, levelled and then had boots of concrete set around them to hold the level. Unconventional perhaps, but the best solution based on cost or alternatives and not wanted to do any digging. It's rock solid, really pleased with it:
DSC_0261 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrDSC_0262 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrThis was generally a pig of a job because the space was fairly full with heavy things and I was constantly moving things around. The new floor lost me a good chunk of space once I built it, so next up was boarding over it:
DSC_0264 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrDSC_0275 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrThen move more stuff:
DSC_0276 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrThis is all the other stuff to be moved, along with a large pile of floorbaords:
DSC_0290 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrMore floor:
DSC_0389 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrOver the concrete floor I dot and dabbed the floorboards with mortar and DPC to get a level floor, here's the last bit done!
DSC_0001_1 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrNext up, I drove down to Essex to collect a load of vinyl off-cuts courtesy of a fellow PHer:
DSC_0390 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrAnd started gluing it down. I would have preferred one colour across the lot, but I made the best I could with the mix of blues and greys I'd collected:
DSC_0397 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrFirst bit complete:
DSC_0398 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrChristmas eve:
DSC_0402 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrObviously I had to move everything again!!
DSC_0400 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrMore done:
DSC_0013 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrAnd finished on my Birthday two months later:
DSC_0002_2 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrDSC_0001_2 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrAs a result of the constant moving of things and the arrival of more heavy kit - I nearly broke my back moving the pillar drill! - I built a wheeled cabinet for planer:
DSC_0004 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
DSC_0007 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Absolute god-send! I've still got similar to make for the pillar drill, bandsaw and radial arm saw and they're all to fill with drawers, but I'm one step closer to being organised.
DSC_0004 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrDSC_0007 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrAbsolute god-send! I've still got similar to make for the pillar drill, bandsaw and radial arm saw and they're all to fill with drawers, but I'm one step closer to being organised.
I had a week off a month or so ago and had a big list of important things to do. Instead I did plumbing.
I was instructed to sort out the lack of venting for the tumbledryer, as it meant having the door open, so it couldn't be used unless someone was around. What the boss didn't realise that this, obviously, meant moving everything around again. It also meantwhile I was there I might as well bring water in and plumb the sink, which meant I might as well swap the old outside toilet out for a new one and move the outside taps. So a quick job was stretched out to about 5 days:
Toilet out:
DSC_0474 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
hot and cold outside taps:
DSC_0475 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
A mass of pipes:
DSC_0476 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
New toilet in:
DSC_0477 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Hose pipe relocated:
DSC_0478 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
And sprinkler on!
DSC_0479 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Finished:
DSC_0485 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
I just realised there isn't a picture of the vent for the tumbledryer, which was the whole point of this job!
I've been off this last week to and got a fair bit more done, so more tomorrow!
I was instructed to sort out the lack of venting for the tumbledryer, as it meant having the door open, so it couldn't be used unless someone was around. What the boss didn't realise that this, obviously, meant moving everything around again. It also meantwhile I was there I might as well bring water in and plumb the sink, which meant I might as well swap the old outside toilet out for a new one and move the outside taps. So a quick job was stretched out to about 5 days:
Toilet out:
DSC_0474 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickrhot and cold outside taps:
DSC_0475 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrA mass of pipes:
DSC_0476 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrNew toilet in:
DSC_0477 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrHose pipe relocated:
DSC_0478 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrAnd sprinkler on!
DSC_0479 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrFinished:
DSC_0485 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrI just realised there isn't a picture of the vent for the tumbledryer, which was the whole point of this job!
I've been off this last week to and got a fair bit more done, so more tomorrow!
Ruttager said:
Excellent work. Its taken me 3 years to get my house done and I've done no where near as much as you've done. I have found that I really enjoy woodworking though I've a long way to go before I'm building the types of units you have.
I found the best way to learn woodworking, which I really enjoy too, is to get a load of proper kit off Gumtree, then you're not under pressure to learn hand tools and accuracy on the jobs that *need* to be done right first time and now. None of what I've done is particularly hard with the right tools and a bit (lot!) of thought before you commit to the cut. I've found that when I've made mistakes, not making them again has become second nature, you learn quickly.
I made some planters over the weekend, with compound mitres, they were the first things I've made when I've had all the kit setup and organised into a nice work-flow; CMS to cut the boards, planer to put an angle on the long edges, bandsaw to trim a few bits, router to add detail to the fronts, nail together, hand plane to finish two edges. Done.
With things setup properly you're not wasting loads of time moving stuff around and thinking, previously I've wondered where the day has gone, this time I got all 6 done in time to get to B&Q to buy some paint. It makes a huge difference to the enjoyment of it!
It was actually the first time I've done something where I've thought I'd be making decent money making them for people. Until I went to buy the paint anyway!
We're a little over three years in now, though it was only the first 12 months where I was fully flat-out on it, the last couple of years I've been a bit burned out and have been plugging away with bursts of activity, rather than cracking on. I've been more productive since I started delegating the fiddly crap to my Dad while I get on with larger jobs though. I work much better with a short list of big jobs than a long list of little jobs!
I'm really well motivated again at the moment though, probably the sunshine and summer, so I've got some good progress planned over the summer. Mostly in my workshop, which is going to become a lot cleaner and a bit more multi-purpose; can't beat pottering in the shed!
I pass every morning dopping the kids off in Lanchester...
the lawn looks lovely by the way!
I just dont have the time, so am currently on setting up the front garden for a high end fake turf!
I also have 2 ton of porcelain floor tiles sitting waiting to go down in the garage/workshop and a full suspended tiled ceiling and recessed lighting.... but unfortunately a very large cream and chrome thing is in the way ... lol...
the lawn looks lovely by the way!
I just dont have the time, so am currently on setting up the front garden for a high end fake turf!
I also have 2 ton of porcelain floor tiles sitting waiting to go down in the garage/workshop and a full suspended tiled ceiling and recessed lighting.... but unfortunately a very large cream and chrome thing is in the way ... lol...
Edited by hedgefinder on Monday 6th June 12:04
hedgefinder said:
I pass every morning dopping the kids off in Lanchester...
the lawn looks lovely by the way!
I just dont have the time, so am currently on setting up the front garden for a high end fake turf!
I also have 2 ton of porcelain floor tiles sitting waiting to go down in the garage/workshop and a full suspended tiled ceiling and recessed lighting.... but unfortunately a very large cream and chrome thing is in the way ... lol...
The lawn's best angle is from the road, doesn't matter how many buttercups, how much speedwell or how badly thatched the top end is it always looks great from the road! I've spent a bit of time on it recently and it's responding really well now though, it's a few weeks short of looking good from all angles.the lawn looks lovely by the way!
I just dont have the time, so am currently on setting up the front garden for a high end fake turf!
I also have 2 ton of porcelain floor tiles sitting waiting to go down in the garage/workshop and a full suspended tiled ceiling and recessed lighting.... but unfortunately a very large cream and chrome thing is in the way ... lol...
Edited by hedgefinder on Monday 6th June 12:04
I think I'm going to put bark down at the front to get it tidy for this year, then work out a plan for the future. I might just grow strawberries there, make it earn its keep.
So, onto the lawn.....
I bought a £100 scarifier and set it to work, dethatching, ripping up weeds and stripping out the moss. It looked lie this when I was done:
DSC_0493 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
DSC_0491 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
I was in a whole world of trouble, apparently there's a birthday party in our garden that I didn't know about this coming weekend! It'll never grow back! That was 4 weeks ago now.
This is what was left after filling the wheelie bin. I should have got some plastic sheet out as it's made a mess of the lawn leaving it there!
DSC_0490 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
I fertilised, over-seeded and aerated the top half. Then piled a tonne of water on to get germination started. Actually, probably a lot more than a tonne. I'm glad I won the argument over whether we should have a water meter fitted!
Two weeks later I got the mower out:
DSC_0520 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
Wow, wasn't expecting such a strong recovery, that's what I was expecting it to be like around our Wedding 6 weeks later!
DSC_0521 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
DSC_0522 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
I've had a lot of water go on over the weekend, just cut it now and more water. it's looking rather good now, though I'm going to have to tackle the weeks later this week. I've not had a whole load of success with Verdun, so might might use that again and then spot kill any that survive a few weeks later.
I bought a £100 scarifier and set it to work, dethatching, ripping up weeds and stripping out the moss. It looked lie this when I was done:
DSC_0493 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrDSC_0491 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrI was in a whole world of trouble, apparently there's a birthday party in our garden that I didn't know about this coming weekend! It'll never grow back! That was 4 weeks ago now.
This is what was left after filling the wheelie bin. I should have got some plastic sheet out as it's made a mess of the lawn leaving it there!
DSC_0490 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrI fertilised, over-seeded and aerated the top half. Then piled a tonne of water on to get germination started. Actually, probably a lot more than a tonne. I'm glad I won the argument over whether we should have a water meter fitted!
Two weeks later I got the mower out:
DSC_0520 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrWow, wasn't expecting such a strong recovery, that's what I was expecting it to be like around our Wedding 6 weeks later!
DSC_0521 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrDSC_0522 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrI've had a lot of water go on over the weekend, just cut it now and more water. it's looking rather good now, though I'm going to have to tackle the weeks later this week. I've not had a whole load of success with Verdun, so might might use that again and then spot kill any that survive a few weeks later.
And speaking of the Wedding, it's a bit of a DIY affair, which necessitates the construction of a bar. Obviously not wanting to waste money on a one-use bar, I've designed it in such a way that it'll all come in handy in the workshop afterwards! Always one step ahead.....
B&Q clearance cabinets, Ikea worktops and some screws. I've still a few finishing off bits to do and some lighting to wire up, but it was fairly straightforward compared to my usual projects. The island is going to go on a frame and 4 wheels so it can be moved around, probably with some flip-down blocks or something for stability.
Here it is with a bit of rubbish worktop that I acquired as a temporary bench ages ago, not the finished article:
DSC_0472 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
DSC_0473 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
The plan is to add drawers to all the cabinets when I'm done, using the pile of spare oak floor boards that I tried to return but TNT dropped off their lorry as drawer fronts, that'll let me clear out all the crappy furniture I have that's full of power tools etc and create more space.
Obviously nothing I do is straightforward and the eagle=eyed amongst you will have spotted that those are 800 deep end cabinets and Ikea don't do 900 wide wide worktops. Never fear, I have a plunge saw with rails and some off-cuts of iroko, oak and oak faced MDF to fix such minor inconveniences:
20160601 - DSC_0547 - untitled.jpg by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
A couple of tool wells that'll double have containers with straws and lemon and ice etc in when it's a bar and keep the crap out of the way a bit when its not. Simple. Amazing how strong that is just biscuited and glued together, no flex in it at all.
There's a pair of fridges to go in here and some shallow shelves to the rear. In the background you can see I've used the two cabinets in the first picture to form a cocktail bar behind. I've since built a stand for the cocktail jars, with uplights in them so you can get a glass under. Again those floorboards have come in handy!
B&Q clearance cabinets, Ikea worktops and some screws. I've still a few finishing off bits to do and some lighting to wire up, but it was fairly straightforward compared to my usual projects. The island is going to go on a frame and 4 wheels so it can be moved around, probably with some flip-down blocks or something for stability.
Here it is with a bit of rubbish worktop that I acquired as a temporary bench ages ago, not the finished article:
DSC_0472 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrDSC_0473 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrThe plan is to add drawers to all the cabinets when I'm done, using the pile of spare oak floor boards that I tried to return but TNT dropped off their lorry as drawer fronts, that'll let me clear out all the crappy furniture I have that's full of power tools etc and create more space.
Obviously nothing I do is straightforward and the eagle=eyed amongst you will have spotted that those are 800 deep end cabinets and Ikea don't do 900 wide wide worktops. Never fear, I have a plunge saw with rails and some off-cuts of iroko, oak and oak faced MDF to fix such minor inconveniences:
20160601 - DSC_0547 - untitled.jpg by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrA couple of tool wells that'll double have containers with straws and lemon and ice etc in when it's a bar and keep the crap out of the way a bit when its not. Simple. Amazing how strong that is just biscuited and glued together, no flex in it at all.
There's a pair of fridges to go in here and some shallow shelves to the rear. In the background you can see I've used the two cabinets in the first picture to form a cocktail bar behind. I've since built a stand for the cocktail jars, with uplights in them so you can get a glass under. Again those floorboards have come in handy!
That then brings us up to last week. My Dad was here so I cracked the whip and we cleared all the f
king conifers from the front garden and carted them to the tip. Removing the gravel from the soil was a ball-ache, but there's not some weed barrier down:
DSC_0551 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
I awaiting delivery of some pins to fix the membrane down, then I need to get a dumpy bag of bark delivered to cover that up. Not sure what the plan is from there, but might be a job for another year if I can't work it out in the next week or two. I want it to be fairly productive, but nice to look at and easy maintenance. I'm kicking myself that I didn't plumb a tap in there as I really need to be able to setup some sort of auto-watering system.
I've built some planters to wrap around the bay window and sit on that concrete ledge as a starter, once they're painted and filled I'll be watering morning and night until after the Wedding at least. I'll have to find a way to get water there, even if it's just plugging the hosepipe into a water-butt with a ball valve in so it's filled each day. Will need some thought.
Anyway, the planters look like this:
DSC_0553 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
There's two rows, that'll stack like this:
DSC_0554 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
I got home early enough to get some knotting solution from the village (hardware shop is amazing, far better stocked than B&Q and cheaper!) so I can hopefully get these painted lined and filled by the end of the weekend at a push.
They were tricky to work out as I've not done compound mitres before, there's a 10mm fall on the fronts and I've only just realised why that meant a 5 degree angle on one of the cuts, but I got there by trial and error. The second row went together loads quicker and having space and everything setup in the workshop was a huge help.
We also found time to dig a hole in the garden, fill it with concrete and fit a pole for a washing line. This post was bought by my parents some 30 years ago, was never fitted at the house and wasn't needed when they moved, but has finally come in useful!
We greased the pole and wrapped it in DPC so we could get it out and to leave some clearance to get it back in easily enough. Worked perfectly!
Staked out and held level while the concrete set:
DSC_0549 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
And with two lines lashed up quickly:
20160605 - DSC01163 - untitled.jpg by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
I'm going to do these a better way, with a pulley and hooks so the line can be dropped, loaded and lifted up again. There's also scope to add 3 extra lines from the pole if we ever need more capacity.
I had my Dad finish off the skirting in the Kitchen at last! The tiles have only been down 18 months!
And then we built a raised platform in the coal shed:
DSC_0550 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
The bottom has a divider around the front left quarter to hold the small amount of smokeless fuel I have, the rest of the bottom is full of the kindling that I chopped from old floorboards a couple of winters ago. I think there were 16 bags and I used two this winter, so should last a while!
Plan is to fill the top section with wood from the stack of everything else that came out of the house to make some more space in the end shed where that is now so that I can move a bit more stuff out there and have more space for my stuff in the workshop. I doubt it will all fit, but it'll be good progress.
And that's me up to date, I've put off watching Game of Thrones to get this update up, so I hope you all appreciate it. I'm going to put sausages in the oven while I put the TV on.....
king conifers from the front garden and carted them to the tip. Removing the gravel from the soil was a ball-ache, but there's not some weed barrier down:DSC_0551 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrI awaiting delivery of some pins to fix the membrane down, then I need to get a dumpy bag of bark delivered to cover that up. Not sure what the plan is from there, but might be a job for another year if I can't work it out in the next week or two. I want it to be fairly productive, but nice to look at and easy maintenance. I'm kicking myself that I didn't plumb a tap in there as I really need to be able to setup some sort of auto-watering system.
I've built some planters to wrap around the bay window and sit on that concrete ledge as a starter, once they're painted and filled I'll be watering morning and night until after the Wedding at least. I'll have to find a way to get water there, even if it's just plugging the hosepipe into a water-butt with a ball valve in so it's filled each day. Will need some thought.
Anyway, the planters look like this:
DSC_0553 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrThere's two rows, that'll stack like this:
DSC_0554 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrI got home early enough to get some knotting solution from the village (hardware shop is amazing, far better stocked than B&Q and cheaper!) so I can hopefully get these painted lined and filled by the end of the weekend at a push.
They were tricky to work out as I've not done compound mitres before, there's a 10mm fall on the fronts and I've only just realised why that meant a 5 degree angle on one of the cuts, but I got there by trial and error. The second row went together loads quicker and having space and everything setup in the workshop was a huge help.
We also found time to dig a hole in the garden, fill it with concrete and fit a pole for a washing line. This post was bought by my parents some 30 years ago, was never fitted at the house and wasn't needed when they moved, but has finally come in useful!
We greased the pole and wrapped it in DPC so we could get it out and to leave some clearance to get it back in easily enough. Worked perfectly!
Staked out and held level while the concrete set:
DSC_0549 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrAnd with two lines lashed up quickly:
20160605 - DSC01163 - untitled.jpg by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrI'm going to do these a better way, with a pulley and hooks so the line can be dropped, loaded and lifted up again. There's also scope to add 3 extra lines from the pole if we ever need more capacity.
I had my Dad finish off the skirting in the Kitchen at last! The tiles have only been down 18 months!
And then we built a raised platform in the coal shed:
DSC_0550 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrThe bottom has a divider around the front left quarter to hold the small amount of smokeless fuel I have, the rest of the bottom is full of the kindling that I chopped from old floorboards a couple of winters ago. I think there were 16 bags and I used two this winter, so should last a while!
Plan is to fill the top section with wood from the stack of everything else that came out of the house to make some more space in the end shed where that is now so that I can move a bit more stuff out there and have more space for my stuff in the workshop. I doubt it will all fit, but it'll be good progress.
And that's me up to date, I've put off watching Game of Thrones to get this update up, so I hope you all appreciate it. I'm going to put sausages in the oven while I put the TV on.....
Bedford Rascal said:
Absolutely first class grade A top marks etc etc. What fantastic work and a new wife and baby to share it with. Congrats.
Ha ha, thanks! When you put it like that life is good. One day I'm sure I'll get to sit in the garden in the sunshine with a beer too. I'll obviously need to build a bench first though.
Bark arrived last weekend, so that's down at the front.
Last night I put up 4 hanging baskets, two at the front and two down the side and today I managed to get the last paint on the planters, fitted them and planted them up:
DSC_0576 by Paul Rockliffe, on Flickr
It's a long way off finished, but it's a big step forward compared with the scruffy mess that we started with! I'll give it another bash next year, I have a few loose plans for it, but I won't spoil them for you....
I was kicking myself for not fitting a front tap, but I've realised if I take one of the corner bricks out I can run a pipe in the cavity to the boiler vent and hook up to the cold water at the boiler. I can run a cable through too, so one job for next year is to setup automatic watering for all the plants. I don't mind putting loads of effort into these things, but I don't want to be doing constant watering!
It's still a bit messy the front of the house, I've no idea how I can tidy up the stained sandstone and that render is an abomination, whoever thought that was a good idea wants shooting.
The suspended gutter pipe is to move to the low wall out of the way, though if I could find a way to bury it I'd be tempted to remove that bit of wall entirely. Problem is it drains across the road and would be too low if it was underground by a few inches. Any thoughts on burying it anyway, so it's like a u-bend and permanently full of water? It wouldn't be a problem if it was fully sealed would it?
Last night I put up 4 hanging baskets, two at the front and two down the side and today I managed to get the last paint on the planters, fitted them and planted them up:
DSC_0576 by Paul Rockliffe, on FlickrIt's a long way off finished, but it's a big step forward compared with the scruffy mess that we started with! I'll give it another bash next year, I have a few loose plans for it, but I won't spoil them for you....
I was kicking myself for not fitting a front tap, but I've realised if I take one of the corner bricks out I can run a pipe in the cavity to the boiler vent and hook up to the cold water at the boiler. I can run a cable through too, so one job for next year is to setup automatic watering for all the plants. I don't mind putting loads of effort into these things, but I don't want to be doing constant watering!
It's still a bit messy the front of the house, I've no idea how I can tidy up the stained sandstone and that render is an abomination, whoever thought that was a good idea wants shooting.
The suspended gutter pipe is to move to the low wall out of the way, though if I could find a way to bury it I'd be tempted to remove that bit of wall entirely. Problem is it drains across the road and would be too low if it was underground by a few inches. Any thoughts on burying it anyway, so it's like a u-bend and permanently full of water? It wouldn't be a problem if it was fully sealed would it?
So it's been over two years now!
I'd like to say I've got loads to be report, but to be honest the last couple of years have been a bit of a write-off, our eldest has just turned three and we have a 1 year old now too, so it's difficult to stay on top of anything and find time to do the projects I've got lined up.
I've still got quite a few snagging jobs to do and the list of projects, particularly in the garden, just gets longer and longer. I'm resigned to this thread lasting a long time yet!
Anyway, I haven't completely wasted the last couple of years and I've finally found time to go through all my photos and pull together the house stuff, so I can do a few updates.......
I'd like to say I've got loads to be report, but to be honest the last couple of years have been a bit of a write-off, our eldest has just turned three and we have a 1 year old now too, so it's difficult to stay on top of anything and find time to do the projects I've got lined up.
I've still got quite a few snagging jobs to do and the list of projects, particularly in the garden, just gets longer and longer. I'm resigned to this thread lasting a long time yet!
Anyway, I haven't completely wasted the last couple of years and I've finally found time to go through all my photos and pull together the house stuff, so I can do a few updates.......
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff