The house that Nadger (re)built.... well, sort of!
Discussion
nadger said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Out of interest, do you have a link to the foreign website you bought the stove from?
Of course! It’s www.pejseringen.dk I have no link to them, other than that I have bought from them and had a really good experience!However the website is in Danish, so if you need any translations done, ping me a message (I’m half Danish and speak it fluently)
https://www.pejseringen.dk/shop/product/wiking-mir...
Something like that landed in the UK would be quite an attractive option
This is the contact page. Give them a ring, they definitely speak English and as I say, the delivery on ours was free!
https://www.pejseringen.dk/kontakt
https://www.pejseringen.dk/kontakt
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Interesting, I'm looking for a centrepiece stove for our latest build and could do with something like this;
https://www.pejseringen.dk/shop/product/wiking-mir...
Something like that landed in the UK would be quite an attractive option
I should also add that we went with the glass sides option on ours, and it’s definitely an excellent choice. However be aware it means you cannot mount it in a corner, as the glass sides need to be further away from the wall than metal sides (presuming walls are combustible, eg wood/plasterboard) of at least that was the case with ours anyway!https://www.pejseringen.dk/shop/product/wiking-mir...
Something like that landed in the UK would be quite an attractive option
You have a very similar house layout to mine but I don’t have an internal door through to the garage. Can you tell me if you you get much heat loss though this door as I would like to install one but worried the temp in the hallway going down. Also is the door some kind of security door?
nadger said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Interesting, I'm looking for a centrepiece stove for our latest build and could do with something like this;
https://www.pejseringen.dk/shop/product/wiking-mir...
Something like that landed in the UK would be quite an attractive option
I should also add that we went with the glass sides option on ours, and it’s definitely an excellent choice. However be aware it means you cannot mount it in a corner, as the glass sides need to be further away from the wall than metal sides (presuming walls are combustible, eg wood/plasterboard) of at least that was the case with ours anyway!https://www.pejseringen.dk/shop/product/wiking-mir...
Something like that landed in the UK would be quite an attractive option
Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it.
sandman77 said:
You have a very similar house layout to mine but I don’t have an internal door through to the garage. Can you tell me if you you get much heat loss though this door as I would like to install one but worried the temp in the hallway going down. Also is the door some kind of security door?
We don’t seem to lose any heat at all that I have noticed. The door is a fire door and has internal only locks (sorry, don’t know what they’re called, but the hole is round and only accessible from inside the house, so it is possible to secure the door from the inside in addition to the Yale lock).Hope that helps!
LaurasOtherHalf said:
As it’s a small external chimney in this one I’ll be installing as you have “in the room” so to speak, hence me wanting something with a bit of wow factor-side glass, pedestal design etc
Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it.
Well good luck with it! I honestly could not be happier with ours and would heartily recommend having a feature fire like it to anyone. Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it.
So approximately a year ago I said on here that I hoped to have something exciting to update you all with. Well it’s taken a while longer than anticipated (about 6 months longer in fact!) however it’s finally over the line, so here goes....
I’ve bought a castle!
Well, ok, a bit of a castle!
Yeah, ok. The ramparts of a castle.
Yeah, yeah. Alright. I’ve bought the remains of a mound upon which in the 12th century there was a wall of a motte and bailey castle, but I do also own a bit of a moat, so that totally counts, right?!
To say I’m excited is an understatement! The only downside is that the site is totally neglected and in need of sorting out (there’s a bramble patch about the size of a bungalow in it!).
In total we have bought about half an acre of land, in which is said aforementioned castle. It backs on to our current garden and will be fenced off and become an extension of the garden in the near future (once I have some money after paying for the land!).
Now all I need is a ride on mower, right?!
Some pics!
The plot. The bramble patch is approximately where the two cars are. They’re not there anymore. I’ve checked!
The bramble patch with son and heir #1 for scale. He’s 5, the patch is about 8 feet high!
I built a gate through from our current garden, which works!
We’re over the moon, as we’ve always wanted a big garden. It’s also brilliant as the mound and moat give the kids some brilliant places to play and be kids (build dens, etc). However I am under no illusions that it’s going to be hard work to get it into shape! However I have made a start!
Wish me luck!
I’ve bought a castle!
Well, ok, a bit of a castle!
Yeah, ok. The ramparts of a castle.
Yeah, yeah. Alright. I’ve bought the remains of a mound upon which in the 12th century there was a wall of a motte and bailey castle, but I do also own a bit of a moat, so that totally counts, right?!
To say I’m excited is an understatement! The only downside is that the site is totally neglected and in need of sorting out (there’s a bramble patch about the size of a bungalow in it!).
In total we have bought about half an acre of land, in which is said aforementioned castle. It backs on to our current garden and will be fenced off and become an extension of the garden in the near future (once I have some money after paying for the land!).
Now all I need is a ride on mower, right?!
Some pics!
The plot. The bramble patch is approximately where the two cars are. They’re not there anymore. I’ve checked!
The bramble patch with son and heir #1 for scale. He’s 5, the patch is about 8 feet high!
I built a gate through from our current garden, which works!
We’re over the moon, as we’ve always wanted a big garden. It’s also brilliant as the mound and moat give the kids some brilliant places to play and be kids (build dens, etc). However I am under no illusions that it’s going to be hard work to get it into shape! However I have made a start!
Wish me luck!
Edited by nadger on Wednesday 14th February 19:32
Well it is amazing the things that one find buried in massive bramble patches in the grounds of one’s castle! 
I believe these are called Cambridge rollers. It’s about 8 feet long and weighs a literal tonne at least! It was fully buried in the bush and came as something of a surprise when we uncovered it!
I believe these are called Cambridge rollers. It’s about 8 feet long and weighs a literal tonne at least! It was fully buried in the bush and came as something of a surprise when we uncovered it!
So the past few days have reduced the bungalow sized bramble patch -
To this! -
I reckon we’ve clearer about 10m x 15m of brambles, which are a lot of brambles! We’ve still got about 5x10m to go, then I’ve got to start digging out the roots! Joy!
Still, it feels great to have made a start1
To this! -
I reckon we’ve clearer about 10m x 15m of brambles, which are a lot of brambles! We’ve still got about 5x10m to go, then I’ve got to start digging out the roots! Joy!
Still, it feels great to have made a start1
So another weekend, another round of bramble cutting! In the process of sorting out the new garden area I have learnt quite a lot about brambles!
1.They're sneaky b
ds, Several of them objected to me cutting them off at the knees by stabbing me in the head. I guess it’s fair enough as they’d probably worked out I was about to toss them onto a pyre, but it is irritating as I will have to put up with another round of the kids at school asking me ‘sir, what’s happened to your head?!” 7.5 billion times over the next week,To make matters worse, Ive also had a hair cut which is always a source of tremendous fascination for them anyway.
2. Whilst brambles burn well, they’re a git to get lit. It’s best to have a decent fire going first and once you get the brambles on that they go like billy-o. Otherwise they sit them smoking away and annoying the neighbours. This may be an obvious point to the more pyrotechnically minded amongst you, but was something of a revelation to me when I worked it out!
3. The hardest part about clearing a bramble patch this size is trying to get into the patch itself. The brambles like to make a break for it, meaning they all seem to head outwards. This means that the periphery of the patch is made up of long, stringy, prickly tendrils. These mat together and are difficult to get through. However once you get through these the main stems seem to stand pretty much straight up, giving you the chance to chop down loads of long brambles which is far more satisfying as it’s significantly more rewarding to drag out a few really long ones at once than raking up little bits of prickly bits.
4. Essential kit for removing brambles is a brush cutter and a brush hook/machete. I’ve got a Fiskars WoodXpert XA3 and I love it! It’s the most manly thing I own and, if I’m honest, have probably ever owned! However I do have to watch it, as my son seems hell bent on using it to remove one of his own limbs every time I put it down.
I think Ive now broken the back of this mega-patch, which is a relief! However it is also frustrating as I’d just broken through to the aforementioned area with the tall stalks and could see the end was nigh when I had to come in to remove the smell of smoke from my body and take son 1 on a bike ride, as he was unable to attend a b’day party under the 48hr rule after having vomited over one of his classmates on Friday. Nice.
So this is where we stand now!
Ive also done the PH thing and made slow cooker pulled pork today. Started like this -
Whilst typing this up, it’s currently cooking down the juices and looks like this -
😋
1.They're sneaky b
ds, Several of them objected to me cutting them off at the knees by stabbing me in the head. I guess it’s fair enough as they’d probably worked out I was about to toss them onto a pyre, but it is irritating as I will have to put up with another round of the kids at school asking me ‘sir, what’s happened to your head?!” 7.5 billion times over the next week,To make matters worse, Ive also had a hair cut which is always a source of tremendous fascination for them anyway. 2. Whilst brambles burn well, they’re a git to get lit. It’s best to have a decent fire going first and once you get the brambles on that they go like billy-o. Otherwise they sit them smoking away and annoying the neighbours. This may be an obvious point to the more pyrotechnically minded amongst you, but was something of a revelation to me when I worked it out!
3. The hardest part about clearing a bramble patch this size is trying to get into the patch itself. The brambles like to make a break for it, meaning they all seem to head outwards. This means that the periphery of the patch is made up of long, stringy, prickly tendrils. These mat together and are difficult to get through. However once you get through these the main stems seem to stand pretty much straight up, giving you the chance to chop down loads of long brambles which is far more satisfying as it’s significantly more rewarding to drag out a few really long ones at once than raking up little bits of prickly bits.
4. Essential kit for removing brambles is a brush cutter and a brush hook/machete. I’ve got a Fiskars WoodXpert XA3 and I love it! It’s the most manly thing I own and, if I’m honest, have probably ever owned! However I do have to watch it, as my son seems hell bent on using it to remove one of his own limbs every time I put it down.
I think Ive now broken the back of this mega-patch, which is a relief! However it is also frustrating as I’d just broken through to the aforementioned area with the tall stalks and could see the end was nigh when I had to come in to remove the smell of smoke from my body and take son 1 on a bike ride, as he was unable to attend a b’day party under the 48hr rule after having vomited over one of his classmates on Friday. Nice.
So this is where we stand now!
Ive also done the PH thing and made slow cooker pulled pork today. Started like this -
Whilst typing this up, it’s currently cooking down the juices and looks like this -
😋
Excellent piece of land there mate! I have experience of clearing brambles and I think I have developed the best method. You need a hedge cutter and a rotary mower, both of which should be powerful and petrol/2 stroke to make it easier. Hire if you have to.
Raise the mower to its highest cutting height and take the grass box off. Cut into the brambles; really ram the mower in then drag it out; this is not a time for delicacy. When you reach the point that you cant cut any more brambles with the mower its time for the hedge cutter. Cut "slices" of brambles off so they lay on the floor so you can mow them. Once you have cut all the brambles you can reach, its time for the mower again. Repeat.
You will end up with a mulch of brambles on the floor so you wont need a fire. When new brambles sprout just mow them.
Raise the mower to its highest cutting height and take the grass box off. Cut into the brambles; really ram the mower in then drag it out; this is not a time for delicacy. When you reach the point that you cant cut any more brambles with the mower its time for the hedge cutter. Cut "slices" of brambles off so they lay on the floor so you can mow them. Once you have cut all the brambles you can reach, its time for the mower again. Repeat.
You will end up with a mulch of brambles on the floor so you wont need a fire. When new brambles sprout just mow them.
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
Excellent piece of land there mate! I have experience of clearing brambles and I think I have developed the best method. You need a hedge cutter and a rotary mower, both of which should be powerful and petrol/2 stroke to make it easier. Hire if you have to.
Raise the mower to its highest cutting height and take the grass box off. Cut into the brambles; really ram the mower in then drag it out; this is not a time for delicacy. When you reach the point that you cant cut any more brambles with the mower its time for the hedge cutter. Cut "slices" of brambles off so they lay on the floor so you can mow them. Once you have cut all the brambles you can reach, its time for the mower again. Repeat.
You will end up with a mulch of brambles on the floor so you wont need a fire. When new brambles sprout just mow them.
Thanks for the advice! I did wonder about something like this, but was advised against it as I was told that brambles can sprout from very small pieces? Not sure if it’s true, but ideally I’d like to do all I can to prevent them coming back (I know I won’t be able to get rid of 100% of them first go round!), hence my policy of killing them with fire! Plus, who doesn’t like burning stuff?! ;-) Raise the mower to its highest cutting height and take the grass box off. Cut into the brambles; really ram the mower in then drag it out; this is not a time for delicacy. When you reach the point that you cant cut any more brambles with the mower its time for the hedge cutter. Cut "slices" of brambles off so they lay on the floor so you can mow them. Once you have cut all the brambles you can reach, its time for the mower again. Repeat.
You will end up with a mulch of brambles on the floor so you wont need a fire. When new brambles sprout just mow them.
I’ve got some Glyphosphate (sp?) in to try to also kill any sprouts back later in the year.
So time has continued to move on and more work has been completed on the garden!
Firstly the fencing has started to go up -
It’s due to be finished next week, but the rest of the fencing is due to be put up by another contractor in a couple of weeks as those neighbours wanted 6 foot fences rather than post and rail.
In order to make access into the new garden area easier, swmbo kept wittering on about taking down the smaller of the two sheds at the back of what used to be our garden. That was actually quite a lot of fun, and has resulted in this -
I’ve also begun to break up the concrete base, which is most definitely not fun. At all. In the slightest!!
Firstly the fencing has started to go up -
It’s due to be finished next week, but the rest of the fencing is due to be put up by another contractor in a couple of weeks as those neighbours wanted 6 foot fences rather than post and rail.
In order to make access into the new garden area easier, swmbo kept wittering on about taking down the smaller of the two sheds at the back of what used to be our garden. That was actually quite a lot of fun, and has resulted in this -
I’ve also begun to break up the concrete base, which is most definitely not fun. At all. In the slightest!!
bunn89 said:
How did you even realise the land was for sale and go about purchasing it!? It looks like you've just went from having an average back garden to one that all your neighbours will envy!
That is going to be a gigantic plot now can't wait to see progress
It all sort of fell into place to be honest! We bought the place in sept 2016 because we wanted to be in the village, but also because we liked the open aspect to the rear (our old house had a primary school behind it, so we were quite used to it!). We’d always intended to ask the owners if it might be possible to buy some if the land behind the house (it was quite neglected as you may have noticed!). However on the Friday after we moved in I spotted on rightmove that the whole plot was for sale, for building houses on! That wasn’t a pleasant moment, I can tell you!That is going to be a gigantic plot now can't wait to see progress
Luckily the presence of an ancient listed monument in the site made it unviable financially to build on, and it turned out that one of the owners was my eldest’s TA st school, so my wife approached her and asked if it might be possible to buy some of the land. They agreed, we haggled and reached an agreement, and 1.5 years later (honestly!!!) we bought it! The transaction took forever, but I’m so pleased it’s finally gone through!
Thanks for your kind words about the potential! My neighbour spends a lot of his time taking the mickey out of how much I have to do to get it sorted, but hopefully in the fullness of time, he’ll be jealous! Our neighbour to the rear has bought 2 acres of the field, so I have to be envious of him now!! ;-)
Just to bring the thread up to date, I ordered a skip from Mick George in Cambs. If anyone in the local area needs a skip, I can heartily recomendvtyem, as not only did they turn up when they said they would, and gave me a free upgrade to an 8 yard skip with door rather than the 6 yard skip if paid for, two hours later another skip lorry arrived and tried to give me a second skip I hadn’t actually ordered!
Anyway, this was the outcome with the concrete skip base. My poor wheelbarrow is now somewhat the worse for wear (and a totally different shape to what it started life as!!)
Anyway, this was the outcome with the concrete skip base. My poor wheelbarrow is now somewhat the worse for wear (and a totally different shape to what it started life as!!)
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