The work continues

  After the boys went yesterday, we got on with the job of tiling the plinth or pad for the wood burner. It wasn't an easy job and one we'd never done before as the tiles were 60 X 60 and a centimetre thick. Very different to work with than ordinary kitchen/bathroom tiles

We cut them with an angle grinder as we didn't have a tile cutter man enough for the job and whilst our lines weren't exactly spot on, it doesn't look too bad and besides, once the chunky old wood burner is on top of them, no-one's going to get close enough to notice.

We will be grouting them tonight and adding some more small glass tiles around the edge to cover the glaring issues, but all told, not a bad job.

The new Invicta is currently sat atop its plinth ready to have its pipes attached - which may be tomorrow or perhaps Monday, but we're well pleased and will post pictures when complete.

The new Invicta -
a much bigger woodburner than
the Supra we used to have 

We're looking forward to firing it up and being able to cook 'poule au pot' without using the oven.

The boys didn't stop when they'd finished putting the blockwork down for the plinth, but instead, ripped the side of our house off.

As you can see from the pics below, the house is stone on the ground floor and columbage above.

The outside has to be re-clad and today is a bonus for us as the boys are off getting the cladding ready to fix up tomorrow - weather permitting. They're also getting the cabling for the rewire and possibly other odds and sods.



The place is currently an absolute tip inside and whilst we try and keep it clean and tidy, it's akin to trying to sweep air into a heap. We just have to do the best we can.

Thankfully it won't be a building site inside for too much longer. All this work maybe very exciting, but an absolute pain in the arse as far as living in it is concerned.

The swishing noise of the polythene dust covers as we walk past has already lost its appeal and despite our best efforts, everything's still covered in dust.

We are looking forward to the rewire as we don't have a single domestic fuse in the house and whilst the electric works, if anything should go, it'll take out the lot and who knows what will happen to the delicate electronics like the computer and BluRay we have hanging out of the walls.

I know surface mount is a little unsightly, but in the great scheme of things, the cost would have gone through the roof, or the work we would have to do to 'make good' would be astronomical.

All things considered, once done, it shouldn't be too noticeable and the peace of mind it will provide will be stupendous. I was glad when the electrician told us that first and second fix will go in before the switchover occurs, so we won't be without during the job.

After that, we get the plumbing, our new kitchen gets put in and the big front bedroom will be converted into my office and the bathroom - that's separate rooms.

Not looking forward to the work that entails. The're going to have to cut a new doorway for the office, which will mean shed-loads of dust everywhere - again ...