20th September 2024 - Slabs and buttresses, and history

Thought for the day :"The joke about trickle down economics is that 99% of you won't get it "

Dry

Clearing the car park 

And so we get a visit from a couple who are visiting in the area while on holiday.

They live in the Banbury area and it turns out that they used to holiday at Ffynnon Wen in a caravan which looks to be situated somewhere near the current location of the Yurt. The told us much of how they remembered the grounds which have changed a lot in the 55 years that have passed since their visits here. Interestingly they remember the extension and not the cottage thought they agree that it must have been there. So we can date the extension to at least the mid 60's if not before. 

Interesting times 

In other news...

I am old and I just realized I still have so many unanswered questions!!!! I never found out who let the Dogs Out...where's the beef...how to get to Sesame Street... why Dora doesn't just use Google Maps...why eggs are packaged in a flimsy paper carton, but batteries are secured in plastic that's tough as nails...why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed... why "abbreviated" is such a long word... why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor yet dish-washing liquid is made with real lemons... why they sterilize the needle for lethal injections... and, why do you have to "put your two cents in" but it's only a "penny for your thoughts" where's that extra penny going to... why do "The Alphabet Song" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" have the same tune... why did you just try to sing those two previous songs... and just what is Victoria's secret? ...and do you really think I am this witty?! 

I actually got this from a friend, who stole it from her brother's girlfriend's, uncle's cousin's, who lived next door to my old classmate's mail man. 

Cheers 

19th September 2024 - Building Update

Thought for the day :"I understand the responsibility of being a responsible adult - but every day? Every single day? That seems excessive"

Dry

Slabs down for the buttresses

Cheers 

18th September 2024 - Horses and Structures

Thought for the day :"When I look in the mirror and I see grey hair, wrinkles and liver spots and I realise that they do not make mirrors as well as they used to "

Dry

More views of the wall area as it is stripped off - showing the level of problem 

I feel like I am in an episode of Grand Designs !!

Seems the upstairs bathroom and toilet go out towards the road before finding their way back to the main drainage 

The problem Corner - well one of them 

But, we get a visit from Zephyr and Kinder - so all is well

Cheers 

17th September 2024 - More Walls and Duck Enclosure

Thought for the day :"Pushed some percussion instruments down the hill. Drum roll please."

Dry 

today's progress 

Susie works on the Duck enclosure - creating an outside walk area and connecting the automatic door 

They are still too small to use the platform and door - but they are getting bigger 

Meanwhile we unearth the window on the road wall - and as you can see there is no lintel 

just some bricks 

and whereas they are meant to support the wall and take the pressure off the window - it seems that they were happy to let the window support the rest of the wall!!

Back wall now to be buttressed

middle area to have an additional buttress

This corner is coming completely away for the rest of the wall and has been previously underpinned

It will require a full buttress to hold it in place..

 

Cheers !

16th September 2024 - Monthly Roundup - Mainly House

Thought for the day :"Stop posting your problems on Facebook and go to the Tavern like everyone else"

Dry (and a little sunny)

Time for the monthly post 

Pinned Post - 16th September 2024

So as we hit our monthly anniversary, this month has been mainly affected by our decision that a 300+ year old cottage really ought not to have render on the outside but should have a proper lime covering and a lime wash to keep the walls breathing and remove chances of damp.

We have not really suffered from much damp but there are sections of wall which show that moisture is penetrating.

It all seemed a really good idea and last year we had some quotes for doing the work. Removal of the current render and then pointing and washing with lime. The estimates seemed to be pretty affordable, in the range of £5,000 if no real problems were identified.

Late August and work started, not with the original tender but with a friend/builder who, lucky for us, has specialised in the past in renovating old cottages.

We were lucky in making this decision, for after starting to remove the covering on the pine end it quickly became clear that previous work on the building was of a very poor nature, and the age of the building did not help.

When the outer render was removed - the stones were just crumbling and loose to the touch.

The roof had previously been raised - we do not know exactly when but we are thinking in the early 60's.

I have since found some plans that specified that the existing stonework should have a ring beam and block work, with insulation blocks on the interior wall.

It seems that they got the plans and then decided to go ahead without using those specifications. The Blockwork at the top where the cottage has been raised is sitting on the old stone work - and it looks as though the gap (which was normally just filled with any old rubbish) was allowed to get wet while the job was being done so all the lime mortar has just crumbled into earth.

As a result each of the walls are bulging under the weight, and some underpinning at the east corner shows that the corner has dropped allowing the whole section to start coming adrift.

The solution has been to rebuild the Pine end - put a new ring beam, and rebuild the block work - then point the stone and lime render it all.

The side walls have been a different problem and the decision is to put three buttresses to hold the stonework in place.

And so, on our anniversary - we have the pine end rebuilt and starting on the side walls (the part facing the road).

This could be a long job - but Dave the Builder is still smiling - he is doing a great job - but it will not be quick.

Hopefully I am not posting the same message next anniversary 

However - we are still open for visitors - and look forward to seeing you if you can drop in 

Iain & Susie   

Cheers 

15th September 2024 - Rainy Sunday at the Tavern - Undeterred

Thought for the day :"Ate the last piece of Cheese yesterday, and today it rained. Ain't no Sunshine when cheese gone!"

Rain 

So we get another rainy day for the Tavern but people still seem to be undeterred 

Had the pleasure of Richard and Jill Marshall popping in in full Sealed Knot Costume with friends 

In other news had an old photo from Royal Order of Scotland 

Finished all the keg ale by lunchtime  and was on bottles for the day - used two cases so justifies not having the additional Keg.

All in all seems to be a successful weekend - will have to do the sums of course but think we should be near to £200 for the Charity - £85 in the Charity Pot which is a good start .

In other news - a small tale about DramBuie

Cheers