What are you all up to
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Will see you there, then! Been there quite a few times and it is a lovely site. I have friends in Lincoln and Ros has a friend in Woodhall Spa so we will be doing a bit of visiting/entertaining. Debating whether or not to take the BBQ but why not - we all year round vanners are a hardy bunch!! Look out for βThe Beastβ when we arrive on Monday!
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We walked over the meadow from the Mill and along the track as far as Godmanchester Nature Reserve, and viewed the fancy properties, before lunch and then went into the mill as it was open. They weren't operating the mill but had opened up the cafe and shop as well as they were hoping to attract some new volunteers. We then had a short walk around the village and did in fact see the Alpacas.There were quite a few people looking around the pods and facilities, although we didn't realise it was an open day. We could well go back on Tuesday and walk The Tinkers Trail into St Ives.
As a matter of interest they are building a new Aldi at St Ives, opposite the Morrisons. Bet they're pleased!!
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Glad you saw the alpacas nellie. Such pretty animals. Interesting to hear about the new Aldi. We shopped in the Morrisona last year and found them rather expensive!
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Don't know when it will be finished, millie, but they don't hang about getting them built once they start, although I can't see it being completed before your first visit to Houghton Mill.
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DD has started "moving in" to her new utility room, will take her a while, and there are so many cupboards I have no idea what she will find to put in them all!
The females in the family say one can never have too many cupboards in a house, so I will have to go along with that.
We have 5 good cupboards off our downstairs hall, plus cupboards or wardrobes in all 5 bedrooms, some are very big, and 3 more cupboards upstairs, and 2 good lofts, so are well served.
As DD's place is a ground floor flat in a big house, she has no loft, but lots of wardrobes/cupboards in the bedrooms, 2 huge cupboards off the hall, and 2 store rooms off the utility room plus a walk in wardrobe room off the hall that she has fitted shelves in, so excellent storage even before the utility room was refitted.
And of course the double garage, meantime my workspace!
Just some little things to finish in the utility room, so nearly there.
DD is writing a new list of jobs for me.
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You're just too good with your hands, Kjell, doing all this work. Wonder if she'd even think about getting so much done if she had to employ someone to do the work? Hope that the the end is in site for you. You'll need the time away in your caravan to build up strength and will power to continue with the other jobs she's got planned!!
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If you Skybarn visitors want a nice little indoor visit, not far from Site, ask about the little transport museum. Under cover, cheap to get in (Charity) and a great couple of hours.
We are in our holiday cottage......lovelyπ
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You are right Nellie, they could not have afforded to pay someone to do all that I have done. When we viewed the property, almost 2 years back, it looked great, ready to move into, nothing to be done, but sadly that was not the case once they moved in and dug deeper. Lots of good materials used, but a lot of poor workmanship that was not immediately obvious.
The only thing planned was to add a bath as there were "only" 4 shower rooms. But one thing led to another.....as often happens in houses.
Having designed and had built our own house, and DD having previously bought a new house where she could choose all the kitchen/bathroom layouts and fittings, socket numbers and positions, radiator positions etc, she is used to having things as she wants them. So where possible I have sorted this for her, but there have of course had to be compromises
They have to keep their savings to pay for a new roof on the existing extension as it is leaking every time there are strong winds and heavy rain. The slope on the roof in places is too shallow for tiles, which is what has been used, so they are going to have it done in zinc, and also fitting 3 Velux Long Lights.
DD is hoping to get a quote to have the shower and toilet in their bathroom replaced, to save me having to do it. She is worrying that she is overworking me! A fairly easy job that does not need any alterations to the standard fittings, so no additional costs IMO. Hopefully the quote will be affordable. if not, then I would not mind doing it, it just all takes time.
She is saving me for the "customised" jobs!!
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Had a phone call from the Conservatory company to say they want to start work on Monday. So we have been busy getting everything out of the old one. We have taken the blinds down and surprised how big the current one looks. Whilst it looks in good condition (see below) there are some patches of rot as its made of timber despite regular painting over the years. Can't really complain as we purchased it from Wickes 15 years ago at a cost of Β£2500. In those days I was able to build it myself but not sure I could face it now. The new one will be UPVC so hopefully won't have any issue with rot!!!
David
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KjNelln you certainly are keeping very busy I'm delighted that you're able to undertake these jobs and have the stamina to stay with it for so long. No need to worry about filling empty hours π. Delighted you've got a caravan break booked, have a great time and spoil yourself and your wife with days of 'do as you please'. I hope your daughter and son in law realise just how lucky they are that they have exactly what they want without the hassle of finding and supervising workmen, (not to mention the cost!) something I'm finding isn't as easy as OH and I doing it ourselves!!
DavidKlyne another project immediately on top of the kitchen π±. Mind you I agree with your logic of getting it done to free up touring time.
Ours are on top of each other because of last years 'neglect', I wish we had a trip to look forward to but no time to even think about about another 'van at the mo. Things progressing slowly at mum's. Solicitor submitted forms to HMRC hopefully they'll agree nothing to pay in IHT no it is not a large estate by any means, well within current limits then on to probate. She's hoping all sorted in 10 weeks π―. Why are things so complex? She and dad left straightforward wills......
We ordered new blinds for our conservatory n January following having had the roof replaced at the end of last year. Apparently 3 lots of the material we chose rejected with faults, we have now chosen a different colour as there was to be a long delay to secure more. We were torn between 2 colours originally, hopefully they'll be ready next week, somewhat longer than the 3-4 weeks estimating. Added to this the shower upgrade where it when it was turned off it kept running......... oh and the new gas fire that has already had a new ignition since being fitted late November. Been in the shop again twice in the last week, a local self owned been there 30 years recommended by friends too, keep being promised someone will come out to check it out.
Once to read of others holidays trips, tours and doings. Must shift now we're on grand dog walking duties this morning. Been a very windy night hitting our room at son and DIL house. Some rain but hopefully not enough to curtail DIL drilling. Son off already to play golf - hope he does well as he's a sub for someone on holiday in Oz and it's the semi-final. Lunch later, Sunday roast, with mother of DIL to look forward to.
Enjoy your day folks.
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It seems to be the season of DIY and the like on here: we started on our kitchen towards the end of January. Initially OH was going to do some of it himself, but employ someone to do the "heavy" work, as we also wanted to install a door from the kitchen into the dining area. Then along came our nextdoor neighbour, who used to be a manager for several DIY chains, such as B&Q, Homebase etc. He's been retired for a few years now, but is very much into DIY. He offered to help install the kitchen, as well as putting the new door in to the dining area. We've had good neighbours in the past, but this is taking it to another level. He simply said that he's got time on his hands, loves doing things like kitchens, bathrooms, etc and he finds it therapeutic.
So for about the last 5-6 weeks he and OH have spent quite a lot of time and are now nearing the end. They've put the new door in, put new plasterboard on 2 of the walls, installed the units, microwave, oven, hob and sink, and are now putting the fridge in place. We've done some of it ourselves, as the neighbour of course also has his own life to lead!
The kitchen is looking so nice now; the person who lived here before hadn't done anything to it for a long time, proved by the piece of newspaper OH found behind one of the old units, which was used as packing. The date was 11 April 1981!!
As for finding bad workmanship as per Kjelnn's DD's house: it was similar here, especially the electric wiring. Luckily OH used to earn his living in the electrical/electronics world, so has virtually had to rewire everything and make it all safe, which it wasn't before.
Glad the work is coming to an end, as the upheaval and dust at times has been quite trying, but it's all worth it!
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Kj, my own Dad was not one to renovate anything, in fact if he appeared with a paint roller in his hand we all took cover! So your daughter is lucky to have you and I hope she doesn't overwork you too much!
DK, our conservatory from Wickes eventually fell apart due to the wood rotting. Ours was on stone half walls so it was quite substantial but the "Wickes" bit wasn't. We started afresh and used a local company and builder, we've ended up with a usable all year round room so we're quite glad the last one fell apart! Hope yours goes well.
Just been "told" we'll have a whippet visiting just before Easter...arghh, it will be little and large and a lot of bouncing around! πππ
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Thanks brue, I certainly will, it's a whole new life in there, with all the mod cons. It'll probably take me a while to get used to all this new-fangled cooking, as I've now got an induction hob.
BTW, David K, ours is a Wickes kitchen too, it seems pretty well made. Mind you, compared to the one we've just taken out, that's quite easy to achieve!!
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Sounds like lots of you have been busy, hope all DIY jobs go well.
Nellie, it sounds like you are having a good trip, we visited Wicken Fen and Ely last March, a very windy few days if I remember .
Met up with a friend last night in town, lots of catching up over a few drinks. Late night so slow start to the day, few household jobs done, and the ironing. OH had another trip to the optician to fix his glasses, he hasn't had much luck with this pair.
He has also been busy making Tea Loaves this afternoon, he seems to be getting into baking, perhaps I will have to enter him on "Bake Off" 
Safe travels to all those heading off, and have a great time away.
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Had a trouble free drive down to our CL before getting the ferry on Wednesday.
Off to see my brother and SiL tomorrow. Well I did promise Mrs WN a slap up meal for our anniversary (41) tomorrow, just didn't tell her brother would be cooking it.
Last of the big spenders eh?Boy, it was a bit windy in the outfit last night. Could do with a good nights sleep tonight.
No kissing strangers now. Behave yourselves.
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Congratulations Mr and Mrs Wherenext, a year ahead of us, we were 40 in January. We must have been children when we tied the knot π ππΎπ»πΉ
It was very windy just south of Peterborough buffeting the house windows plus throwing some rain at the panes! Nice few hours catching up with son and DIL, one field drilled over Saturday afternoon Sunday morning, only another 60% of the farm to do now - as a lot of what was in before Christmas has been drowned π±.
Tammygirl fill your case with hand sanitizers you'll make your fortune. You can even flog them direct from your suitcase DelBoy fashion. Hospitals are reporting it being stolen from the end if patients beds. What us the matter with people???
Stay safe folks. Coughs and sneezes spread diseases catch them in your hankichief - who remembers that from their early school days??
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OH was just saying that her dad was a bit like yours, apparently the only time he decided to do some wallpapering, he ended up putting his foot into the paste bucket! He was banned after that!
I do enjoy doing woodwork, I suppose kitchens etc could come under that heading, and when you DIY it, at least you get what you want, and know it has been done right, which is important.
Our house is now 32 years old and, other than replacing bits and pieces, adding some extra units, and of course swapping rooms around as things changed, we still have most of the original fittings. It was all good stuff originally and has lasted well, so reluctant to change things unnecessarily. We like what we have, so will mainly leave it to others to modernise when we are "gone".
We are however considering changing a couple of the bathrooms from baths with shower over to walk in showers, so will be following DDs quest to find a good bathroom fitter with interest. Should it turn out expensive, I could always tackle it myself!
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Off to Wyatts Covert in the morning for a few days. I've given up waiting for the weather to improve.
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Glad you made it safely down to the S. Coast, WM. Congratulations to you both for tomorrow, enjoy your visit to your brother. Hope that the sea's calm for your crossing on Wednesday.
Have a good trip out in the M/H, CY.
After a windy night it was fine and sunny this morning so got the washing done. Decided not to leave it out when we went walking from the site and a good job that OH had taken it in before setting off, as it came on rain just after we'd had our lunch. The showers only lasted a short while but the clothes would have been rather wet by the time we got back to the van.
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As I write this the old Conservatory is in the process of demolition. Its seems to be putting up some resistance which suggests I made a reasonable job of putting it up in the first place!!! As they removed the old double glazed panels it has exposed a bit more rot which only goes to confirm the need to have it changed! They are working in bright sunshine at the moment but I think rain is due later. I have my eye test a little later so will have to leave them to it.
David
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No, I don't expect so!
We really only want the baths replaced with showers, the toilets and basins are fine, the problem is that we do not have enough spare tiles to fill in where the baths are, so are wondering what the best plan is as the rest of the bathroom is fully tiled.
DD's sister in law has just had a new bathroom fitted and has recommended the fitter, (they purchased all the fittings and materials themselves) as he was very tidy and did not leave any mess. DD is going to get him to quote for a shower and toilet swap, so we will see how that works out.
We can do the tiling, but she will get him to quote with and without tiling. Just been out today to pick up the rest of the new tiles that will be needed.
She needs new plumbing as the present shower is electric, we just need a straight replacement, so should not be too expensive.
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