There's a new kid on the block - Update # 25

15 January 2015

We have been waiting with bated breath to see our little dépendance transformed from ruin to safe-as-houses cutie.

Tom's photos don't disappoint. He clearly knows what he is about, that man! He and Gregg have been flat out on the little building since getting back to work after the New Year, and it shows.

In Tom's words:

The weather here has been quite pleasant considering the time of year, so we have been going flat out to get the dependence done while the going is good. 

The masonry needs to dry out and will benefit a lot from a bit of weathering. 

Safe under glowering skies.

So happy that we have preserved this teeny window, which will be double glazed, though won't open.

This window will be double glazed, and will open.

Don'tcha just love those stones peeking through...and the splayed back wall?!

I think this is an example of what Kevin McCloud would approvingly call an 'honest restoration' - where you can clearly see the old and the new, and they work very beautifully together. In my humble opinion!

Once again, Tom has done a stunning roof in Spanish slate, and he has managed to gain us a bit of head-height along the way....

Tom is still to fit the double-glazed window to the gable end closest to the barn, and after that, we will have to consider digging down the inner floor level, to get maximum head-height, and to accommodate a good-size door.

Our plan is to involve Jean-Marie's son, the menuisier, to help us with the other (opening) window, the glazing of the A frame, and the door...but all in good time. For now, she is safe and sound, and sitting pretty avec sa grande soeur au sommet de leur petite colline :)

The elevation from the road is largely unchanged, apart from that magic roof!

Finally (handing the microphone back to Tom):

Greg and I really enjoyed working on the dependence.

Yes, thank you, guys: we can see that.

Full steam ahead

10 March 2014

Tom is back on site with a vengeance and has sent through photos of his first few days on site.

As he puts it, he's 'had a good clean up' of beams, windows and floors. Note the oak pegs in the A-frame.

The down lighters are in place, thanks to Brian.

This is the kitchen window. Power points and switches are making an appearance...

Tom: 'The screed is drying out nicely and I’m very pleased with it.' Looks good from where I'm standing too, Tom.

This is the pair of windows overlooking the stairwell. We love them! They recall the fact that the wall of the barn stopped short of the roof along  this side of the barn.

And we are delighted that Tom has preserved the fragment of stone wall...

The guys have been working on the external bardage boarding (Larch wood) and managed to finish that by Friday. What d'you think? Rather a nice quirky detail, isn't it? 

Tom expects the window shutters to be delivered to site at the beginning of this week, when they will be all set to start fitting them, having got 'all the fiddly bits' completed last week.

It's all go chez nous.