Windows - Update # 31

3 August 2015

We've opted to wait until we arrive to decide on the height and size of the bed platform in the dépendance. Tom says he can erect it while we are there, and this way, there won't be any surprises... Maybe we'll decide against having a bed platform at all, and just go with the room as is.

In the meantime, Tom has done the two small windows that were part of the original structure: the one facing the barn won't open, but the other will.

The pics came through on Friday:

Looking from the outside into the dépendance and out through the door on the opposite side.

From the inside this time, looking through the gable-end non-opening window at the the barn. Note the lime render over the tanking...

In other news, John (the gardener) has written to say that he popped over to check things out - it's been terribly hot - and found that the little meadow area that he'd left uncut on our instructions has been carefully mown by 'Someone'. No prizes for guessing who. I guess it was rather small, and it might have looked (to some) as if those incompetent Ros Beef had messed up again and missed a bit... Hoo boy - looks as if we'll have to explain our garden plan to J-M...

Only 6 more sleeps till we can see it all for ourselves. Let's hope the weather holds.

Tanking, tick. Update # 30

7 July 2015

Lots of we-hoped-meaningful silence from La Fromagerie. And then, a new photo update from Tom in this morning's inbox:

The black waterproofing will be hidden by lime mortar.

So.

Let's hope we hear more soon.

Only 4.5 weeks until we can see for ourselves... :)

Small but perfect - Update # 29

1 July 2015

It's been a busy time at La Fromagerie. The weather has been kind and has allowed the guys to get on with the project.  Mid-week last week, Tom reported that:

Concrete floor is finished. 
Ceiling is insulated, plasterboarded and plastered.
Brian (electrician) has finished his first fix.
Gregg has been pointing the walls. Pointing will be finished tomorrow, the tanking/skirt will be done the day after.
The materials are on site for the mezzanine sleeping floor.
I've not bought the window yet.
I'll get you some photos before the end of the week.

Tom did send some photos through:

I rather like the bucket still life. 

Gregg's pointing handiwork

Brian has done his first fix.

The mezzanine should tuck in above the door quite nicely.

According to Tom's latest email, there is still some masonry work to do: the concrete will need to be rendered and hidden with the same pointing mortar. The photos (trust me) show that the bottom of the walls are ready for tanking, and Tom reckons he'll do about 300mm up from the floor all the way around. By 'tanking', he means waterproofing, using black bitumen with a key and then rendered with lime mortar, so it's hidden.

Now we're waiting for sketches of the mezzanine, so we can pore over them and make final suggestions and adjustments. And we have to discuss the wooden flooring. It's got to be moderately robust, humidity-resistant, and inexpensive. Though we're talking a tiny area here, I realise.

And we've had no word back from J-M's son J-M, the menuisier, in response to our two emails, so we'll have to ask Tom to fit the front door and organise glazing for the A-frame. You can't say we haven't tried to get the locals involved!