The roof is off the conservatory now and we are open to the elements. Thank goodness our builder is local, he lives just across the road, and knows vagaries of our valley weather so well. Every time he says it's going to rain .... it does!!
We were a bit dismayed when he didn't come to take the roof off on Friday of last week, we were expecting him ..... and then a couple of hours into the morning the heavens opened, and they didn't stop for the rest of the day. Today the guys have all sprung into action, the final supporting steel is in place and the wood is being attached. There will be enough wood in place to hold a covering on for the night and then tomorrow the rest of the wooden beams will be installed.
Seemingly we should be 'felted and battened' by Thursday.
But it's making things very cold here in the house. With no heating and no hot water the only way to get warm is either to stand next to the Aga or huddle up to the wood burner, but I'm trying not to light it too early as all the heat will just escape out of the open house doors and through the cracks in the wood that is protecting the kitchen from the roofless conservatory. It's laid and ready and later when work for the day is finished I will light it up, close the living room door and keep warm for the evening.
Warming, stodgy foods are called for and once again I reached for the ready made pastry, at just £1 a pack on special offer it was worth buying to stash in the fridge for quick meals. I think anything tastes good when wrapped in pastry!
These were Spinach, Feta and Carrot, I didn't season them well enough but they served the purpose and a pasty each made for a good warming and filling meal.
I've also decided that hot water bottles are not just for bed time, as I sit here typing in the freezing cold office I have one on my knee, warming me through and giving me something to warm my hands on while I check for spelling mistakes ..... and yes, I've found that cold fingers make more spelling mistakes than warm ones...... or maybe it's my brain that's frozen ;-)
They were the best £1.99 each money I've spent for a long time.
Sue xx
Oh dear! I do feel for you. I have just lit the wood burner and have had the heating on all day. Absolute bliss!! However all good things come to an abrupt end on Wednesday when Hubby (the heating police!) and son come back from Abu Dhabi, so enjoying my last few days of a warm house!!! Hope the weather holds for the felt and battening!! X
ReplyDeleteCould you hang a heavy blanket or a sheet of plastic over the opening where the wood is?
ReplyDeleteI could if I had either .... but the guys move the wood at the bottom left to one side when they come through to brew up, so it would make life more difficult for them if I added anything to the arrangement. They HAVE done their best to make sure there are only teeny, tiny gaps in the wood.
DeleteI was going to suggest the same!
Deletethat is excellent that you have found a builder that knows the area and how the weather can change instead of just completing it no matter what. That is a good builder. could you add some plastic over the wood to keep the drafts out?
ReplyDeleteSue, good job with the builder. I could have maybe been just a bit better time of year for the project, so you wouldn't be freezing. The oven helps!
ReplyDeleteWe applied for the Planning Permission way back in April, never for a moment thinking we would still be waiting for it now!!
DeleteAs Sol said, at least you have a decent builder ...
ReplyDeleteI too have done the 'hot water bottle' on lap thing - it works surprisingly well.
Ooh Sue, keep warm!! At least they are getting on with it now.
ReplyDeleteWe wouldnt be without our hot water bottles, they are great for keeping warm at the computer desk :-) once your new roof is on you will be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Pasties look delicious :-) x
ReplyDeleteIt's horrible for you to be so cold. It will all be over soon though and you'll feel wonderful when it's all finished, try and hold on to that.
ReplyDeleteJean x
Chris swears by his hot water bottle.....with him away I have appropriated it
ReplyDeleteHope it's all worth it in the end!
ReplyDeleteHope they batten it down this week!
Blessings!
I'll make you a hot toddy,OK?
ReplyDeleteJane x
Ooh, roll on end of the week then. It's blimming freezing here today
ReplyDeleteI couldn't manage at night without my hottie bottle. It starts off at my feet then migrates up the bed and I end up cuddling it. Definitely minus something here last night and everything is white this morning - but dry!!! Hope it stays dry with you and you get your work finished soon x
ReplyDeleteNo envy here, it's very frosty still and the sun is coming out.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you have your roof and building work finished soon.xxx
Oh Sue, I hope it gets completed quickly for you.
ReplyDeleteYou will enjoy it when it is finished - just short term discomfort for long term gain! (So easy for me to say that whilst sitting here by a nice warm fire!!)
ReplyDelete