Batten down the hatches!

After yesterday's frustrating day which has left the front roof half covered with insulation, I decided to change tack and try to get the rear roof felted and battened - afterall it was going to be dry and sunny today (ha ha ha ha).I've managed to do a little under half and build the two valley gutters ready for lining with lead - the saddle (where the two valleys meet) is going to be an utter bastard to make. The weather was brighter this morning but then it was back to the usual torrential rain showers.

Getting the building watertight before I leave for Totnes next weekend is looking less and less likely unless the weather improves.

Hello...I thought this was the South of France?

The longest spell of shit weather I can remember continues and coupled with the impossibilities of safely accessing the top of the current roof pitch to fix the second layer of insulation, progress is slowing to a snails pace and work becoming frustrating.

A visit from Justin, Emily and the twins lifted my spirits.

Chanterelle (Girolles) from the woods

A spotted border moth

Guess what....roofing!

Inside

The dormer this side has windows in the cheeks too

Second roof progressing well despite the continuing crap weather. I'll try to post a picture of something else soon - honest!

Dormer

The dormer is up!

Now I have to do the same for the other roof slope!

There's some leadwork to do for the dormer valley gutters, then I can get the felt and battens up.

More roofing

A frustrating day with intermittent sunshine, heavy showers and wind. Hopefully I should have this side of the roof ready for felt and battens tomorrow.

Goodbye to the sheep

Finished the roof boarding, built the sprocketted eaves, fixed the vapour barrier and insulation and the first counter-batten today. All looking good.

The sheep were collected by their new owners this evening. They seemed very nice and the flock is being kept together. Still very sad though.

More petty theft

I am finding this really irritating...now someone has taken the hayfork from the barn. I use this to muck out the sheep every 3 weeks. The things which are being taken are of no great value to anyone but me...nothing has ever been taken from Quelebu for the 5 years I have lived here and now two thefts in a couple of weeks.

Cold and rainy today so been busy weeding and mucking out the sheep. The sheep are leaving tomorrow...it's very sad. A bumper onion and leek crop this year and the potatoes are also nearly ready to lift.

Progress

Progressing the dormers today...hot and humid.

Dormer

Mostly catching up today...shopping, collecting materials, a viewing at Pont, then a little time to progress the extension. Worked late as I like some progress everyday and managed to get the first dormer window subframe in place.

Totters again.

Back from a week in Totnes. Busy sorting out details for the new slate roof here at Quelebu and procuring random width slates at half the price of those available in France.

A fine day walking on Dartmoor with Dominic and Oscar on Sunday.
A bit more decorating at Susie's then a hectic few days making playing card costumes for Ruby and the other dancers appearing in "Alice in Wonderland".

4 viewings lined up for Pont - it's only been on the website a day, so fingers crossed.

Chimney down!

Pont finally.

After quickly finishing off the insulation and plywood sheathing to the gable studwork, I headed over to Pont. Last few bits of work done and a big clean. At last it's all done!!!

A mammoth day

14 hours today but the roof is up!

Voila!

A big day but what progress, despite having to deliver, rethread and instruct my neighbours on how to use my baler (which they were borrowing) and the pleasant distraction of socialising with my trusty volunteers after lifting the purlins...thanks Chris, Ian, Ben, Alun, Breezy and friends.

Gable studwork

Roasting hot today but the first parts of the gable are up and I'm ready to lift the purlins tomorrow.

For dinner produce from the garden - lettuce, courgette, chard, leek, chanterelles, tomatoes plus some left over chicken.

2 holes for the purlins - more work than it looks!

Leeks

After some scything a frustrating morning with misbehaving expanding bolts. It looks like nothing has changed but in fact everything is now fixed, level and plumb.

More much needed strimming in the evening and a meal with the first of my leeks!

Blood, sweat and tears

Wallplates in place, purlins ready for lifting in a few days time and the two doors from Jasper and Ruby's bedroom into their shared bathroom morticed and tenoned in place.Third day on the trot of incredible heat and humidity. Finally in the early afternoon the mist rolled in and the thunder started. Mostly drizzly with a few short lived heavy showers. Despite the progress a hard tiring day of low motivation. The heat at night and the slow recovery of a neck injury from 5 weeks ago have made for some poor nights sleep recently. I have the valley almost to myself as both John and Sandrine and Philippe and Celine are away on holiday.

Tomorrow a trip to St Girons for materials and food then back on with Pont.

I wish Google would get their fingers out and fix the recent problems with posting photos on blogger.

Roof materials arrive

Two lorry loads of roof materials arrived today. Temperatures of 38 degrees centigrade (100 fahrenheit) in the shade again...exhausting to work in but lots of drinks, a few cold showers and a siesta make it possible.

First problem has been to get the huge oak wall plates and two purlins into position. The crane on the lorry couldn't reach so I had to resort to levers, crowbars and muscle - tough but it's done.

Hot

Bathroom window

Terrace balustrade

New colour scheme for downstairs bedroom

New colourful shutters

Super hot today over 38 degrees C in the shade! Working at Pont which is slowly grinding to a completion but there always seems to be another thing that needs doing...still the loft hatch, a cupboard, some varnishing and stair to the garden from the terrace...then final clean, strim and remove rubbish from the barn before it's finished.

Another neighbour put their car over the edge last night, this time the Celine's brother (last time it was her sister). Unfortunately, driving under the influence is pretty endemic here. A few weeks ago my neighbour's son was killed by a hit and run motorist - probably a drink driver. Makes me fearful for my loved ones.

A trio of airbus planes flying overhead in formation a few days ago (A380 on the left).

Theft

Someone nicked my sheep shears out of the barn! Can't believe it. I still have three lambs to shear.

Today some pointing, prefabrication of a guarding for the terrace at Pont and then when it got too hot to work outside, I started to mark out the new connecting door downstairs. Removed the plaster and render which made a mountain of debris and dust.

Heart-breaking

Last night lots of strimming and some weeding - then the realisation that there was only one hen. The fox has taken the cockerel and three hens whilst I was away. With two building projects, the farm and frequent trips to the UK something had to snap eventually. I can't do it all by myself and there are only so many favours you can ask of neighbours before they refuse. When I get behind with looking after the land and animals I find it heart-breaking. Nature takes back all my hard work so quickly. I have no doubts about my love for Susie and going to live with her, Jasper and Ruby, but abandoning full-time occupation here in favour of monthly visits (even if it is only for a few years) will be the hardest thing I've done in a very long time.

Today more strimming and a big day at Pont mostly painting (after decorating at Susie's with dulux trade it's shocking how utterly crap and stupidly expensive french paint is - I'd get better opacity painting semi skimmed milk on the wall and at least it doesn't cost £50 for 2.5 litres) and sealing windows. It has to be finished, photographed and on the market by Monday when the extension works resume. I will be there again tomorrow after some scything in the morning. Now for some more pointing.

Totters

A way too short week in Totnes with Susie, Jasper and Ruby. The weekend we were in Cornwall and during the week I decorated downstairs and made Ruby a desk from leftovers. Managed to get the helical fixings for the warm roof here and hopefully have sourced some windows. Susie was busy preparing for a mock ofsted inspection, which seems to have gone well.

Totnes Castle from Susie's window

Back home to a jungle! much catching up to do before roof works start on Monday.

Topping out

I didn't hold out any hope of finishing the walling before I leave for the UK - shame as I wanted to start the roofing as soon as I return. Anyhow I got up at 6.30 and made a start. I just kept going and by 2.00 I realised that I might just do it! It was very hot and humid and I moved about 2-3 tonnes or more of stone and concrete up the ladder. I was a bit worried loading out the big oak lintol with tonnes of rock - but I needn't have worried, there's no noticeable deflection at all. By 7.00 I'd topped out! Still some pointing to do but it'll only take a day or so. Elderflower Champagne to celebrate.