Alone Time and Paint Stripping
A Renovation Journal
It’s been a strange old week. James and Emma went to Malta to learn how to scuba dive. Toby has had school, so I’ve been on my own most of the time. I like some time to myself so it’s been quite pleasant but just different. I’m not that keen on diving so I was happy to be left behind. James loves diving and Emma is part fish so it’s lovely that they can do that together. I spent the week on indoor jobs, avoiding the rain and having a bit of a rest too.
Solitude has its own very strange beauty to it - Liv Tyler
Monday
The two windows that we replaced at the front of the house have now been done. There were two Velux-type windows here, one of which was cracked and broken. The right one was replaced but we had a problem getting a Velux to fit on the left. We couldn’t find one small enough and couldn’t make the aperture bigger because of a roof purlin. We had two choices. Get a window made to fit that space or tile it over and lose the skylight. In the end, we chose to go with the latter for now. That means that this cupboard on the landing no longer has any natural light. I can’t decide if that’s a problem yet or not. There was a loo in here. I guess it was to serve the one bedroom across the corridor but as there is a bathroom just up the steps it does seem a bit redundant. We could put the loo back or my other idea is to turn this into a laundry cupboard. We could put a washer and dryer in here and the kids could do their own laundry upstairs. It’s a thought.
I took the opportunity while the scaffolding is still up to make sure these gutters were all clear and fix a few broken tiles. Roof tiles are easy to replace especially if they’re not nailed down. It was a quick and easy win. I also sprayed the gutters and tiles with moss killer to get rid of all the green. This is much safer than pressure washing as it doesn't damage the tiles. It takes a bit longer to work but all the green will now disappear.
Tuesday
I started laying the protective covering on the new floor in the Estate Office bedroom. The weather is awful so it’s nice to have an indoor job. I then carried on applying Klingstrip to the cupboards. This is a chemical paint stripper that works really on wood with details like the trim on panelled cupboards. With several layers of paint, the trim starts to lose its detail but once you’ve stripped off the paint it’s all sharp again and ready for a new coat. It’s a bit of extra work but I quite like doing it. You apply the Klingstrip like a thick coat of icing then cover it with clingfilm and leave it to work for a couple of days.
Wednesday
We had a delivery of lime mortar that had to be moved from its pallet on the drive to indoors. I managed to get Toby to help me move the heavy bags. We’ve stored it in the old boiler room where I really hope it will stay dry. Once it’s wet you have only eight hours to use it and I’m not going to be pointing brickwork that quickly!
Thursday
I carried on with the Klingstrip until I ran out. Feeling super tired today so didn’t do much else.
Friday
A bit depressed today for some reason. It’s raining again and I feel overwhelmed and exhausted. What on earth was I thinking taking on a huge project like this? It’s been a year and progress is so slow.
Saturday
The reason for my low mood makes itself known when I wake up with a head cold after sleeping for 10 hours. The sun is shining and I manage a long walk in the nice weather with one of the neighbours. Our dogs chase each other around in the mud and have a very happy time.
Sunday
I'm still feeling a bit rough but also guilty that I haven’t made the most of the nice weather this weekend. There is plenty to get on with in the garden and sunny days are at a premium at this time of year. Still, sometimes you need to rest and recover so that is what I’m doing. But, somewhat reluctantly.
I hope you’re all fit and well. Hopefully, we are coming to the end of cold and flu season and we can look forward to warmer weather and more sunny days. Thank goodness it is half term this coming week and despite having to help with GCSE maths I can look forward to slower mornings and more help around the house :-)
I’m a bit behind this week. It’s Thursday already and I’ve only just finished last week’s journal. Catching up now and there will be something extra for paid subscribers coming very soon.