30 December 2012
It seems this will be the last post of the year. To all and everybody: We wish you a Happy New Year and the grace to do well with it.
Obviously, with the holidays around, I didn't do as much as I should. I have changed my mind as to work schedule. What is the use of having a mind if you can't change it!!
It must have been two months ago that I built the framing for another storage room. I just got fed up not being able to find my stuff. So I started work on the storage room. I put the roof up, and some of the iron sheets for the walls, but I think I ran out of iron, so I continued with the floor (plywood that was given to me)
With the floor done I started assembling shelves that I have saved from our move from Cambridge. Most of the shelves are up now, and I have moved most of the stuff out of the small (2 m by 2 m) storage room. I also managed to move stuff out of the cookhouse which is my workshop. The stuff I am talking about are bolts and nuts, hinges, doorknobs, plumbing fittings and everything that is not classified as tools. Because i use screws and nails so often, they will remain in the cook house.
Ever since we moved here, my power tools have been lying on the floor, for a lack of shelving. Now I managed to build proper shelves for all the tools. I think the whole of the next week will be spent on sorting stuff and tidying up. I also plan on visiting the scrap metal dealers to get more iron.
Have a lovely New Year!!
Sunday
16 December 2012
Since the last post, I sanded down the top part of the wall where I have replaced the weatherboards, and painted it.
I also decided that I do want the fascias on the gable ends white. When the roof was replaced it was painted the same colour as the roof, Ironsand (charcoal). To reach there, I had to build the high scaffold again, and then added a veneer of fibreboard and painted it all white. It had to be done before the veranda goes up, otherwise I would have to stand on the veranda on a ladder. We moved the scaffolds around. While the scaffolds were in position, we also managed to fit all of the beams against the wall for the veranda. Then we dug up the beams that will go on the outer side of the veranda, that part which rests on the posts. They have been cut and waiting for me for nearly a year. We painted them and then decided it will have to wait a little while.
I have been hoarding timber from everywhere. While back I bought some Kauri timber. That was stored outside our, or rather my "hoarding wall". Problem is, if you leave stuff lying around, it is easy to dump more stuff with that. I just decided enough is enough and started tidying up. We are nearly done, with the Kauri stored under the carport behind the hoarding wall. Obviously it meant we had to move some firewood around and also some of the many pallets we have collected. The only problem is that I tire quickly and it means that all work gets done at a very slow pace. Don't worry, we will get there in the end.
The bathroom floor is ready to be varnished, but there is no urgency. We have not got enough money to pay a plumber and besides, everybody will be away. So that one will have to wait a while more.
Everybody is winding down for Christmas. We will be all by ourselves and we will enjoy the festive spirit from our nice house.
Hopefully next time we can offer you a nice view of the house from the street, showing a partly built veranda.
Since the last post, I sanded down the top part of the wall where I have replaced the weatherboards, and painted it.
I also decided that I do want the fascias on the gable ends white. When the roof was replaced it was painted the same colour as the roof, Ironsand (charcoal). To reach there, I had to build the high scaffold again, and then added a veneer of fibreboard and painted it all white. It had to be done before the veranda goes up, otherwise I would have to stand on the veranda on a ladder. We moved the scaffolds around. While the scaffolds were in position, we also managed to fit all of the beams against the wall for the veranda. Then we dug up the beams that will go on the outer side of the veranda, that part which rests on the posts. They have been cut and waiting for me for nearly a year. We painted them and then decided it will have to wait a little while.
I have been hoarding timber from everywhere. While back I bought some Kauri timber. That was stored outside our, or rather my "hoarding wall". Problem is, if you leave stuff lying around, it is easy to dump more stuff with that. I just decided enough is enough and started tidying up. We are nearly done, with the Kauri stored under the carport behind the hoarding wall. Obviously it meant we had to move some firewood around and also some of the many pallets we have collected. The only problem is that I tire quickly and it means that all work gets done at a very slow pace. Don't worry, we will get there in the end.
The bathroom floor is ready to be varnished, but there is no urgency. We have not got enough money to pay a plumber and besides, everybody will be away. So that one will have to wait a while more.
Everybody is winding down for Christmas. We will be all by ourselves and we will enjoy the festive spirit from our nice house.
Hopefully next time we can offer you a nice view of the house from the street, showing a partly built veranda.
2 December 2012
Sorry, it seems we are really retired! Not too much has been happening here.
We got a call from the lawnmower centre, and went to pick up the brake parts for the ride on. We were very fortunate. All the parts were there, and only needed a proper clean and adjustment. We have brakes now!
We had the church fete, and managed to sell most of Mieke's stuff. The remainder was donated to an op shop (charity shop)
I sanded and painted the top four weatherboards on the southern wall, then moved the scaffold over to the western wall. We fitted the rafters to the wall that will take the veranda. We have to start from that end to get the proper level. I also used the opportunity to repaint the fascia / bargeboard on the western gable. It was painted charcoal before, but it does not fit in with the original character of the house.The other problem is that the paint already started peeling off after 6 years. I put a false cladding of fibreboard over it before painting. It is white now. We will put a cladding over all fascias and paint all of them in white.
We also took a day off to visit friends, it is a luxury we can use now, and not push ourselves too hard.
We have had two weeks without rain now, the farmers are getting worried. And it is HOT, a balmy 24 degrees max. Thank you New Zealand! Aussie is experiencing 40 deg.
Our tenant in Cambridge gave notice. She will be moving out on the 18th. It is a bad time and we really need the money. Let's pray that we get a new tenant soon!
Sorry, it seems we are really retired! Not too much has been happening here.
We got a call from the lawnmower centre, and went to pick up the brake parts for the ride on. We were very fortunate. All the parts were there, and only needed a proper clean and adjustment. We have brakes now!
We had the church fete, and managed to sell most of Mieke's stuff. The remainder was donated to an op shop (charity shop)
I sanded and painted the top four weatherboards on the southern wall, then moved the scaffold over to the western wall. We fitted the rafters to the wall that will take the veranda. We have to start from that end to get the proper level. I also used the opportunity to repaint the fascia / bargeboard on the western gable. It was painted charcoal before, but it does not fit in with the original character of the house.The other problem is that the paint already started peeling off after 6 years. I put a false cladding of fibreboard over it before painting. It is white now. We will put a cladding over all fascias and paint all of them in white.
We also took a day off to visit friends, it is a luxury we can use now, and not push ourselves too hard.
We have had two weeks without rain now, the farmers are getting worried. And it is HOT, a balmy 24 degrees max. Thank you New Zealand! Aussie is experiencing 40 deg.
Our tenant in Cambridge gave notice. She will be moving out on the 18th. It is a bad time and we really need the money. Let's pray that we get a new tenant soon!
18 November 2012
A lot of time was spent on rebuilding the deck of the ride on. I bought a piece of scrap steel, 750 * 750 * 3 mm. and cut and welded it in position. Basically, the whole deck has been rebuilt. I took it for a test drive on Wednesday and, apart from a few adjustments, it is working properly. I managed to cut all the grass in one hour, where I used to spend about three hours. I have not cut the part where the sheep used to graze.
Thursday was a nice sunny day, so I had no excuse for not working on the outside. I built a scaffold. It is the same one I use on the inside, only with extensions on the legs. Then I put a brace up to keep it steady. I do not want to end up in hospital. I managed to replace three rotten or damaged weatherboards. Now I will need to start sanding the old paint off. It will keep me busy for a while (a long while).
Friday we helped some friends with a problem they had, whole day gone. It is a privilege to be able to help others. We have received so much help ourselves.
Saturday as a rainy day, so we spent the time indoors, sorting through stuff Mieke left here to be sold. We are having a church fete (kerkbasaar) on Saturday coming. We hope to sell some of the stuff there. Today is windy and with a little bit of rain. When will our summer start? Luckily the forecast is for no rain tomorrow.
Love you.
G&E
A lot of time was spent on rebuilding the deck of the ride on. I bought a piece of scrap steel, 750 * 750 * 3 mm. and cut and welded it in position. Basically, the whole deck has been rebuilt. I took it for a test drive on Wednesday and, apart from a few adjustments, it is working properly. I managed to cut all the grass in one hour, where I used to spend about three hours. I have not cut the part where the sheep used to graze.
Thursday was a nice sunny day, so I had no excuse for not working on the outside. I built a scaffold. It is the same one I use on the inside, only with extensions on the legs. Then I put a brace up to keep it steady. I do not want to end up in hospital. I managed to replace three rotten or damaged weatherboards. Now I will need to start sanding the old paint off. It will keep me busy for a while (a long while).
Friday we helped some friends with a problem they had, whole day gone. It is a privilege to be able to help others. We have received so much help ourselves.
Saturday as a rainy day, so we spent the time indoors, sorting through stuff Mieke left here to be sold. We are having a church fete (kerkbasaar) on Saturday coming. We hope to sell some of the stuff there. Today is windy and with a little bit of rain. When will our summer start? Luckily the forecast is for no rain tomorrow.
Love you.
G&E
We have been to Hamilton in the week. I also went to an auction with a friend who wanted to buy some sheep. He managed to buy 5 lambs, and I carted them home for him. The drawer from last week got finished, with my able supervision.
We have decided to have the homekill guy kill our own sheep, because the grass wouldn't be enough for them. I am fed up with moving fences and screens all the time. With the section being 2200 sq m, I will not cope with the normal push lawnmower our son gave us last year. So I decided to start looking for a ride on mower. There were some on Trademe, but how would you know what you are buying? I went to the local Lawnmower Centre on Friday and asked. I was offered an old locally made mower. The cutting deck is rusted through, and the brakes doesn't work, but the rest is fine. I forgot to mention the seat cover is worn through. I removed that for repair. I managed to buy the Cheetah and was able to return the mower our son bought us. I will need to fit new blades and away we go!
Now I have a mobility scooter for when the time comes, at a fraction of the price!!!
The roof of the carport is finished. I need to add some flashing. I also managed to complete the trusses and rafters for the store room.
Sorry for you workaholics, I didn't do much this week.
28 October 2012
Elna did an enormous task cleaning the bathroom floor. Most of it is done, I would just try to clean a little bit more before we varnish it.
I spent most of my week working on the carport. I used only material from the garage we dismantled in January. I had to buy joist hangers (brackets to fit the joists to the main beams), but all of the remainder of the material was "ex stock" I constantly thought of Ben's visit and the two of us taking this garage to pieces. I managed to fit half of the roof, and cut the remainder of the corrugated to size.
There were a few interruptions though. One friend has a car with a broken cambelt, and he has got no other transport. So I helped (looked on and advised) and drove him around searching for parts and tools. That took most of Wednesday and Thursday.
On Saturday another friend turned up with a drawer from a dresser. It was moved on a trailer and the drawer came out and fell on the road, needless to say, in the face side. Luckily, I have got some oak boards, and once again, I stood looking on while he used my machines to repair the drawer. It is coming on nicely, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
It seems summer is coming (at long last). We had a cloudy day and light drizzle late in the afternoon. Hopefully our sunny days are here again!!
Elna did an enormous task cleaning the bathroom floor. Most of it is done, I would just try to clean a little bit more before we varnish it.
I spent most of my week working on the carport. I used only material from the garage we dismantled in January. I had to buy joist hangers (brackets to fit the joists to the main beams), but all of the remainder of the material was "ex stock" I constantly thought of Ben's visit and the two of us taking this garage to pieces. I managed to fit half of the roof, and cut the remainder of the corrugated to size.
There were a few interruptions though. One friend has a car with a broken cambelt, and he has got no other transport. So I helped (looked on and advised) and drove him around searching for parts and tools. That took most of Wednesday and Thursday.
On Saturday another friend turned up with a drawer from a dresser. It was moved on a trailer and the drawer came out and fell on the road, needless to say, in the face side. Luckily, I have got some oak boards, and once again, I stood looking on while he used my machines to repair the drawer. It is coming on nicely, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
It seems summer is coming (at long last). We had a cloudy day and light drizzle late in the afternoon. Hopefully our sunny days are here again!!
21 October 2012
We did manage to finish the walls and ceiling of the new bathroom. Then I started work on the door. Problem was that I had so much stuff under the lean to that I had no space to work. Well, I did manage to glue the panels of the door that were bashed by a previous tenant.
Last Saturday we had strong wins, an one sheet from the cookhouse roof blew off. Luckily Elna noticed it and I could retrieve it. We refitted it on Monday, and added a rafter where the chimney has been. In the process I learnt that the cookhouse definitely was built with a shingle roof
I decided that my carport and store room were long overdue. We started moving all the stored junk / material out of the way. Then I started measuring the carport. I am allowed a carport of 20 sq meters without a building permit. The store room that I started a wile ago will also get done. The store room may not be more than 10 sq meters.
I am not sure that I have got enough corrugated iron to do both, that is why I started on the carport as well.I will use the beams and rafters from the garage we bought in January. The garage door was fitted in the wall when we built it. Only question remaining is if I will be able to last the job.
We did manage to finish the walls and ceiling of the new bathroom. Then I started work on the door. Problem was that I had so much stuff under the lean to that I had no space to work. Well, I did manage to glue the panels of the door that were bashed by a previous tenant.
Last Saturday we had strong wins, an one sheet from the cookhouse roof blew off. Luckily Elna noticed it and I could retrieve it. We refitted it on Monday, and added a rafter where the chimney has been. In the process I learnt that the cookhouse definitely was built with a shingle roof
I decided that my carport and store room were long overdue. We started moving all the stored junk / material out of the way. Then I started measuring the carport. I am allowed a carport of 20 sq meters without a building permit. The store room that I started a wile ago will also get done. The store room may not be more than 10 sq meters.
I am not sure that I have got enough corrugated iron to do both, that is why I started on the carport as well.I will use the beams and rafters from the garage we bought in January. The garage door was fitted in the wall when we built it. Only question remaining is if I will be able to last the job.
Saturday
6 October 2012
We went to town this morning, and at a flea market bought a plaque: I am retired, I was tired yesterday, I'm tired again today.
That sums up what we have been doing this last two weeks. The bathroom has been painted, walls and ceiling. Next job would be to fit the cornices and battens to the ceiling, and the architraves to the window. Lack of funds means we cannot buy the toilet or the waste pipes we need.
I must admit, there is other work to do. The floor will need scrubbing with lacquer thinners and then a coat or two of varnish.
We had light showers all week, and we are hoping for sunshine in the next week. I should really finish the store room that I started more than a month ago, provided it is nice and sunny, without any wind.
We went to town this morning, and at a flea market bought a plaque: I am retired, I was tired yesterday, I'm tired again today.
That sums up what we have been doing this last two weeks. The bathroom has been painted, walls and ceiling. Next job would be to fit the cornices and battens to the ceiling, and the architraves to the window. Lack of funds means we cannot buy the toilet or the waste pipes we need.
I must admit, there is other work to do. The floor will need scrubbing with lacquer thinners and then a coat or two of varnish.
We had light showers all week, and we are hoping for sunshine in the next week. I should really finish the store room that I started more than a month ago, provided it is nice and sunny, without any wind.
Sunday
23 Sept 2012
We had a week with plenty of clouds, but no rain. It is the beginning of spring. The Bible says, if the fig trees start to spout, you know summer is here. Well, our fig tree made a mistake, and got its leaves burnt. (from frost)
With Barry's help, we got the last of the Gib board in the new bathroom fitted. I also started Gib stopping. We have a fibre glass mesh tape that is stuck over the joints, and that gets covered with Gib stop (Polyfilla) In the corners we use a metal angle that is covered in paper. That gives a very nice sharp corner. Plenty of sanding is required. I managed to put up some tape, but not all.
We have a close coupled toilet that was bought some years ago, but has never been used. I assembled it outside and connected the water supply. Then I realised that the pan was designed the wrong way around. The water in the pan is in the forward end of it, which means that it will always be a problem to clean after it was used (skid marks and maybe more) This means we will need to use a different toilet. I have also done a layout of the waste pipes under the floor. Only later I realised that I have not taken the concrete piles in account on which the building rest. I will have to put a line in from the toilet point to the connection point.
Elna has been bugging me, she wants to start planting the hedging and flowers that has been in pots since we moved here. Eventually I gave in, and on Saturday I hired a rotary hoe, a small little machine. It was hard going, as the earth has not been dug since about forty years ago. My arms still ache this morning. Well, we got all 20 hedging plants in and Elna now has some area where she can plant flowers.
We had a week with plenty of clouds, but no rain. It is the beginning of spring. The Bible says, if the fig trees start to spout, you know summer is here. Well, our fig tree made a mistake, and got its leaves burnt. (from frost)
With Barry's help, we got the last of the Gib board in the new bathroom fitted. I also started Gib stopping. We have a fibre glass mesh tape that is stuck over the joints, and that gets covered with Gib stop (Polyfilla) In the corners we use a metal angle that is covered in paper. That gives a very nice sharp corner. Plenty of sanding is required. I managed to put up some tape, but not all.
We have a close coupled toilet that was bought some years ago, but has never been used. I assembled it outside and connected the water supply. Then I realised that the pan was designed the wrong way around. The water in the pan is in the forward end of it, which means that it will always be a problem to clean after it was used (skid marks and maybe more) This means we will need to use a different toilet. I have also done a layout of the waste pipes under the floor. Only later I realised that I have not taken the concrete piles in account on which the building rest. I will have to put a line in from the toilet point to the connection point.
Elna has been bugging me, she wants to start planting the hedging and flowers that has been in pots since we moved here. Eventually I gave in, and on Saturday I hired a rotary hoe, a small little machine. It was hard going, as the earth has not been dug since about forty years ago. My arms still ache this morning. Well, we got all 20 hedging plants in and Elna now has some area where she can plant flowers.
16 September 2012
Mieke has got some stuff to sell which is in storage in Cambridge. One if the doors of a cabinet fell apart, and we went to retrieve that and glued it back together. It is advertised on Trademe and a potential buyer wants to see it tomorrow. We have to go there puerly for that.
Crawling under floors again!!! I have fitted water pipes under the floor to the bath and shower. I also connected the hot water lines to the cold water line. All of this was to make sure we have no leaks in the cavities where the Gib has to go. All is OK. I can now proceed to install all the insulation and Gib to the walls.
I managed to make a scriber for the window. That is a piece of timber that is cut in a saw tooth pattern to fit the weatherboards. I sealed it properly because we had wind and rain coming in there. We also fitted the sliding door mechanism to the bathroom door ( the original door). It works well. I still need to make a frame around it.
I started getting frustrated with the amount of junk lying everywhere. So I made up a trailer load of junk for the dump.
On Saturday I installed a brace to a post for the veggie garden, using the Recip saw. While I was at it, I thought it a good idea to finally cut up the tree stump that was on the Northern side of the house. After cutting it in smaller sections, I could cut the remaining roots and remove the stump, leaving a hole. Elna was watching through the kitchen window, and came up with the nice suggestion that we should fill the hole. After all the work!!. She won and we managed to cart three barrowloads if dirt in the hole. It was 5 pm when we finished, and I surely felt my age.
Loads of rain last night and today. I am sure glad I managed so many outside tasks this week while the sun was shining.
Mieke has got some stuff to sell which is in storage in Cambridge. One if the doors of a cabinet fell apart, and we went to retrieve that and glued it back together. It is advertised on Trademe and a potential buyer wants to see it tomorrow. We have to go there puerly for that.
Crawling under floors again!!! I have fitted water pipes under the floor to the bath and shower. I also connected the hot water lines to the cold water line. All of this was to make sure we have no leaks in the cavities where the Gib has to go. All is OK. I can now proceed to install all the insulation and Gib to the walls.
I managed to make a scriber for the window. That is a piece of timber that is cut in a saw tooth pattern to fit the weatherboards. I sealed it properly because we had wind and rain coming in there. We also fitted the sliding door mechanism to the bathroom door ( the original door). It works well. I still need to make a frame around it.
I started getting frustrated with the amount of junk lying everywhere. So I made up a trailer load of junk for the dump.
On Saturday I installed a brace to a post for the veggie garden, using the Recip saw. While I was at it, I thought it a good idea to finally cut up the tree stump that was on the Northern side of the house. After cutting it in smaller sections, I could cut the remaining roots and remove the stump, leaving a hole. Elna was watching through the kitchen window, and came up with the nice suggestion that we should fill the hole. After all the work!!. She won and we managed to cart three barrowloads if dirt in the hole. It was 5 pm when we finished, and I surely felt my age.
Loads of rain last night and today. I am sure glad I managed so many outside tasks this week while the sun was shining.
9 September 2012
If the previous week was slow, you should have seen this one.
On Monday we went to Cambridge to put spacers in behind the oven's door hinges, after replacing the hinges the week before. Works lovely now, and the bad smell is gone.
The battens we have put in between the ceiling boards of the bathroom were not supported on one end, and I had to get in the roof space to fit an extra beam to hold them. On Saturday I got the help of Barry and Shaun, the grandson, to install the Gib for the ceiling. We also did the Gib on the new side wall. Next will be to get the water connected, because I cannot cover the pipes before I have checked for leaks. We had very unsettled weather, rain, wind and sunshine all mixed together. There is a saying in Waikato you get all four seasons in one day1 Well, that was true for this week.
I told you it was a slow week!!!
If the previous week was slow, you should have seen this one.
On Monday we went to Cambridge to put spacers in behind the oven's door hinges, after replacing the hinges the week before. Works lovely now, and the bad smell is gone.
The battens we have put in between the ceiling boards of the bathroom were not supported on one end, and I had to get in the roof space to fit an extra beam to hold them. On Saturday I got the help of Barry and Shaun, the grandson, to install the Gib for the ceiling. We also did the Gib on the new side wall. Next will be to get the water connected, because I cannot cover the pipes before I have checked for leaks. We had very unsettled weather, rain, wind and sunshine all mixed together. There is a saying in Waikato you get all four seasons in one day1 Well, that was true for this week.
I told you it was a slow week!!!
Monday
3 Sept 2012
Sorry, I missed yesterday's deadline. My DVD recorder told me yesterday morning that the hard drive on our DVD recorder was full (150 hours) so I had to copy some to disc. It takes about 10 mins to copy one disc.
The past week was very quiet.
I realised that I am heaping timber in front of my "hoarding wall". I got some nice timber from Ron next door. It is beginning to get so much, I will have to keep the street gate closed to keep it inside. The solution is to build the extra shed and "carport" that I envisaged when we built the wall. (Remember the garage we dismantled in December?) I think we have most of the material.
Step one was to move the little shed (2*2m) where I store my bolts and plumbing fittings, etc. I had to take everything out, and with Elna's help, we moved it about three meters backward and half a meter sideways. All on rollers obviously. The shed is freestanding. Next I had to put everything back again.
Step two was to smooth the ground a bit, put a black plastic sheet on the ground and to start repairing and adapting the frames I had and put treated joists on the ground to support a floor. I have some ply sheets to use as flooring.
Then it all turned into custard. The tenant in our Cambridge house called on Wednesday night to complain about a bad smell. We have had this complaint before, but could not trace the source of it, and it was never evident when we got there. When we walked into the house on Thursday, it was clear that we had a problem. I went into the crawlspace under the floor, and this time I found a leak on the waste pipe from the kitchen sink. It became completely disconnected and all the foul water was leaking out. Lucky for us we had a black plastic sheet installed on the ground, so most of the water was contained. I had to leopard crawl under there, fixed the leak and started cleaning up the mess. I got only halfway, as it was getting late, the tenant was due to come home. (And I was dog tired). We went back today and cleared it all up. At a rough guess, it was about 50 liters, crawling with buckets full of mess to the trap door. Of course, the leak was at the furthest point from the trap door. The space was never more than 600 mm. In the end we got the job done. I am recuperating now.
We'll see what the weather holds for tomorrow. If it is rainy, I will work on the new bathroom, otherwisee I will continue with the shed.
Sorry, I missed yesterday's deadline. My DVD recorder told me yesterday morning that the hard drive on our DVD recorder was full (150 hours) so I had to copy some to disc. It takes about 10 mins to copy one disc.
The past week was very quiet.
I realised that I am heaping timber in front of my "hoarding wall". I got some nice timber from Ron next door. It is beginning to get so much, I will have to keep the street gate closed to keep it inside. The solution is to build the extra shed and "carport" that I envisaged when we built the wall. (Remember the garage we dismantled in December?) I think we have most of the material.
Step one was to move the little shed (2*2m) where I store my bolts and plumbing fittings, etc. I had to take everything out, and with Elna's help, we moved it about three meters backward and half a meter sideways. All on rollers obviously. The shed is freestanding. Next I had to put everything back again.
Step two was to smooth the ground a bit, put a black plastic sheet on the ground and to start repairing and adapting the frames I had and put treated joists on the ground to support a floor. I have some ply sheets to use as flooring.
Then it all turned into custard. The tenant in our Cambridge house called on Wednesday night to complain about a bad smell. We have had this complaint before, but could not trace the source of it, and it was never evident when we got there. When we walked into the house on Thursday, it was clear that we had a problem. I went into the crawlspace under the floor, and this time I found a leak on the waste pipe from the kitchen sink. It became completely disconnected and all the foul water was leaking out. Lucky for us we had a black plastic sheet installed on the ground, so most of the water was contained. I had to leopard crawl under there, fixed the leak and started cleaning up the mess. I got only halfway, as it was getting late, the tenant was due to come home. (And I was dog tired). We went back today and cleared it all up. At a rough guess, it was about 50 liters, crawling with buckets full of mess to the trap door. Of course, the leak was at the furthest point from the trap door. The space was never more than 600 mm. In the end we got the job done. I am recuperating now.
We'll see what the weather holds for tomorrow. If it is rainy, I will work on the new bathroom, otherwisee I will continue with the shed.
Sunday
26 August 2012
This week belonged to the kitchen. As I have said before, I am no joiner or cabinet maker. The units came together, but it is far from acceptable quality for the final kitchen. All is in and working well. At least ,I have learned to what dimensions I will have to cut the NEW boards for the new kitchen. We also bought new hinges for the oven door, and Elna has tested the oven and declared it satisfactory.
On Saturday we had a lovely sunny day, and the church group came to work in the veggie patch. The even managed to sow some seeds.
In the week I got some more "firewood" from the builder Ron next door. I have realised, if I don't close the gate, the timber I am storing will spill over into the street!! The result is that I have started clearing some space behind the hoarding wall to build another shed. If the weather holds, that will be the flavour of the week. If it gets rainy again, I will continue the work on the bathroom.
Have a nice week!!
On Saturday we had a lovely sunny day, and the church group came to work in the veggie patch. The even managed to sow some seeds.
In the week I got some more "firewood" from the builder Ron next door. I have realised, if I don't close the gate, the timber I am storing will spill over into the street!! The result is that I have started clearing some space behind the hoarding wall to build another shed. If the weather holds, that will be the flavour of the week. If it gets rainy again, I will continue the work on the bathroom.
Have a nice week!!
19 August 2012
On Monday we offloaded the curved iron. To prevent oxidisation, there needs to be ab gap betewwn the sheets. I have run out of suitable scrap timber, so I started cutting No 8 wire (bloudraad) in suitable lengths. It was very hard and crooked, so I had to straighten it on an anvil. I required 60 pieces of wire. Well, we finished that and stacked them all. Now we had a new problem, the sheets started rolling off. Two Waratah posts (Iron fencing posts) sorted that, and we put a shade net over it to protect it from wind.That project will now have to wait for summer.
The ceiling in the new bathroom was made of board and batten, 30 mm boards with a slight gap between them, covered at the gaps with an ornamental molding. The boards were beyond repair, eaten by border, cracked and rotted out. We decided to put a false ceiling of gib board just below the original, and then replace the battens and cornices. I got treated timber and cut it into cleats, and nailed that in between the original boards. The nailing was done with the nail gun. Some nails didn't go in all the way, and I had to ask Barry/Barco to help me out. It turned out the ceiling beams are made of a very hard timber, and in the end he had to hammer the nails down by bending it over. Now the job of leveling. There I ran out of steam, and gave up.
That night, our power tripped out several times while Elna was cooking. It turned out it was the stove/range. We have already bought a replacement, but it is a unit that is to be built into the cabinets (under counter) with a glass top. This became a job of urgency now. Previously we have bought a kitset kitchen, but the new prices are just beyond our reach. I have decided to make the units myself, but remember, I am no joiner. Previously we have bought an old kitchen, which I have dismantled. I stared cutting the panels required to make up a few units. I am still working at that. The hinges of the oven are worn out (we knew about that), so I started removing them for repair. I did manage to improve it, but it seems I will have to buy new ones. That is for next week.
Our weather is improving, we do get some days without rain. The forecast normally shows a sun, clouds and rain. Today is a typical Waikato winters day, rainy all the way
.
On Monday we offloaded the curved iron. To prevent oxidisation, there needs to be ab gap betewwn the sheets. I have run out of suitable scrap timber, so I started cutting No 8 wire (bloudraad) in suitable lengths. It was very hard and crooked, so I had to straighten it on an anvil. I required 60 pieces of wire. Well, we finished that and stacked them all. Now we had a new problem, the sheets started rolling off. Two Waratah posts (Iron fencing posts) sorted that, and we put a shade net over it to protect it from wind.That project will now have to wait for summer.
The ceiling in the new bathroom was made of board and batten, 30 mm boards with a slight gap between them, covered at the gaps with an ornamental molding. The boards were beyond repair, eaten by border, cracked and rotted out. We decided to put a false ceiling of gib board just below the original, and then replace the battens and cornices. I got treated timber and cut it into cleats, and nailed that in between the original boards. The nailing was done with the nail gun. Some nails didn't go in all the way, and I had to ask Barry/Barco to help me out. It turned out the ceiling beams are made of a very hard timber, and in the end he had to hammer the nails down by bending it over. Now the job of leveling. There I ran out of steam, and gave up.
That night, our power tripped out several times while Elna was cooking. It turned out it was the stove/range. We have already bought a replacement, but it is a unit that is to be built into the cabinets (under counter) with a glass top. This became a job of urgency now. Previously we have bought a kitset kitchen, but the new prices are just beyond our reach. I have decided to make the units myself, but remember, I am no joiner. Previously we have bought an old kitchen, which I have dismantled. I stared cutting the panels required to make up a few units. I am still working at that. The hinges of the oven are worn out (we knew about that), so I started removing them for repair. I did manage to improve it, but it seems I will have to buy new ones. That is for next week.
Our weather is improving, we do get some days without rain. The forecast normally shows a sun, clouds and rain. Today is a typical Waikato winters day, rainy all the way
.
12 August 2012
We had a wonderful week, in many respects.
I am still working on the bathroom, and on Thursday had somebody take a 30 km detour to deliver me a shower head I have bought on Trademe, at no cost!. Wonderful people all around.
On Tuesday we had a visit from Willie, an SA friend who came over to visit his daughter (or was it granddaughter?) The family all took the day to visit us from Auckland. Now there is not much more a friend can do for you, is there? We had a nice chat and I could show him around. He is one of our serious Blog followers. Baie dankie Willie!!!
Remember the problem we have with the curved corrugated steel we need to reinstate the veranda? All the sheets we need are available, but at what cost!. I managed to buy 40 sheets, 3 m long (we need 2.1m) used curved iron on Trademe for $ 465. On Tuesday afternoon we went to fetch it from Matamata, about 60 km away. We loaded about half the batch because out trailer's tyres are old and perished. After we loaded, the seller noticed one wheel was low, and inflated it. We got home safely. The next morning that wheel was flat. I removed the wheel and had it stripped. There was a nail in it. But there was another problem, the wheel had a tube in it and the hole where the valve comes through on the rim was rusted out. I spent the morning considering options, as I have spare rims and hubs, but it doesn't fit the axle. In the end I cut a piece out of another rim and welded that in place. I also bought two secondhand tyres and had it fitted. Friday afternoon we collected the remainder of our purchase. It turned out that we got 50 sheets, some had slight damage. That won't bother us as we will need to cut some on the corners anyhow. We have to keep in mind that we will have to repair and seal the nail holes and paint the sheets inside and out. It will mean a lot of work but we will save lots of money. That will be a spray paint job for the summer months.
On Saturday our church group turned up and started digging the soil for the Community Garden project. They did an excellent job, but got only half way.
We also managed to do some work on the bathroom. It takes a lot of money and time. Please be patient, we will get there.
We had a wonderful week, in many respects.
I am still working on the bathroom, and on Thursday had somebody take a 30 km detour to deliver me a shower head I have bought on Trademe, at no cost!. Wonderful people all around.
On Tuesday we had a visit from Willie, an SA friend who came over to visit his daughter (or was it granddaughter?) The family all took the day to visit us from Auckland. Now there is not much more a friend can do for you, is there? We had a nice chat and I could show him around. He is one of our serious Blog followers. Baie dankie Willie!!!
Remember the problem we have with the curved corrugated steel we need to reinstate the veranda? All the sheets we need are available, but at what cost!. I managed to buy 40 sheets, 3 m long (we need 2.1m) used curved iron on Trademe for $ 465. On Tuesday afternoon we went to fetch it from Matamata, about 60 km away. We loaded about half the batch because out trailer's tyres are old and perished. After we loaded, the seller noticed one wheel was low, and inflated it. We got home safely. The next morning that wheel was flat. I removed the wheel and had it stripped. There was a nail in it. But there was another problem, the wheel had a tube in it and the hole where the valve comes through on the rim was rusted out. I spent the morning considering options, as I have spare rims and hubs, but it doesn't fit the axle. In the end I cut a piece out of another rim and welded that in place. I also bought two secondhand tyres and had it fitted. Friday afternoon we collected the remainder of our purchase. It turned out that we got 50 sheets, some had slight damage. That won't bother us as we will need to cut some on the corners anyhow. We have to keep in mind that we will have to repair and seal the nail holes and paint the sheets inside and out. It will mean a lot of work but we will save lots of money. That will be a spray paint job for the summer months.
On Saturday our church group turned up and started digging the soil for the Community Garden project. They did an excellent job, but got only half way.
We also managed to do some work on the bathroom. It takes a lot of money and time. Please be patient, we will get there.
5 August 2012
The week started slow, mainly because there was a lot of planning to do. We had a problem positioning the shower. The preferred position was against the inner wall, but then the bathroom door would interfere with the all glass shower door. We had a visit from Jaco, a friend who suggested a sliding door for the bathroom. Now that is radical for an old house. In the end we accepted his logic, especially since the original door frame was so decayed from borer that it would have to be replaced anyway. We will still be using the original door, but as a slider now. The picture shows the door in the cavity, and the "new" wall to the right. The shower tray is still standing upright.
So I could proceed building the frames for the sliding door, and also for the new wall between the bathroom and the new kitchen. We also sealed gaps on the outside wall weatherboards and floor. That is ready now for insulation. The insulation on the inside wall on the bath side got done, and on Saturday Jaco and his kids turned up to help. We managed to do the gibbing of that whole wall. The next picture shows the newly gibbed wall on the left, and part of the doorway to the right
We still have some detail to sort out on the frameless shower we want to install. Remember, once the gib is up, there is no going back to add another nog or stud.
The water pipes will all be new, and be installed behind the gib. In new construction, the building inspector insists that the pipes be connected and be under pressure before it may be covered up. I might have to do a temporary coupling of the pipes before we cover it up.
We also experienced problems with the strips of nails I use on the nail gun. Because the box was stored in the tool shed, it got moist and if you try to lift a strip of nails, it just falls apart. There are 3000 nails in a box, and I cannot afford to throw it away and buy new, at $ 120 per box. So Elna started repacking, re aligning the nails, 60 to a strip, and we reglued it with construction adhesive. It was an enormous job, but it is nearly done now. I have used some of the "new" strips and it works well.
The week started slow, mainly because there was a lot of planning to do. We had a problem positioning the shower. The preferred position was against the inner wall, but then the bathroom door would interfere with the all glass shower door. We had a visit from Jaco, a friend who suggested a sliding door for the bathroom. Now that is radical for an old house. In the end we accepted his logic, especially since the original door frame was so decayed from borer that it would have to be replaced anyway. We will still be using the original door, but as a slider now. The picture shows the door in the cavity, and the "new" wall to the right. The shower tray is still standing upright.
So I could proceed building the frames for the sliding door, and also for the new wall between the bathroom and the new kitchen. We also sealed gaps on the outside wall weatherboards and floor. That is ready now for insulation. The insulation on the inside wall on the bath side got done, and on Saturday Jaco and his kids turned up to help. We managed to do the gibbing of that whole wall. The next picture shows the newly gibbed wall on the left, and part of the doorway to the right
We still have some detail to sort out on the frameless shower we want to install. Remember, once the gib is up, there is no going back to add another nog or stud.
The water pipes will all be new, and be installed behind the gib. In new construction, the building inspector insists that the pipes be connected and be under pressure before it may be covered up. I might have to do a temporary coupling of the pipes before we cover it up.
We also experienced problems with the strips of nails I use on the nail gun. Because the box was stored in the tool shed, it got moist and if you try to lift a strip of nails, it just falls apart. There are 3000 nails in a box, and I cannot afford to throw it away and buy new, at $ 120 per box. So Elna started repacking, re aligning the nails, 60 to a strip, and we reglued it with construction adhesive. It was an enormous job, but it is nearly done now. I have used some of the "new" strips and it works well.
29 July 2012
We had some light rain from Monday and therefore the bathroom won the battle over the veranda. Now I have started on the bathroom and will have to finish it.
On Monday we went to Cambridge to collect our frameless shower doors which we had in storage there for about 5 years. That took care of half the day.
We started stripping the saking (cladding). Elna did a great job of assisting me and cleaning after me. You can imagine the amount of dust and debris after 130 years! We also started cutting the insulation, because our stud spacing is different to the new 600mm spacing.We have installed some but then we ran out of useable nails to install some nogs (horizontal timber at 1200 mm spacing). These old houses did not have any nogs, and the insulation tends to sag without it.
We did run into a problem. I am using a nailgun to install studs and nogs. I found that my strips of nails came apart. I think it is because of the damp conditions in the coookhouse where it has been stored. So we started re gluing it together again, using one of these tacky adhesives. Monday I will try the ones we have glued, and if that works, I can proceed with the nogs and insulation. If it does not work, I will have to spend $120 towards a new box of nails.
We need to make sure the new wall will allow us to cut holes in the floor that does not fall directly over the floor joists. We also still need a mixer tap for the bath. Then the pipes must be installed prior to fitting the gib on that side.
We are still trying to get rid of the stuff Marike left behind. We made a trip to Cambridge to bring some more stuff over
We had some light rain from Monday and therefore the bathroom won the battle over the veranda. Now I have started on the bathroom and will have to finish it.
On Monday we went to Cambridge to collect our frameless shower doors which we had in storage there for about 5 years. That took care of half the day.
We started stripping the saking (cladding). Elna did a great job of assisting me and cleaning after me. You can imagine the amount of dust and debris after 130 years! We also started cutting the insulation, because our stud spacing is different to the new 600mm spacing.We have installed some but then we ran out of useable nails to install some nogs (horizontal timber at 1200 mm spacing). These old houses did not have any nogs, and the insulation tends to sag without it.
We did run into a problem. I am using a nailgun to install studs and nogs. I found that my strips of nails came apart. I think it is because of the damp conditions in the coookhouse where it has been stored. So we started re gluing it together again, using one of these tacky adhesives. Monday I will try the ones we have glued, and if that works, I can proceed with the nogs and insulation. If it does not work, I will have to spend $120 towards a new box of nails.
We need to make sure the new wall will allow us to cut holes in the floor that does not fall directly over the floor joists. We also still need a mixer tap for the bath. Then the pipes must be installed prior to fitting the gib on that side.
We are still trying to get rid of the stuff Marike left behind. We made a trip to Cambridge to bring some more stuff over
22July 2012
Another slow week. The hibernation bug has bitten me.
We moved into our new bedroom. Very warm and cosy. Then we moved all of Mieke's surplus stuff to our old bedroom, on preparation of a "garage sale" on Saturday. We invited only people we know. Some stuff went, but most of it will go to an op shop. The movers also picked up the stuff Mieke wants sent to SA. So we had a nearly clear "new bathroom". With help we moved both of the wardrobes to our old bedroom, and started playing with possible layouts of the new bathroom. I forgot to mention, there are still a lot of furniture in storage in Cambridge, which we will try to sell on Trademe
Saturday I continued cutting firewood from the timber we bought. There is still a lot to cut. Sometimes I wonder if it worth the effort. It might be better to buy a load, but then again, it all has to be put away. Which is the lesser of two evils?
On Friday afternoon Bunnings delivered the insulation, timber and Gib (plasterboard) that we will need for doing the new bathroom. Now all depends on the weather.If it is rainy, I will start working inside. If it is clear, I will start work on the veranda. So far we have a few rainy days ahead of us.
Another slow week. The hibernation bug has bitten me.
We moved into our new bedroom. Very warm and cosy. Then we moved all of Mieke's surplus stuff to our old bedroom, on preparation of a "garage sale" on Saturday. We invited only people we know. Some stuff went, but most of it will go to an op shop. The movers also picked up the stuff Mieke wants sent to SA. So we had a nearly clear "new bathroom". With help we moved both of the wardrobes to our old bedroom, and started playing with possible layouts of the new bathroom. I forgot to mention, there are still a lot of furniture in storage in Cambridge, which we will try to sell on Trademe
Saturday I continued cutting firewood from the timber we bought. There is still a lot to cut. Sometimes I wonder if it worth the effort. It might be better to buy a load, but then again, it all has to be put away. Which is the lesser of two evils?
On Friday afternoon Bunnings delivered the insulation, timber and Gib (plasterboard) that we will need for doing the new bathroom. Now all depends on the weather.If it is rainy, I will start working inside. If it is clear, I will start work on the veranda. So far we have a few rainy days ahead of us.
15 July 2012
Two weeks of doing very little. With Mieke visiting here, and she was working on internet all the time, I could not do much. What we did do however, was to bring all her stuff that was in storage in Cambridge to Kihikihi. She sorted out what she want shipped to SA. Boxes everywhere. I just counted 35 discarded boxes. I have no idea what is in them, we will see. Then I will have to coordinate the 4 cubic metres of stuff she wants shipped.
We did manage to buy some Kauri timber from somebody. They have chucked it out as firewood. We also got some real firewood with it. I cut some of it up, but most of it is still waiting for me.
Our church group was here on Saturday, they want to start a community garden, so I volunteered the land. The sprayed the grass with weedkiller, and put up a fence. All of this is work that has been on my list, but I never got around to it.
Last Saturday the group helped somebody to cut a dead tree. I just mentioned that our two lambs are beginning to suffer from a lack of grass. One person volunteered that I could take the labs to his place, he has got ample grazing. Monday morning I built a cage and moved the lambs over. Thank you very much. It is a relief not to have to open and close the gate every time we go out.
We had some lovely weather these last two weeks, but today it started raining. The last forecast I saw said rain until at least Thursday. I think I will hibernate!!!!!!!
The odd post that slipped in was one I have discovered in the draft file, but it seems it was published anyhow, so I deleted it. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Love
G
Two weeks of doing very little. With Mieke visiting here, and she was working on internet all the time, I could not do much. What we did do however, was to bring all her stuff that was in storage in Cambridge to Kihikihi. She sorted out what she want shipped to SA. Boxes everywhere. I just counted 35 discarded boxes. I have no idea what is in them, we will see. Then I will have to coordinate the 4 cubic metres of stuff she wants shipped.
We did manage to buy some Kauri timber from somebody. They have chucked it out as firewood. We also got some real firewood with it. I cut some of it up, but most of it is still waiting for me.
Our church group was here on Saturday, they want to start a community garden, so I volunteered the land. The sprayed the grass with weedkiller, and put up a fence. All of this is work that has been on my list, but I never got around to it.
Last Saturday the group helped somebody to cut a dead tree. I just mentioned that our two lambs are beginning to suffer from a lack of grass. One person volunteered that I could take the labs to his place, he has got ample grazing. Monday morning I built a cage and moved the lambs over. Thank you very much. It is a relief not to have to open and close the gate every time we go out.
We had some lovely weather these last two weeks, but today it started raining. The last forecast I saw said rain until at least Thursday. I think I will hibernate!!!!!!!
The odd post that slipped in was one I have discovered in the draft file, but it seems it was published anyhow, so I deleted it. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Love
G
1 July 2012
My apologies again. I spent some time working on the design of the new (to be) kitchen. That was because I want to build the kitchen cabinets myself, and had to decide on the sizes of the cabinets and its panels. Turns out we can possibly use some of the material we bought as a complete kitchen for $ 27. We have bought an oven and range some months back for $40 and want to install that in the current kitchen. Problem is that only fits into a cabinet, it is an under bench oven. Now you understand why I tackled the job backward front. No actual manufacturing of the cabinets has started yet.
Mieke is still visiting and we spent time with her, and also, she works by internet, and I don't want to start any noisy work. We also went to mount Ruapehu for the weekend, she is a keen snowboarder and we couldn't let her go by herself.
Hopefully next week will be more productive.
My apologies again. I spent some time working on the design of the new (to be) kitchen. That was because I want to build the kitchen cabinets myself, and had to decide on the sizes of the cabinets and its panels. Turns out we can possibly use some of the material we bought as a complete kitchen for $ 27. We have bought an oven and range some months back for $40 and want to install that in the current kitchen. Problem is that only fits into a cabinet, it is an under bench oven. Now you understand why I tackled the job backward front. No actual manufacturing of the cabinets has started yet.
Mieke is still visiting and we spent time with her, and also, she works by internet, and I don't want to start any noisy work. We also went to mount Ruapehu for the weekend, she is a keen snowboarder and we couldn't let her go by herself.
Hopefully next week will be more productive.
24 June 2012
Nothing much happened this week. I had a cold and the energy levels were low.
Mieke arrived Sunday night, and we are spending time with her. I also had to do our tax return. Spent a lot of time sorting through my "box files"
Then Elna tripped on the stairs/ steps between the living room and kitchen. I decided now is a good time to install the ramp we had in mind. It ended up 600 mm high, 2.2 mm long and only 600 mm wide. That was the size of a kitchen top I had lying around. Stuck an offcut of carpet on it an all is fine. (Forgot to say, I had to go under the floor to support the threshold which was a little bit wobbly.)
Hope we will have more to report next week.
Nothing much happened this week. I had a cold and the energy levels were low.
Mieke arrived Sunday night, and we are spending time with her. I also had to do our tax return. Spent a lot of time sorting through my "box files"
Then Elna tripped on the stairs/ steps between the living room and kitchen. I decided now is a good time to install the ramp we had in mind. It ended up 600 mm high, 2.2 mm long and only 600 mm wide. That was the size of a kitchen top I had lying around. Stuck an offcut of carpet on it an all is fine. (Forgot to say, I had to go under the floor to support the threshold which was a little bit wobbly.)
Hope we will have more to report next week.
17 June 2012
I just checked, the work on the front room started on 14 April. We finished yesterday, that makes it 9 weeks. We are finally finished. Now that is using brother Ben's advice not to do the floors now. We did clean away the polish on the edges where the skirting board goes, and the centre part is fairly clean, I think it will be an easy job cleaning all of it. Since Mieke is arriving tonight, we left the floor to clean it properly and oil it when she is gone, using Tung oil. Tung oil does not make it tacky and dark as Linseed oil does.
We decided not to move in ourselves, but to let Mieke use the room, since she will be working odd hours. The room is far away from the living areas. If I may say so, I think we did an excellent job. The room is clean and tidy, and most of all, warm. No draughts.
The next few weeks I will spend on tidying up the section a bit. We have material lying around everywhere. I will also start on putting horizontal beams/joists against the wall in anticipation of putting the verandas back.
I just checked, the work on the front room started on 14 April. We finished yesterday, that makes it 9 weeks. We are finally finished. Now that is using brother Ben's advice not to do the floors now. We did clean away the polish on the edges where the skirting board goes, and the centre part is fairly clean, I think it will be an easy job cleaning all of it. Since Mieke is arriving tonight, we left the floor to clean it properly and oil it when she is gone, using Tung oil. Tung oil does not make it tacky and dark as Linseed oil does.
We decided not to move in ourselves, but to let Mieke use the room, since she will be working odd hours. The room is far away from the living areas. If I may say so, I think we did an excellent job. The room is clean and tidy, and most of all, warm. No draughts.
The next few weeks I will spend on tidying up the section a bit. We have material lying around everywhere. I will also start on putting horizontal beams/joists against the wall in anticipation of putting the verandas back.
10 June 2012
A very slow week last week. I have managed to break two panes of glass out of the eight. I dropped one of the sashes, and then dropped a beam through the other. I had to visit a glazier to cut some of the glass I had stashed away. Thank goodness, he charged only $5!! We did also replace a pane of glass that has been broken on the street side. Next door neighbour said he has been living there for 28 years, and it has been patched all that time. I am still working on the architraves. I did manage to pull the wiring for the plugs we want to fit, but tomorrow I will need to crawl under the floor again to staple the wire. Friday was a half day, we had business in Hamilton, and Saturday we did no work.
We just might make it in time for Marike's visit.
Fingers crossed.
A very slow week last week. I have managed to break two panes of glass out of the eight. I dropped one of the sashes, and then dropped a beam through the other. I had to visit a glazier to cut some of the glass I had stashed away. Thank goodness, he charged only $5!! We did also replace a pane of glass that has been broken on the street side. Next door neighbour said he has been living there for 28 years, and it has been patched all that time. I am still working on the architraves. I did manage to pull the wiring for the plugs we want to fit, but tomorrow I will need to crawl under the floor again to staple the wire. Friday was a half day, we had business in Hamilton, and Saturday we did no work.
We just might make it in time for Marike's visit.
Fingers crossed.
Saturday
2 June 2012
Tomorrow we will be in Auckland, so you are getting this one early.
As stated, the sheep needed a fence. Now that took us two days, adding wires to the fence and putting chicken wire against the fence.Thank goodness we have bought a trailer load of fencing wire a while ago at $2.50!!
We removed the broken glass from the sash, and managed to cut a new pane from the others we had. Problem. The new glass would not fit, although the dimension was right. I learned that the glass was not square, so I had to trim the frame to suit. It turned out to be a big job at my age. Bottom line is that the window is complete now, and all works well. now we will need to remake some of the architraves, they just broke into a thousand pieces. At least we managed to seal that window from draughts. The other window in the same room is fairly rotted out as well. We might just patch it, but it might need remanufacturing as well. Will see next week.
We also refitted the cornices which we have removed when we fitted the plasterboard. We have stripped and revarnished them and had to jack them in position because they were so warped.
We have got two weeks left before Marike comes for her visit. If all goes well, we just might finish that room in time.
I forgot to say, we were given seven sheets of used ply. We used that and some other to line our existing bedroom. It goes only to 2.4m where the wall is 3.4m, but it already makes a marked difference to the temperature. We are experiencing a very mild winter to date, frost only two days or so.
See you next week
G
Tomorrow we will be in Auckland, so you are getting this one early.
As stated, the sheep needed a fence. Now that took us two days, adding wires to the fence and putting chicken wire against the fence.Thank goodness we have bought a trailer load of fencing wire a while ago at $2.50!!
We removed the broken glass from the sash, and managed to cut a new pane from the others we had. Problem. The new glass would not fit, although the dimension was right. I learned that the glass was not square, so I had to trim the frame to suit. It turned out to be a big job at my age. Bottom line is that the window is complete now, and all works well. now we will need to remake some of the architraves, they just broke into a thousand pieces. At least we managed to seal that window from draughts. The other window in the same room is fairly rotted out as well. We might just patch it, but it might need remanufacturing as well. Will see next week.
We also refitted the cornices which we have removed when we fitted the plasterboard. We have stripped and revarnished them and had to jack them in position because they were so warped.
We have got two weeks left before Marike comes for her visit. If all goes well, we just might finish that room in time.
I forgot to say, we were given seven sheets of used ply. We used that and some other to line our existing bedroom. It goes only to 2.4m where the wall is 3.4m, but it already makes a marked difference to the temperature. We are experiencing a very mild winter to date, frost only two days or so.
See you next week
G
Sunday
27 May 2012.
What happened just now reminds me of the joke about the computer user who had a problem. She called in a technician and he sorted it in a few seconds. She wanted to know what the problem has been? He replied:"It was an ID ten T error". She wrote it down to tell her friends: "ID10T" I nearly had my post finished, and accidentally touched a wrong key somewhere, and lost it all.
Now where were I?
Last week I said the window was nearly finished. We have removed the rotten frame and built a new frame, leaving the windowsill in place. Every night we put the sliding sashes back in to close the big hole. We had some broken or cracked panes of glass in the sashes, which obviously needed replacing. If bought new, they cost $ 57.
When we first saw the house in 2009, there were windows lying on the deck. In 2006 they installed one in place of a rotten one in the western wall. When we bought the place, the other was still lying there, with pieces of the rotted one as well. We put them in storage. Beginning to work on the windows, we learnt that the original ones were 40 inches, as opposed to 34 for the replacement ones. We also learnt that two panes could possibly be salvaged from the sashes that was thrown out. Now, my rate of success in removing old glass from wooden frames is nearly zero. But I have seen an tool advertised on TV which cuts with a vibrating action, like they used to remove plaster casts in the old days. These tools cost up to $ 260, but I bought a cheap one at $ 60. I managed to remove two panes from the old sashes, and all the broken and cracked ones from our window. In lifting one glass out of the frame, it just shattered in my hands. Well, one was still in the sash, and we had three more.
We sanded the sashes down, and repainted them all. Sometimes the humidity was too high outside, and we had to put them in the house and put a heater on. I fitted the new/old glass. We also installed the new sash cords.
As we had to refit the sashes every night, I learned that my frame was too narrow at the top. Luckily it was screwed together. I quickly removed the screws and refitted it a bit wider. Now it turned out it was too wide, and the frame was too tall. We would have a nice draught over the top. Next day I measured again, and cut back where necessary and reassembled the frame. Nice fit now.
At last we could start with the final assembly. We first fitted the top or outside sash, and it worked just fine. Next was the bottom one. I put it in position, and asked Elna to look for the weights while I went outside to fetch something. I heard a big crash. A gust of wind had blown the sash out, breaking tie only pane of glass that was not replaced. We stuck a piece of perspex over it, and installed the weights. Next we sealed all the air gaps between the timber architraves. Much better now.
I have been buying aluminium windows on Trademe to salvage the glass and try and cut it down About 50% success rate. On Friday I won an auction for two windows at $ 15.50. We went to pick it up yesterday, and it turned out it was a group of people converting a house into a church. When I explained what I was doing, the guy said they had a lot of glass, I could help myself. I got two more sheets of glass. I gave them $ 20, thus $5 each. The window is still not finished, but we are getting there, slowly.
Our two sheep were complaining about their grass. Totally unjustified, but they were bleating a lot. On Saturday afternoon we decided to put them each on a chain. It worked for about 30 minutes, they broke their collars, bad leather. Now they were running free in the yard. I have been planning to repair the street fence, since there is only three steel wires. Now it became a necessity. We put chicken fence against the wire, as a temporary measure. Tomorrow I will be doing some fencing again.We have a nice steel farm gate that should fit. We will not be moving over this week.
Never a dull moment
Bye
G&E
What happened just now reminds me of the joke about the computer user who had a problem. She called in a technician and he sorted it in a few seconds. She wanted to know what the problem has been? He replied:"It was an ID ten T error". She wrote it down to tell her friends: "ID10T" I nearly had my post finished, and accidentally touched a wrong key somewhere, and lost it all.
Now where were I?
Last week I said the window was nearly finished. We have removed the rotten frame and built a new frame, leaving the windowsill in place. Every night we put the sliding sashes back in to close the big hole. We had some broken or cracked panes of glass in the sashes, which obviously needed replacing. If bought new, they cost $ 57.
When we first saw the house in 2009, there were windows lying on the deck. In 2006 they installed one in place of a rotten one in the western wall. When we bought the place, the other was still lying there, with pieces of the rotted one as well. We put them in storage. Beginning to work on the windows, we learnt that the original ones were 40 inches, as opposed to 34 for the replacement ones. We also learnt that two panes could possibly be salvaged from the sashes that was thrown out. Now, my rate of success in removing old glass from wooden frames is nearly zero. But I have seen an tool advertised on TV which cuts with a vibrating action, like they used to remove plaster casts in the old days. These tools cost up to $ 260, but I bought a cheap one at $ 60. I managed to remove two panes from the old sashes, and all the broken and cracked ones from our window. In lifting one glass out of the frame, it just shattered in my hands. Well, one was still in the sash, and we had three more.
We sanded the sashes down, and repainted them all. Sometimes the humidity was too high outside, and we had to put them in the house and put a heater on. I fitted the new/old glass. We also installed the new sash cords.
As we had to refit the sashes every night, I learned that my frame was too narrow at the top. Luckily it was screwed together. I quickly removed the screws and refitted it a bit wider. Now it turned out it was too wide, and the frame was too tall. We would have a nice draught over the top. Next day I measured again, and cut back where necessary and reassembled the frame. Nice fit now.
At last we could start with the final assembly. We first fitted the top or outside sash, and it worked just fine. Next was the bottom one. I put it in position, and asked Elna to look for the weights while I went outside to fetch something. I heard a big crash. A gust of wind had blown the sash out, breaking tie only pane of glass that was not replaced. We stuck a piece of perspex over it, and installed the weights. Next we sealed all the air gaps between the timber architraves. Much better now.
I have been buying aluminium windows on Trademe to salvage the glass and try and cut it down About 50% success rate. On Friday I won an auction for two windows at $ 15.50. We went to pick it up yesterday, and it turned out it was a group of people converting a house into a church. When I explained what I was doing, the guy said they had a lot of glass, I could help myself. I got two more sheets of glass. I gave them $ 20, thus $5 each. The window is still not finished, but we are getting there, slowly.
Our two sheep were complaining about their grass. Totally unjustified, but they were bleating a lot. On Saturday afternoon we decided to put them each on a chain. It worked for about 30 minutes, they broke their collars, bad leather. Now they were running free in the yard. I have been planning to repair the street fence, since there is only three steel wires. Now it became a necessity. We put chicken fence against the wire, as a temporary measure. Tomorrow I will be doing some fencing again.We have a nice steel farm gate that should fit. We will not be moving over this week.
Never a dull moment
Bye
G&E
20 May 2012
Tomorrow it will be one year since we took possession of the house. Our first night in the house was a few days later. Now, we had a target of one room every six months, disregarding or forgetting about the outside. We have nearly achieved that.
Our front room is sooo nearly finished. We finished painting the walls and now we are working on draught proofing the windows. We learned that the bay was definitely installed at a later stage. They re-used the original window and added two narrower windows, one on either side. Now, the original window was made of Kauri, and was riddled with borer. As soft as Weet Bix and broke in several places. It had to be repaired / replaced. The sliding sashes are OK, why I don't know. So I set out to remake the surrounding frame. Not as easy as it seems. I am more of a carpenter than a joiner, so everything takes a lot of time. Hopefully it will be finished some time this week. We have a forecast for the coming week of clear sunny days and frosty nights. I want to move over as soon as possible.
Marike notified us that she is coming to visit us in June, for a month. We need another bedroom. No pressure.
Just joking. she has slept in an Ice Hotel in Norway, so the Waikato climate should not be too bad.
Tomorrow it will be one year since we took possession of the house. Our first night in the house was a few days later. Now, we had a target of one room every six months, disregarding or forgetting about the outside. We have nearly achieved that.
Our front room is sooo nearly finished. We finished painting the walls and now we are working on draught proofing the windows. We learned that the bay was definitely installed at a later stage. They re-used the original window and added two narrower windows, one on either side. Now, the original window was made of Kauri, and was riddled with borer. As soft as Weet Bix and broke in several places. It had to be repaired / replaced. The sliding sashes are OK, why I don't know. So I set out to remake the surrounding frame. Not as easy as it seems. I am more of a carpenter than a joiner, so everything takes a lot of time. Hopefully it will be finished some time this week. We have a forecast for the coming week of clear sunny days and frosty nights. I want to move over as soon as possible.
Marike notified us that she is coming to visit us in June, for a month. We need another bedroom. No pressure.
Just joking. she has slept in an Ice Hotel in Norway, so the Waikato climate should not be too bad.
6 May 2012
The previous week, we had to do some repairs and maintenance to our Cambridge property. We replaced the bathroom ceiling. That was quite an effort. We cut the gib panels to size, and pre-painted them. On Wednesday Barco offered to help, and we managed to put the panels up. A little akward to move between the bath, vanity and toilet, but we made it. Then gibstopping, and gibstopping. and eventually painting the new ceiling. Finished at five on Friday and the new tenant started moving in at six. Thank God for the new tenant.
This week we had more gibstopping, in the bay room this time. We tried contacting two different gibstoppers, without success. Eventually I started doing it myself. The first layer is done, and on Saturday I started on the second layer. Obviously it first has to dry properly, then it has to be sanded before the next layer can be put on. If I hold the plastering trowel with two hands, I manage a sort of finish, because of my shaking. Will see if we eventually will need four or five sandings. The previous week we also managed to buy curtain rails and a curtain on a roll. The Ruffelette is already sewn on, and you buy it by the meter. We selected a plain pale green curtain with a gold speck in it. We had a minimum requirement of 9 meters, but the roll had 9.8, so we took it all. That is 2.4 m high. Will just fit.
We have a lovely fireplace in the room, dating from about 1920. We tested it by burning newspaper, and it seems to work. It is really intended for coal, because it is narrow, but we will be using wood. Imagine how nice it will be to lie in bed with a fire going next to us.
Till next time
The previous week, we had to do some repairs and maintenance to our Cambridge property. We replaced the bathroom ceiling. That was quite an effort. We cut the gib panels to size, and pre-painted them. On Wednesday Barco offered to help, and we managed to put the panels up. A little akward to move between the bath, vanity and toilet, but we made it. Then gibstopping, and gibstopping. and eventually painting the new ceiling. Finished at five on Friday and the new tenant started moving in at six. Thank God for the new tenant.
This week we had more gibstopping, in the bay room this time. We tried contacting two different gibstoppers, without success. Eventually I started doing it myself. The first layer is done, and on Saturday I started on the second layer. Obviously it first has to dry properly, then it has to be sanded before the next layer can be put on. If I hold the plastering trowel with two hands, I manage a sort of finish, because of my shaking. Will see if we eventually will need four or five sandings. The previous week we also managed to buy curtain rails and a curtain on a roll. The Ruffelette is already sewn on, and you buy it by the meter. We selected a plain pale green curtain with a gold speck in it. We had a minimum requirement of 9 meters, but the roll had 9.8, so we took it all. That is 2.4 m high. Will just fit.
We have a lovely fireplace in the room, dating from about 1920. We tested it by burning newspaper, and it seems to work. It is really intended for coal, because it is narrow, but we will be using wood. Imagine how nice it will be to lie in bed with a fire going next to us.
Till next time
22 April 2012
Yes, the impossible is still possible. Jaco, another church friend, expressed interest to learn Gibbing. I called on him and on Tuesday he came over and we got most of the Gib up. I just completed the last few bits. Now the room is done. The previous room took more than two months. Next will be Gib stopping, but if it turns cold, we might move in without that. Curtains will be our next priority. I am thinking of having a tube bent to fit the bay, but we will have to go window shopping.
Our tenant in Cambridge moved out, so most of our next week will be spent on minor repairs there.
Yes, the impossible is still possible. Jaco, another church friend, expressed interest to learn Gibbing. I called on him and on Tuesday he came over and we got most of the Gib up. I just completed the last few bits. Now the room is done. The previous room took more than two months. Next will be Gib stopping, but if it turns cold, we might move in without that. Curtains will be our next priority. I am thinking of having a tube bent to fit the bay, but we will have to go window shopping.
Our tenant in Cambridge moved out, so most of our next week will be spent on minor repairs there.
15 April 2012
What a week!
We finished painting the posts for the veranda. I also bought some timber for the horizontal beams and cut it to length. It is cut at an angle for better strength on the joint. We also cut the joist that goes against the wall. Those are all under our work veranda and clamped together so as not to warp.
We heard a rumour that our church group would be coming again on Saturday to do some work. So we decided, if it was raining on Saturday, we would find inside work. So I bought the plasterboard and insulation to do a full room, and we cleared the room and removed the skirting and architraves. That is the North Western room, the original lounge with the bay window. We will make that our bedroom for the time being. We have decided we don't want to experience another seriously cold winter in a drafty room.
Saturday turned up, a nice sunny day, as did our volunteers at 8:30. They even caught me before I was fully dressed! I decided on the spur of the moment that a warm bedroom is more important than a veranda, so we tackled the room. For those who don't know old New Zealand houses, the house is timber framed, with weatherboards outside. Efficient against rain, but with large gaps allowing wind to blow in and through the whole house. Large gaps in the flooring under the framing. The inside is lined with boards, (sarking) spaced about 10 mm apart, then there used to be scrim (hessian) and wall paper. That has been long removed. No insulation at all. We all pitched in and removed the sarking on the outside walls and most of the inside as well. I have decided to insulate the inside walls as well for sound proofing. First we made inserts to cover the gaps in the floor between the framing studs. Then we installed insulation (pink batts). All of these were big jobs. Then we proceeded to install the plasterboard. In some places 3,6 m long. Remember the ceiling height is 3.4 m. We managed to get all of the long boards up, except for one where the framework is rotten. That will need repair before the board can go up. By 6:30 we had a bunch of very tired volunteers, and two very happy residents. We don't see ourselves as owners, we are the current custodians of this old house.!!
We cannot begin to express our gratitude towards those families from our church group who so tirelessly and with good spirit worked so hard for our sake. Well done guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In this room we have the loveliest cast iron fireplace, with tile surround. We will have to make sure the chimney is on good repair before we start making a fire. I also did a temperature check, the "new" room is a full two and a half degrees warmer than the rest of the house. I must admit the sun is shining outside and there are no curtains.
Have a nice week.
What a week!
We finished painting the posts for the veranda. I also bought some timber for the horizontal beams and cut it to length. It is cut at an angle for better strength on the joint. We also cut the joist that goes against the wall. Those are all under our work veranda and clamped together so as not to warp.
We heard a rumour that our church group would be coming again on Saturday to do some work. So we decided, if it was raining on Saturday, we would find inside work. So I bought the plasterboard and insulation to do a full room, and we cleared the room and removed the skirting and architraves. That is the North Western room, the original lounge with the bay window. We will make that our bedroom for the time being. We have decided we don't want to experience another seriously cold winter in a drafty room.
Saturday turned up, a nice sunny day, as did our volunteers at 8:30. They even caught me before I was fully dressed! I decided on the spur of the moment that a warm bedroom is more important than a veranda, so we tackled the room. For those who don't know old New Zealand houses, the house is timber framed, with weatherboards outside. Efficient against rain, but with large gaps allowing wind to blow in and through the whole house. Large gaps in the flooring under the framing. The inside is lined with boards, (sarking) spaced about 10 mm apart, then there used to be scrim (hessian) and wall paper. That has been long removed. No insulation at all. We all pitched in and removed the sarking on the outside walls and most of the inside as well. I have decided to insulate the inside walls as well for sound proofing. First we made inserts to cover the gaps in the floor between the framing studs. Then we installed insulation (pink batts). All of these were big jobs. Then we proceeded to install the plasterboard. In some places 3,6 m long. Remember the ceiling height is 3.4 m. We managed to get all of the long boards up, except for one where the framework is rotten. That will need repair before the board can go up. By 6:30 we had a bunch of very tired volunteers, and two very happy residents. We don't see ourselves as owners, we are the current custodians of this old house.!!
We cannot begin to express our gratitude towards those families from our church group who so tirelessly and with good spirit worked so hard for our sake. Well done guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In this room we have the loveliest cast iron fireplace, with tile surround. We will have to make sure the chimney is on good repair before we start making a fire. I also did a temperature check, the "new" room is a full two and a half degrees warmer than the rest of the house. I must admit the sun is shining outside and there are no curtains.
Have a nice week.
8 April 2012
We had rain forecast for the last week, so I pushed for the joists for the deck. In the end we had a lovely sunny week and I kept on working on the deck. The decision was made to extend the deck for the full southern side. This is the side visible from Grey Street. Previously we wanted to do it only partially. We also had to decide on the width, because where we stopped in December, the deck went wider by 300 mm. We decided to do all of the new deck on the narrower width. There was a problem though. The height of the old deck would be 50 mm higher than the new one. After much deliberation, I cut the outer edge of the old deck off, and went past it. I removed two thirds of the joists we put up in December, and replaced it with a stronger joist, 100*100 as opposed to 100* 75 laid flat. I had to notch some of the bearers and gradually changed the height. Now we have all the joists on the outer side up, as well as the joists against the wall. That done, now at last we can continue on the posts. No decking boards though, we have not got money for that now. Once we have the veranda posts all finished, we can put the posts and lintol up. only held in place by a few ties.
Remember we have two lambs. One of them got attacked by blowfly (brommers). The wool was quite long and they burrowed into the wool to lay their eggs on the skin. I have never seen this before, normally it happens at the back end where it is wet and clogged. First one side, so we cut the wool and treated it, then the other, but they kept at it. We tried to get a shearer to shear them, with no luck. It is shearing season and everybody is busy. On Saturday Barco (Barry) and Jeamien offered to help. He has got a pair of hand shears for the garden, and we sharpened that and fired away. The ladies started from the front end with kitchen scissors. In all it took us about 3 hours to shear two sheep, but now the job is done and the infestation is treated and the lamb feels much better. I built a platform from scaffolds to put the sheep on. My job was to hold the sheep down, very important, Yes? We also used purple disinfectant, now Snowy has become purply.
Have a blessed Easter
We had rain forecast for the last week, so I pushed for the joists for the deck. In the end we had a lovely sunny week and I kept on working on the deck. The decision was made to extend the deck for the full southern side. This is the side visible from Grey Street. Previously we wanted to do it only partially. We also had to decide on the width, because where we stopped in December, the deck went wider by 300 mm. We decided to do all of the new deck on the narrower width. There was a problem though. The height of the old deck would be 50 mm higher than the new one. After much deliberation, I cut the outer edge of the old deck off, and went past it. I removed two thirds of the joists we put up in December, and replaced it with a stronger joist, 100*100 as opposed to 100* 75 laid flat. I had to notch some of the bearers and gradually changed the height. Now we have all the joists on the outer side up, as well as the joists against the wall. That done, now at last we can continue on the posts. No decking boards though, we have not got money for that now. Once we have the veranda posts all finished, we can put the posts and lintol up. only held in place by a few ties.
Remember we have two lambs. One of them got attacked by blowfly (brommers). The wool was quite long and they burrowed into the wool to lay their eggs on the skin. I have never seen this before, normally it happens at the back end where it is wet and clogged. First one side, so we cut the wool and treated it, then the other, but they kept at it. We tried to get a shearer to shear them, with no luck. It is shearing season and everybody is busy. On Saturday Barco (Barry) and Jeamien offered to help. He has got a pair of hand shears for the garden, and we sharpened that and fired away. The ladies started from the front end with kitchen scissors. In all it took us about 3 hours to shear two sheep, but now the job is done and the infestation is treated and the lamb feels much better. I built a platform from scaffolds to put the sheep on. My job was to hold the sheep down, very important, Yes? We also used purple disinfectant, now Snowy has become purply.
Have a blessed Easter
1 April 2012
We became world famous in Kihikihi this week! The local paper, the Courier, ran a front page article about us and the house. It was very accurate and sympathetic. All the townspeople we saw commented on it. Let us hope we will not disappoint them.
The idea is not that you should try reading the article, just to prove I am not lying! There is a continuation on page 5 and more photos.
The kitchen shelves were finished. In the end I spent about two days on them and it makes a big difference for Elna. Why haven't I done them long ago?
I managed to repair all the old veranda posts, and on Saturday (Anneke and Matt were here) Matt pushed me a bit and I managed to finish sanding 15 of the 27 posts, and Matt graciously painted them for me. Hopefully we can finish the posts this coming week. Then we will tackle the deck.
Until next week
We became world famous in Kihikihi this week! The local paper, the Courier, ran a front page article about us and the house. It was very accurate and sympathetic. All the townspeople we saw commented on it. Let us hope we will not disappoint them.
The idea is not that you should try reading the article, just to prove I am not lying! There is a continuation on page 5 and more photos.
The kitchen shelves were finished. In the end I spent about two days on them and it makes a big difference for Elna. Why haven't I done them long ago?
I managed to repair all the old veranda posts, and on Saturday (Anneke and Matt were here) Matt pushed me a bit and I managed to finish sanding 15 of the 27 posts, and Matt graciously painted them for me. Hopefully we can finish the posts this coming week. Then we will tackle the deck.
Until next week
25 March 2012
We calculated that we need 23 or 25 posts for the veranda. I got all the old ones together and started cleaning them. Sanded all the old paint off, and repaired the broken ones. Seven had the tops broken off, and three more were rotted at the bottom. By the end of the week I had all repaired, but now it will need smoothing with the belt sander. Then we will need to paint them all. Also, we will need to dig the lintols, or horizontal beams from under the floor and cut and join them some will need replacing.
We also discovered another oddity. The previous builder had started work on the deck, but the heights did not match up, it is 50 mm lower than the original. It will require a serious investigation and maybe tweaking to make them meet.
Saturday I decided to add a shelf in the kitchen, but, because I am using recycled timber, it needed sanding down. Painting lies ahead.
Have a nice week!
We calculated that we need 23 or 25 posts for the veranda. I got all the old ones together and started cleaning them. Sanded all the old paint off, and repaired the broken ones. Seven had the tops broken off, and three more were rotted at the bottom. By the end of the week I had all repaired, but now it will need smoothing with the belt sander. Then we will need to paint them all. Also, we will need to dig the lintols, or horizontal beams from under the floor and cut and join them some will need replacing.
We also discovered another oddity. The previous builder had started work on the deck, but the heights did not match up, it is 50 mm lower than the original. It will require a serious investigation and maybe tweaking to make them meet.
Saturday I decided to add a shelf in the kitchen, but, because I am using recycled timber, it needed sanding down. Painting lies ahead.
Have a nice week!
18 March 2012
This week we were real pensioners.
I did manage to finish the lean to on the cookhouse, but nothing much more.
I turned a new bush for my electric chainsaw. I have borrowed my son's for how long now, but at long last that is repaired now. On Wednesday we took somebody to Hamilton to introduce her to the wonders of buying from the recycle shop (asgat) Thursday it was a visit to the doctor for a renewal of my regular pills. It seems it is getting more every time. Saturday we went to Tokoroa to pick up a kitchen sink we bought through Trademe. It is a modern one that fits into the top, but it has got two run offs, which I haven't seen before. That put bust to our budget for the month, but it is worth it.
With the lean to completed, the schedule is to sand down the rails and posts for the veranda. If I am not mistaken, I started with that beginning of December, or it might even have been in November. Will keep you posted.
Till next time
This week we were real pensioners.
I did manage to finish the lean to on the cookhouse, but nothing much more.
I turned a new bush for my electric chainsaw. I have borrowed my son's for how long now, but at long last that is repaired now. On Wednesday we took somebody to Hamilton to introduce her to the wonders of buying from the recycle shop (asgat) Thursday it was a visit to the doctor for a renewal of my regular pills. It seems it is getting more every time. Saturday we went to Tokoroa to pick up a kitchen sink we bought through Trademe. It is a modern one that fits into the top, but it has got two run offs, which I haven't seen before. That put bust to our budget for the month, but it is worth it.
With the lean to completed, the schedule is to sand down the rails and posts for the veranda. If I am not mistaken, I started with that beginning of December, or it might even have been in November. Will keep you posted.
Till next time
11 March 2012
This has been a slooow week, with not much to report.
I started work on the roof of the lean to, but it is far from finished. The beam I mounted on the wall for the roof turned out to be to high up, and I could not reach in to insert screws in the roofing sheets. So I was forced to add another one to the first one to make it wider. It will work nicely now. Maybe better luck next week.
I also spent time on those little jobs that never get done, fitted a curtain rail in the living room, and some architraves that were missed out in December. I must admit it is looking much better now. Also sorted some of the bolts and nuts that has been lying around everywhere. It seems I have too little shelf space.
We had a power cut on Friday, maintenance on the lines. It is amazing how much we rely on power. Nothing works, I cannot grind anything, or drill a hole or use the power saw.
I also spent some time on our car, little niggly things that got left behind
On Saturday, we had a very pleasant surprise. The people from our Afrikaans church group came over for a "working bee". It could also be called "mucking in" A whole bunch of people turned up and wanted to know what to do. I put them on the "too hard basket" jobs, everything I knew needed doing but which I tended to avoid.
They removed the last of the plants growing on the cookhouse roof. Unfortunately the chimney stack did not make it. It just fell apart, no mortar between the bricks, just sand. We demolished it down to three courses. Eventually I will need to dismantle all of it and rebuild. I knew it was coming, but tried to ignore it. They also cleared the whole section of rubbish and plant matter, and mowed all the lawns (grass rather). For the first time since we moved in everything is tidy now. They even removed five trailer loads of rubbish. At lunchtime we had a nice barbie(braai) of boerewors and mieliepap, and as homage to our new country, also bangers and buns. We had the nicest weather and it was a very enjoyable day . Thanks to everybody involved.
This has been a slooow week, with not much to report.
I started work on the roof of the lean to, but it is far from finished. The beam I mounted on the wall for the roof turned out to be to high up, and I could not reach in to insert screws in the roofing sheets. So I was forced to add another one to the first one to make it wider. It will work nicely now. Maybe better luck next week.
I also spent time on those little jobs that never get done, fitted a curtain rail in the living room, and some architraves that were missed out in December. I must admit it is looking much better now. Also sorted some of the bolts and nuts that has been lying around everywhere. It seems I have too little shelf space.
We had a power cut on Friday, maintenance on the lines. It is amazing how much we rely on power. Nothing works, I cannot grind anything, or drill a hole or use the power saw.
I also spent some time on our car, little niggly things that got left behind
On Saturday, we had a very pleasant surprise. The people from our Afrikaans church group came over for a "working bee". It could also be called "mucking in" A whole bunch of people turned up and wanted to know what to do. I put them on the "too hard basket" jobs, everything I knew needed doing but which I tended to avoid.
They removed the last of the plants growing on the cookhouse roof. Unfortunately the chimney stack did not make it. It just fell apart, no mortar between the bricks, just sand. We demolished it down to three courses. Eventually I will need to dismantle all of it and rebuild. I knew it was coming, but tried to ignore it. They also cleared the whole section of rubbish and plant matter, and mowed all the lawns (grass rather). For the first time since we moved in everything is tidy now. They even removed five trailer loads of rubbish. At lunchtime we had a nice barbie(braai) of boerewors and mieliepap, and as homage to our new country, also bangers and buns. We had the nicest weather and it was a very enjoyable day . Thanks to everybody involved.
4 March 2012
We finished painting the wall in the back yard. We were lucky in that we had some paint and some were given to us. I also improved both doors. looks much better now. Next we will want to repair the weatherboard and paint the cookhouse. The wall was completed at no cost.
Next we started building a lean to on the cookhouse. Remember we are not allowed to dig any holes, so I used pipes as posts and hammered them 800 mm in the ground. I didn't hear any crunching from artefacts being broken, so I hope it is OK. Seems this area was used as a veggie patch anyway. I started sanding some of the lintols (horizontal beams) from the veranda, being scrap. It turned out the quality of the Rimu which is 100 years old is still at par with new pine, so I saved those for the veranda and fitted a new beam. Still a work in progress. Saturday we had severe storm warnings, but it turned out much lighter than expected.
So I took Saturday off. Right? Never! At one pm I was watching TV and Elna was washing the bathroom floor. I said:"Why now?" She responded: "It is Saturday, a working day" I also got told about the glazing of the bathroom window. It is a largish window on the Northern side, and had three panes of coloured glass, and one piece of Hardboard from when we moved in. When Ben was here, we cut one pane, but it was decided to get rid of the coloured glass as well. So a few weeks back I cut the glass, but never got around to finishing the job. And guess what I did on Saturday afternoon? Right, I took all the glass out of the frame and re puttied everything. Job done. Now Elna can clean the glass. It was one of those "Round Tuit" jobs.
See ya!
We finished painting the wall in the back yard. We were lucky in that we had some paint and some were given to us. I also improved both doors. looks much better now. Next we will want to repair the weatherboard and paint the cookhouse. The wall was completed at no cost.
Next we started building a lean to on the cookhouse. Remember we are not allowed to dig any holes, so I used pipes as posts and hammered them 800 mm in the ground. I didn't hear any crunching from artefacts being broken, so I hope it is OK. Seems this area was used as a veggie patch anyway. I started sanding some of the lintols (horizontal beams) from the veranda, being scrap. It turned out the quality of the Rimu which is 100 years old is still at par with new pine, so I saved those for the veranda and fitted a new beam. Still a work in progress. Saturday we had severe storm warnings, but it turned out much lighter than expected.
So I took Saturday off. Right? Never! At one pm I was watching TV and Elna was washing the bathroom floor. I said:"Why now?" She responded: "It is Saturday, a working day" I also got told about the glazing of the bathroom window. It is a largish window on the Northern side, and had three panes of coloured glass, and one piece of Hardboard from when we moved in. When Ben was here, we cut one pane, but it was decided to get rid of the coloured glass as well. So a few weeks back I cut the glass, but never got around to finishing the job. And guess what I did on Saturday afternoon? Right, I took all the glass out of the frame and re puttied everything. Job done. Now Elna can clean the glass. It was one of those "Round Tuit" jobs.
See ya!
26 February 2012
Not much to report this week. I spent time to move our junk behind the new wall, and have the two remaining sheep grazing there now. Billy the goat got moved back to the neighbours, he was eating too much of our grass.
We had a rainy day, and I started work on the new bathroom. That is inside work. I removed some of the sarking boards. It takes some time. I use an angle grinder to grind away the heads of the nails, and the pull the board off. Otherwise it would just split up. It does leave an ugly burn mark or groove, but when we reuse it, we use the backside. No dating evidence yet. I was hoping to find some newspaper or something inside the wall.
I also visited our local museum. They have the original map of the farmland allocated to Jackson. It was 400 acres and was awarded in 1865.
We started painting the new wall on Saturday, and got halfway before lunch. We stopped and when I went out after lunch, we had a slight drizzle. We packed up and had a lovely sunny afternoon. Just our luck.
Anneke and Matt visited today, Sunday. They were in Hamilton for the official opening of the Tudor gardens, for which Anneke made the sculptures. Anneke made us a lovely colouring and drawing of the street view of the house, as it should be. Now I have a lot to aspire to.
Not much to report this week. I spent time to move our junk behind the new wall, and have the two remaining sheep grazing there now. Billy the goat got moved back to the neighbours, he was eating too much of our grass.
We had a rainy day, and I started work on the new bathroom. That is inside work. I removed some of the sarking boards. It takes some time. I use an angle grinder to grind away the heads of the nails, and the pull the board off. Otherwise it would just split up. It does leave an ugly burn mark or groove, but when we reuse it, we use the backside. No dating evidence yet. I was hoping to find some newspaper or something inside the wall.
I also visited our local museum. They have the original map of the farmland allocated to Jackson. It was 400 acres and was awarded in 1865.
We started painting the new wall on Saturday, and got halfway before lunch. We stopped and when I went out after lunch, we had a slight drizzle. We packed up and had a lovely sunny afternoon. Just our luck.
Anneke and Matt visited today, Sunday. They were in Hamilton for the official opening of the Tudor gardens, for which Anneke made the sculptures. Anneke made us a lovely colouring and drawing of the street view of the house, as it should be. Now I have a lot to aspire to.
19 February 2012
We have had our old ewe killed on Monday. Thursday we processed it. The wood band saw does not really work on meat, the blade keeps dropping off. The meat is a bit tough, but we are tough people. We also got given a Snoek, or Barracuda in Kiwi speak. Kiwis only use it as bait fish. The Snoek pie went down very well, and was enjoyed by many friends.
We had one day with a little rain, and I decided to start work on the new dividing wall between the new to be kitchen and the new to be bathroom. It involved only moving the computer and wardrobes. Material will have to be bought.
I also spent time on the half built partition wall. I started planning the carport ans store room to go behind it. Then I realised the target was only to get the wall finished. That reduced the amount of work by about 70%.
The frames are secured now, and the iron sheets are getting there. I expect a few teething problems, but nothing that we cannot handle.
I know, it looks terrible! Keep in mind it will be secured properly and water blasted and painted. hopefully I can add a new photo next week, or the week after. There is a door lying in front of the tip up door. The other door also has a story to tell. I took a lot of pain to make the frames true vertical. Then I fitted the door, it didn't fit. Why? The top of the door is 1000 mm wide and the bottom is 1050. Now the whole door will have to be taken apart and rebuilt. All the material used so far are from the demolition of the shed in Hamilton.
We have had our old ewe killed on Monday. Thursday we processed it. The wood band saw does not really work on meat, the blade keeps dropping off. The meat is a bit tough, but we are tough people. We also got given a Snoek, or Barracuda in Kiwi speak. Kiwis only use it as bait fish. The Snoek pie went down very well, and was enjoyed by many friends.
We had one day with a little rain, and I decided to start work on the new dividing wall between the new to be kitchen and the new to be bathroom. It involved only moving the computer and wardrobes. Material will have to be bought.
I also spent time on the half built partition wall. I started planning the carport ans store room to go behind it. Then I realised the target was only to get the wall finished. That reduced the amount of work by about 70%.
The frames are secured now, and the iron sheets are getting there. I expect a few teething problems, but nothing that we cannot handle.
I know, it looks terrible! Keep in mind it will be secured properly and water blasted and painted. hopefully I can add a new photo next week, or the week after. There is a door lying in front of the tip up door. The other door also has a story to tell. I took a lot of pain to make the frames true vertical. Then I fitted the door, it didn't fit. Why? The top of the door is 1000 mm wide and the bottom is 1050. Now the whole door will have to be taken apart and rebuilt. All the material used so far are from the demolition of the shed in Hamilton.
12 February 2012
Another week. Monday we had a public holiday, no work. Ha ha, no such luck. I sanded the wall to be painted and replaced a few rotted weatherboards. Tuesday I had to go to Hamilton. I was summoned (is that right?) for jury service. That happens on a random basis. Lucky for me I did not have to go again. Tuesday I completed the sanding process. Then we started painting. First of all, an undercoat of mismatched paint, and secondly the final colour. It was quite a job and very hot, especially in the afternoons. Up on the scaffold I was on my own, but up to chest height Elna did the brush work. It saved a lot of time. You have to paint all the corners and crannies by hand (with a brush of course silly!) and then paint the remainder of the board with the roller. Well, we rushed in and finished at 2:30 pm on Friday, at the heat of the day, on most likely our warmest day. (26deg)
The Bay window and all of the wall on that side is painted now, as well as up to the gable end. That is the wall that will be covered by the veranda. Rebuilding the veranda will follow after the hiding wall is finished.
Ben sent me an email and told me to take Saturday off. I did. I only built a new pen for the sheep, mowed the lawn, tidied up the car. And yes, we had a complaint from the tenant in Cambridge and went over there as well. Easy day.
Now, there is still a half built wall in the back yard.
See ya!
Another week. Monday we had a public holiday, no work. Ha ha, no such luck. I sanded the wall to be painted and replaced a few rotted weatherboards. Tuesday I had to go to Hamilton. I was summoned (is that right?) for jury service. That happens on a random basis. Lucky for me I did not have to go again. Tuesday I completed the sanding process. Then we started painting. First of all, an undercoat of mismatched paint, and secondly the final colour. It was quite a job and very hot, especially in the afternoons. Up on the scaffold I was on my own, but up to chest height Elna did the brush work. It saved a lot of time. You have to paint all the corners and crannies by hand (with a brush of course silly!) and then paint the remainder of the board with the roller. Well, we rushed in and finished at 2:30 pm on Friday, at the heat of the day, on most likely our warmest day. (26deg)
The Bay window and all of the wall on that side is painted now, as well as up to the gable end. That is the wall that will be covered by the veranda. Rebuilding the veranda will follow after the hiding wall is finished.
Ben sent me an email and told me to take Saturday off. I did. I only built a new pen for the sheep, mowed the lawn, tidied up the car. And yes, we had a complaint from the tenant in Cambridge and went over there as well. Easy day.
Now, there is still a half built wall in the back yard.
See ya!
5 Feb 2012
Monday saw the sand being delivered, a whopping 8 metres of it. We had to put some sand down in Cambridge, and we took 5 trailer loads over. Good exercise. Apart from being in Hamilton for two days, I shifted some sand: "Playing in the sand pit." It is looking better now, but far from finished. Saturday was a day off.
The frame is for the sheep.
Monday saw the sand being delivered, a whopping 8 metres of it. We had to put some sand down in Cambridge, and we took 5 trailer loads over. Good exercise. Apart from being in Hamilton for two days, I shifted some sand: "Playing in the sand pit." It is looking better now, but far from finished. Saturday was a day off.
The frame is for the sheep.
29 January 2012
The days are getting muddled up a bit. On Monday (I think) I started building the wall. I built a level subframe and put the frames on top of that. The idea is to build a 2.4 m wall with a garage door in it, and to add a carport behind it. The major problem is that I am not allowed to dig any holes for posts to support the wall. It will end up having braces all over. Let us but hope that we do not get a strong gust of wind to take the wall to the neighbour!! It turned out that the ground drops down by 400mm towards the cookhouse. I contacted a guy who promised to deliver a load of pitsand to level that area. Still waiting. Sorry Ben, I didn't make it.
Once the sand (8 cubic metres) is delivered, we will have to level it out, and also move about one metre to Cambridge to cover a parking area at our other house. Somebody suggested I should work on my beer belly.
On Thursday I finished painting the outside wall, up to the downpipe. (see last week's picture) Next is to be the western wall. Moved the scaffold over and started cleaning the weatherboard. The forecast for Friday was rain, and I also had to go to Hamilton, so no work could be done. There is still some cleaning to be done, and one board is rotten and must be replaced.
Saturday we decided not to work. I started by spraying a weedkiller on the grass by the back door. Elna washed the car. Then I fixed my planer/ thicknesser which had stripped gears and a broken drive belt. With the planer fixed, I planed a rod down for a curtain rod in the living room. It still has to be sanded and varnished. An easy day.
Today is Sunday, a day of rest.
The days are getting muddled up a bit. On Monday (I think) I started building the wall. I built a level subframe and put the frames on top of that. The idea is to build a 2.4 m wall with a garage door in it, and to add a carport behind it. The major problem is that I am not allowed to dig any holes for posts to support the wall. It will end up having braces all over. Let us but hope that we do not get a strong gust of wind to take the wall to the neighbour!! It turned out that the ground drops down by 400mm towards the cookhouse. I contacted a guy who promised to deliver a load of pitsand to level that area. Still waiting. Sorry Ben, I didn't make it.
Once the sand (8 cubic metres) is delivered, we will have to level it out, and also move about one metre to Cambridge to cover a parking area at our other house. Somebody suggested I should work on my beer belly.
On Thursday I finished painting the outside wall, up to the downpipe. (see last week's picture) Next is to be the western wall. Moved the scaffold over and started cleaning the weatherboard. The forecast for Friday was rain, and I also had to go to Hamilton, so no work could be done. There is still some cleaning to be done, and one board is rotten and must be replaced.
Saturday we decided not to work. I started by spraying a weedkiller on the grass by the back door. Elna washed the car. Then I fixed my planer/ thicknesser which had stripped gears and a broken drive belt. With the planer fixed, I planed a rod down for a curtain rod in the living room. It still has to be sanded and varnished. An easy day.
Today is Sunday, a day of rest.
Saturday
21 January 2012
On Monday we built the required scaffold to reach the top of the gable end. It is a bit Heath Robinson, but will do the job. It does not cover the full width of the gable, so it will have to be moved along. The scaffold will require another ladder on top of it, but that will be securely strapped down.
We did get the garage through Trademe. The condition was that it had to be removed by Friday, give or take. We only won it in Monday night. Ben and myself wet out there on Tuesday. The garage was 6*5 m, but there was an additional 6*6 "lapa" area, a semi open roofed in area. To make a long story short, on Wednesday night we had the roofs and trusses removed. Thursday we spent to take Ben to the airport, for his return to South Africa. Friday Elna and me went out there, removed the cladding from the walls, cut the frames to manageable sizes, and carted all away. This project has been an enormous effort by both Elna and Ben. Without their help I could not have done it. Now the plan is to use the material to build a screening wall to hide all my rubbish from the general view. Ben said he wanted to see a picture of the completed wall on the blog next week. Next week?
Today was Saturday. I said to Elna I will take a day of rest and planning on the wall. Then I walked around the house and the scaffolding was yelling at me. So I got on the scaffold and started sanding and painting. My little angle grinder has been giving problems, so I opened that up and found a damaged bearing. Luckily I had another broken grinder lying around and could use that part. Progress on the wall is good. It is the first time we have put the final colour on the wall. I was hoping to take a picture, but my camera has done a disappearing trick on me.
See? I found the elusive camera!! The painted part is the top left hand part.
On Monday we built the required scaffold to reach the top of the gable end. It is a bit Heath Robinson, but will do the job. It does not cover the full width of the gable, so it will have to be moved along. The scaffold will require another ladder on top of it, but that will be securely strapped down.
We did get the garage through Trademe. The condition was that it had to be removed by Friday, give or take. We only won it in Monday night. Ben and myself wet out there on Tuesday. The garage was 6*5 m, but there was an additional 6*6 "lapa" area, a semi open roofed in area. To make a long story short, on Wednesday night we had the roofs and trusses removed. Thursday we spent to take Ben to the airport, for his return to South Africa. Friday Elna and me went out there, removed the cladding from the walls, cut the frames to manageable sizes, and carted all away. This project has been an enormous effort by both Elna and Ben. Without their help I could not have done it. Now the plan is to use the material to build a screening wall to hide all my rubbish from the general view. Ben said he wanted to see a picture of the completed wall on the blog next week. Next week?
Today was Saturday. I said to Elna I will take a day of rest and planning on the wall. Then I walked around the house and the scaffolding was yelling at me. So I got on the scaffold and started sanding and painting. My little angle grinder has been giving problems, so I opened that up and found a damaged bearing. Luckily I had another broken grinder lying around and could use that part. Progress on the wall is good. It is the first time we have put the final colour on the wall. I was hoping to take a picture, but my camera has done a disappearing trick on me.
See? I found the elusive camera!! The painted part is the top left hand part.
Sunday
15 January.
We have been in the house for seven months now. I think our progress is remarkable, even though I am saying it myself.
In this time we have repaired the cookhouse, cleared the outside, and finished two rooms.(although they are technically one now.)
It is so nice having Ben here, our progress is remarkable. Yesterday Ben did the varnish on the walls in the living room. I kept myself busy outside. We have decided the combined living /dining room is technically finished now.
The floor still need to have the cap filled out, and be cleaned and varnished. The ceilings are still the original dark lacquer, and will stay that way. We will also have to improve the lighting in the dining room area, we have a light on permanently in there. Most likely a roof light.
We decided to move on, and tomorrow we will go back to the outside and build a scaffold and continue cleaning the weatherboards and paint it.
We have also put in a tender to demolish a old double garage in Hamilton. We will know on Monday night and it has to be removed by Friday. TIGHT! We will be taking Ben back to Auckland Airport on Thursday.
We very much enjoyed having him here and he will be deeply missed.
We have been in the house for seven months now. I think our progress is remarkable, even though I am saying it myself.
In this time we have repaired the cookhouse, cleared the outside, and finished two rooms.(although they are technically one now.)
It is so nice having Ben here, our progress is remarkable. Yesterday Ben did the varnish on the walls in the living room. I kept myself busy outside. We have decided the combined living /dining room is technically finished now.
The floor still need to have the cap filled out, and be cleaned and varnished. The ceilings are still the original dark lacquer, and will stay that way. We will also have to improve the lighting in the dining room area, we have a light on permanently in there. Most likely a roof light.
We decided to move on, and tomorrow we will go back to the outside and build a scaffold and continue cleaning the weatherboards and paint it.
We have also put in a tender to demolish a old double garage in Hamilton. We will know on Monday night and it has to be removed by Friday. TIGHT! We will be taking Ben back to Auckland Airport on Thursday.
We very much enjoyed having him here and he will be deeply missed.
8 January 2012
And guess what? Just as you thought you understand me, I will change it all.
This week we spent on the living room wall. Remember the wall that has been Gibbed and not finished? I got Ben on the scaffold to do the gibstopping, and after that we sanded it all. Then Ben decided we could not leave the outside wall without gib, for however short a time that would be. So off we went and picked up the necessary Gib. That has been fitted now, and gibstopping is in progress. The other walls have been painted and everybody says it is looking good.
We got a response from Woodoc. They recommend the polyurethane product for the floors. Well, that is freely available here. My biggest problem now is that we are removing all signs of patina. Might be necessary to add some stain to the sealer. Question will be how much?
Elna also complained about to panes of glass that was still missing in the kitchen. It was boarded up. We have bought a second hand window to salvage the glass a few months ago. Ben came to the rescue again. He cut the glass under my tutelage, and fitted it . Nice job, but what about the curtain? So he fitted a curtain rod and curtain. What about the old wallpaper? Ben removed the old wallpaper.
I must say, it has been raining most of the week, so outside work was not possible, but I am thankful for the progress we have made. With Ben's help, we are doing more than twice what I could have done by myself.
And guess what? Just as you thought you understand me, I will change it all.
This week we spent on the living room wall. Remember the wall that has been Gibbed and not finished? I got Ben on the scaffold to do the gibstopping, and after that we sanded it all. Then Ben decided we could not leave the outside wall without gib, for however short a time that would be. So off we went and picked up the necessary Gib. That has been fitted now, and gibstopping is in progress. The other walls have been painted and everybody says it is looking good.
We got a response from Woodoc. They recommend the polyurethane product for the floors. Well, that is freely available here. My biggest problem now is that we are removing all signs of patina. Might be necessary to add some stain to the sealer. Question will be how much?
Elna also complained about to panes of glass that was still missing in the kitchen. It was boarded up. We have bought a second hand window to salvage the glass a few months ago. Ben came to the rescue again. He cut the glass under my tutelage, and fitted it . Nice job, but what about the curtain? So he fitted a curtain rod and curtain. What about the old wallpaper? Ben removed the old wallpaper.
I must say, it has been raining most of the week, so outside work was not possible, but I am thankful for the progress we have made. With Ben's help, we are doing more than twice what I could have done by myself.
1 January 2012
The beginning of a new year!! Happy new year to you all!!
This last week had a lot of Saturdays, light duty in other words. What we managed was to start repairing the street side (western side) weatherboards. When we bought the place, there was a gap of 25 mm between two weatherboards. I assumed it was due to nails rusted away and the board sagging. I started work there and soon realised we had a total mishmash of boards. Some original 220 mm, some replacement 200 mm, and that explains it. In the olden days, the weatherboard on the sides were often narrower than on the front. I sanded part of the wall down in preparation of painting and replaced a few boards. That part is good now. Next job will be to build a scaffold to reach the gable.
We also started looking at cleaning the living room floors. That has lots of polish and stain on it. After playing around with various solvents and sanders, we came upon Lacquer thinners, It removes the marks. Problem was, part is white now, and part brown. Further investigation showed that the nice brown patina is actually dirt. Handy Andy does the trick. We have about one sq m of clean floor now. The next was finishes. I have always loved oil rather than varnish. Raw linseed oil is too greasy, Danish Oil could work, but is expensive. Ben suggested South African Woodoc. Not available here, but we fond a similar product and ordered a sample. It is an oil with wax mixed in. Waiting for delivery now.
The beginning of a new year!! Happy new year to you all!!
This last week had a lot of Saturdays, light duty in other words. What we managed was to start repairing the street side (western side) weatherboards. When we bought the place, there was a gap of 25 mm between two weatherboards. I assumed it was due to nails rusted away and the board sagging. I started work there and soon realised we had a total mishmash of boards. Some original 220 mm, some replacement 200 mm, and that explains it. In the olden days, the weatherboard on the sides were often narrower than on the front. I sanded part of the wall down in preparation of painting and replaced a few boards. That part is good now. Next job will be to build a scaffold to reach the gable.
We also started looking at cleaning the living room floors. That has lots of polish and stain on it. After playing around with various solvents and sanders, we came upon Lacquer thinners, It removes the marks. Problem was, part is white now, and part brown. Further investigation showed that the nice brown patina is actually dirt. Handy Andy does the trick. We have about one sq m of clean floor now. The next was finishes. I have always loved oil rather than varnish. Raw linseed oil is too greasy, Danish Oil could work, but is expensive. Ben suggested South African Woodoc. Not available here, but we fond a similar product and ordered a sample. It is an oil with wax mixed in. Waiting for delivery now.
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