Blogs from Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 3

On Monday I got back on site to find that Ewan had already started putting together kitchen units, so I carried on nitromorsing the kitchen floor. On Tuesday Jonny arrived with our staircase (or at least the makings of one), while Ewan continued with doors. (editor's comment.. did Willy just skive all day Tuesday?) On Wednesday, Ronnie and Gordon, the plumbers, turned up to connect the wood stove to the cylinder via much piping, thermostats and pumps. Douglas and Robert, our electricians, also arrived on Wednesday and among other things, wired up the newly arrived cooker, which means we no longer need the two burner gas stove.. Wednesday saw a full house with much business in all parts of the house, as Keith , layer of parquet floors par excellence, was also on site working on ... read more

Willy stayed at Ewan and Marieke's to cat/house sit while they were on holiday. Ronnie and Gordon, the plumbers, arrived on the Tuesday and by Thursday we had working toilets and with the co-operation of Douglas, our electrician, hot water - including a bath! I came up on Thursday evening, having left Edinburgh at 1pm: it takes a while to get to Killin by public transport. In celebration of the new bath, we both had a candlelit bath.... how romantic. The candles were the only source of light in the bathroom, though it is possible that by now electricity will have reached the first floor. The reclaimed jarrah kitchen floor had started to be laid and it was suddenly possible to imagine how the kitchen will look when it's finished. Over the next few days Willy ... read more

Briefly, we completed the plasterboard on the upstairs ceilings (in readiness for our intrepid pair of plasterers returning next week). Then Ben returned to the north east to continue with his tree surgery. Ewan and I completed the upstairs flooring and fitted the solar tube. This reflects daylight into the darkest recess of the house, alias the larder and is surprisingly effective. Robert returned to do a bit more of the electrics, other than that it was a pretty quiet week. The weather has been pretty horrendous, albeit with intermittent spells of sunshine, but inside the house remains quite warm (I slept in the little sloping bedroom as Ben had reclaimed his bed in the farmhouse). We may have had snow, sleet, gales etc but spring is definitely on the way. On the drive down I ... read more

As the stove arrived on Monday we had planned fitting the chimney but the manufacturers had got the parts wrong and it took till Thursday to sort out what was needed. This meant a trip to Leith to pick them up. I then spent most of the week slapping plaster on to the remaining downstairs walls - the plan/idea was that it would give a rustic effect. You can decide for yourselves when you eventually see it. I'm waiting to see how it will look once limewashed but am reasonably hopeful of the results. Meanwhile Ewan boxed out the shower room downstairs in readiness for Ronnie the plumber returning in 2 or 3 weeks. Quiet week apart from latenight with Tober on the Weds with a cheeky little Spanish red (Co-op special £2.99) After pleasant weekend ... read more

Back up on Monday got stuck in traffic jam for over an hour - lorry had jack-knifed just north of Lochearnhead. Lots more snow and picture postcard views. Spent most of the day framing out the ceilings ready for the plasterboard. (look who's learnt a technical term!!) Tuesday. Highlight was hanging of front door - took us a wee bit of jiggery pokery to get it in as some of lime the plaster had to be scraped off to get it it to fit. Still snow flurries Weds. Douglas and Robert back on site to continue with electrics. More pasterboarding. So far so good body seems to be holding up ok I had dinner with Ewan, Marieke and Calum and afterwards we, or rather Ewan and I, had few beers, another enjoyable evening. Slept in the ... read more