We're Back

Some of the original features we found. 

There are different tiles where the fireplaces are and were - luckily they weren't removed !

And under the concrete hearth of the above fireplace Bib found the tiles shown below.  She tried and tried and tried to get the concrete that was stuck on the tiles off, but to no avail.  She decided to take up what she could (all in bits) and use them within the house in some way.  Why anyone would want to throw concrete on genuine Victorian tiles we don't know, but Bib was angry and upset and did what she could.

The doors are being replaced, but Bib's keeping these and trying to think where to use them in the house.  The glass isn't safety glass unfortunately.  So any suggestions would be great, ta muchly.

In the corner to the right of the above doors the floor bounced - mmm this isn't right, so the floorboards had to be taken up to see what the problem was.

Oh look, rotten joists.

Cor that's a big hole for a small Rattie to get lost in (that's Portland in there).

Well the joists got mended and then we had to go back to our normal jobs.

Until next time .........

The Work Has Now Started

This is the front of the house before work started on the outside and the second photo shows the work starting.

And the next two photos show the inside of the windows.  As you can see lovely for the summer, but not much good for the winter !!!

Ground floor

First floor

As all builders know the first job is to put the kettle on and have a cuppa - so that's what we did, using the work mate as a table for the biccies !!!

Now the cuppa's finished, it's time to start the proper work and the first room is the green bathroom on the first floor (why do people have green bathrooms?!!!)

It's fun smashing things, but we're not allowed in there cos it's too dangerous for us little uns.  The bath has now gone and the tiles are coming off easily.

The wall is coming down as well.

This may look easy to knock down, but it wasn't - they knew how to build in 1895.

That's what we thought at first Fattie !!!

The wall's gone, so you can now see the room that contained the lovely green loo.

And you can see where the walls were.

That took two days of hard work and we ran out of time, so we had to leave so everybody could go to work at their normal jobs ......... but we'll be back.

Before Work Starts

This is our new home before all the works started.

This is the view you get when you walk in through the front door.

And the first door on your right leads into this room at the front of the house.

The second door on the right leads into this room at the back of the house.

And right at the back of the house is the kitchen, which is only about five years old (but Bib didn't take a picture of that for some reason!!!)

Then we go upstairs to the first floor and this is the room at the front of the house, the window is behind.

Looking back towards the bathroom, which is down three steps at the back of the house.  There's a door on the right that you can't see from this picture.

This is the fireplace that's in the front room.

Through the door (you can't see on one of the above photos) on the first floor landing, this is the room you walk into.

And this is the bathroom that's down the three steps at the back of the house.

And the loo is next to the bath but in a separate room.

Now for the second floor.  There are only two bedrooms up there, but let's have a look anyway.

This is the bedroom at the front of the house.

And this is the bedroom at the back of the house.

Well that's the house tour, just a couple more photos to show you.

Our walled courtyard garden, which is going to be next year's project.

And the back of the house.

We're all prepared with our steel toed work boots - now the fun can begin!!!

Girl's Day Out

Bib took Tulip out for the day, but we weren't allowed cos it was girlies only - it really isn't fair you know.

"Rattie get off Tulip's blog page, you're so naughty and stop muttering under your breath !!!"

Bib said we were going out for the day and the boys weren't allowed because it was ladies only.  We went to a spa called 'Beauty Cocktail' and all we did was read, eat and lounge around.  Bib was reading a good book, because I had a peek and it looked good.

When we arrived we had champagne and canapes and could chose what treatments we wanted.  Bib didn't have anything this time (she told me she'd had a massage before and it was brilliant, one of the best)

Lunch - lots of Russian goodies to chose from, so we had a bit of everything and a lovely cool glass of white wine - mmmmm.  Everything was cooked fresh as well.  The owner is Russian, that's why the food is too, it was very tasty.

Then pudding, but not Russian pudding.

Someone gave me a small rose when Bib wasn't looking, it's so pretty so I asked Bib if she would press it for me and she did - I've still got it.

Then in the afternoon, there was tea and proper coffee, although there is always fruit/green tea, orange juice and water should you want a drink during the day.

And then the day was drawing to a close, so we all got changed and booked another spa day for next year - YAY - we're going in December - can't wait.

Lots Going On

We haven't blogged for ages, but there's been lots going on.  We were told that we were all moving somewhere else.  That was a bit scary but we were reassured that we were all going together in a brand new old house !!!  We didn't understand that either.

So we had to do some shredding cos Bib didn't want to take that old paperwork to the new old house with us.  I got carried away and fell into the rubbish bag, but help was on hand and I managed to struggle free with a little help.  Tulip was laughing at me, but I didn't find it funny at all.

A few days later we had to start packing up the house - that took some doing and we were all pooped by the end of it.

But Bib had something to keep her going - chocolate brussel sprouts (well it was a month before Christmas).

Once all the packing was complete and the house was empty, we had a last look around and this was our last ever photo in our first home.  But Bib said our next new old home is even better, so we can't wait.