Saturday 28 January 2012

New Home–The changes begin!

Clipboard01

This is the front of the house and very attractive it is too. However, the steps up to the front door were very steep – dangerously steep and probably illegal.

Not only did I struggle with my little legs but so did Mike, the postman ( who said he hated them) and most of our visitors.  We had to bite the bullet and get them changed a.s.a.p.

We called in our builder friend Paul who contacted his bricklayer Glen and between us all we redesigned the steps.

001

All building work seems, ironically, to start with demolition!

002

The building begins where the bottom of the old steps were.

029

030

The new spiral steps taking shape.

ashleigh 002

How much better is this? Note the pillar – beautifully finished to match the others but Jean spots a problem. Yes, it would be me wouldn’t it!

 

A wrought iron railing is needed to prevent people falling over the edge between the pillar and the wall but …………………

it will be higher than the pillar – O No!

ashleigh 001

So, the top of the pillar is knocked down and rebuilt straight up to be level with the railing.

ashleigh 006

Here is the taller pillar and you can now see where the railings will be between the wall and the pillar just on the left – hand side.

Looks a bit tall but will look OK when finished.

A word about Glen – what a worker. He arrived just after 8 most mornings, only stopped for a quick lunch and then continued until about 4. He worked entirely on his own mixing his own  cement and measuring everything as he went along. Due to poor weather the last couple of days he went over budget and over time but he still finished it in 12 days. A brilliant worker and we would recommend him to anyone.

ashleigh 005

Just need to wait until the walls are dry and then Mike can paint them.

2 comments:

  1. WoW ~ what a nice transformation! Good job!
    'hugs from afar'

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jean, it all looks fabulous. Isn't it great to get a really conscientious, reliable worker - does he cross the pond to work ever, ha! ha!?

    I hope so much you will be there when we come home next December - want to see you and your lovely new home. So you do have a sea view too - fabulous!

    Talked to Sue today, it's her 69th b'day and she was enjoying a pleasant day as you, like us here, don't seem to be getting Winter weather, YET!

    We're off to Hawaii in a couple of weeks - have to get my shorts out soon.

    Love to you both - Mary

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment - it's just nice to know that you dropped in. If you don't have a Google account use anonymous but leave your name if I know you please.

JJ