The rewiring and replumbing works at Hotel H have had an expensive domino effect on the rest of the house. There’s a gaping wound in what was the kitchen where the old boiler was ripped out. New pipes and cables sit behind what have become free-standing kitchen units. Artex ceilings, in the style of a sludgy snow scene complete with swirls round the ceiling roses suggestive of sledge tracks, have had to be replaced for practical as well as aesthetic reasons. The bathroom – always an eyesore – started moulting tiles in its haste to be reborn, and the carpets – never the house’s strongest selling point – have been buried under Pompeii-alike layers of dust and plaster. ‘It will be lovely,’ we say, through gritted teeth, scouring the internet for bathroom and kitchen bargains. But, gosh, it’s quite scary punching in the pin code for yet another payment with cries of, ‘Well, we’ve gone this far...!’
Our workmen have been terrific; arriving at the Crack of Doom and working like demons on a diet of bacon sarnies, chocolate and an impressive amount of cake. Once they’ve finished the ceilings and downstairs lighting (ever tried taking out your contact lenses in the gloaming of a couple of Poundland LED press-on lights?) it’s down to me and Tom to do the rest of the work. Gulp.
Still, we can always escape to the beach and even in the height of the holiday season, we rarely see anyone else when we go for our morning swim. The garden’s coming on nicely too. Just as well, since we’ll probably have to live on our vegetable patch for the rest of our lives. Here’s a few photos to show what’s going on.
The epainting’s by Tom, ‘Swim at Penbryn’.
Comments
Liking the sound of those bacon sarnies and may just go and make one now. (Anything not to have to tackle this synopsis!)
Back soon!
CKx
Meanwhile, I know that your novelist mind is just absorbing and rearranging all that is going on.
I do like Tom's Swim. I can see it.
xo
Fabulous veggies and garden though. Your last house was gorgeous but I'd rather have an improvable house with a good garden.
PS: I waved at you and Tom in Carmathen Tesco car park last Thursday (You were getting into your car and I was en route to Devon with an awful cold.)
Debs, it's a bit gutty, isn't it? I'll be glad when I'm looking back rather than in it!
Fennie, oooooh. More than just new ceilings emerging from this lot, I can tell you!
Pondside, you're supposed to be encouraging me! Still, the house is lovely for all its blemishes. A little surgery and it will be beautiful!
Kate, I'm just delighted you found the time to visit. I appreciate how busy you are and welcome your comment. Good to see you.
Leigh, I think they might be hard to come by after recent events.
Frances. I'm glad you liked Tom's painting. He's really enjoying using a different medium. Yes, I'm sounding spoilt moaning about the work when it's something we're doing for ourselves. I feel very fortunate to be where we are.
Aw, Mags. Sorry to miss you - we were probably in Renovating Mode and not thinking about anything else. You're right though - I wouldn't swap this house for the old one. I love it here for all the hard work. Being able to grow our own veg is an absolute joy.
Elizabeth, kitchen is next on the list and I think our utility is about to become kitchen then bathroom. Should be fun! Yes, we're very pleased with our vegetable patch!