Miscellaneous

Wherein I whitter on about general stuff that’s been achieved lately.

Chapter 1: A Shelf for Games

As we were building the staircase frame, it made sense to build the recessed games cupboard in what will one day be the games corner of the living room.

Here it is plasterboarded, filled, painted and full of lovely plywood shelves.

And full of lovely games. Actually I need a few more games, from the look of it. Recommendations welcome.

Chapter 2: The Push To Get The House Signed Off

Here is a picture of the safety railings we put in in order to pass a basic check on building regulations. I mean, it was about time anyway, really.

Note the absence of the spiral staircase. In a two storey building with an attic, you are not allowed to have a proper staircase up into the attic.

Chapter 3: Meanwhile, In The Bedroom

I filled, sanded and painted the ceiling and walls.

 

 

 

Julian chose the colour. I love it. It’s cozy AF.

Chapter 4: Just Nice Pictures From Around The Place

Here’s the state of the landing, which was a junk pile for ages and is now nice.

Here’s a general view of the nicest bits.

Here’s a corner of the cloud mural and a nice corner cupboard with nice plants on.

And here’s the view, in the best bit of spring when it’s going green but the leaves haven’t yet blocked the rest of the valley from view.

Here’s Jack enjoying his catnip bed.

Here’s a hellebore I really thought was going to do nothing and then it burst into life and was the most beautiful thing for months.

Chapter 5: FINALLY

After years and years, we finally moved our electric boxes onto our own damn land.

Chapter 6: Baskets

I took a basket making course. Because of course I did.

I made two baskets. I took to it as you would expect I would take to a new craft. I will undoubtedly make more baskets, but really what I was after was experience in willow weaving so I can make cute little hurdles and other garden structures. Apparently dogwood is good for that and best used green. Next spring then…

Chapter 7: The Hogwarts Wall

A million years ago Anthony gave me a bunch of oak kitchen cabinet doors he’d taken out of some rich people’s kitchens. I finally got round to using them to make a wall of removable panels to hide the under-eaves storage.

Chapter 8: Julian’s Triumph Garden

I’m not sure what prompted us to get on with this area, aside from that we wanted to move the bees, but anyway, Julian took it upon himself to dig it over, and one thing led to another…

Sarah and Steven were here at the time, and Sarah, who is stronger than her tiny frame would have you think, took shovel in hand.

Before he knew it a wall was being built.

And the whole slope remodelled and planted with dogwood for future hurdle-making.

The bees did get moved and that compost frame collapsed, but I haven’t taken a picture, sorry. It looks amazing though.

And finally, Rick-Next-Door found this photo of the gardeners working in the garden of Stansfield Hall down the hill (of which our plot used to be the walled garden) The slanty wall in the background has the long stone staircase behind, for those who’ve climbed it. And the curvey wall and gatepost are the same now. I reckon this was taken in the 1860s, when Stansfield Hall was extended and remodelled. I also reckon it’s possible that stone roller on the left is the one I’ve got outside.