O Telhado - nope, not quite...
Still no roof this week, so we are now running a little behind than I was expecting. But of course there is good reason for this, aside from the weather.
It looks as if this week has mostly been 'making good' on some of the previous oversights to the build. Building from such a distance sometimes means that things do not get interpreted or executed as expected. Fortunately my project manager is on the case.
First up is the offending stair side wall. This has started to be cut down, after which the edges will need to be made good and finished so they blend in with the stair treads and risers.
Now this doesn't look pretty at this stage, but some more work with the angle grinder and then building the concrete back up should see it looking smart. This sort of remedial work takes time though. We can see the builders are about half way through cutting away the wall. Also worth noting are the stairs...yes, cast in concrete!
Here is another photo of the stairs, looking up. I reckon the builders must be pretty upset at having to do this work, which is probably more time consuming than putting the wall up in the first place. I reckon they have said a few rude words about this.
So the top of the wall still has to be removed. Also we can see here that the landing window has been made into a window, rather than a door... my project manager explained that it was a door for a short while, so the builders could swing materials in from the scaffolding, rather than have to use a crane to get over the gable end walls. Stairs are impressive, needfully wide to allow for wheelchair access (legislation) from the front door lobby, underneath the stairs.
That offending wall though... the needed part should have been built underneath the stairs, so should have fallen in line with the top beam we can see in the photo above. This would have also simplified the construction, as the wall would have supported the stairs in totality. So I've lost a breeze block width off the depth of the living area. Mmmmm. Nothing can be done now though that the stairs have been cast. Strong stuff, but I thought they wood have been typical wood construction. More examples of expense.
Meanwhile, a doorway has been cut for access to a small under-stair storage area. This also was on the plan, but for some reason, omitted. Scary to think that under the stairs could have been an unknown, sealed void! The project manager also took the executive decision to move it forward a little to give more space. Good for tools, cases, and the usual junk that always accumulates. This hole in the wall will have a pair of louvered doors. A very useful cubby-hole.
Meanwhile, other things have been happening.... here we can see the frame for the sliding bathroom door, being screeded with concrete so that it sits seamlessly into the final plastered wall.
The builders have got the right idea, and set their table up in the bathroom! This is where they can take a break and lunch... it is, being under the mezzanine, dry and out of the elements as now the weather has turned. When I was over, and the weather warmer, the table was under the house :) The green paint on the wall is where I sprayed to show a power point - in this case for the washing machine, located to the side of the shower. I will forever think of whoever sat in the red chair as sitting under the shower spray.
Work seems to be going on everywhere - I'm not sure now how many builders are working on the house; when I was on site, three or four people... but now, perhaps more? Here is a picture of the porch gable end, built up to the roof line.
The picture here shows apparent 'damage' to the nearest upright - however, this is only superficial and likely caused when removing the shuttering. We must remember it is full of rebar. A quick skim will have this looking super and performing as intended. Love the chimney - the hole in the side is traditional and aids ventilation performance. Great should I fit a wood burner.
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Meanwhile:
Sorting out the UK house continues, slowly bagging up stuff for recycling and for charity, washing / cleaning of items and packing into boxes. So you can imagine, some areas of the house are starting to look very sparse, whilst other areas are packed high with boxes. But it is an important process, as I get to decide what to sling out and what is really worth keeping for my new home in the Azores.
The purchase of new items continues, I've ordered a new mattress, which fortunately comes in a box! I've steered clear of memory foam, after hearing so many horror stories of them being too hot. I like a cool bed, so a coil mattress it is - and I already have a gel memory 'topper' which is supposed to be cooler than memory foam... or I might just use it in the winter months when I want a more cosy, warmer bed.
Of course, I have ordered an EU double size mattress: They are slightly larger than the UK spec (which is good because I am tall), but of course need the right size base and linen. I intend to buy the bed base on the island, so this is good... and ongoing, all the linen will be EU sized.
Also on order are some new pillows - again I have avoided memory foam. Duvets are on hand in 10.5 tog and 4.5 tog ...So all that is left for the bedroom now is some linen, and some nice bedside tables and lamps...
Also on order is a a pair of bar stools for the breakfast bar in the kitchen area; they'll also do to take outside to the bar. Now, bar stools are available cheaply at about £50. But they are rubbish. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
So I bit the bullet and upped the spec to real leather (thanks Dave for the advice) and a better construction for about £160 each. After all, I don't want to have to be re-buying items just a couple of years down the line. Quality items are actually a better deal, as I've found with most of my long lived, prized items. Actually finding quality nowadays can be really difficult and often means going for bespoke items with a bespoke price! The Chinese export 'machine' has a lot to answer for!
I also bought a Yamaha Sound Bar to go with the Sony Bravia 55" TV bought a couple of months ago. Sound fidelity is really important to me, so this item will be a true joy, as the reviews are excellent. It also allows me to blue-tooth my Alexa to it, so I will be able to play my entire music library through it. Certainly it will have enough power to fill the house with sound.
Lessons:
Don't under-estimate how much it is going to cost to kit your new place out. For sure, you can use what you have, or go for cheap and cheerful. But, and it's a big but... if you are building a brand-new house the compulsion to upgrade and buy new items to go in it can't be avoided.
This is going to skint you out completely. Every spare penny.
Even if you have a massive budget, well, then you will just end up going higher-grade. You will still be broke.
Of course, as mentioned earlier, I still will be taking some prized and quality items - so my advice when buying is to try to go for items that will last and be a joy for many years. So, you don't need a lot, you just need good. Very good.
Next Up: .... O Telhado ... yes, surely.
