Power Point ...

I was sent this photo looking toward Pico Island from the main deck of the house... it looks lovely, and the weather seems good and I'm very much hoping it says that way for a week or two. Then perhaps the roof can go on.

This is from the right hand side of the decking, where the BBQ and kitchen bar will be. Now pour me a gin and tonic... I have a feeling the builders are not putting the roof on because they enjoy the outdoor sunshine, and who can blame them?

This week started with a visit from the kitchen fitter - I know, I know, this sounds very premature. But the kitchen company is always very busy and therefore I am getting this organised well in advance. So, the kitchen fitter came on Monday and measured up accurately. This is so that everything is millimetre perfect: Yes, plans have been made up of course, but it isn't until the specialist is on site that the plans could be checked for accuracy.

The fitting of the kitchen has been booked in and is due for completion no later than the end of January. This ties in nicely for the scheduled completion of build at the end of February, my personal deadline. Of course there will be much to do after that time, but hopefully the house will be habitable by then, and any trades can work around me. Or I'll just go out to the cafe in Pedro Miguel for the day!

Whilst the kitchen guru was on site the project manager was able to ascertain where the accurate place was for the wall sockets in the kitchen - I had indicated the rough positions, but these where of course 'guesstimates'. It turned out that several sockets conflicted with the placement of the hob, for example.

Confusing? "Forno e Placa" means "Oven and Hob"... so there are a couple of power outlets there, underneath the counter-top. Up above is the power outlet for the extractor fan. Presumably the blue marking is for a switch for the fan... EX..

Also, the project manager was able to specify inclusion of the power points for the heat pump. This is being placed outside of the dining room wall, with the interior fan inside, providing heating and cooling as required. It is possible that the heat pump could serve the main area and also the bedroom, as I believe you can attach two fans to one outdoor compressor; but for the moment the important issue is to heat the main living area. Such luxuries may come later.

Another point became apparent with the kitchen - the long run of counter-top on the outside wall needs supporting at the end, since there is an open space provided underneath for a waste bin and a drinks cooler. So, another small unit (a wine rack) will be placed at the end, to compliment the wine rack at the end of the breakfast bar. You can never have enough wine racks in the Azores.

Other works have been continuing including ceiling renders, arches to doors and finalising the finish to the stairs, where the unwanted wall was removed.

This photograph shows the arch from the dressing room through to the bedroom. No door will be fitted here - it is merely a decorative feature dividing the bedroom proper from the dressing area. If not for this 'break' between the two areas the bedroom would have been cavernous, rather than adequate and cosy. The dressing area will house a trunk for bedding and for sitting on, and a built-in wardrobe.

The same arch door from the bedroom side: Beyond the dressing room we can see the door for the shower room and toilet. This is having a sliding door fitted. To the right of the dressing room we can see where the built in wardrobe is to be fitted. Formers look to be in place for a frame for this.

Finally, at last, the edges of the stairs have been tidied up and look suitably impressive. When the former is removed the and the rendering applied there should be a seamless appearance.

Also worth noting is the render applied to the inner edge of the stairs, now covering the wiring of the stair side lights. It looks totally integrated: At this point it is tempting to leave the stairs open without a balustrade, but with a safety handrail on the inside wall. Although I'm not sure this would meet with building regulations. They are very wide, so not much chance of falling off the edge...

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Meanwhile... time's really moving along, and after being poorly with the flu for nearly two weeks I feel I've lost a bit of time on packing preparations. The amount of stuff I have to do seems massive, as I have still yet to get all the disposables out to the garage ready for the skip. And of course being 'off colour', I've not really been in a condition to do much.

However, I have had the energy to shop!

This week has seen the rest of the bed linen arrive, along with quilts, pillows and bathroom towels. Yes, I know. It does not seem very exiting, and pulling the trigger on all this stuff seems like such a pointless thing (for us blokes)... but hey, you can't sleep in a nice bed if you don't have the kit.

Of course, I do have bedding, but it is getting a little tired. Also, I've now got a European size mattress, so the fitted sheets are needed to fit. I have gone for king size quilts though... I like the extra material of a kingsize quilt over a double mattress. Sumptuous.

Bright enough for you? This kingsize quilt and pillowcase set was found on Amazon at £26. It's nice quality too and is cotton. But you need a couple to alternate... the other one is double sided red and black. Sexy.

So, talking money: You can't underestimate how much all the linen and bedware has totted up to. And it is something that made me realise just how difficult it must be for young people just setting out and having to equip their first flat or house from scratch. Certainly prices have skyrocketed since I last had to do a 'complete fit out' many years ago.

I have been reasonably modest in my ambition with bedding: Mattress from Ikea, Slumberdown quilts and pillows and linen from Amazon... just basic, but good quality. All in it has come to around £350. Still needed is the bed base and bedside tables, so the total for the bedroom is going to exceed £700.

Yup, it all adds up.

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