It never rains but it pours Episode # 4 Almost there!

Embee had planned to finish laying the boards, plugging the holes and giving the them a second coat of oil while I was away in Ireland. However, the weather contrived against him so as today promised to be sunny, he decided to try and complete the task and I'm pleased to say that he has finished, except for replacing the spacers under the railings.

It still needs a little sanding and some more coats of oil but Embee reckons this could be done at the end of the summer. We managed to pack everything away before the rain started at 5:45pm.
It will be lovely to have it back in use, you don't really miss something until it's not available. I intend to put some tubs of flowers back and sit out with my coffee tomorrow -weather permitting of course!

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2007: Witty Wednesday-14

It never rains but it pours! Episode # 1

Last weekend we embarked on a new project and not one that we really imagined we would be doing. I think I mentioned earlier in the year that Embee painted the railings around our little balcony at the rear of our house. Once he'd finished painting I then cleaned the decking, in doing this I noticed that some of the supports were beginning to rot and had some wood worm. At first we thought it was just the exterior pieces of wood that could easily be replaced. However once these were removed we realised that we would need to lift some of the decking and check further. I expect you've guessed by now that we eventually discovered, it was not a simple task. The current decking, which is solid mahogany, had been so well laid (by Embee) it could not be easily removed without damage, so the whole lot had to come up and everything is being replaced.
The quality of the new decking is nothing like as superior as the old and I'm not sure that I will really like it. I've been trying to remember just how long it has been down but it's certainly not the 20 yrs Embee thought it would last. I remember him saying it would see us out- well he got that wrong! The start of the task.Not looking good!Out with the old, even the good stuff.Some things are best done sitting down. and on Sunday evening you are left with a gaping hole.

Of course I then decided that we should clean and repaint the walls, and I know it will not be seen but it will certainly tidy it up nicely. Yesterday I scrubbed the walls with bleach to get rid of the mould and Embee has given them a couple of coats of masonary paint and they look so much better, despite the rainstorms we had last night.

I meant to take a picture this evening but forgot. All the old wood is being recycled to a pal of Embee's who is using it to fuel his wood burner so that's good.

The timber decking needs to fully dry out before I can treat it and with thunderstorms every night I have no idea how long this will take.

Next stage is the fix the supports...so to be continued.

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2007 & 2008: No Archives

Leisurely Sunday!

I don't have a lot to share today but I did enjoy my breakfast sitting on the little balcony outside my back door whilst reading the Sunday paper. I was trying to ignore the fact that the house looks a mess, my mother produced a bag of laundry to be done (it always amazes me how one day she has nothing and two days later there is a bag full), a huge basket of ironing was beckoning me everytime I walk through the breakfast room and I still haven't taken my Fun Monday photos but it will all get done before the day is done. Hope you are all enjoying your day of rest!