Project Gratitude #update 15

Well, winter's definitely here! The last week has been extremely cold and we had some terribly high winds too. The safety of the roof is quite worrying!!! The plastic covering billowed like a hot air balloon, the wood creaked and cracked, the tiles (those remaining on the end bit) shifted, then the rain poured and the barn flooded..not a drop came through the new roof though so that's something! Seems there's a source under the land which is fit to burst because of the sheer quantity of water falling, and while the swales around the house are working well there wasn't enough time or manpower to fix a drain around the barn.

A rare duo-selfie :)

Oh yes...and the wheelbarrow got a puncture! Can you believe they make them with inflatable wheels...most stupid idea ever unless you intend to only roll it across a well manicured lawn! A new, non-inflatable wheel is 35 Euros...it's daylight robbery.

The other day was so cold (-5 degrees) that the washing I put out in the hope of it at least dripping out the excess water so I could bring it in to dry (washing machine broke - lol it's been one of those months!) that when I went to collect it at 4pm my pyjamas could stand up on their own...literally. I laughed so much, waving a t-shirt with the arms standing vertical, it was hilarious, lol.

What everyone in the country is wearing this season, lol...

Yesterday was a lovely sunny, but frosty day and as it was also dry it gave us a chance to trim some trees and chop much needed wood. The log fire is our only source of heat so it's important to keep it going once you start it in the morning...it takes an unexpected amount of effort! I've taken to watching the old Catherine Cookson adaptations to see if I can get some tips on rural life, lol.

Home-made wood cutting stand (reclaimed wood)

My watchman in India taught me well...

The new pup is settling in well and in just a week she's learnt "bed', 'allez' and 'come'...she's bi-lingual now too ;).

So we remain in hope of help and that there are at least a few friends out there who would buy us a coffee...is that you?

Love & light for now and wishing everyone on GoFundMe a great deal of success with their fundraising.


Happy New Year!

Louise (aka Mermie)

PS. Don't forget to share the link after you've deposited your 'coffee money' wink, wink: http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Project Gratitude - update 5#

27.10.14

When we first arrived at the house there was this lovely door from the kitchen through to the bathroom. Except...at the other side it was just a huge hole which had been knocked out of the foot wide stone walls, with no bracing, no support...just huge stones dangling in mid-air and a weightbearing beam on top supporting the attic floor!

The 'Hole' that folks had been passing through (over the water pipes - now defunct due to too many 'holes' lol) to get to the bathroom...

I mean...would you walk under this knowing it was holding up the floor above - and the roof!

Needless to say we decided it must be secured as top priority as we didn't want a brick falling on our heads when we went for a pee, so JC got to make his first 'wall'

Now you see him...

Now you don't :D

 Unfortunately, there was one thing we forgot to do (I use 'we' though I didn't really have my say in the matter, lol, if you know what I mean ;))...and that was to remove the door and frame. We can still do it, but it might be a bit more tricky now the wall's behind it. I may just make a feature out of it.

A lot more walls have materialised since 'The Hole' was filled. I think JC's found his new vocation; from 'IT professional' to "Bob the Builder'. Can he fix it? Yes he can! :D,

Don't forget to share, share, share...and DONATE! Would love to get the roof on soon.

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Love & light,
Louise (aka Mermie)