Day 3014 What a view.

15th November 2025

It was day one at Henry’s, there were reservations about doing the job in the first place, because I am not quick when it comes to doing skirting boards or door trim. I look at it as a piece of furniture, and that deserves care, and attention to detail.

So with my tools, I headed off towards West Olive. The drive was through some of the most beautiful  golden maple trees that the wind has not stripped. It was a thirty minute drive, ending up a narrow wooded lane that opened out to the view across Lake Michigan, it is a million dollar sight.

Henry had primed all the timber, but at sixteen feet the pieces were difficult to manage, but we found a way of getting them up to the first bedroom.

I was using his chop saw, that was interesting, there were teeth missing, it was out of square with the fence and not perpendicular to the bed.

Therefore my first job was to adjust those. There wasn’t much I could do with the missing teeth, so I made the best with what there was.

The oak flooring had been sanded, and looked great, but where some of the strips had been covered by a thick skirting, and a quarter round, which I personally hate, some had been cut short, and would show under the new trim.

That will have to be dealt with when I was ready to fit the new skirting.

All the walls had been re plasterboarded and remarkably square.

The main task was to bond a small strip on to the main board, I thought that was easier than effectively doing the job twice. This extra piece was to cover up the majority of badly trimmed oak flooring strips.

Well I didn’t finish the first room, I now think it will take two days a room, as I gave Henry a daily rate, it will mean extra cash.

He wants to get the rooms finished for thanksgiving, I’m not sure that will be possible, because the floors need to be sanded and another coat, or possible two applied, and the walls and ceiling have to be painted as well.

I will work towards getting my bit finished by the end of next week, then I will have to give my joints a good rest.

As I left, the sun was floating on the lake, it was amazing sight.