Another Lifetime to go

18th January 2018

The bath came out today, the tiled wall is no more, and even the electrics have been de-commissioned, so in less than a month I have knocked a hundred thousand pounds of the value of the place.

” It will look perfect once it’s all done” said Andy the plumber, shouting over his drum and bass soundtrack. “I bloody hope so” my optimism weakening with every piece of plaster that I knock off.

Of course my trip to the Trowbridge tip ended in disaster, BECAUSE IT WAS THURSDAY, AND IT IS CLOSED ON A THURSDAY.

However I learned that the site at Bower Hill in Melksham was open Thursday and Friday, but I just couldn’t be bothered to do it today.

17th January 2018

Today was Andy, the plumbers first day on the job. He drained all the rads and removed all the pipework.it will be wonderful not to see all the pipes all over the walls, and some more modern rads.

I started to clear the alcoves of plaster arches and discovered some sixties wallpaper, I want to try to remove as much as I can, and maybe feature it is a piece of artwork that I can display.

16th January 2018

More dust and dirt as I attempt to complete the removal of the living room ceiling. I had agreed with Andy, my plumber, that it would be available for him to remove the piping.

There is no easy way to do this, at the end of the day my hair is matted with dust, and thankfully a good soak in the bath at Ryan and Louise’s makes me feel human again.

15th January 2018

Living room ceiling destruction day today. Dressed in my one-piece, goggles, face mask and hard-hat, I was ready to get down and dirty.

I completed about a third of the removal, separating the lathes, bagging up the plaster and taking ten bags to the tip. I have tried to keep a low profile because the place gets enveloped in a cloud of dust, as I empty the bags into the skips. On a good day I can be in and out in less than ten minutes, leaving the dust cloud to settle on its own.

14th January 2018

Today is my catch up day, the day I see how the world has survived another week with Trump.

Quite honestly I still can’t believe that a man who cannot string two words together that make sense can still be president

His latest outburst and use of the term “Shithole” is disgusting, and what is worst is that I’ve been using that word for years, and it’s never had the same attention as Trump has given it, so it looks like I’ve got to find a new word.

13th January 2018

An early start for an a eleven o clock meeting at Interior Harmony in Bath. I had thought that they had decided to drop the project, but then out of the blue I had an email.

The meeting was interesting and informative, with an proposal that was quite good. Leroy was really laying it on a bit thick, he said he was committed to giving me the kitchen I really wanted. I felt a little embarrassed because as kitchens go this is a small one, so not much profit. He was hassling a bit so that I would benefit from an offer for appliances that run out at the end of January. Yes I know how this works, but if there is a deal to be struck, I should consider every option.

After an intense two hours of Leroy, I staggered outside and inhaled some clean fresh air, ready for the next event of the day, the ex art school coffee meeting.

Six people turned up, two of which were first timers, so plenty of great conversation.

It is good to get together after fifty years, some haven’t really changed, others, like me, are unrecognisable, or at least that’s what I think after seeing a photo of a dark haired lad, and asking who it was.

12th January 2018

I only cough when I laugh, but as Kelli only makes me laugh most of the time, coughing is a way of life.

Since the closing of the Lakeshore Marketplace at the end of December, and the anticipated opening of the Tin Roof market in February, Kelli has found another outlet to sell her furniture. This is called ” Act II Boutique” it works on consignment rather than a monthly rent basis. Although the split is 50/50 it provides another line of potential sales without any expense.

This might prove to be an good option.

11th January 2018

The idea of this blog was to document things that were going on in my new life since leaving work. Since I have returned from the US things have been dull and uninteresting. Progress on the cottage has been painfully slow, and catching this virus has made me lack the energy to throw myself into the renovation.

I have been lucky to have had the support from my sister and Colin who have made me very welcome. Without them I’m not sure where I would be living.

I am expecting to start more rigorous work next week when my plumber will de-commission the central heating and start removing all the visible pipe work.

My plan is to remove all the ceilings and plaster off the walls by the end of January, this will then leave a blank canvas to re-construct from.

10th January 2018

The Emergency Nurse smiled as I walked in to her room ” What can I do for you today?”

I explained about my hacking cough, so she started to check me out. A number of deep breaths later she announced that my lungs were clear, and my cough was a result of the virus sweeping the country. There was nothing she could prescribe other than the standard advice of Paracetamol, rest and plenty of liquids. So I was disappointed at not getting something.

Whilst I was in Bradford on Avon, I decided to strip another wall of plaster which was easier than I thought, filling another ten bags, plus another trip to the tip.

9th January 2018

Kelli’s daughter, Greer landed in Shannon Airport for her first flight, and first trip outside of the US. This is a momentous occasion for her, and you always remember that first flight.

Mine was a business trip to Milan in 1983.

I had my first suit, with a waist coat, I was so slick. In those days we traveled in business class, and nervously took my seat. A big guy then sat next to me, and struck up a conversation. I told him this was my first time, and he said ” Don’t worry, as soon as we are in the air , I’ll show what to do”

As soon as the seat belt sign went out he called the flight attendant, and the drinks came out.

The flight took two and a half hours, and he never stopped the whole time.

On arrival, he staggered off the plane, absolutely plastered, I was not so effected, being a lightweight drinker, but it made the trip memorable for me.

I was picked up by Adolfo the Engineering Manager for ICF, a licensee at the time. He had an old Ford Capri three litre with a worn prop shaft. He drove me though the streets of Milan like a maniac, I was a bit scared not knowing what was worse, a high-speed crash, or a prop-shaft up the back passage. Fortunately nothing happened, but it left a great impression.