Update

Michael - As promised, more pictures to be considered for the blog.

The main developments have been the roofing and tiling of the bay, and the internal structure of its curved ceiling.

Its lower sections are a little higher than the original, and these sections have been insulated and plastered making them thicker - hence the addition of shelving.

The installation of the staircase handrail and spindles has started but there is a 'tricky' section to be tackled where the rail (on a bend) has to meet the original upper rail which survived the fire.

The remaining supporting spindles have been painted in readiness.

The panelling below the staircase has been fixed and painted, and the wardrobe and cellar doors have been hung.

Miscellaneous small items of bathroom equipmenmt are being added, together with other finishing touches.

We expect to see some more major items this coming week, including our two major firplaces.

We hope that the pace will increase to ensure early completion so that we can begin the major task of furnishing, starting with the floorings.

Dad

Great progress

As the Beijing games get underway it does now feel that we are getting close to the end of the restoration, and Ashgrove is really looking good.

Colin keeps adding coats of paint to the new bay (and every where else come to that). Andy has completed the bay roof structure and the reclaimed Rosemary tiles have arrived.

Scaffolding has been erected to paint the outside of the attic windows, and this will be gone in a couple of days.

The panelling to the side of the stairs has been fitted, and the spindles for the staircase have been delivered.

The kitchen tiling is done, and the new utility room has wall cupboards and a work surface.

The downstairs toilet floor has been levelled ready for the Amtico to be fitted.

Upstairs is virtually complete. Mum has new shelves in the bathroom cupboard, the sink has been fitted in the middle bedroom, and the en-suite bathrooms are finished.

The MFI installers have started fitting the bedroom furniture to the master bedroom.

There is still quite a bit to do but the end is in sight now. The big items are the leaded windows for the bay, re-flooring the lounge, and the staircase handrail.

At the site meeting we agreed to slip the project end date by two weeks to mid September, and I'm pretty confident that Andy will be able to meet that.

A few pictures of progress below, click HERE for more in a slideshow.


Mike

The new lounge bay arrives!

More plumbing progress with the installation of showers, heated towel rails, and mirrors, etc.

Also, ceiling rose installed in hallway.

Front door looks good freshly painted, and new glass in front windows reflects the greenery.

First sight of new bay today, duly scrutinised by Celia. Three-man erection team soon had it fixed in position.

Not an exact replica of original bay in some very minor details, but perhaps less vulnerable to the weather because of that. Should be judged on its overall impression when it has been roofed, glazed and fully painted. I am confident that it will not let us down.

Dad

Inspection teams

Ashgrove has certainly proved to be a family tourist attraction over the last few months!

Here are two recent 'inspection teams'.

Vestibule

Well Eric did deliver the vestibule door frame and the skylight, and both have now been fitted.

The front door has been painted, and the house is now looking good from the front. Quite a contrast to the dark, sad looking boarded up house of a few months ago.

Eric should be delivering the new bay any day. Andy has already completed the base ready for it to stand on. As soon as it arives, Andy will get to work on the bay roof and get the lounge watertight as soon as possible so that he can then replace the floorboards.

Upstairs is progressing well, but there is still a lot of work to do downstairs. We are getting the first hints that the schedule is looking tight, and I wouldn't be surprised to see completion slip a couple of weeks to the middle of September. Let's hope its not longer.

Mike

Site progress meeting - 11 July

Well another month, another site meeting. And again, we can report good progress.

The builders continue to report that the project is on time with a completion date less than two months away.

That said, there is still quite a bit to be done, with some major carpentry items on the critical path.

The skylight and the vestibule woodwork are due to arrive next week. Then we await the lounge bay structure and the staircase handrail, balustrades etc. We have been assured that Eric the joiner is a good old fashioned master craftsman, and that his work is first class. But he doesn't seem quite so good on predicting delivery dates!

The kitchen is now nearly complete, the coving finished, and all but one window is finished.
I've put a few pictures below, but here is a link to a slideshow of photos taken in the house today.

We helped mum and dad select light fittings from Kok's lighting yesterday, and agreed tiles for the kitchen. So that's two more sets of decisions made.

Some very heavy dining room furniture arrived today from the St Catherine's Hospice furniture shop (including 12 chairs!) and is being stored in the garage. Dad says it didn't cost much and will 'put us on'. And so it will, but I wonder till when?

Now Mum's contents shopping begins in earnest (carpets, curtains, beds, chairs, sofas, tables, ceiling lights, lamps, washing machine, dryer, fridge, freezer etc etc). Any vounteers to help with the decisions?

Mike

ps as this project is coming to its last stages, so the next stage is being drawn up. On Thursday evening we visited a garden room extension that our architect designed to get some ideas for a conservatory replacement. If all goes to plan, we should have that finished in time for Christmas.

Coving and kitchen

Miscellaneous shots of the new covings which, before installation, are huge and very heavy. New picture rails have also been fixed. Special adhesive is used for the covings, and they are also nailed into position for safety. Having had to use nails to ensure the adhesion of a large ceiling rose which I installed some years ago (DIY) I now feel vindicated!

Also, more progress in the kitchen installation, plus the final renovation of the upstairs sash windows by Ventrolla.

Much remains yetl to be done but we are encouraged by what we see on each visit. As mentioned previously, we still have to keep a close eye on everything to avoid errors, and Celia is ensuring that the finer details meet with her approval.

We have also commisioned a new fireplace interior and fire to match the original surround from a London house (possibly Chelsea) which we found in a search in Manchester guided by Paul.

We have a further review meeting with the Contractors on Friday when we hope that some outstanding questions will be resolved.

Dad