This blogspace chronicles the ups and downs of our house renovation project in Vale de Prazeres, Portugal from first purchase in November 2019.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Lots more fun investigating and upgrading the electrics.
Gone are the redundant 3-phase circuits, the ancient switch box along with the overloaded and burned cable to the workshop. A new meter was installed a couple of months ago when the supply was increased from the minimum 3.45kva to a whopping 6.9kva (30 amps).
- Written by: Rick Nason
It has been a long time but the kitchen is now done, well almost! We are still trying to locate a suitable hanging rail for the utensils and install a new light fitting.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Once again the water supply has been acting up. Some days working, some days not.
Having enlisted, once again!, the help of a friend to haul the water pump from the borehole and examine the thing, all seemed fine except for a split in the pipe just above the pump.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Having got bored with waiting for the remaining tiles to arrive I decided to install those which we had and then hang the wallpaper. Janet wanted a feature wall and she chose a classic jungle scene to add some colour to the wall.
- Written by: Rick Nason
With little new information to share we have neglected to add updates to the site but here is a brief catch up. Work has slowed immensely while we continue to wait for the shop to tell us the materials have arrived.
- Written by: Rick Nason
After a strange beginning to the year, then a global pandemic closing down many countries, some unexpected snow and heavy rains, things have finally settled down and the weather has become much warmer. We have measured around 37ºC today so the work in the garden is restricted to the first few hours of the day.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Finally the major work in the back room has been completed. Filling and painting the walls and ceiling all done, curtains made and fitted, more effective sealing round the door - although the with next major downpour it will probably still let the water in anyway.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Having bought a 'toy' rotavator from Lidl and used it once only to find it was rather ineffective for both the size and condition of our garden, we sought help from our friends in the area.
As usual we were offered a solution, this time a proper rotavator.
- Written by: Rick Nason
With the required materials all located and bought we can finally make some real progress with the back room. The walls are installed with the insulation, the electric tubing is in place and the ceiling insulation fitted.
- Written by: Rick Nason
An unusual event put a temporary halt to work on the back room.
It was a few months ago when the work started, during that time I drilled a number of holes through a dividing wall between the old building and the newer part.
- Written by: Rick Nason
After a long delay, apologies, here is the latest instalment in our saga.
Work continues on the back room.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Now that we have finally found and installed the new flooring for the back room it is time to build the new false walls and ceiling. The metalwork is going up nicely, the existing ceiling is interesting, there is a difference in the height of over 100mm (4") from one corner to another and the concrete surface has waves, like an upside down sea.
- Written by: Rick Nason
After many delays and missed deadlines the kitchen is now installed and functional, albeit with a reduced electrical capacity until I can replace the main circuit breaker.
It was, by chance, a nice birthday present for Janet.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Now that we have finished the painting Janet has made some temporary curtains to serve until the lockdown is over and we can get to the shops to get some proper material.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Nah, that headline was just to fool you.
As we have come to expect, the kitchen installation has been delayed once again. Previously scheduled for 15th/16th April, that date has come and gone and the latest estimate is now 'by the end of the month'.