We have Moved In

Pickfords delivered our furniture on 28th February and since then we have not stopped. We spent a few days sleeping at Little Pines and spending the days finishing off, unpacking and making the house more habitable. After a week Imogen decided that, despite our not having full residency order, we should move in any way and between them, she and Ken moved all our stuff from Little Pines into Eilean Beith. Although at the time I felt I was being pushed into moving I realize now I needed that push.

Since then we have been busy both inside and out. The decorating has all been finished apart from one or two things that need touching up, I have made curtains for the spare bedrooms and bathroom. Landscaping is completed outside ready for the gravel to arrive for the drive tomorrow. There are still a few problems to sort however, the tiler made a mess of the wet room floor and it did not drain towards the drain, we have decided to cut our loses and sink a large showertray into that area, partly because we could not find another tiler to rectify it and partly because it an easy way out of the problem. Actually it may well prove to be more successful as there will be no worries about cracked grouting causing leaks down into the lounge!

Phil is now busy putting down the decking round the front of the house. The ground gets so wet we thought this would be the best way of keeping the area round the house less damp! It will be wonderfull sitting out there with our Gin and Tonics on a balmy summer evening fighting off the midges!

Our lounge sofas arrive on Wednesday and then we can chose lamps, coffee tables and other finishing touches to finish everything off.

Within the next month we rather hope that life will get back to normal and the old routine. Phil working on Old Pines, and me setting up life here in Spean Bridge. The last two and half years have been very stressful, we are not over it all yet - we are still struggling to get someone to do this test on the drains without which we cannot complete and put an end to building our own home but we are nearly there and I am sure then we can get back to a normal life and have more time to do and see more of Scotland and have time to visit all our old friends again.

FIVE WEEKS ON!

The last month has been one of great activity and anticipation. All the last bits of work have now almost been completed and we are nearly ready to move in.
Phil and I escaped for a much needed break - although not a very succesful one to Marrakesh at the beginning of February. The rest did us good but on reflection we would have been better plodding on here.
Inside the house is ready to move into - carpets went down two weeks ago and the furniture was eventually retrieved from Pickfords last week. Goodness knows why we bought it all here though, most of it either does not suit the house or there is no room for it and any way why did we have it to start with. It was like Christmas opening the boxes, a surprise in everyone. I had forgotten what we have. After three years all the emotional feelings disappear. I think a trip to the auction is going to be necessary once we are settled. I was extremely pleased that none of the furniture got damaged whilst it was in store, the only breakage was a champagne glass which I dropped in unpacking and after all the stories I had heard was pleasntly surprised.
Work has been progressing but we do have one or two major things to fix. The tiler made a real mess of the wet room and got the floor tiles all running the wrong way. Consequently turn the shower on and the water floods into the bedroom and not down the drain. He came back to fix it but I am afraid he has made an awful mess and we have to redo that part of the floor. We are waiting to hear from another tiler who worked on the hotel and was excellent so are hoping he can do something. It could mean putting a shower tray in. Thank goodness the bathrooom is all in working order sowecan use that for the time being.
So - moving in is imminent. We have applied for a residency order as we can not yet apply for completion certificate as there are still jobs to do outside. However the building inspector came round yesterday and requires some tests on the venting pipes which could be a problem as they are inaccessible in the roof space. We know there is not a problem with them and they are working because since before Christmas we have been using the toilets and all the amenities have been well tried out. Neither of us are very happy and be assured this is not going to stop us moving in later this week.
Living in the shed is 'getting to me' It has not survived the bad weather this winter - after all we have now been living here for almost three years and it was only meant to be temporary accomodation. I sit here unable to sleep, the roof is leaking and rain is dripping in down the wall beside me, the door is so old the drafts are now unstoppable, the damp is rising fast at one end and the other end is sinking. My asthma is not good and I just can't wait to get in to my own home again with some warmth and comfort. When you go up to the house (or even down to the hotel) the whole atmosphere is so much better -no dampness in the air and there is now a real feeling of camping out.
It is a big 'NO' to beauraucracy and I don't care what the council say I am moving in as soon as I have moved my things from here and can live in my new home with all its conveniences.
My next blog will be to say that we are settled!!!!