A full days work, a shower and suddenly, I'm feeling very tired!
I have to say, it doesn't feel like isolation here, the grounds and buildings here are pretty extensive and its possible to get quite tired just walking about the property, that's not counting the countless number of times of walking up the newly fitted temporary staircase in the big building carrying insulation boards up to store on top of the ground floor wooden framework.
There's 65 boards up there, carried up a staircase of 14 steps, that's 910 steps, with a rise of 20cm each. That's a height gain of 1820m of ascent - a small mountain (late edit: it has just been pointed out to me that I got the decimal point in the wrong place, it's only 182m, but it still seemed a lot) And that's just one job of many, no wonder I woke up twice one night with cramp in my leg. However, muscle ache is a good ache, it means we've done lots
Little three legged Cookie cat
of excercise and, yes we're feeling a bit fitter, the bending, twisting, drilling, fixing, crawling, stretching all means we're getting a full body workout. It also means we're eating huge quantities of food, Tony and Nicky being the generous people they are, a large joint just doesn't cut it, two are more like it, and that for just one evening meal. I made a litre of blackcurrant ripple ice cream for dessert and that lasted only two nights, one of those with half a chocolate cake added. And that's only one of three meals a day, but we eat it all as we're usually famished and are sleeping like logs, which has to be good.
Forgot to mention about the 20 litres of home made Cabernet Sauvignon thats on the go
Tony and Nicky's fabulous lounge in the one house thats finished
I realised that I hadn't been off the property for a week today, although Jackie and Nicky have, they went and queued outside Tesco the other day to get a few essentials, as did Tony and then Nicky again today, not only for us but shopping for their friends about a mile away who are isolating due to having their elderly mother living with them. I actually went out today to deliver the shopping to them, walking the mile to their door, leaving the shopping on the doorstep and walking back again. Its all country lanes with only a couple of isolated houses to pass, but even so I wondered if I would be stopped and asked where I was going. No need to worry though, only a tractor passed me.
Temporary stairs installed and barriers erected
And yes, the barriers are perfectly level
Jackie and I have been letting the chickens, ducks and geese out each morning, collecting the eggs and then putting them all to bed each evening (the chickens not the eggs). They are quite funny to watch, the geese and ducks in particular making plenty of noise, particularly if you happen to walk near to them during the day, them thinking they are going to be fed, so running over and clustering around. They all have the big orchard garden and their pens to run around in and several of them have the run of the whole property (I don't know why all of them don't), so its quite common to have a couple of chickens wandering about as we're working. I was horrified one morning early on when I got up out of bed, looked out of the window and saw the chickens wandering about. Tony and Nicky weren't up, we'd put them to bed the previous evening, so I realised I'd forgotten to put the flap down on one of the pens the previous evening. I got distracted as we had to chase the ducks round with a torch in the dark to get them into their pen and was concerned they were all in. We checked every pen to confirm they were there and then I forgot to put the flap down. No harm was done, but I won't let it happen again - double checking now every night!
Have a look at this little You Tube video I did of our morning routine letting the geese, ducks, chickens and guinea fowl out. Jackie normally talks to them ten to the dozen but didn't want to when I was videoing:
Building work is continuing, temporary staircase fitted and barriers erected at the edge, all perfectly straight and level. Jackie was amused when I put the spirit level on the wood before fixing it as it's only a temporary structure, but if a jobs worth doing etc etc.
Half of the building that will contain a huge kitchen and master bedroom above
We moved into the big garage yesterday (big garage hah - its more like a big double story detached house with a huge integral garage, big enough for a couple of tractors at least and will have a workshop, toilet, stores at the back and a huge storage area on the first floor) to work on the joists and flooring for the first floor. Tony's fitted most of it but it needs a few more joists and noggins to attach it to the outside walls and then plywood fixing to the ceiling and insulation and floorboards on the floor upstairs. Jackie and I make the joist work to fill in on the edge, which took ages as it has to be a snug fit to the wall, every bit cut to size, screwed together and fitted into place. It took most of the day, we were both pretty knackered and about to finish for the night. There were a couple of temporary bits of
One of several 1 litre blackcurrant ripple ice creams
wood on the ceiling used to support the joists during building that I thought I'd take off. The last one, however, had a ladder resting on it that Jackie was standing on so, as the last screw came out the beam made its way towards me at a very fast rate hitting me on my top lip and causing me to see a few stars. Jackie was jolted forward a couple of inches as the ladder came to rest on a noggin. I was bleeding but my teeth were OK and today I have a very fat top lip (no photos!) but I'm OK. How easy it is to make stupid mistakes and just now, when hospitals are full is not the time to make stupid mistakes. Make a mental note: think carefully and don't try to rush things when tired!!
Little Tufty cat
Today I've had a rest day, at least I've used the day to catch up on financial things that have been put off for too long, so its been useful. Having done that I decided a blog was called for, so here it is. Jackie hasn't rested though, her and Tony have been in the big garage carrying on with the upstairs floor, more noggins are installed and they are just starting to fit the plywood to the ceiling. It's all go here, we're loving it! Must go and have a look to see how they are getting on...
As per the last post we didn’t rush to Nicky and Tony, though we didn’t do any sightseeing either. Our first stop just north of Stoke-on-Trent on somebody’s drive was a funny little stopover but suited us perfectly (location: 53°03'33.9"N 2°19'04.8"W). We arrived there and were welcomed with a handshake. The next stop was very close to Lockerbie where Doris decided that the bridge was closed (it would be on Monday) but that’s what we employ her for so we did the unnecessary 30 mile detour. We’d booked this site the previous night and been informed we were welcome but there would be no contact and if we could pay by BACS bank transfer that would be
Our last motorhome stop before arriving at Tony & Nicky's near Dundee
great. On arrival we had a lovely chat with the lady of the house, keeping the required distance (location: 55°07'39.9"N 3°27'17.2"W). We then went for a little walk passing other groups of people either walking together or chatting as they’d met. The final site was just south of Dundee, he took our money and gave us change, but that’s all the contact we’d normally expect anyway! As far as we are concerned nobody is wrong we’ll just go with the flow (location: 56°24'08.6"N 3°11'58.5"W).
And finally...Big Ted parked up at Tony and Nicky's for the duration
We arrived at our destination about lunchtime with cream, butter and custard powder but no flour, bread flour or normal, in three days and three supermarket visits. As ever, we were welcomed here with big hugs! With that it’s like we’ve never been away, lunch before into work clothes to prepare the floor of the new porch, layer of plastic, layer of 100mm insulation, a layer of plastic, a layer of rebar reinforcement. The underfloor heating pipes and padding were added the following morning just before the cement lorry arrived....
Tony and Nicky's splendid property. On the far left is Big Ted outside garage number 1 (about the size of a normal house), centre is the one half of the steading that they have now converted into a luxurious, very large house, almost self sufficient on generated electricity and solar heating, right, with the green roof is the second half of the steading that we'll be working on for the duration. The green is the base layer applied to the roof before tiling. To give an idea of size, the green roof you can see is 100' (30m) long. Further right is garage number 2, and with an upstairs and downstairs, is the size of a very large detached house. Just to the right of that is a huge polytunnel where they grow a lot of their own fruit and veg. The photo is taken from near one corner of the grounds, but behind and off to the right is a large area that houses chickens, ducks, geese and guinea fowl plus a lot of fruit trees. We can get tired just walking round the property, isolation here is not really a problem
Straight to work. This will be a porch and boiler room. Underfloor heating coils in
Went to bed on the news that the caravan and motorhome club have closed all its sites, so two of the three we stopped at on our way up. Glad we arrived when we did! Cement lorry on Monday, not the big rotating thing you see on the roads that does large quantities, but one that mixed and poured there and then, more suitable for small loads. The day was rounded off with the news that the country is going in to complete lockdown, no unnecessary journeys and only essential stores open.
The concrete truck arrives!
The roof trusses were due to be delivered on Tuesday but would they be and what about our other timber, sand and building material requirements? Travis Perkins was shut, what about his rival, Doug, at MKM? Finally, we got through. The trusses would be delivered and if we sent him a shopping list..... Sadly he did say that the roof joists are on a lorry, but in Glasgow, we are not getting them! Hmm ok, plan B.... With no delivery drivers and only open by private arrangement more wood was collected on Wednesday. We could now start our own wood yard and have shifted an awful lot of wood.... got to do something to balance the huge amounts we are eating! Today B and I unloaded the final trailer load (it was just too much yesterday) and then sorted out Ted, drained down his water and stripped the bed. We don’t think there will be much requirement for ‘our room’ in the house for Airbnb.... Tony is in theory working, he’s a part time college lecturer. Lecturing in CAD (a drawing package) remotely is never going to be easy, except that none of his students have replied to emails, logged in, or in any other way shown willing. There’s only so much he can do, so blog for us and we’ll see about tomorrow when in theory he is also teaching....
And we were straight into it. As you can see, it was cold, but we didn't have time to notice
We were all working quite hard and fast
We even managed to get a photo of Nicky. There she is in the background all wrapped up taking photos. After falling off a ladder last year and having her leg pinned, she's not yet fully mobile. Tony, on the other hand is here working at his usual pace
Tony and Brian finishing off, Jackie spading in more here and there to get the level
We achieved a good, smooth finish, but one little pussy cat didn't quite appreciate they had to keep off until hardened!
Here's Gummy cat in his usual place on the woodwork
And Ghengis cat asleep on our bed with Teddy
They have enough fitness equipment to equip a small gym, which Nicky uses for her rehabilitation. Brian's been using some of it, particularly the jogging machine, which saves running outside along the roads
Jackie feeding the geese. You can see, even if you can't hear, they are making a lot of noise!
Part of the chicken, duck and geese enclosure
This is the view from our bedroom window
I went to take a photo of them all pecking in the lawn, but when they saw me they all came running over to the fence assuming I was going to feed them!
The half of the steading thats finished
Work in between work. Stacking a delivery of wood pellets
And Brian got thee job of packing them into a confined space
When things became really restricted on Monday we were worried we might not get enough supplies to keep us building for six months. Fortunately their local supplier remained open for them (not the general public), so Jackie one day and Brian the next went with Tony to get as much as possible. Here's one delivery with Tony's trailer groaning under the weight of materials. It was the 'A' frame we were most worried about, there's about 1 tonne of wood gently bending the top bar (plus he has a tonne of sand, six concrete lintels and a few bags of lime. Good job its a 3.5 tonne trailer!
Wood bought in and stacked, here, and by Jackie over there.....
And another pile over here. That should keep us going for building for at least 6 months
So, inside that big 100' building with the green roof, here's what Tony (and a bit by us last year) has built so far
Another view inside of the ground floor, rooms and corridors built...
And here is what is yet to be done. That's what all the wood is for. There's a stairway, hallway, huge kitchen and utility to go in here. Then upstairs, five large bedrooms are planned, complete with external balcony and walkway. Our work has barely started! Two years ago there was no roof, only stone walls open to the sky. With Ian and Helen, two years ago we fitted all 96 of the 'A' frame trusses on the roof. The porch that we put the floor in the other day and will build this year, will provide the main access and is outside on the left through that window/door you can see
Meanwhile, Ghengis finds it all a bit tiring! Photos of the other pussy cats in the next blog, there are five of them in all
We had a relaxing day on Saturday, our first since South Africa really, it was raining, and we had little else to do, except a quick trip to the pub! We planned our first week of slow South Coast Route, and then started reading the Internet, both the motorhome Facebook forums and the Gov.UK site about travel to France and Spain. As Spain was put into total lockdown with all bars and restaurants shut, Denise and Paul in Marbella, were told off by the police for being out for a morning walk and France didn’t seem far behind. We had another rethink.
The Hurricane aircraft at the museum
Rather than head west, should we slowly head north, to Nicky and Tony in Scotland? We love them to bits, they’ve got space for big Ted, free self generated electricity, more freezers than you can possibly imagine (8 maybe?) all filled with reduced food from Tesco and their own homegrown fruit and veg, but more importantly, something to do. If total lockdown is enforced here there is enough gardening and building work to keep us occupied and from going crazy for a very long time. We emailed to ask if
Thhe Spitfire Memorial Museum
we could come, not wanting to take anything for granted, but were thrilled when Nicky rang, asking if we were hiding at the end of the road and should she put the kettle on? What a fabulous response. With a plan now in mind we have taken it in turns to be up and down, should we potter..... should we rush up.....? Sunday we went to the Spitfire Memorial Museum at Manston, about 4 miles NW of Ramsgate. A small, free, but very interesting museum, with a great little cafe doing Sunday lunch and free motorhome parking. Monday we
The Spitfire flight simulator at the museum. £30 for half an hour
travelled for a whole half an hour to Canterbury to one of their park and ride car parks with designated motorhome parking (location: 51°15'41.5"N 1°06'01.1"E). Most unusual in the U.K. where it is much more the norm for carparks to have height barriers to keep us out. Our £7.00 fee was valid for an overnight, water in and out and toilet disposal, and free park and ride bus into the City where we made a special point of going into the tourist information to thank them for our parking area. We don’t know how busy it normally is on a sunny Monday in March but there were people wandering about, and food wagons open. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit, particularly to the Westgate Towers, even though the two aged cats who live there were hiding and didn’t come and say hello.
One of the beautiful buildings in Canterbury
Tuesday we headed to the Cotswolds, to stay on a farm near Bourton on the Water (location: 51°52'39.8"N 1°48'53.3"W), though sadly on arrival it wasn’t an afternoon for walking, Monday’s sunshine hadn’t lasted long. We were then meant to be stopping at Tony’s parents near Stow on the Wold to collect seedlings for planting out in the poly tunnel. On speaking to Jill however the double whammy of us having to keep the seedings in the dark which would cause them to bolt as we weren’t planning on driving it in one, and that it was at least a month earlier and colder than the planned delivery date, it was decided it wasn’t worth the effort. “If Nicky orders some seeds in, you’ll be there to plant them!” That’s us all told then!
The Westgate Tower in Canterbury
So Wednesday we went straight to mum’s and had a very productive day, trip to Helen and Ian to borrow their car to transport the surplus to requirements washing machine from their next door neighbour who has just moved to Exeter to be near her daughter. Mums machine apparently was still working, but is quite tired and didn’t seem to be performing as well as it used to, so was taken to the tip.
The old cells in the Westgate Tower
We had also decided that we should get WhatsApp onto my old phone so mum could be more ‘in touch’ we had talked about her having the phone as a phone, but this had been deemed too difficult, until her very old phone stopped and when examined had a very swollen battery! Too difficult for two reasons, the requirement for a new sized SIM card and for the steep learning curve that goes with a first smart phone, but it had to be dealt with. B and I dashed to Redditch, him to get a new SIM card, which may take 24 hours to activate but fortunately took about 2 and me to get Halfords to fit a new headlight bulb in mum’s car and do some shopping for her. Many tutorials later, she’s had WhatsApps from Charles and Caroline which hopefully will continue even if they rudely welcome her to the 21st century!
This was an old fireplace found in the main guard room in the Westgate Tower at Canterbury. They reckon they have identified those planks of wood at an angle inside the fireplace as originally being part of the gallows used in the town
Actual body, ankles and wrist manacles used in the tower
Having stayed over we liberated the 4 wine boxes and the bottle of gin from the loft and repacked Ted with many more work clothes and climbing and walking guides for Scotland and have now slowly started heading north. Social distancing has made us decide not to contact friends en route, though we don’t feel we need to drive ridiculously long days. (Unlike the horror stories we heard on the Aire in Canterbury, people who had driven from southern Spain in two or three days, not knowing if borders would close, if they had filled the permit to travel in correctly or whether ferries/the tunnel would still be running. We are so glad we aborted our overseas trip when we did).
An actual mantrap used in the locality in ancient times. Stand on that plate in the middle and the two halves spring together with such force it would break the victims leg and trap them with such force they would be unable to open it themselves. Very cruel, but I'll bet it stopped trespassers!
View of Canterbury from the top of Westgate Tower
When we told mum we weren’t visiting people she responded with “well if they are ‘old’ they would probably rather you did”. Despite her being one of the happiest people in her own space being told to stay in, having everything on the calendar cancelled, and the whole strange uncertainty of this weirdness runs the risk of keeping older and compromised people physically safer but at what cost emotionally/mentally? I know many wonderful people are shopping for friends and neighbours but an online chat or even a trip to the park to sit on opposite ends of a bench for half an hour could be worth just as much. I’m trying to work out how mum and I can do the crossword together while 500 miles apart...!
A view of Westgate Tower from the adjacent park
Saw this tree in the park in Canterbury with a huge trunk. A sign said it was an Oriental Plane Tree. Not seen anything like it before
The hill is the Dane John and has a splendid view over Canterbury. Apparently there was an old Roman fort there
This is the Aire at the Canterbury Park and Ride. This area is specifically reserved for motorhomes. It has water fill facilities, plus grey and black water dump plus a ride on the bus into the centre. Its one of the few in the UK, but we hope they become popular as they are on the continent
This was our parking at Cold Aston, near Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds. They could only take two motorhomes in the winter due to the need for a hardstanding, but can take more in summer on grass. Its about a 2 mile walk into Bourton-on-the-Water and there are, apparently, nice local walks too. We didn't do any as it was raining!
Nicky sent us a message asking what size of gloves we needed. Jackie replied that she would send a photoi of her hand with little ted as comparison! Very helpful!
Here's our parking for tonight. Its a spare place at someones house, but it is in the country and its quite pleasant.
