Computer gives up the ghost - but now up and running with October

It may seem that nothing has happened for a long time, but in fact, it’s just that the laptop went on a holiday of no return.
But lots of things have been happening.
Back in October, it was reasonably dry, so we started digging out the trenches for the sewers. Big mistake. As soon as we started, so did the bad weather.

The Somme
We had one digger, which lost its tracks, so they replaced it. Then the other got bogged down in mud, so we had to hire a larger digger just to get it out. Then the big one got stuck and the rain was so heavy that the walls of the trenches collapsed.
Sent all the diggers back and gave up for a while.

The firsts good day, and Jordan is busy on his phone.

Then l managed to get the building inspector out to check the pipes, but he wanted them pressure tested. Shows how long ago it was since putting in sewers. In those days it was, fill them up with water once bunged, and check that you had no leakage over 2 hours. Nowadays they need pressure testing. Obviously l didn't have the equipment, so he disappeared with his word to return once it was pressurised.

Borrowed Billy's equipment and after topping with pea shingle put in under pressure. Big scare, it kept loosing pressure. Couldn't understand it. All bungs in place and all joints were secured properly. Rechecked all the bungs and moved the shingle of all the joints over the 100m run, not a mean feat. It still dropped.
Then l got the hose out and filled the pipe up, but the pressure was so strong, it blew the bottom bung out.

Left it, but then the weather turned bad so it was three days later before we returned to it. Three sleepless nights considering the work to take up all the piping and reset.
Plugged various shorter sections an loaded with water. No leaks on any.
So then l got a 1m length of pipe and checked the pressure kit, only to find that it was faulty.
One asks why l didn't just do that check in the first place.



Moving on to the internals.


Actually meant the inside of the house.


All the areas, with the exception of the bathrooms have been plastered. Virgil, has made a superb job. Also used masses of emulsion. Just good that it was on offer. Ten 25ltr tubs so far. Most walls have had to have three coats, minimum. Plaster just sucks it up. But the effect is great.

But once l had finished the plumbing for the bathrooms, Virgil returned, and within two days the two upstairs bathrooms had been plastered. 

Judith had been making great strides, literally, so we took a week off and went up to Strathpeffer for three days. Judith managed to do her first hill climb. Ten miles in distance. It was slow going and knackering for her, but she felt she had achieving something.

Then we headed south to Blairgowrie for four nights.

The highlight was a visit to the Pitlochry forest and their Enchanted Forest light and sound show. Was excellent, and really gets you in the mood for Christmas. 

Also visited Glamis Castle and was shown around by one of the family. Our small group were able to really get an inside view of the castle, which is also their home. It was the Queen mums family home, and the trappings and personal belongings added extra colour to the visit. You always her about the king and Queens ancestors, but very little about the other side of the family. A real treat.

Managed to visit, St Andrews and Dundee, both places we haven’t seen for years, and both deserve a more in depth visit in the future.

We needed a rest after all the dashing backwards and forwards to Dover and came back totally revitalised and ready to get back into the house.

 Gas has been installed, although we don’t have a meter as yet. The temporary electricity supply has been removed and we now have mains into the house, albeit supplying only one twin plug. The electrician is still working on the rest. An odd hour here and an odd 5 minutes there. We moved the temporary water supply underground and it is now virtually ready to come indoors. Say virtually. We have to connect up to the internal plumbing, which is only 50% there. Plumber and heating engineer are in on Wednesday.

One giant leap was the installation of the balcony railings. It’s so good to feel a little safer now it’s up. We even managed to collect the plants which had been kindly stored with our next door neighbour.

We had the flooring and tiles delivered, but many were damaged in transit, so we are now waiting on the replacements. Another hiccup.

Fortunately, we are not getting too stressed. We have made the decision to stay in the flat until the house is totally complete, which is now likely to be January. Saying that, it could be sooner and then again it could be March. It will be what it will be. Judith has odd outings planned to break up each month. We are off to Oban, and Fort William for a four day break in November. Then London four four days at the beginning of December, and l have just been told that we are staying in Glasgow for a couple of nights nearer Christmas. Then if we can manage it, we will be in the Caribbean for 35 days in February and part of March, returning to hopefully move into the new house, but as we return into Southampton we may just drive down to France.