The race is on

We’re getting ready for the plumber: we will have heating.

The hangers for the new radiators need fitting, floorboards need to come up, the final bits of skirting need a topcoat. We decided to hang the doors with their undercoat to get them out of the way, make sure they fit, and the new handles and catches all work. They take a bit of persuading, as Ian says, with a fair bit of sanding (how they need this we have no idea as they came from these rooms) and they look good, despite not being painted fully.

It is so cold we have to do it in stages, but we get it done. It’s looking good. The final thing to do is remove some of the bathroom cupboard so the plumber has space to remove the radiator in there and cap it off so we can begin preparing the room for it to be renovated too.

In fact Ian does 90% of the work as I am just too cold, but between us, we are ready practically, but emotionally too. It’s been a slog, having taken the radiators out about 2 weeks ago, to get everything prepared but we have done it and we absolutely love how it’s looking. 

It’s Monday morning we are up early in anticipation of the plumber, he has no idea we are anticipating his arrival with such glee! 9 am sharp, and he’s here! Before we know it he’s draining the system and getting things sorted. This man is my hero (today at least!) I get miserable when I’m cold, and although Agy is warm, it takes me hours to warm up after a day in the house, so poor Ian has taken the brunt of it. I do wonder how people who can’t afford heating, or who are on the streets actually survive. I’m moaning about 2 weeks and I am dry, have hot food and drink and will have a beautiful home. Others are not so fortunate.

It feels a bit odd, just sitting in Agy while someone works on the house, he’s the first person to be in our home except a very quick, socially distanced, visit from neighbours to check we (or the electrics) are OK since we moved.

In fact, we struggle to just sit, there’s still loads to do, so to stay out of the house, we move to the conservatory. It is a cold, damp November day, so it isn’t warm, but there is work to be done. We set to sanding the wood in preparation for filling and oiling. A duet of sanders, Ian on the round one with course sandpaper and me on the mouse one for the edges. I hope the plumber wasn’t hoping for a quiet morning! By mid morning the wood is sanded, the gaps, dents and general mess is filled with our sanding dust and PVA and we’ve done all we can here today. Before the floor boards go down Ian lags a few pipes and then it’s time to relax, rest up and dream of a warm house……