We get an Expert in

One thing we always knew: the wonderful staircase in the house- a jewel of carpentry, at least 200 years old - was in need of expert attention.

When we first set eyes on it we loved it! it stands in the kitchen imposing yet trim, below a long, bright window reaching up to the second floor.

Superficially it looks OK. Take one step on to it and you feel the toll that 40 years of damp has taken. 

The bottom of the stairs were rotten. At least the first few treads, possibly more.

Things were to get worse before they got better, as we cleared the house, rebuilt the walls and roof, the traffic, demolition and reconstruction all took a little bit more out of the stairs.

Time was up, We had to make amends!

Thankfully, Elaine's Brother Trevor, who is an expert craftsman stepped in. He came over this week and after 4 days hard work the stairs are transformed, and there are more slates on the roof. 

We are over the moon! 

Here's an annotated pictorial journey:

as we found it

striking

an historical feature of the house

looking upstairs

after clearing the debris

the damage is revealed

no bottom steps

around the back - much rotten wood

the ingenious construction method revealed

this rail (much no longer there!) rests on a beam secure in the wall, and in the newell post, thereby avoiding the floor

the structure is self supporting not touching the wall

however. the supporting beam has rotted away

a nice clean post hole

the new main support - hand made from original timber sourced from the house - a thing of beauty!

Trevor installing the new beam

the detail

clean fit!

Trevor putting in the oak wedge to secure the newell post and return rigidity to the whole staircase

from the back: new rail and tread supports

gently does it - releasing the spindles

new bottom steps - the framework

temporary treads - the finished ones will go in after building work ends

looking up : new stairs, new roof - fantastic!

looking down

better than ever!

wonderful detailing

dovetails on the treads - old and new

the salvaged pieces to act as templates

Elaine surveying the work!

found under the base of the stairs

a sunny day spent on the roof

Trevor & John working it out

slating at work

on the ridge

Thank You Trevor! great work!

Workday Saturday 8th March

So much of our plan seem to revolve around tons - literally - of 'stuff' that needs to be moved from where it is not/no longer wanted, to where it can be useful.

So it is with the rubble, stones bricks and lime plaster that fill the inside of the house. All must be hacked off and removed  to create clean, dry and stable floors and walls.

We have the perfect use for all this: filling up the corner where we're putting this elevated terrace which overlooks the mountains.

As our self imposed Easter deadline approaches,we are increasingly indebted to those who, after a full weeks hard work come down here for a 'Work Day' moving barrow loads of stuff.

Particular heroes are Caroline and Paul who on Saturday shifted  loads of stuff, and opened up the spectacular living room fireplace. It was a great revelation:

the sitting room as we found it - abandoned 35 years ago

under the floor - lino reused as damp proof membrane

down to the earth sub-floor

a blocked up window? investigation required!

you can trace the whitewash in the inside of the window reveal

alas, the tiled fireplace was rotten

irretrievable

Paul opens up the original

very exciting, revealed for the first time in over 100 years

Eleanor plays the piano (what's left of the poor thing!) W have plans for this though, thanks to Paul's great idea.
Watch this space

underneath the most recent hearth - very old tiles

makers marks - any clues anyone?

beautiful, strawberries we think?

Regeneration

Another wonderful day - bright blustery showery - full of energy!

As the days lengthen and the months of the coming year begin to fill with exciting prospects, a great step was taken today.

We began to re-slate the roof of the main house. After complete renovation of the roof structure, including up to the minute, state of the art steel beams (!) After over 30 years of decay, the roof begins to take on its stone mantle.

A small beginning, but getting the set-out right is all, now we will be flying!

in glorious synchronicity, the garden bursts with new growth

evening sunshine - February light

wonderfully green

our diminutive cherry tree another winter almost over, prepares for spring

Charlie

a new plot of daffodils ready their charms

our poor greenhouse, on the brink, but plans are in place for rescue!

pussy willow; Slievenaboley

new beginnings! Slievenaboley behind

beautiful stones

we are inordinately excited by this small change!

14 X 24's - high class slates

Gorse Blooms at the Bloody Bridge

I was working in 'The Kingdom of Mourne' today - my birthplace, the hinterland of the town of Kilkeel, rejoicing on the gently south sloping skirts of the Eastern Mournes.

A cracking day, so regretting the chance for an 'outside day' at home, I took Charlie along with me, as an excuse to get my first outing of the year on the Mourne Coastal path next the Bloody Bridge.

Mourne Heritage have recently carried out some very pleasing sympathetic 'landscape improvements' to the area, which enhances the spot.

I was not disappointed, the sky was blue, the sun shining and the heady almond scent of the gorse blossom was so evocative. It really was a portent of spring. Wonderful! 

steely seas one way ....

.... positively Mediterranean the other ....

.... but only to look at!

450 million year old seabed, bent and fused by the intrusion of the Mourne Granite 50 million years ago

the gorse is in bloom

looking towards Slieve Donard

you can just see the back castles of Slieve Binnian

Mourne Coastal path

the almond smell from the gorse blossom was wonderful

spectacular seas ....

.... and skies

Valentine Memories

tonight, we are celebrating Valentine's day together in traditional fashion with flowers, bubbly and a nice meal.

our mobile home - all the comfort you need!

Wonderful.

Makes me think of another such evening, the last in our beautiful Trassey home, in 2010

the table and the vase are the same

Little did we know the drama, and the wonderful adventures that lay before us! 

leaving day - a bit of a surprise!

Check out the blog post from February 2010 here