Feltmaking Spring 2014

We had a lovely day with 4 friends from Newtownards who came down to make felt for the day.

All had pictures in mind, and the results, each one an individual,  were stunning:

the final results!

hard at work in the Gallery

and.. our Grand Daughter Eleanor's first piece!

The Terrace

We're great believers in making the best use of our assets; of these, a couple of the most important are our great, willing friends, and our stunning views of the Mournes: the main reason why people love to come here.

The view, just over the wall, you  couldn't see it if you sat down!

You may remember that we vowed to keep and reuse everything that we could from the renovation works. Well one of the less attractive 'assets' produced by the recent reconstruction of the house has been many tons of rubble. 

Thanks to the happy conjunction of the topography of the site, and some great thinking and effort by friends, we have almost completed a new terrace outside the Gallery.

This provides a new focus to the outdoor space, linking the Gallery to the Garden and the views beyond, and providing a magnificent space to sit and take it all in.

We've not met our self imposed deadline of finishing it by Easter, but it's nearly there, and at least you can see what we're getting at!

Much thanks and appreciation is due to Caroline & Paul, Ian, Gemma, Chloe &  Lynne for the great 'push' last weekend that got us here.

the beginnings of the heap

wonderful stuff!

the seemingly endless sorting out

filling in the low lane

finally, the 'heap' is gone!

the compactor plate makes a difference

hand-built slope up to the Gallery

laying out the circle

an essential bit of kit!

more shovelling

barrowing

and tipping

but clean, new stones now

surveying the scene!

new flower beds

meanwhile.. lunch!

the great link

well done team!

fabulous

Now that's more like it. Down to the Picnic Lawn - and beyond!

looking back

Spring is Sprung

Yesterday was a lovely day, a real touch of spring - the second this week (bracketed by torrential rain I might add!)

A wander round the garden provided delightful signs of re-growth:

our first peacock butterfly of the year - on a daffodil - don't think I've ever seen that before!

a trio of ladybirds, they are in abundance

speedwell, an import from Carpathia so I understand!

Charlie, daffodils, sunshine, perfect!

our mountain ash trees are now old enough to flower - looking forward to this

full budded Alder

sun sparkles off the river

the majestic willow, sadly lessened in the winter storms, we're hoping it will be OK

bee on willow

he systematically went round the whole flower

Chickens. No not dying, enjoying the sunshine in a dust bath!

tete a tete in the water tank, with mountains

the flowering cherry making a brave appearance

moody mountains

less than a week ago, still a hint of snow on the tops

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!