As a consequence of my growing obessession with fire-wood I found myself buying a wood moisture meter that allows me to measure the moisture content of cut logs. You ideally need a moisture content of below 20%, although the intermittent 25%er won’t do too much harm. This handy gadget also allows me to measure the moisture content of formerly lost at sea oak flooring which has now acclimatised and measures in below the requisite 8%.

My kitchen sink splash back travertine tiling is progressing - I’ve decided that speed when tiling leads me to decreasing quality and an increased likelihood of entering regrouting hell, so I’ve decided to take my time and slow-down (As TRF is currently so keen on telling me from his elevated car seat from which he directs my driving).

All the trees I ordered are now planted so there are no excuses when it comes to getting on with work in the barn (except perhaps the occasional trip to cut some logs on a nearby farm). I’ve also decided not to plant my proposed willow trees this year - that one will go on the list for next year.

In my January update I worried about…

the distraction of the Six Nations rugby [being] too great…

…that was a mistake, as in fact this year, the Six Nations rugby itself isn’t too great (at least for the home nations)… let’s say no more on the matter.

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(Very) belated Happy New Year, so what has 2010 brought so far…

My formerly lost at sea oak flooring is spending January acclimatising and I plan to fit it, at least along the landing floor in February.

I’ve taken delivery and started fitting some mixed ‘brick’ shaped and mosaic travertine tiles that will be used as the kitchen sink splash backs and the back panel for the hob. I’m just hoping that my latest foray into the world of tiling can be quicker and more effective than the last one, the thought of regrouting anything again fills me with dread.

Apart from that I’ve been spending most of my time outside working on the ying/yang proposition of cutting down (or at least trimming) trees to plant new ones. It’s been nice to get outside, away from the tyranny of tiles…

I’ve also ordered several lots of seedlings, fruit plants and seeds from various suppliers all to be delivered over the course of the spring and summer. I’m hoping to be more successful in my foray into market gardening this time. Previous attempts have yielded little more than a crop or two of chillies and the occasional tomato.

…in short 2010 has brought little progress so far, I’ll put it down as an extended Christmas break and plan to power-on into the New Year from here (that’s if the distraction of the Six Nations rugby isn’t too great)…

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Back to my old tricks and late as heck again…here we go…

From November 2009:

Finishing treating the untreated oak stairs and banisters is proving a real pain - the banisters along the landing have all been whitened & waxed, but the stairs themselves along with the banisters running down the stairs still need finishing, they’ve been whitened but not waxed. The problem is getting the timing right (never my strong point) and being organised enough to be able to wax the stairs as I’m leaving and not returning at least overnight - haven’t managed that yet.

Well I managed to get the stair treads waxed as I was leaving the building a few weeks ago and very fine they look as well (even if I say so myself). I’m glad I went to the trouble of using the whitening to keep the oak lighter than if simply waxed. Still some bannisters to do but they aren’t too urgent.

Skirting boards have been completed (fixed, under-coated and painted) and a carpet fitted in the bedroom and dressing area. The carpet was fitted professionally - carpet fitting is one of those jobs that I know would be beyond me and would frustrate the life out of me.

I also completed the boxing-in of the various exposed plumbing pipes in the en-suite. Took me for ever with my rusty, ropey carpentry skills, but I’m pretty happy with the results.

My oak flooring that was lost at sea for some time was eventually delivered between Christmas and New Year. Due to the cold damp weather I’m going to give it a month or so to acclimatise rather than the recommended three weeks so plan to fit in February. The colour looks good and I’m looking forward to the job. Shame the supplier, who will continue to remain nameless for now hasn’t responded to my email regarding the missing parts of my order!

Travertine tiles (a mix of ‘brick’ shaped and mosaic) have been ordered for the kitchen splash backs and back panel for the hob - another job for 2010.

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Finishing treating the untreated oak stairs and banisters is proving a real pain - the banisters along the landing have all been whitened & waxed, but the stairs themselves along with the banisters running down the stairs still need finishing, they’ve been whitened but not waxed. The problem is getting the timing right (never my [...]

Ah, October - seems like a long time ago now…
I’ve stalled in finishing treating the untreated oak stairs and banisters the banisters along the landing have all been whitened & waxed, but the stairs themselves along with the banisters still need finishing. I managed (mistakenly) to wax one of the posts before whitening it and [...]