Tag: rain

Conservatory Rebuild – Days 35 thru 37


Not much happening since Saturday. Craig and Connor arrived mid afternoon with a barrow load of ready mixed cement and set about laying the final steps and reinstating the side access slabs. Since then the weather has been atrocious with heavy tropical style rainstorms. Yesterday, the final slabs were laid. However, the heavens opened and to quote the song “Down came the rain”. The side access has always turned into a water chute during stormy weather, so much so that we have considered making into a water feature. Yesterday was no exception.

Conservatory - Side access slabs and some erosion from the water that fell from the sky
Conservatory – Side access slabs and some erosion from the water that fell from the sky

There was so much rain water and the cement was so fresh that the last paver laid has shifted. The guys will have to come back and re-lay it, when we have a dry day. Then they can also grout the slabs on the steps.

Also putting in an appearance yesterday was Angus.

Conservatory - Door stay fitted.
Conservatory – Door stay fitted.

He arrived and fitted the “stay” for the utility room door as well as making good the soffit that had been cut away to make the connection between the bungalow and the new conservatory.

We are creeping towards completion.

The search for the Scarlett Pimpernel goes on unabated and needless to say we are still minus the radiator for the living space, which in turn is preventing the last strip of skirting from being fitted. The bi-fold doors are still missing their magnetic catch, as well as the last bit of rubber seal and the hidey / slidey door furniture is still to be fitted.

We also have some issues with the final finish of some of the plasterwork around the perimeter ceiling but these are all minor items and shouldn’t take long to sort out.

No, the big issue, and the worst irritant is the missing radiator !!

Conservatory Re-Build – Day 12


Yesterday, rain stopped play before the guys could make much headway. Today started with much optimism but this turned out to be somewhat misplaced as although the day started dryish it soon became too wet to work. By 11:00 the guys had knocked it on the head.

Luckily the rain held back long enough for the concrete to be laid inside the conservatory walls. This will provide a flat surface for the sleeper wall and eventually the suspended wooden floor. In the following photo you can just see where they have infilled at the base of the walls.

Conservatory - North end window frames are in. Platform is present to aid with the roof installation.
Conservatory – North end window frames are in. Platform is present to aid with the roof installation.

After mixing and laying the concrete the guys started preparations to reinstate my next door neighbours fencing. Rain stopped this work from completing.

The three window frames have been installed in the north end wall and the wall capping has been laid down but the rain turned up the intensity before the guys could start on the roof proper.Conservatory - North end window frames are in. External view.

Conservatory – North end window frames are in. External view.

Conservatory - Single change to the Bi-Fold aperture
Conservatory – Single change to the Bi-Fold aperture i.e. the capping strip is bridging the gap.

With the frames in you can begin to get a feel for the final look of the north end.

My wife and I now have our fingers crossed that the weather is going to be kind and the guys can crack on when they return on Monday.

Conservatory Re-Build – Day 11


Here we are, Thursday and Day 11 of the re-build. The guys turned up and unloaded their van.

The first of the new frames were installed ….

Conservatory - Utility Room door and window frames are in
Conservatory – Utility Room door and window frames are in
Conservatory - windoww sills in place awaiting the windo frames
Conservatory – window sills in place awaiting the window frames

Unfortunately, the weather was against us and rain stopped play, or rather, build.

So the guys finished unloading their van and departed for a job where they could work under cover. They’ll be back tomorrow to try to turn this pile of miscellaneous metal plastic parts into a conservatory…….

Conservatory - The kit (puzzle) lays ready for assembly
Conservatory – The kit (puzzle) lays ready for assembly

How The Wind Does Howl


Currently experiencing our third bout of heavy wind and rains in as many weeks.

The BBC show a forecast for wind speeds of around 20 mph but I am guessing, judging on the Beaufort Wind Force Scale descriptions, that it is quite a bit higher.

I am glad that I don’t have to venture outside today. Thinking of my neighbour who may well be very busy clearing fallen trees and other debris from our local roads.

Wet and Windy UK


rainJust like many others, I’m sure, I’ve been listening to the wind for several hours. Apparently Lee on the Solent has been experiencing 60 mph winds and that is only a couple of miles away. Sometimes it sounds like an express train passing through a station at speed. The 80 foot high Beech Tree at the front of the house is perhaps the most vocal although the wall of smaller trees to the back are competing well. It’s as well that it is dark outside as I would probably become rather anxious if I could actually see the trees moving in the wind.

The gutters are also making quite a bit of noise.Or, rather, the water spilling out of them is. Forming an impromptu waterfall and pool by the lounge window.

Well I’m heading to bed now. Keeping my fingers crossed that the dawn is going to reveal any damage.

Good Night and Good Luck to the rest of my fellow UK residents.

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