We arrived home on Monday evening to find some of the tarpaulin and polythene windows had blown out in the rain and wind over Christmas and New Year. So Tuesday was spent repairing them, just in time for the storm on Tuesday night. 95mph winds brought down trees across the lane, ripped the roof off the brand new secondary school in Lochgilphead and knocked out electricity, mobile phone and radio and tv stations. But Larick House survived! So we must be doing something right.
Not that we escaped without some damage. During the night the tarpaulin over the top ripped and we could hear it flapping about as we rocked and rolled in the campervan. Most of the polythene windows had gone and two of the 8×4 floorboards on the mid floor had sheared their screws and taken off. One sailed over the campervan and the barn to end up by the water tap. The other took some finding but had settled down by the front door.
Despite advice from the Health and Safety Officer (Suse), John went up on the roof to effect repairs. Gradually over Wednesday and Thursday we shored things up more securely but the midfloor has got wet and there are lots of drips. It’s all rather depressing.
One of the willow trees lost a big branch which has fallen over the rebuilt bit of stone wall in the walled garden but the wall has survived so that is nice too. (Suse bumped into Ste over Christmas – he is now looking after the veg garden and bees at the monastery in Lesmahagow and seems very happy there.)
We are still without radio and tv. Apparently the problem is due to a lack of electricity supply to the transmitting station at Ardrishaig. Scottish and Southern Electricity Board prioritise reconnecting people’s homes, rather than radio and tv stations. I suppose you can see why and I would be the last to criticise them as those guys do a fantastic job in the worst of the weather. Fortunately we can keep in touch with the big wide world through the internet.
Housewise, we are now wondering what to do next. We can tackle the noggins under the midfloor from below and we can do the bit of wall under the kitchen window and we can fix the OSB to the structural wall between the hall and kitchen. Then it gets scary…
Hello
We’ve found your blog via Chris Morgan. I’m a “green” Architect and with my husband, Paul we’re planning to build our own house in Claonaig, just 8 miles down the B8001 from you. We bought our plot in July 2005 and just got planning before Christmas. If you don’t mind we’d like to pick your brains sometime on your local contacts etc. I’m especially interested in your local Structural Engineer. If possible we’d love to meet you next time we’re up in Argyll (we live in Cheshire at the moment).
Hope to hear from you soon and your project looks great.
Best wishes
Ali and Paul
G’day there,
Very glad to hear you “survived” the storms. So Larick House withstood what a major building built by “professionals” couldn’t – that’s what I call quality workman(and women)ship.
No tv mmmm – don’t want to think about that one. I would just abandon the project until that bit is rectified!!!!
Keep us informed with your plans for what’s next
Love from Jo and John in 35 degree heat with beautiful blue skies and NO WIND OR RAIN xxx
We were so relieved to hear you had survived the storms. Argyll and Campbelltown even made the main news in England. It had to be bad. I am sure there must be some disadvatages to 35degrees and blue skies but I am blowed if I can think of any and I am sure Jo and John can’t.
Hello,
Don’t know what all this chat is about wind and rain. If you come to the central belt (or Broxburn) everyone is talking about the fog! Anyway. Hope all your plants, bushes and especially bulbs are thriving in the month of febuary as is normal!!
Take care,
Love emily