The Bathroom in the Sky

Since the stair went in we have been prioritising work on the second bathroom as that is going to be needed at Christmas time.

It took quite a lot of organising getting all the components together for the bathroom and we kept changing our minds about the layout of the en suite and bathroom. Eventually, we took the easy way out and decided we didn’t need an en suite at all. The en suite will just be a neat walk in wardrobe and if we do find that we want additional facilities in the bedroom it will be possible to add them later. We agonised over the positions of the ‘jack and jill’ doors but there comes a time when you just have to go with today’s decision.

Needless to say, the existing pipework wasn’t quite right and it has been difficult to access it because of the ‘double floor’. Of course trying to drain the wash hand basin with a pipe that runs uphill was bound not to succeed, (there have been a few sweary moments!) but once we took it apart and sorted out the levels, we got there in the end. The shower is rather larger than anticipated but we really liked this one, even though it has meant yet another resizing of the door and losing most of the hall cupboard. It was finally installed with the help of Emily and Richard with yet more sweary moments especially about the “wopple” bath which leaked through a factory fitted joint which meant that everything had to be taken out and the joint re-made. Still,  Suse thinks it’s wonderful!

We ordered black rubber flooring which arrived within 24 hours unlike the Respatex for the walls  of the shower which took about a month to appear from the date of the order. It worked well downstairs which is why we are using it again and it does away with tiling and grout. This time, we remembered to fit the toilet seat before fixing the pan to the floor! 

John (this time) has drawn up a schedule which was supposed to see the bathroom functioning in time for my birthday, then the office set up so that we can spread out the dining room in time for Christmas. Unfortunately, the delay with the arrival of the Respatex put paid to that! (Don’t panic Jo, we’ll be ok for your Christmas visit)

Meanwhile we have been interested to see how warm the house is. The coldest temperatures we have measured so far have been 4C outside and 16C inside, with no heating. Any sunshine during the day makes a noticeable difference as well. However, at the moment there is quite a bit of ‘turbulence’ as the heat rises upstairs, so we are using the fire in the evenings. We’ve also noted that if we are away for a while and the indoor temperature drops, it takes quite a while to warm up again. 

Anyway, while we were waiting for the Respatex, the internal window arrived and so we have pushed on with the door between the hall and the kitchen. It’s the little things that catch you out and we are annoyed to discover that if we put in the architrave, we can’t open the drawers in the kitchen cabinet. To get it right will mean taking the breakfast bar apart – a big job now. So that’s one for later. However, livingroom temperatures have, as expected, stabilised and we now have a pretty steady 18C rising to 20C when the fire is on. Temperatures elsewhere downstairs are a little lower but upstairs remains pleasantly warm.

In some respects, it hasn’t been the best of months but we have had great trips to Dunoon to see the Taiko drummers for Suse’s birthday and a most pleasant break in Kenmore with Kate and Nick.  Also on the positive side, the sideboard arrived  and we are really impressed with its appearance and quality and we have finally ordered a sofa and a larger tv.

We’ve also worked out a design for the snug which has meant closing off the opening to the utility room to give us more storage and seating space. John used the left over cedar chunks to make a TV cabinet with 2 coffee tables on castors that can be sat on and we are both glad to be finding a good use for them. 

While Emily and Richard were here, Emily and I checked out the flooring for the office then attacked the roll of material that has been lying around for ages and made the bedroom curtains. We’re very pleased with the way they have turned out. I now need to pin the length and take them down to sew the hems. Would everyone who reads this please send me a reminder to do this before she comes back at Christmas?

We also got them trialling the orienteering courses we have planned for an event at Kilmory next weekend. Despite the flooded paths, fallen trees and general sogginess, they said they enjoyed it! Also on the social/sporting side, we were present at Ali’s inaugural Eskimo Roll in Lochgilphead swimming pool and we both hope to emulate her in the near future.

It keeps raining but I guess other people are having more than us. This next week should see us  moving the office upstairs so we’ll be able to see how the dining room actually works.