Endless Stairs and Leaky Boilers. 11 - 15 July

 

Sunday - More work on the stairs. Did a small amount of filing and rubbing down and then hit the filler with crayons as we tried to blend it in a little between with the surrounding wood. Not a bad job – from a distance; certainly better that without the crayon. Then the first couple of coats of polyurethane varnish to alternate steps – so we can continue to use the stairs. Also, a final coat of varnish on the banister. We’re getting there – slowly.


Monday - Got the stair steps finished – hurrah. Look really nice.

Started filling the central heating system with water ready for the plumber to service it in a week’s time. At 1.5 bar, a leak appeared at the left-hand side of the boiler. Fortunately it stopped when I stopped filling so I’m hoping it is the pressure build up that has found a weak (replaceable) seal. Hoping it isn’t time for a new boiler. Plumber informed.

Tuesday - Decorating moved to the walls and skirting around the recently varnished stairs. Also cutting out MDF covers for the risers.

Sold one of the three fridges we now own here. This was the first one we bought ad at around 9L is fairly tiny. But it has served us well. Advertised it on Facebook. Took about a week to sell, but it sold. €45 (cot just over €100 IIRC), so happy with that.

Wednesday - More work on the stairs. Sally gave the wood panelling a final coat whilst I painted the MDF panels that will sit in front of the risers. We also painted the skirting boards between us. Getting close to being finished.

Thursday - Stairs are fundamentally finished – hurrah! Final coat for the skirting boards, including Sally’s inspired touching in of the edge between the horizontal and vertical wood panels, which I’d been suggesting we cover with a moulding. Then on with the banister (not easy but far easier than expected) and the fitting of the riser covers (most fitted really well, just a couple were tight).

In the evening, for the first time in the three years we’ve been here, we watched a film (on Netflix) – Holmes & Watson (Will Ferrel) – absolute rubbish but a pleasant change.


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