Feels like summer!



G on his bird mission

Normally our blog tends to be a list of jobs we have done but something strange seems to have happened on the building site we seem to be having a more relaxed approach to the build and we have actually had a bit of time out!!!   Not sure if its the onset of summer, G is just exhausted or because I changed my mind about the bathroom tiles at the last minute and now there is a delay in getting the appropriate ones. 

Its a great coincidence that this has coincided with a spot of beautiful sun shining weather.  We have pottering around the house at the weekend with lots of jobs getting ready for the summer. 

 G is raging a bit of a war with the birds who are trying to nest in the roof.  As the roof is new the birds seems to have found any tiny crevice and crack to try and build their nests in.  I have taken a more bird friendly approach by getting a couple of bird houses to fix to the garage to encourage them away from destroying our eves.  

Getting ready for the summer

My plan has been to no avail and they both lay empty as the birds continuously try and find ways around the blocks that G is putting in the holes they are finding.  We have to be very careful with this as a soon as they have built a nest and laid eggs we will have to leave it well alone.  When G is up the ladder blocking holes the birds seem to line up to watch what he is doing as if they are planning a way to get through his defence barriers. 


 

We enjoyed a flying visit from Dan and Hayley on Saturday night.  Dan has exams on Monday so he had to spend the day revising on Sunday  - but at least he got to revise in the sunshine.  They were also well fed because of all the cooking practicing that is happening in the house in preparation for Chalet hosting and the B&B!

We have also been jet washing the patio and decking and treated it with decking oil.  We got out garden table and chairs and treated those with teak oil.  Most importantly G has fixed the hot tub that has been not working for about four months.  It has been a very tricky job for him as the company who make them have gone bust so its impossible to get the parts - he has had to source a new pump and re jig the plumbing to make it all fit.  It was not a cheap job as even without having to pay any labour cost the pump itself cost £340.  I feel we are not long off other parts going soon it won't have any orginal bits left!

We had a beautiful sunny and relaxed afternoon yesterday as we went to Tapley Hall yesterday and met Carol.  It has recently been featured on Country House Rescue and the owner is pretty eccentric.  

In the grounds of Tapeley Hall with the estuary in the background

 We had a relaxed lunch and walk around.  I especially enjoyed the premaculture garden - G of course thought it was a bit messy! We then went for a bike ride along the Tarka Trail in the sunshine  - we loved having the extra hour in the evening and we didn't leave the trail until 7pm.



Carol and I in front of Tapeley Hall

  

Me & G celebrating the hot tub working!



When we got back we were desperate to christen the newly fixed hot tub and G finished with an out door shower - the first of the year! 



First outdoor shower of the year!