“Slow and steady wins the race.” – Aesop
In November last year Michael installed the channels and studs for the bathroom wall, and hung the door. Instantly the space looked and felt different. Having had to make do with a temporary outside bathroom, this first step to build our indoor bathroom felt huge. To accommodate the kitchen plumbing, he also installed the channels and studs for a bottom section of dry walling in the kitchen area.
The structural platform above the bathroom ceiling that will allow easy access to things like the water heater, air exchange system, and underfloor heating controls, which will all be installed at a later stage, was a rather time-consuming endeavour. First steel beams had to be cut to a precise length and angle, before holes could be drilled in the beams and walls to attach them with chemical anchor. But before attaching them he had the added job of chasing the walls where the water pipes and electric wiring will run.
Michael is a perfectionist when it comes to the quality of his work, which means measure, measure, and measure again.
Nothing is entirely built at right angles, which, although part of the quirks of converting a stone ruin into a tiny house, also ensures that everything takes a bit longer to execute and complete. We are adamant that our house, albeit tiny, won’t lack any modern convenience, and will be properly built.
We are planning to hang cupboards on the dry wall separating the bathroom and kitchen, and so Michael had to insert particle board to make it strong and structural. He would have liked to finish this part of the project, but as it will contain both plumbing and electric wiring, we need to wait for The Electrician to install all the relevant components. This part of his job will include the installation of the toilet, shower pan, as well as tiling the bathroom floor, which should be done by our next visit towards the end of August.
Our original to-do list included finishing the bathroom and putting up a gate at the entrance of the property, but many unplanned jobs presented themselves, when we arrived. As the plumbing and electric wiring had not been started when we arrived, Michael decided to do the chasing himself in the hope that it will ensure that the plumbing and wiring will be done in August. The septic tank is in place, so, if things go according to plan, we may even have a flushing loo, even though the bathroom won’t be finished yet.
Our next step, and main priority during our next visit, is installing the ceiling (a rather complicated process) and completing the dry walling, not just for the bathroom wall, but also in the bedroom. But more about that, and all the other unplanned jobs in our next post.
Written by: Jolandi
June 2019 Visit
Dear Jolandi and Michael,
Paul and I do follow you in your turbulent adventure. I felt so much for you the time you had the tough health issue not long ago. And am so happy to realise you are now well recovered.
To have projects like yours-and ours-between the two of you is an incredible state! A glue between you which brings so much passion creativity and joy and enriches your time on this earth. I know so well that feeling.
And your energies return to your whole self!
I know like you do the hopeless times when energy was just not there. Not fun!
I am doing an experiment just now leaving the abx of Dr Jadin and experiencing natural ayurvedic treatments. I spent two months in Kerala at a fantastic retreat /ayurvedic hospital. Feel fine but not sure if cured.
Keep going am so curious to see your place one time.
Much love
Christina
I have been thinking about you a lot the last couple of days, Christina. So glad to hear that you are feeling fine. I do not wish this horrible illness on anyone, so I hope it means that you are now cured of it.
We love that you are following along on this adventure, as you and Paul have firsthand experience of the joys and frustrations of this kind of project. It is taking longer than we would have liked, but I trust that we will be able to host you and Paul on our land in the not so distant future so that you can experience the beauty of it for yourself. We are returning for two weeks at the end of August for more hard work.
Much love to you and Paul.
Jolandi
What a wonderful job Michael has made of the house, so far! How difficult it must be having to wait for the electrician and plumber to do their part of the business! I hope you are fully recovered now, Jolandi.
I am as good as new again, thank you, Clare. Very grateful for that, as the next visit should be a lot easier for me than this past one, as I was still struggling with a lot of discomfort then. Being patient is definitely not always easy, but we trust the work that should have been done by June will be done when we get there towards the end of August. Fingers crossed! I am also very impressed and proud of the work Michael has done so far. Especially as it is not the easiest of spaces to work in. – Jolandi
Oh my gosh, Michael is a rock star! Progress is happening, while not as fast as you may like, you know the work is being done to perfection. I am so enjoying watching your little house come to life, what an adventure!
Hugs,
Terri
I agree with you on the ‘rock star’ bit, Terri. 🙂 I am so glad that he is a perfectionist where it comes to the quality of his work. All this labour did give him a tennis elbow though. The doctor told him yesterday that he must rest his right arm for 5 weeks. Very disappointing as we love kayaking, but advice I think he will heed, as there is a ceiling that has to be installed at the end of August! – Jolandi
Hello Jolandi,
I agree, Michael is a real superstar indeed! I am awed by his skill and craftsmanship. Of course, my husband and I applaud both of you for being such a wonderful team. I imagine it can be challenging at times, but the challenges must be worth it — especially as things start to come together one piece at a time! Hope you are continuing to do well 🙂
I am indeed, thank you, Takami. We think we make a good team, each having their specific role to play, and complementing one another quite well. We so appreciate your support, especially on those days we don’t feel particularly brave to face the challenges. We often say that, one day, we will look back laughing at all those things that at the moment feel insurmountable. And all the lovely Portuguese wine certainly help us to unwind at the end of a day. 😉 – Jolandi
Seriously impressed by what you are doing here. I don’t know if I could undertake such a project, even as ‘First Mate’.
And I don’t think I can do what you do, Lisa! 😬 At least my feet are firmly planted on Mother Earth. It is a good thing we didn’t know in advance what we were letting ourselves into, as we may not have bought the land, and we are glad that we did. – Jolandi
It is impressive how much you (or Michael) are able to do on your own!
Thank you, Tanja. I am so glad Michael is a practical guy, but what I’ve learned throughout this journey is just how much work goes into building a house. Nothing is as quick or as easy as I’ve thought. And in the case of our little ruin, straight as it should be. 😉 Our mission for our next visit in two weeks time is to put a ceiling in – or do as much as we can anyway. And as nothing is quite straight or square, there will be a lot of measuring and fiddling to get it just right and level. – Jolandi