The Roof is on!

The roof is on!!!

Having battled the elements (not to mention fitting vents and velux windows) we now have a roof over our heads!

We bought 5400 slates and have 40 spare so not bad estimating. The zinc "Nantaise" gutters were very expensive but we think worth the expense and are guaranteed for 30 years so will probably outlive us!

We now leave the house for the next project which is digging up the courtyard to lay the trench for the mains electrcity. We are able to lay it at a depth of 50 cm so not too bad but the courtyard is compacted to a concrete state after years of heavy agricultural machinery using it.

The biggest obstacle with the trench is that it will need to pass two mains water pipes, at least one drainage pipe, and another mains electric cable. We hoped we would be able to dig it by hand to help us avoid tearing up the existing networrk but after two solid days of digging we only managed 5 or 6 metres and with a trench of 60 metres to dig and needing to keep our back muscles intact we have decided to borrow a friend's digger. We will have to use the digger very carefully to avoid any mishaps...watch this space!!!