Ok, this certainly explains a benefit of having a snake as a pet. Never appealed to me, even to suggest to anyone else, mind. I'm partial towards the miniature lions. :cool:

And you're still alive. Can't be that nasty, I get it.

One friend couple called Julie and John kept large, constrictor sort of pythons as pets. They used to get them out of their glass box and put them all over in their house. Those friend are also still alive.

Are those stairs outside original ?

if it were France theyd go up to the first storey :confused:

Could it be Tubbs for Xmas :norty:

Don't worry he's next on my list :norty:

No fecking hate Christmas , means I have to be pleasant and sociable .
You my friend are heading for the naughty list :D

Thank you, Swati, that's very sweet. Spent the day packing, it's all getting very real. X

It was originally a barn, Dunc', and the steps went up to the hay loft. When it was converted they were taken down, waterproofed and made building regs compliant, and then put back in using the original stone. The local authority insisted upon it remaining 'in character'. They may have to come down and go back up again if we decide to extend.

Nice place , well done :)

Cheers. :)

And we've completed! Just need to pick up the keys now! :)

grats mate, were hoping to be in the same position next friday

Thanks, Tidgy. Best of luck with your move. :thumb:

cheers, looking like were gonna need it

Right. Now tell us the date of your house warming party. We SNetters will turn up with some beer cans, no problem. :D

Also, post a picture of yourselves in the new house, or we won't believe that you're in it. Come on. :D

+1

Forget the beams, the whole place needs sorting! :lol1:

If you didn't know that before buying, then you should ask the sellers for some money back towards the sorting. Not that it would work, but you have to try. But if you bought 'sold as seen', then register yourself on a DIY course, and DIY the lot until you retire. I know people who buy historic ramshackles, and then spend their life time 'sorting' them for a hobby.

We knew what we were taking on, to be fair. We've spent the last two days deep cleaning the place and when I say deep clean I mean it...yesterday I degreased the kitchen tiles using Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover and then clay barred and waxed them. :freak3:

A friend of mine has been doing his stunning barn conversion in Cheshire. His executive self is not very handy himself, but he's thoroughly enjoying doing the place up with his own speed. He can hire workers but he's liking giving personal touches himself so much that he says he can sleep in the master bedroom with his cat for as long as it takes for the rest to be completed. His house is his second child, as his cat is his first one.

It's all fun. Enjoy. 👍🏽

get some of those "magic" sponges

they really do work

Yes, it's very satisfying. I confess to not being the most skilled or practical, but I am enjoying being hands-on; I suspect it will be a labour of love as it is for your friend.

We washed most of the walls yesterday and cleaned and waxed most of the shelving and some of the doors. There are a few irritating things like drips where a stain's been badly applied and some paint on the exposed stone, but it can all be sorted when we move on to the prep' for decoration.

Yes, the missus has a packet, but I've not cracked them open. Will try one out today. Is it wrong that I'm looking forward to it?

Don't use detergent with them - water is enough

Definitely.

I renovated my kid's room last year before she came back from her post-uni travels. I worked really hard at it. I re-decorated the walls; painted the floor boards myself; re-fitted the curtain rails; dismantled and put back her wall-to-wall wardrobe; took heavy wardrobe doors down all by myself etc. I bought every bit of vintage furnishings myself and renovated them with my weird ideas :D. I even spent days in developing a canvass with a nostalgic palatial backdrop for her wall. I couldn't wait for her to come and drop her jaw at the transformation! She certainly did and loved it, my labour of and for love was paid off with her approval and I felt brilliant with that.

I never used to be handy till I married Stephen. He is quite hands on. We did the most of our pad up, so that unlocked my potential to DIY my house, I suppose. Imo one has to have a motivating force behind that enables the labour of love. For me, it's the sense of independece, autonomy and creativity for my DIY-ing. For my friend, I think it's the sense of achievement. Tbh, it must be all of that for him. And yes, I'm sure he loves his property that he invested his hard-earned income in. He's always in his overalls when he's not at work. I'm going to stitch an overall suit for his kitty as well, for Christmas. :D

Honestly, enjoy every minute of it. A glass of red or a beer each :beer: in the evening will be well-earned after 4-5 hours of grafting at home as well, after work. Best wishes. :)

I'm insulted.

We've mice! :mad:

Well, I keep saying that you should get a cat. but if you prefer mice to a cat for pet/s, you're entitled to your preference.

I'd have a cat in an instant, Swati, but this missus is allergic. :(

Oh. :(

In that case, I suggest you just learn to live with the mice you have. You may try other methods for getting rid of them e.g. mouse trap etc. But I hear that those ancient methods aren't as effective any more, as the mice have become extra-ordinarily alert these days. They will easily bypass your cheese trap; even if the cheese is the finest one from your favourite LIDL.


Edited to say: Didn't know you have had a new missus?? I wondered because you said 'this missus'. So, many congrats for that, too. :luxhello:

Still the same one, Swati.

Anyway, the local authority anti-rodent squad are coming out in the next few days to try and get the little critters!

Have gotten rid of most of the previous occupant's chintz now. Also, was up late last night stripping the skirting to clean where they'd not caulked and dog-hair and dust and other assorted ming had accumulated. Lovely.

Bin-men took eighteen bags the other day, bless 'em. Still no telly, and I kind of like it! Also, no wi-fi or washing machine or freezer. :o