Trials and Tribulations

Our posts have tailed off in the last few weeks, not because of inactivity at the barn but because of a really sad event in my sister's family.  But we have to keep going so ...


We got a man and mini-digger in last weekend to dig some trial holes.  A load around the perimeter to find out where the underside of the walls is (answer: only a foot down), what their foundation is (answer: nothing) and what soil they're on (answer: the worst kind of clay that shrinks and expands over the seasons).  Also dug one hole to a depth of 2 metres to find out where the clay finished and good founding soil started (answer: about 1.5 metres down).

So what do these findings all mean?  Well, bad news, bad news, really bad news and ... given the first three, erm ... s'pose it could have been worse.




Fortunately the engineer is good.  He thinks he can find a solution that will get through the clay without the need for piling (and might negate the effects of next door's tree) so won't be too expensive - not cheap, but not as much as piling.  We're waiting to see that, so that the architect can complete the planning drawings this week and get the application submitted.

We had to remove the barn door to get the digger in - which really shows the outward lean on the wall that's presently propped up by the existing lean-to!


Also took a trailer load of old slates to the tip - only to be told they were probably asbestos cement, so had to be double bagged and sealed.  Apparently you're allowed to dispose of 2 single tiles and one drain pipe per annum, and we've got 4 trailer loads of this stuff.  We've managed to negotiate for 3 loads, don't know what we'll do about the 4th - might be time to find a tip in Oxfordshire!

One small step ...

Got an email from the planners today saying that although they still have some concerns about our fireplace proposals, they would prefer the brick one - which is a shame 'cos we prefer the appearance of the stone one (with a freestanding fire) although we would like it in brick!  We might even move it to be against the gable end wall - not sure yet.

Also spoke to the structural engineer about how we can get things moving.  He's going to send us a plan with suggested trial hole positions, so that we can get a contractor in and start some digging!  That should enable us to establish where the undersides of the existing walls are and what type of soil we've got.  The engineer should then be able to give us some firmer ideas about foundation options (and so costs).

And the mystery of the lost key is resolved.  The post office had held onto it for 16 days due to 'insufficient postage'.  So two 1st class stamps ain't enough these days for a 6x4 envelope containing a tiny key weighing a few grams.

We're trying a breast reduction

The architect has sketched a slimmer chimney breast, so that's gone off to the planners and we're still waiting to hear from them.  Tell us which one you prefer (sign on as a Follower and leave a Comment).

He also went to the barn last week to do a survey of the existing building and surroundings.  The snow didn't stop him, but without a key (Misan posted one to him 2 weeks ago, but he didn't receive it) he couldn't get in to survey inside.  He reckons he has enough data from some previous measurements to be able to complete the planning drawings.  We hope so, 'cos time's passing and we want the application in by end January.

We've yet to hear from the structural engineer.  Think I'll have to call him next week to chivvy him alomg too.  Meanwhile I'm working in Copenhagen again from Mon-Thu each week until Easter, so it's down to Misan to be the local project manager whilst I try to keep in touch by phone and email.  It has worked OK so far, although I did send one email to the planner instead of to Misan, signed off with love and kisses.  Maybe thats why he hasn't replied about our latest sketches yet!

I ain't getting out

My sister, Ann, visited the barn today together with my Mum & Dad.  Ann & Dad had a good look around inside and out - Ann thinks we're really brave to take this on.  It was a bright, sunny day, although only slightly above freezing.  We witnessed the geese chasing the sheep across the paddock, and saw a deer grazing on the grass bank alongside the M40 on our way down.

It must have been cold - Mum was only prepared to view the barn from the inside of the car.

Molly leaves a calling card

Had a first visit by 6 of our good friends today - shame it was on probably the coldest, wettest day we've experienced at the barn to date.  Before a whistlestop tour of the barn and the 'extensive' grounds, Molly (one of the dogs) decided to leave her small deposit in our lounge-to-be!

That cleared up, and after a brief viewing, we retired to the village pub where we had a lovely meal in front of an (almost alight) open log fire.

Spending some of my Christmas vouchers

Received some vouchers from our boys for Christmas entitling us to a few days of assistance at the barn - so cashed one in on Sunday as the boys dug out the remains of the rusty old fence and iron posts from across the middle of the plot.

It was hard work; shame I couldn't help due to an muscle injury to my arm (probably due to excessive strain whilst helping David move to his new 3rd floor apartment a week earlier).

The plot looks better with each bit of work.  Now the new fence is up around the perimeter and the old one out, we have a clear view of our garden.  We can also now easily access the field part from the courtyard area, which will help the builder.

Next jobs?  While we are waiting for the survey, we could tackle the ivy on the gable end, and the trees within the front hedgerow.  Might also dig some exploratory holes inside the barn to check the depth of the stone walls, what kind of soil we're on, and whether the roots from the neighbour's willow go under the barn.

A Merry Christmas ...

... to all our readers (which is 22 since we installed the counter a few days ago that you now see at the top of the front page).