Project Completion and our first night at Grange Grise – 25th July 2006

Well, the day of our arrival had come and it was wonderful to see everything we had agreed, actually complete!

The Oak Staircase was in and looked great, Whilst the upstairs bathrooms were not complete, this was because I had only asked S.C.C.L to do the Tiling in the bathrooms in June and we had to wait for the tiles to be delivered. However, we had the downstairs shower room ready so we did have some facilities to use.

We were able enjoy our first holiday of many to come, staying in our own beautiful home in France and enjoy a different type of life.

Our experience of acquiring the Grange and going through the renovation project has been exciting and very enjoyable. It has been problem and hassle free, so we have been fortunate and our experience has been nothing like the many horror stories often heard.

Getting My Hands Dirty! – June 2006

I had decided to spend 3 weeks in June in Colondannes to get some work done myself and I chose a great time. The weather was sunny and hot, with temperatures for the duration of my visit up at 35o. It was wonderful and despite the heat I managed to do a few jobs:

· give all the ceilings and walls an emulsion coat
· fit the utility room cupboards, worktop and sink, as well as getting the washing machine operational

Most importantly, I also managed to spend lots of time getting the field into a manageable state. When I arrived the grass and weeds were over a metre high. This took about three goes at progressively cutting with a strimmer and having to clear the area and burning the remnants.

I had also bought and took out with me a Flame Gun to burn the major weeds and the perimeter of the property to avoid too much weeding by hand. It was great fun, but dangerous in the dry conditions!!

All Coming Together – June 2006

It was a big surprise that by mid June considerable progress had been made and the end was really in sight. At this time the following had been completed in 4 weeks:

*Chimney Pipe was installed for the Wood Burning Stove*
*Second fit electrics were in and our light fittings installed, both inside and outside.
*The galvanised Guttering was installed.
*The pathway and drive aggregate was in around the Grange
*The fosse was all installed and the field landscaped a little!
*The Buderus Oil Boiler had been installed and was operational
*Under floor heating had been completed and the floor tiles were looking great downstairs.
*Final fit plumbing was in the process of being done.

We had a project meeting as normal, but the major point of discussion was the Oak Staircase, which had not been delivered, and had not even been started. After some involved discussions on the precise requirements we were assured that is would be completed and installed by the time we visited for the Summer Holidays on 25th July 2006. For the first time I was worried and concerned.

Pipe Work and Pointing – May 2006

By mid May, the water pipework was in the process of being installed and the radiators had been positioned upstairs. We were having under floor heating throughout downstairs and this was not yet planned to start.

It was a pleasing surprise to see the exposed stone walls had been pointed and were looking fantastic. We had decided to only leave the West Side walls and around the Barn Door as exposed feature walls, with the other being insulated and boarded.

Windows In – April 2006

Before we knew it Easter was upon us in early April and it was pleasing to see all the windows and doors had been installed and the Grange was now water tight. The plasterboard had been installed to create the utility room downstairs and the bedrooms upstairs. In addition, the first fix electrics were all installed.

It was now possible to get a real feeling of the proportions of the space and height we had with our 3 metre ceiling both down and upstairs.

Colombage Installed – February 2006

The colombage downstairs was going in by end February 2006 and all the window openings and oak support frames were installed by this time, as well as the hole for the fosse drainage had been started.

Whilst the weather had left a mark, with a very muddy circle around the Grange, it was noticeable that the site was being kept clear and well organised.

Upstairs Start – January 2006

When I visited in mid January work had progressed still further and the upstairs floor and supports were all installed and the bathroom windows openings were being created and things were taking shape

I made sure that the Macon knew we wanted all the stone removed to be saved for our future use and not taken away. What a get decision, because we have used lots for the pathway.