La Studio - SPRING 2023

Sunday 26th February 2023

Getting ready for my next trip over on 7th March and have prepared the task list for the visit, as below if all goes well and my timings are correct!

Wednesday 8th March 2023

Arrived as planned yesterday after a good journey and

 prepared the 18 LED Downlights for Downstairs to save time today.

Had a good day connecting the new units and checking each one, that fits perfectly into the spaces and now allows the other units to be installed upstairs tomorrow, where the ceiling void is larger. So hopefully tomorrow should be
straight forward and all completed.

West Back

East Side

West Middle

West Front

Thursday 9th March 2023

Have a good day and succeeded to get all the upstairs Downlights installed both sides, tested and working.  Very pleased with the bright result.

East to West View

East Side

West Side

West Front example

As a finished the lights ahead of schedule I started the fitting of the downstairs Sockets and succeeded in getting another 6 installed, making 10, with just one to complete tomorrow before upstairs. Again it is so clear the the repetition builds experience and finding a way a routine the makes the task easier!

Friday 10th March 2023

Got the last downstairs Socket wired and installed and managed to get all the Downstairs PB Joints a final skim, hopefully!  Went on to complete then final PB Joints on the Upstairs East Side and most of the West Side, but the plaster mix ran out, so just a little to do next week when I got another tub and once dried can sand everywhere and touch up as needed before a white emulsion coat. 

Saturday 11th March 2023

West Light Well

It was raining today, so garden work had to wait and I completed the installstion of all the Sockets upstairs this morning and then managed to fixed the Glass Panel across the open wall on the West Side Rear Wall, where the French Doors cross to create the Light Well up there.

The fixings are great and it was easy to secure to the wall and support the panel safely. Very pleased.

Monday 13th March 2023

No rain today and it reached 15 degrees, with little wind.  Succeeeded in getting both Gable Ends East and West ready today, as on close imspection I didn't need to fill too many holes with stone and all done by mid day.  So now ready to start the rendering tomorrow and expect to complete this by end of the week!

Tuesday 14th March 2023

After a windy and rain last night, the forecast was for more rain at midday, so I only mixed a single 30kg bag of Enduit today, as because I was feeling a little tired!  However, managed to get 3.5sqm coverage on the lower East Gable End Wall. Brushed off the excess and cleaned up the exposed stone to leave a good, albeit rough finish as the front and rear walls.  With luck might get the rest of the lower wall section done tomorrow!

As forecast the rain started at 2:00pm..Good Job I took notice!

Wednesday 15th March 2023

East Gable End

A hot a sunny day today, but made good progress on the rendering before the sun came around and succeeded in completing another 3.5metres of the lower East Gable Wall and should now complete the final 1/3 section tomorrow.

I clearly go my 2 days task plan wrong, but by working on Saturday, should now complete the East Side on Monday and the West Side by end of next week, if all goes well.

Thursday 16th March 2023

Another good day, although it had gotten up to 22c by the time I finished at 1:00pm!  Got all the lower section of the East Gable End Wall completed, using another 3.5sqm to final section, so pleased with the coverage I am getting from each bag.  I should use another two bags for this end, making 5 each side and 10 in total, which will leave we some to do touch ups and fillings.

Also errected the tower ready for tomorrow and Saturday to complete the upper section, before moving to the West Side next week.

Tower Errected

Lower East Complete

Friday 17th March 2023

Slightly cooler today, overcast and breezy.  Mixed the Endut with a little less water today and got all the mid section completed, up to the start of the roof section and top of the hayloft window.  This now just leaves the up Gable Roof Section, which is an area of just under 2sqm, so should need just over a 1/2 bag tomorrow to complet this wall!

Whist the tower is up on this side, I plan to install the Galvinised Protection Strips on both the end roof struts that take all the weathering and treat the main expose top beam.

Middle Section 

Tower Re-positioned

Saturday 18th March 2023

Had an early start and got the work done before the rain early afternoon. All the East Side Gable Wall is now rendered and looking good.  The wire brushing of the surronding stone that leaves the joint gaps is very satisfying and leaves a nice finish, once a final bristle brush softens the dimples left by the wiring.

Also did a test length of the Galvanised Strip to the rear roof beam, once I had bent over to fit the width.

Cleaned up and moved the tower aside, ready for moving to the West Side next week, but not before doing a bit of pruning to the Walnut Tree.

Upper Section Complete

East Gable End

Monday 20th March 2023

Another early start and made good progress, getting the bottom 3.5sgm of the West Wall completed by midday and then completing the final brush later.  I checked the number of bags of Enduit I had left and continuing at the coverage rate I should have a spare to complete touch up tasks and covering the ground level stone and eave overhang as well.  Great!

As I had some time, I started and actually completed the errection of the No6 Post Box Breeze Blocks, with a little finishing to do and then the top stone and skiming of the blocks before painting, which mightg need to wait untill the next visit.

Lower South West Wall

No6 Post Box

Tuesday 21st March 2023

Managed to complete another 3.5sqm of the lower West Wall today, in an amazing 2 hours!.  Having let the render dry and brushed the stone and joints I finished by midday.  This left me time to get a top for the Post Box from Gedimat and do some cement filling, that I will finish tomorrow, ready for a smooth render covering and painting with Grey Masonary Paint to finish.

Lower West 2nd third

Post Box TOP

Wednesday 22nd March 2023

West Lower Section

Another good day and completed the final 3.5sqm of the West Lower Section, as shown and have now errected the tower to start the upper section tomorrow.

Thursday 23rd March 2023

West Central Top

No detered by a light early shower I completed the West Top Section today.  This is about 4.5 sqm in total and I used a spare part bag to complete the coverage. So tomorrow, the 3.5sqm side sections will be completed and that will leave a spare bag of Enduni to do some touch ups etc.  Really pleased I will have enough and the orginal assessment of the coverage/usage needed!

Friday 24th March 2023

Glad I decided to ignore the rain forecast and proceed to finish the West Wall today! Managed to complete both bits ether side of the upper central section & the 4sqm with one bag of Enduni, including the strips under the end roof supports. 

Dismantled the tower and cleared up, so now just need to fix the Galvanised strip on both roof ends, to protect the wooden beam and finish the look

Rendered West Side

Rendered La Studio

Saturday 25th March 2023

East Gable End

A lite day and just finished formatting and cutting the Galvanised lengths and fixed to the East Side, which worked out well, once I got some new nails and drilled through to the wood edge  The exposed oak gets weathered and with age becomes like steel, so pre drilling is essentail.  

Will do the West Gable End tomorrow to finish.

West Gable End

Sunday 26th March 2023

Just did the West Side today fitting the Galvanised lengths to the edges of the roof to finish everything for this visit.  Although I haven't got everything completed on my task List for this visit, I am pleased with the progress and how it is all progressing and can see the end in view!

So now just need to tidy and touch up both outside and inside, as well as connect the electrics to the Fuse box during my next 30 day visit end April/May.

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La Studio - Early Spring 2023

The very cold weather during early Winter 2022 disrupted my plans to render externally and finish plaster skiming the internal boards, so completed other tasks. Hopefully I will be able to get the either completed during my 2 week visit in February, before my month long visit on March.  The restriction of Schengen limits my viists, but regardless I spent 170 days in 2022 and plan to do so again at least in 2023.

I am hoping to complete all the tasks in La Studio during February/March and also those needed in La Maison Grenier, if all goes well by end April!

Sunday 29th Janaury 2023 - Arrived 

Made it over as planned on Friday morning and have completed a few garden tidy-up tasks, including pruning the top of the Cherry Tree, that I was too tired to do last time.  

It has been around Zero here and is going down to -5 overnight, so the plan will be to complete the Joint Plastering inside La Studio, as outside work is not practicle.  Despite no heating on, inside is registering 7degrees, so should be OK to complete and sand this trip!

Monday 30th Janaury 2023 - Filling

As expected, it started at -2 this morning, so I did interior work today and used the Gedimat Mud Plaster to fill the ceiling edges where it meets the roof side.  Stapled a mesh webing first and then the mud to fill.  Went on well again and sticks so much better than plaster into big holes.  So tomorrow can apply a plaster finish.

Also, used the cast iron spirit level to mark up the joints where the gaps are, in readiness for tomorrows final finish coat!

Electrics SUCCESS! - I managed to find which fuse inthe  La Maison fuse box was connected to the IN Feed of La Studio.  So can now plan to proceed with another full test of all the cabling and then attempt to wire up the Fuse Box, possibly this trip.

East Side Ceiling

Check Level Gap

West Side Ceiling

The end is in sights, although lot of finishing bits still to complete!

Tuesday 31st Janaury 2023 - Downstairs Jointing

A bit of a mixed day.  Got the downstairs walls plaster skimmed, as planned and should just need sanding and touch up now.

Decided to check the electrics and have a little problem with the East Side Downstairs Light and both Upstairs ones that haven't been able to solve, so once the rest of the jointing is down I might need to expose some wiring to check and resolve the issue!!

Wednesday 1st February 2023 - Electrics

Had a booked Energy Diagnostic Survey of both houses early this morning to get a Certificate, so commenced work mid morning and decided to concentrate on investigating the upstairs lights electric supply.  Having tried to eliminate each step, I determined there must be a problem behind the stairs wall where the two light switches for East and West is located.  

I was eventually left with no alternative but to remove a section of the Insulated Plasterbaord, where the cabling run is.  Nearly unbelieveably, I discovered a Live Feed cable had not been disconnected from a connection block!  My Fault.

Once removed and rewired I was able to connect the two switches and test to ensure both sides of the Downlighters worked. SUCCESS!  so having cut another section to fit, I now just have to apply some MUD Plaster to fix tomorrow and then continue the Joint Coating, that I suspect may take the rest of this week.

Stair Wall Repair

Thursday 2nd February 2023 - Upstairs East Jointing

Managed to get another coat of Jointing on the East Side walls and ceiling done today and should complete the same on the West side tomorrow and leave both to completely dry out over the weekend.

Also, double checked some of the Socket Electics and will complete the rest tomorrow hopefully, before attempting connection to the fuse box next week!

Friday 3rd February 2023 - Upstairs West Jointing

It finally warmed up today and the sun came out and temp got up to 8 degrees!  I completed the extra Jointing Coat on the West Side upstairs as planned.  Like often the more you do the better you get and realise than only skilled plasterers can do a single skim coat.  So, next week once all is dried and I sand everywhere, there will inevitably be spots that need a final skim to tidy up.

Also managed to complete the testing of all the electric sockets up and down, with fitting of some sockets downstairs, but more to do.

Monday 6th February 2023 - Outside Electical Sockets

Had a good morning succeeding to get the exterior sockets installed front and back of La Studio, as shown here.

Rear Patio Sockets

Front Courtyard Sockets

I also emptied a bag of small stone onto the corner pile at the rear and will use these, with the larger stones to create a retaining wall, with succulent planting in the summer.

So tomorrow, I will sand down all the joint plaster, ready for a final skim this week and light sanding before returning to UK on Monday next.

Tuesday 7th February 2023 - Downstairs Sanding

Got the sanding of the joints Downstairs done and started upstairs, but it was clear that some of the deeper plaster was not totally dry and this made it difficult. The cold weather has obviously delayed the totally drying and more time is needed. 

Went and got some more sandpaper, but decided not to continue today as I came over too tired.  Hopefully, continue and finish tomorrow.

Wednesday 8th February 2023 - Upstairs Sanding

Completed the sanding of the upstairs joints both sides today and ready for another coat of those areas in most need.  I swept, hovered and then mopped all the floors up and downstairs to get rid of the vast amount of plaster dust created!.

Down East 

Up East Front

Down West Front

Down West Rear

Down East Back

Up West Back

Thursday 9th February 2023 - Extra Jointing Filling

Mark up the areas that are in need of extra filler, first thing and managed to do nearly all the up and downstairs joints before the filler ran out.  Decided not to get another tub this trip, but let it all dry fully and complete the sanding and a top skim next visit.

Will complete some lighting and socket connection tomorrow, making good use of the time! 

Friday 10h February 2023 - Downstairs Lighting

Completed the wiring and fitting of the Downstairs Spotlights between the beams today.  As is often the case reapeating tasks make each easier and you progress. I fitted 20 downlightes across both sides and tested all as I progress.

HOWEVER, I discovered that the clearance distance between the bottom of  the upstairs floor and the bottom of the plasterboard ceiling downstairs is about 5mm TOO SMALL to accomadate the fitting. AGH!!  

So I am going to have to source new downlighter that have a totally depth of 5cm to give enough clearance...shame!  But fortunatley, I didn't order enough for upstairs, so they will be used up there.

East Front

West Side

West Side 2

Saturday 11th February 2023 - Roof Moss

Did some garden tidy up, but importantly managed to removed the majority of the moss growth from the rear roof of La Studio and sprayed all the roof, front and back with 5L of Fungicidal Wash to kill off the growth and will do so annually now, although pruning of the Walnut Tree should keep it in control in the future.

So, that is the end of this visit and will be back in March for 3 weeks and the main tasks will be to:

• Complete the Jointing.
• Render the Apex West and East Walls
• Complete Lighting and Socket Installation & Wire up Fuse Box

Downlights

UPDATE!

Ordered these replacement downlights for downstairs and am delighted with what has arrived from Amazon.  They are thin-less than 4cm and will fit is the space perfectly, as well as being LED 7w and very bright, & they swival!!  Could not be better.

 

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La Studio - WINTER 2022-23 Visit

My next visit is planned for 10 days, arriving on 5th December 2022.  The focus and key task is to underake pruning of all the fruit trees to keep them under control and prepare them for next year.  I have learnt that it is key to keep them low to be able to pick the fruit and thin out the prolific growth. It also allow me to use the prunings for chipping and dry small logs in the coming years.

If the weather is not too cold, I aslo hope to get the Rendering of both the East and West ends of the La Studio.  This would then enable me to complete the final tasks on La Studio during my planned January/February 2023 visit. Well that is the plan!

THURSDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2022 - Garden Tidy

Compost Screen

This week I have been doing lots of tidying of the gardens and gathering or the large volume of leaves.  It has and is expected to continue to be too cold to consider the rendering of the side walls during this visit.  However, I have repaired the Post Screen of the compost heap in La Grange Jardin.  These had rotted at the bottom, so I removed and cut the rot, dug a trench and filled with concrete and plastic pipe for the posts.  Once set I installed the posts and cemented them into place, ensuring protection from the frost.  Having checked today, I have removed the protect and pleased with the result that shoudl last long into the future.

I started the prunign with the Walnut Tree and completed this with of pile of small branches to dry for a year plus and then use as kindling wood for the fire.

Tomorrow, I plan to trim the Apple Trees, then the Pear and cherry Tree, next week.

Kindling Cuttings

Walnut Tree

FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2022 - Apple Tree Pruning

Apple Trees

Another cold day, but was drizzling a bit early on, so did some minor garden tasks and used some of the small stone saved to edge the gravel area around La Studio Patio under the Laurel Hedging.  By mid morning the drizzle had stopped so managed to prune the tops of the Apple Trees in La Grange Grise to stop the vertical growth and encourage lower branch fruits as well as the Pear Tree.  Cleared all the cuttings away and dragged them to the back of La Maison garden to dry out and eventually use them to chip in the spring for the borders to limit weeds and encourage water retention. 

MONDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2022 - Cherry Tree Pruning

Gave the Cherry Tree and prune this morning, removed some of the large high branches that coudl not be easily reached from the ground to pick the fruit and lots of vertical growth and generally thinned out.  Hopefully, this will encourange more lower fruiting in the next few years.

View to West

View East to Grange

The cherry tree pruning today produced as much as both apples and I have removed the branches to the rear garden in La Maison, so there will be plenty for chpping in the the spring and then spreading on the borders.

It is below freezing most of the day now and far too cold to consider the rendering work, so I have moved the bags into the Barn to keep dry for next year.  The rest of the week will be free to minor tidy up tasks before departure on Friday.

WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2022 - Tdy Up Tasks

Not so cold totday and it rose to 10/11c and a little drizzel this morning.  So removed the Lawn Tractor 2 wheels that keep going flat and prepared them to take back fro UK for a check and puncture.

Used some spare wood to create a Handrail for the stairs in the Barn, that has proved successful and will rub down a paint in February.  Also, treated the trailer protection top I created by painting the screw points with tar paint.

Eventually, pruned the top growth of the back Apple Tree in La Grange and used all the cutting to weave around the compost poles and pallets installed to create a screen.

Pallet Screen

Apple Tree Pruned

Compost Screen

That is all for this visit, home on Friday and back at end Janaury 2023.

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