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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LA STUDIO - Autumn 2022 October-NovemberVisit

SATURDAY 15th October 2022 - Door Jambs

I arrived on Thursday for another months visit, that should see most of the work on La Studio completed and here below is the Task Plan:

I started by a visit to Gedimat to collect an order for extra guttering items needed and to order 4 large sacs of Gravel.

On Friday I visited Leroy Merlin first thing to collect an order of 2 lengths of Oak to be used to create the Door Jambs for the vertical opening edge of each of the doors I create during the last visit.  These will create a straight edge on the Stone Walls and allow me to create a clean render edge.

Today, I cut and secured each Oak Jamb to the opening walls both down and upstairs, using screws and expanded foam that creates a firm fixing and good edge for the rendering, before I leave.

Down Stairs

Upstairs

So now on Monday I will start applying another coat of plaster to the Insulated PB on the walls and fill the gaps on the ceiling boards, before sanding and applying a first coat of emulation to all the walls and ceilings, if all goes well!

MONDAY 17th October 2022 - PB Joints

Good day and managed to get another coat on all the Insulated PB walls Downstairs and the ceilings boards.  Still been to fill the edges of the ceiling between the beams, but need to use the strong "sticky" mud filler on the, before the fine plaster finish and then sand.

DownStairs East Handle

DownStairs West Handle

Also, secured the internal Oak Door Handle and now just need to fix the door latch to the stone wall and have started to create a flat surface to get a proper base for the to be to leave and firm.

TUESDAY 18th October 2022 - PB Joints

Another good day in warm conditions.  Succeeded to get another coat on all the lower level Insulated PB walls Upstairs and some of the ceiling boards.  Work went better than I expected and should the second coat tomorrow, including the sections under the Purling Beams that I also added more expanded foam to. 

Looks like some of the areas I did yesterday need more time to dry, but should be able to do all the sanding this week and  then apply another thin coat, if needed.

Will do some photos at the end to the week, when hopefully all will be finished.

WEDNESDAY 19th October 2022 - Odd Jobs

Got the all the boarding joints plastered and used up the tub.  it seems the plaster is slow to totally dry so did some other jobs.

Having installed the upstairs oak doo jamb, I needed to plane the edge of the door to reduce the size, but need to adjust the wood plane more to finish.

Took delivery of 4 large Gedimat 1 tonne sacs of Gravel Stones for the paths, rear patio area once the work is complete.

Started to fix the guttering Support Brackets to the front roof struts, so now tomorrow will do some adjustments and fix the supports to the rear,  Can then fix the down pipes into the drains.

THURSDAY 20th October 2022 - FRONT GUTTERING

Clean up inside today and decide to leave the Joint Plastering to totally dry and sand next week, before skimming again.  So finished the fitting of the internal Oak Door Handles.

Upstairs West

Downstairs Latch

Upstairs East Latch

Front Guttering

Then completed the cutting and light fix of the Front Galvanised Guttering, although some level adjustment is needed and then will need to weld the fixing points to seal and strengthen the lengths and down pipes next. 

Looks like La Studio has its Jewellery on!

Just need to practice how to touch weld now before doing the guttering.

FRIDAY 21st October 2022 - REAR GUTTERING

Succeeded in fitting the rear guttering today and did some soldering on the ends and downpipe bends. Having  started on the east side end fitting the supports, I realised that the level above the rear door wasn't right and the guttering level was too low for the required door clearance.  After some consideration, I decided to raise the second 4m length above the door and all this second section would drain onto the first section.  Just need to wait for rain to check it all out!

Door End 

Downpipe

East End

MONDAY 24th October 2022 - CEILING FILLING

A full session today, filling the gaps in the Downstairs Ceiling Insulated PB in between the beams.  I use the Gedimat Plaster Adhesive they call Mud.  This dry's rock solid and will survive any small movement.  

I can now move on in the next 2 days to sand all the Plaster Board joints, ahead of a plaster skim to hopefully create a smooth and acceptable surface to paint.

Once done, I can give a 50/50 emulsion coat, before apply a finish coat and then move onto fitting and wiring the Fuse Box and give the Exterior Stone Walls a render coat to the current mud mortar.

TUESDAY 25th October 2022 - SANDING & SKIM COAT

Had to fetch more sanding paper but got all the joints sanded down and up stairs this morning, as well and a skim coats on the downstairs joints.  Looking good and no doubt a bit of touch up will be needed after the 50/50 paint coat, but I am pleased with how it has gone so far.

WEDNESDAY 26th October 2022 - UPSTAIRS SKIM COAT

Pleasingly gave a skim coat the upstairs Plasterboard Joints today and it is clear hat another will be required to some.  Whilst most joints are level, there are some that are not where the beams were not level.  These need multiple coats to cover, as they take days to fully dry and crack.  When I return next week from a trip to the Basque Region of northern Spain, I will give the final coat and sand, as well and the Mist Coat.

I also secure the Fuse Book Frame to the wall downstairs and ready for wiring up, again next week!

TUESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2022 - BACK WALL RENDERING

Returned from my weekend away and having looked at the weather forecast for the week, decided to make a start on the Back Wall Rendering and got 3.2sqm covered ether side of the rear door.  I used 1 bag of the render to get this covered and have another 3 bags, so should get the rear covered, providing the rain does not alter my timings.  This will allow me to properly determine the number of additional bags I will need to get to do all the walls.

I will do more inside plastering when the expected rain arrives!

WEDNESDAY 2nd NOVEMBER 2022 - BACK WALL RENDERING

Did another bag of Render to the rear wall today and managed to cover 3.4sqm today, with another 4 sqm to cover.  The coverage usage varies, depending on the gaps and stone sizes within each sqm.  I suspect I may not cover all of the wall tomorrow with the bag left, but I now have a good indication of how many additional bags needed to cover all the remaining external walls.

Rear wall Comparison

Rendered Area

THURSDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2022 - BACK WALL COMPLETE

Despite the weather turning and starting to rain, I continued with the plan to finish the back wall rendering and erected a tarpaulin on the guttering to the  Walnut Tree to provide some protection.  

Her below are a couple of pics of the finished wall, having been able to render 3.8sqm with the final bag.  This was because of the size of the stones in this end of the wall and less gaps.  The rain also held off until I had finished, so all worked out well.

FRIDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2022 - Rear Patio Base

The rain and colder weather arrived last night, so I am pleased I managed to get the rear wall rendered.  Went to Tout Faire in Gueret this morning to get 15 more bags, but they only had 2 and need to place an order. Hope they arrive next week in time to get the Front and East Apex Wall completed.

So, this morning I managed to prepare the patio base and will spread some of the Grey Shingle Stone I have had delivered to finish this area next week.

Back Wall

East to West View

SATURDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2022 - Extra Gravel Down

Easy today, installed a length of rolled chicken wire in the guttering to limit the build up of leaf fall.  I have used this before and it is the easiest and cheapest solution.

Also, spread some of the grey stone onto the path/patio area to the front and used 1/2 of one large sac so far, so will be able spread thickly from now to create a deep compact patio at the rear next week.

Barn Path

Guttering Drainage Path

Courtyard Area

MONDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2022 - Patio Gravel Down

Got all the gravel down at the rear of La Studio to create a patio area and have now use 2 of the Cu3m bags.  The result is pleasing and the pics below show the full result.  Have another  bags, that I will use to lay later this week on the courtyard and front driveway to add depth to both.

West End

East End

Back View

View from Garden

TUESDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2022 - COURTYARD GRAVEL

Courtyard Gravel Down

Managed to get a lot of small tidy up and finishing tasks this morning, in addition to adding the new Gravel to the Courtyard area that looks near finished now.  Used 1/2Cu3m that will help drainage run off.

FRIDAY 11th NOVEMBER 2022 - FRONT RENDERING STARTED

Did many small finish and tidy jobs the past couple of day and then collect the 15 bags of render I ordered.  So, today made a start of the Front of La Studio and managed to get half of the wall completed.  Hopefully, will finish tomorrow and then might be able to get the East Side wall done by the time I leave on Wednesday!

SATURDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2022 - FRONT RENDERING FINISHED!

Managed to complete the rendering of the Front Wall today, although is took 7 hours to do the left side and used 2 bags again!  The work went well and looking good, especially next week when it dries fully.  So now all the holes are filled and and the stone will be fully secure. Some minor additional work needed, but not until both East and West sides are complete.

West Side View

East Side View

Have decided that work for this visit has finished and will focus on the garden now before returning to UK next week.

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