WEEK 40  - 23 - 05 -13.  

bit more done inside (render to downstairs master bedroom)

and lot of plaster render done to outside.

I have mentioned to Martin the final finish date being late July - he will aim for this. I have also mentioned that both of ye will want to stay in the house at that date.

new portion of house 99% finished with render. 

I also talked to the stone carver this week - Eddie suggests buying a thin stone locally - this will only be in the region of 20e. He thinks this is a far better option than trying to find a suitable stone on site - I guess he knows what he wants to carve on and it has to be reasonably big and very flat. He has made a few suggestions and I will liaise between him and builder.

and a suggestion made for render to existing which I think we all  like:

WEEK 39  - 17 - 05 -13.  

bit more done inside....

and to front stone wall...........



Martin wants to continue this stone wall along the laneway 
towards parking area and new 'front door'.......

originally and in tender there was provision for  a simple field wall (dry stone wall - no mortar)... something more substantial needed.

He will construct this stone wall with proper mortar joints at no extra costs.

Plaster work to exterior to begin Monday - weather dependent.

WEEK 39  - 10 - 05 -13.  

slow/ medium progress.

could be a bit faster.

 some further drylining to timber frame section.

plasterwork to front two rooms upstairs.

lot of acute corners so it is quiet slow.

lot more done to stone work at front. 
looks well.

WEEK 39  - 07 - 05 -13.  

more work done to inside - upstairs and down.



drylining to timber frame portion and to hallway.

lot more plastering to upstairs - (forgot to take photo)

battens for timber cladding at utility and snug outside in place.





roadside -

set back in place - low boundary wall (to be 900mm high as seen from roadside)
will be built in block.


I have mailed town engineer today to let him deal with set back in relation to neighboring edge - he is and has been fully aware of the situation for the past month. My mail today is simply to remind him that it needs to be looked at.


Front of site is tidy and level - also areas to sides of house are tidy and made level
ready for final finish.   

Then - dry stone wall face to outer face re using natural stone on site.
Joints to be in mortar but recessed 1 inch to give appearance of 'dry stone' wall.

Decision  to be made regarding height of wall to front - Westport Town Council stipulate 900mm high wall - The front garden at Sandyhill remains approx 650mm above level of road- thus a high wall at front (900mm) will be only a small kerb as viewed from the garden side.

I am unsure should we have a 1.5 meter wall to front - to allow a 900mm high wall from garden side ..............

or.....

900mm wall as viewed from road with 350mm wal (1 foot) as viewed from garden????

You might think about.

see photos:

 
 

WEEK 38  - 30 - 04 -13.  

some work done to inside - upstairs and down.

upstairs - progress to plaster and drylining (2-3 guys busy)

outside: more work done to roadside area - set back dug out.

some hardcore (stone base)  to set back area.

foundation dug and block wall in place for front wall. 

also........I  was in pub at weekend and saw these various ceiling finishes - 

wallpaper..........
 

timber boards.........
 

and a exposed timber beam........

pub is beside Croagh Patrick and was renovated by Martin....

WEEK 37  - 25 - 04-13.  

2 days photos........in one post.

good bit of progress  inside - plaster work to existing walls and fireplace

plastic membrane to inside of timber frame extension.

more work outside.

 
 

Patio wall to rear taking shape.

I met ESB guy on site - he talked about moving the pole approx 15 meter to left at a cost of above 2k.
Probably too costly.
As an alternative the tree/ scrub/ bush area that slightly inhibits view of Croagh Patrick could be removed.

see photo of Reek and view..........

 

At front - 2 existing trees removed!!!!!
one remains and will be kepi.
A crew with climbing gear and chainsaws took 2 days to do so.

The scrub and earth has been stripped back 5 meter from road edge and a strip cut out to allow small foundation necessary for front boundary wall. This is to be stone with recessed mortar joints to give the appearance of a natural stone wall. Stone from site to be reused.

A slight curve will be in place at driveway (around the one remaining tree)  to allow easy access and  vision to road.

This front wall to be approx. 1  meter high - with central gate. As the existing front garden is slightly higher than roadside (see mounded earth in photo) then we need 3 steps to make up height difference - these steps are better on the house side of the gate rather than roadside.

One discussion point - 
The parking area beside front door is quiet limited - 2 cars may fit - but leave little over - and end up quiet close to the front door........ see photo...... 
Also - to date we have imagined  this parking area would remain open - with a cattle grid. Is this still the case - a a gate would have to be approx 10 meter wide???? so it is tricky.

 

WEEK 36  - 19 - 04-13.  

bit more done to landscaping outside - 

foundations to wall patio wall.

 

3 plasterers on site all day - 

 area around downstairs fireplace plastered..........

WEEK 36  - 16 - 04-13.  

 nearly done upstairs

and a lot of plasterwork done downstairs.

insulation in between cavity.................(polystyrene grey balls)

in external walls and in between timbers of timber frame. (see yellow patches)

 some door frames in.......

and finally a bit of landscape work to outside........... (semi circular patio area.)