September Update

I can hardly believe we are nearing the end of September already...the days are getting shorter, the temperature is a little cooler and we have had some much needed rain over the last month.  The drop of rain has had the most remarkable effect on the fields and lawns - you wouldn't know that just a few weeks ago everything was looking parched and brown and it feels like everything is making up for lost growing time!  The lawnmower has been back out trying to keep on top of it and another cut of silage on the farm has been possible which is good after a challenging summer.

Blackberry season came early and despite the drought there was a bumper crop - plenty for us and and the birds!  Delicious!

Cottage Progress...

Since my last blogpost, a good number of jobs have been ticked off the list for the cottage.

Jason and I were back on the drill hammer and took down the wall, stripped off some of the plaster and took the ceiling down in the existing downstairs bathroom.  We also took out the shower cubicle and got the floor up.  The plan is to block up the doorway and part of the large window to create a more spacious bathroom with underfloor heating.

If you need to use the toilet, you may now require a footstool!

Since making all this mess, the electrician has been to get the first fix in and the ceiling has been insulated, plaster boarded and skimmed.

We removed a window and replaced it with a door (the existing one in the downstairs bathroom will be blocked up) - this will mean there will be an exit at the bottom of the new staircase.  Another good job ticked off!

The new porch now has a tiled roof, which has almost been completed, and the window and door have  been installed.  It's good to have that weather tight now and the inside of the porch is ready for plastering which will be done over the next few days.

Our plasterer has also been working his magic downstairs and the ceiling and walls have all been completed in the main living areas.  We are loving the rounded corners he has achieved and so glad we decided to put in the slate window sills which are looking fab.

Jason and I are currently back on the tools with shovels, picks and buckets getting the floor level down further on the ground floor in preparation for underfloor heating.  It's hard work and we have awakened our shoulder and back muscles, but we've completed half the area and we'll plough on with that over the next week.  We are still turning up some large stones and bizarrely a random chicken bone!

We finalised the design for the stairs which was a nice feeling, although of course we won't see that until the new floor is laid.  Having a professional out to measure up and offer us his expertise was invaluable and he has come up with a design that fits into the space without compromising on style or practicality.

Although we haven't got around to sorting the outside of the cottage yet, we are talking about it and making plans with regard to the garden and walls.  Our priority is to keep on with the inside and really push to get everything properly prepared for the new floor - it will be such a milestone once that is all laid.  I have even dared to start thinking about curtains and flooring - Vinted has been amazing for picking up some lovely curtaining and I have a growing stash of things accumulating!  Vinted could be a dangerous place for me, but I'm trying to exercise self control!  Buying 'second hand new' is saving us a fair amount of money and every penny counts!  Our eyes are also peeled on Facebook Marketplace for the few bits of furniture we need - we are still mourning not being quick enough on a church pew that would have fitted perfectly in the porch; we are still talking about it even a few days later!  Never mind, we'll get over it...we need to learn not to dither so much!

So we are still moving forward, ticking off our list of jobs, slowly but surely nearing the end of the project with the overall aim of being able to reopen for Easter 2027.  That seems achievable now as long as we don't have any hiccups along the way.

Time for a walk...

Our daughter came down for a few days at the end of August which gave us the perfect reason to take a little bit of time off.  We were blessed with good weather so we went for a couple of lovely walks.  The first was a complete circuit of Loe Pool at the Penrose Estate in Helston - very unlike me, but I didn't take one photo during that walk!  I think we were so busy chatting and enjoying the views that our phones stayed in our pockets which is never a bad thing!  It was lovely and warm and we rewarded ourselves with an delicious ice cream at The Stables at the end of the walk.

The camera was definitely out for our second walk in one of my favourite areas - Cape Cornwall.  We parked at St Just at the free carpark and did a much frequented circular down through the Cot Valley, around to Cape Cornwall and then back up to the town through the beautiful Kenidjack Valley.  There is so much history within this walk with remains of old tin mines dotted all the way down both valleys and then of course there is the dominant Cape with its stack which dates back to 1894 as well as the Brisons Rocks.  The valleys are also popular with birdwatchers, as rare birds often turn up along this stretch of coastline, particularly in the Autumn.  It's certainly a great place to spot choughs - you often hear them before you see them and we sat and watched a pair near the bottom of Kenidjack Valley, just before you reach the sea.

Of course no visit from our daughter can be complete without a walk down to our beloved local beach at Lelant - August and barely a soul down there!

Until next time...

So if you need us, you'll find us shovelling the floor away over the next week!  Perhaps we should hold a 'bring a bucket' party to get the job done more quickly!

Thanks for reading and we'll catch up again soon!

Best wishes

Tanya