I have to say I took on the Stone Sloop in great condition - it has clearly been loved and cared for through the generations, and all those who have known it in the last 50 years speak of it with great affection.
The structure is and was as sound as a 200 year old rubble built structure on a the side of a steep hill can be, and the contents were amazing - all the furniture etc to start, much of it 19th Century originals.
In no particular order:(And remember - there is no mains electricity, no road to bring materials to the house, an interupted water supply, and drainage straight into pasture.... so working methods have to be unconventional at times!)
1.) Water. The cold water tap in the back kitchen is fed by a spring, via a settling tank. The tap frequently blocks because of sediment. The settling tank has been completely flushed, but I think we need to get a "pig's tail" (flexible corkscrew thingie) into the pig to clear it, and then see where we go from there. I bought a freestanding waterfilter - ceramic candles and silver filters, £80. I have now been advised by the Council that the filter plus boiling does render the water fit to drink, although I won't be offering it to pregant women and the vulnerable. I don't mind the taste, as it happens - but I prefer gin.
2.) Fire.
the old range is non functional, and would take too long, too much cash and some seriously heavy gear to restore - all for the pleasure of baking in the old oven. And I own a dutch oven, which works just as well over the coals. So the range stays decorative for the foreseeable future.But the fire itself is essential - so the old firebasket and grate were removed, and a new firebasket welded together by the blacksmith - cost £60. It sits in the void where the original grate was, burns hot and has two stands for pots, so I can cook over it in the evening.In addition the chimney has been swept - which has certainly made the fire draw better, and a old terracotta chimney pot has been added to the chimney stack, to prevent rain getting in and to increase the draught - again, working fine (although the first pot slipped, rolled down the roof and crashed to the ground on the original attempt!)
3.) Floor.
The ground floor was poured concrete - hard on the feet and very very cold. After removing the layers of old carpet to inspect it we had a short conference with the landlord(s) to debate the alternatives, and headed off together to Ikea to buy a wood floor. It cost £450, including insulation, and has made a huge difference to the light levels and warmth in the living room. But it was a BUGGER to lay, and couldn't have been done without the heroic efforts of Arthur, who worked for days in the half light of winter getting it down. The cost of floor and installation was carried by the estate, and is probably the biggest single change to the Stone Sloop in this generation. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
4.) Walls.
Repainted throughout with casein limewash - £80 for materials. It lets the damp through, but that it what it is designed to do.I suspect I'll be repainting every spring, but that's how it goes...
5.) Guttering.
The Guttering on the porch has been moved and rehung - it was channeling water direct on to the kitchen wall, which was soaked through as a result.
6.) Floorboards.
Backbreaking - cleaned with lemon and oil (cost approx £2.50), inch by inch, to pull up as much dust as possible.
