Fun and games this week as the final touches were put on the pigeonnier roof and the tiles were removed from the back half of the older - what was originally the Mill- building.
Now you can just see the "swift tiles" inserted; 4 on the dormer roofs and 3 on the other two sides. We are just awaiting delivery of the " epis de faitage", a pair of ornaments for the roof which have been made by the local potter, Mme Chapelet and who is firing them with a final glaze as I type.
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| spot the Swift tiles |
The fun started with part of the fence by the road and a small tree being removed to allow access for le " petit engin" which is also green like it's big sister, "le gros". This enabled the guys to evacuate the tiles directly on to it and off along the road to the workshop, instead of having to cart barrow loads round the back of the house. Many houses in this area have difficult access, so builders/ roofers have to be inventive!
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| gap in the fence |
Not surprisingly, the older roof had virtually no insulation, which we knew from the odd occasion when snow fell and melted very quickly thanks to heat rising, much to the joy of EDF. I stood in the bedroom above the kitchen as they removed the tiles and could see the sun shining through the cloth layer on the ceiling.
Quick work was made of removing the tiles and old timbers and a good start on their replacement using Douglas Fir lengths filled with fibreglass sections.
No real rain until Friday night, except for some errant tiles & stones which flew off the ridge on to the terrace, thankfully missing the glass topped table. The waterproof 'over' insulation layer in grey and the tarpaulin in green were put to the test because the rain was brief, but very heavy, and happily, no leaks!
This week will see the back section of the roof completed , the positioning of the " epis", the dismantling of the scaffolding around the pigeonnier and a much needed clean up of all the associated debris.... just in time for the holidays when the roofers will have much deserved fortnight's holiday. It has been fascinating to watch this stage of the works, but I must admit to feeling apprehensive for them at times when they move apparently completely at ease on metal boards 50 ft above the ground.
In anticipation of the electrician & plumber coming tomorrow I have cleared as much as I can from the back cellar in order for the washing machine and 2nd fridge to be moved there from the garage as well as making more space for the many items which still have to be moved there by the end of the month. We're certainly in with a chance to see just how much we can squeeze into a cellar and still work in and out of it .... photos to follow in the coming weeks!
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| one of the many uses of a power saw |
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| Bart watches from a safe distance |
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| Gilles prepares for the pose of the epis |
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| minimal insulation |
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| Simon & Sam taking off the Mill roof tiles |
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| le petit engin |
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