New doors – Part 1

Most projects on the house I am more than happy to undertake, in fact I enjoy doing the work and prefer to keep the work ‘in-house’ where possible. There are two reasons why I do defer to local artisans – big projects where I don’t have the time (such as the roof and the pool) and projects that involving cutting big holes in the nearly 2 feet thick stone walls!

The latest project is to replace the three windows on the back of the house with three pairs of double doors.

 

 

The right and left hand windows will be replaced by 1.4m wide doors and the centre window by 1m doors. Due to the stairs and a large cupboard built into the wall the centre window can’t be any larger unfortunately.

So a local stone mason has been contracted to do the work and as he promised (amazing for France) started work this week.

Dust sheets have been put down, ladders brought in and rapid progress is being made.

 

 

The first of the holes has been created and today they were wheeling in barrows of cement to cast the lintils in situ and the bases.

 

 

Then work started on the centre window with steps and hammers carried in

 

 

 

Then as the hole was knocked/cut into the wall the old shutters were placed in the fireplace (but not sure they will burn very well!).

 

 

It’s both frustrating and pleasing not to be there to see the work. Clearly the place will be in quite a mess and very dusty but not to be able to see exactly whats going on and make ‘adjustments’ if needed is frustrating. But at least we can see work is underway from the cameras.