tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47128244302622797642024-03-13T03:35:38.342-07:00House in BrusselsIt's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-36648509662115277922013-01-25T03:07:00.000-08:002013-01-29T03:08:24.097-08:00Firestarter(The Prodigy, 1996)<br />
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This last week was the Great Freeze, one of the little one's snufflings has escalated to pneumonia and flu, and the rest of us are trying to shake off horrid colds. <br />
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What better time for the heating to go off? <br />
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It went off following a rather improbabe chain of events that started with the wet cement in the cellar, that short-circuited the wires in the walls, that blew the fuse, that confused the heater's electrics, that displayed an error message saying the pressure was low, that caused someone to add more water, that flooded the heater's electrics, that destroyed the "coeur de chauffe" (did you know that central heating systems had hearts?). <br />
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And now, a new heart for the fire-breather in our attic has to be found from that far-away land, Germany. (You didn't think the people at Bulex would keep a stock these things close at hand, did you? Oh how little you know Belgium.)<br />
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So we are hoping that sometime very soon, somewhere in a warehouse in Germany, Fritz will heave sigh, put down his newspaper and haul himself off his arse to wander down the shelves, pick up a box containing the right thingy, put it in a bigger box, which will then sit around for another few days? weeks? until Hans decides he has enough boxes piled up to warrant packing up the van and driving to Belgium. <br />
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And then no doubt it will sit around a bit longer until the Bulex computer tells the Bulex technician that he has the necessary to come and repair our heater, and then another few days before he finds a free date to come and fit it. <br />
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And then, maybe, it might all work? It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-92229260915359735542012-11-28T01:45:00.000-08:002013-01-29T02:16:07.841-08:00Move any Mountain(The Shaman, 1991) <br />
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Still there? I wouldn't blame you for tuning out. <br />
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So yes, we moved. And it was enough of an ordeal for me not to want to re-live the whole thing any time soon, but I will try and record some of the highlights here so that, in years to come, we can look back fondly at these happy days of dust, boxes and bugs... <br />
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Behold the bathroom, the day of the 'move': 28 November. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TfuAnTn6dU/UQefyIP9rOI/AAAAAAAABL8/Oe_GPGmrzos/s1600/bathroom+28+nov+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TfuAnTn6dU/UQefyIP9rOI/AAAAAAAABL8/Oe_GPGmrzos/s320/bathroom+28+nov+2012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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... and the staircase. A fairly major obstacle to moving in, since the 1st and 2nd floors would have to be out of bounds while this was sanded and painted. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4kXPfAXlFY/UQef0Xpwx_I/AAAAAAAABME/DohkT3OU0Ls/s1600/stairs+28+nov+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4kXPfAXlFY/UQef0Xpwx_I/AAAAAAAABME/DohkT3OU0Ls/s320/stairs+28+nov+2012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So the Plan D, agreed while the movers were navigating their way round the Schaerbeek one-way system, was that we would be allowed to occupy two rooms on the first floor, where we could pile up our belongings, while the workmen scurried around finishing what they could. <br />
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And what about our little family? After calling around various B&Bs to see whether they would house two downtrodden adults, two coughing babies and their double buggy, we took up the generous offer of friends who live on the next street to stay with them until the house was ready. An offer they may have since regretted, as it became clear that we were not talking a few days, but a good week and a half.... It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-39051751545967391722012-11-09T14:13:00.000-08:002013-01-29T02:16:41.657-08:00A Kind of Magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While a number of the window frames were being opened up, quite a few of the original mouldings suffered some fairly serious damage. These were however magically replaced. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First, they take the measurements of the existing mouldings (not sure how they did this - I imagine some fancy laser beam scanning device). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then, the <a href="http://www.gesso.be/" target="_blank">specialist com</a><a href="http://www.gesso.be/" target="_blank">pany</a> produces a length of mouldings which has the same profile. Actually, it's fibre-glass covered with plaster. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxuqdhVVea8/UKv_rg0OKrI/AAAAAAAABKQ/qFuAnhZChMQ/s1600/Vondel+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxuqdhVVea8/UKv_rg0OKrI/AAAAAAAABKQ/qFuAnhZChMQ/s320/Vondel+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then the damaged part is cut away, and the ceiling coated in something presumably very sticky... <u> </u></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WMZxtHbpq5A/UKwACYfItOI/AAAAAAAABKg/4ryKu_GnG2c/s1600/2012-11-05+13.02.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WMZxtHbpq5A/UKwACYfItOI/AAAAAAAABKg/4ryKu_GnG2c/s320/2012-11-05+13.02.39.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And the new piece added. Ta da! As good as new. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icoLD-lp9rc/UKwAFyhqVvI/AAAAAAAABKo/_wBCcbIXjlw/s1600/2012-11-09+10.46.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icoLD-lp9rc/UKwAFyhqVvI/AAAAAAAABKo/_wBCcbIXjlw/s320/2012-11-09+10.46.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-17251883102830025332012-10-30T13:46:00.000-07:002012-11-21T00:12:39.246-08:00Baby, It's Cold Outside<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan, 1949)</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jsKO3zoLwk/UEJkLS674yI/AAAAAAAABBA/O6tcx9hxfH0/s1600/front+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jsKO3zoLwk/UEJkLS674yI/AAAAAAAABBA/O6tcx9hxfH0/s320/front+room.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In order to achieve our 'low energy'
status, t</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">he front of the house
also needed to be insulated</span></span>. This was slightly complicated by the fact that, in order not to spoil the facade, we had to do this from the
inside. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As you'll recall, we had already stripped this wall back to the bare brick, with our own fair hands (and a fair bit of help). </span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBP1t_wcDpg/UEssnr1rCBI/AAAAAAAABCI/h17BvJlL9eo/s1600/1st+front+insulation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBP1t_wcDpg/UEssnr1rCBI/AAAAAAAABCI/h17BvJlL9eo/s320/1st+front+insulation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next, blocks of insulation (neopor) 10cm thick were stuck on, all the way up to the ceiling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Originally we had a doubt how this would look encroaching on the mouldings on the ceiling, but it turned out fine. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfpmWOta0us/UEssp5FmmeI/AAAAAAAABCQ/knLNdXM5Hvs/s1600/1st+left+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfpmWOta0us/UEssp5FmmeI/AAAAAAAABCQ/knLNdXM5Hvs/s320/1st+left+window.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y785eK8DpOI/UEsssBPYI5I/AAAAAAAABCY/o1t4GIuN5LY/s1600/1st+right+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y785eK8DpOI/UEsssBPYI5I/AAAAAAAABCY/o1t4GIuN5LY/s320/1st+right+window.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The pipes from the bathroom upstairs had to be added (since there was no bathroom in the house originally, these had to be put somewhere, inevitably making a hole in the ceiling unfortunately). </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfOPFHGpoxg/UKv5OIjChnI/AAAAAAAABJE/el7uU0_oWNU/s1600/Vondel+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfOPFHGpoxg/UKv5OIjChnI/AAAAAAAABJE/el7uU0_oWNU/s320/Vondel+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Finally, the wall was plastered and the edges of the window frames tidied up. Not much to look at, but we're hoping we'll be able to feel the difference. </span><br />
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It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-30925421603498407372012-10-26T00:23:00.003-07:002012-10-26T00:23:50.898-07:00Ready Or Not<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(The Fugees, 1996)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here we come, ready or not... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The movers have been booked for Wednesday 28 November. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Boxes are being filled and are stacking up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The freezer is being emptied. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The standing order for the rent on the flat has been cancelled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The flat has been put back on the market. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Change of address has been notified to banks and the like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In fact there's no choice, the house w</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">ill just have to be ready. </span><br />
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It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-89189566026731092112012-10-18T13:22:00.001-07:002012-10-30T01:33:39.124-07:00Walking on Sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Katrina and the Waves, 1983)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The big change this week is in the kitchen. On top of the insulation, the underfloor heating has gone in...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppYHAeNg9_I/UIBfgjK9kMI/AAAAAAAABGU/bOV8DKI6dSU/s1600/2012-10-08+14.36.17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppYHAeNg9_I/UIBfgjK9kMI/AAAAAAAABGU/bOV8DKI6dSU/s320/2012-10-08+14.36.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then a layer of concrete, and then finally the tiles. </span></span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AwGW8K2tqc/UIBfkky_CHI/AAAAAAAABGc/pY1pmBHzvEg/s1600/2012-10-12+10.47.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AwGW8K2tqc/UIBfkky_CHI/AAAAAAAABGc/pY1pmBHzvEg/s320/2012-10-12+10.47.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_CVsmsXYmE/UIBfx2g2wkI/AAAAAAAABG0/gts3PCB6MjE/s1600/2012-10-17+12.35.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_CVsmsXYmE/UIBfx2g2wkI/AAAAAAAABG0/gts3PCB6MjE/s320/2012-10-17+12.35.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjJD69sp6nI/UIBgB-ZPK-I/AAAAAAAABHY/BW_p5e1JJpc/s1600/2012-10-18+13.18.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjJD69sp6nI/UIBgB-ZPK-I/AAAAAAAABHY/BW_p5e1JJpc/s320/2012-10-18+13.18.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The view from the landing. Cool eh!</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ML0Eag6XAA/UIBf9uYGiSI/AAAAAAAABHQ/6sZRc4XpIAM/s1600/2012-10-17+12.39.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-78721538969192027472012-10-15T13:24:00.000-07:002012-10-18T13:34:41.777-07:00Knock On Wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Up on the top floor, we are beginning to get an idea of the final finish. Floorboards are being sanded...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ML0Eag6XAA/UIBf9uYGiSI/AAAAAAAABHQ/6sZRc4XpIAM/s1600/2012-10-17+12.39.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ML0Eag6XAA/UIBf9uYGiSI/AAAAAAAABHQ/6sZRc4XpIAM/s320/2012-10-17+12.39.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> ... and the bathroom has been tiled. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfsUYukxrlE/UIBgGB1llCI/AAAAAAAABHg/hH1FiT2kky8/s1600/2012-10-18+13.18.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfsUYukxrlE/UIBgGB1llCI/AAAAAAAABHg/hH1FiT2kky8/s320/2012-10-18+13.18.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-21030895910059140582012-10-07T08:09:00.001-07:002012-10-07T08:10:16.969-07:00The Heat Is On<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(Glen Frey, 1984)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Previously tucked away in a dark extension, the kitchen will now be the focal point of the house. Soon, sitting at the kitchen table, you'll be able to look through to the living rooms, up through the internal window to the main staircase, or down through the huge window to the back garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It has also become the focal point of the building works. Not only has the structure been totally re-built, but it has also required a number of different people to do their bit: the internal walls, plumbing and underfloor heating, laying the floor tiles, fitting the ceiling, painting, and then of course the kitchen itself. All these have been done by different people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On top of that, the actual design of the kitchen - wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling oak panneling, with lots of built-in spaces - means that everything has to fit perfectly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This means that there is a lot of potential for things to go wrong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The good news is that is does seem to be coming together... </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dq5_PR3Ncss/UGiU7ES8soI/AAAAAAAABFE/q1Ls_rirD8c/s1600/2012-09-28+kitchen+left+wall+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dq5_PR3Ncss/UGiU7ES8soI/AAAAAAAABFE/q1Ls_rirD8c/s320/2012-09-28+kitchen+left+wall+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The internal walls on the left - with doorway to the WC and staircase leading to the back garden. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-guI8GsfBCOI/UHGY8xtDbUI/AAAAAAAABFo/oM0Pp3HY2b0/s1600/kitchen+2012-10-02+stairs+down.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-guI8GsfBCOI/UHGY8xtDbUI/AAAAAAAABFo/oM0Pp3HY2b0/s320/kitchen+2012-10-02+stairs+down.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.. and this is what is looks like from the other side (staircase still to come)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kO8gk6bSTtc/UGiU0xyHSpI/AAAAAAAABE0/8BMYcP0wGy8/s1600/2012-09-28+kitchen+ceiling+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a4JWCQUiozg/UHGY7GzY-NI/AAAAAAAABFg/nQhzki4ko_o/s1600/kitchen+2012-10-02+insulation+to+be+redone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a4JWCQUiozg/UHGY7GzY-NI/AAAAAAAABFg/nQhzki4ko_o/s320/kitchen+2012-10-02+insulation+to+be+redone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first attempt and insulating the floor. Has since been re-done, since not it was properly glued... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U3pkcr94cH0/UHGY-uMkiTI/AAAAAAAABFw/DIwzEOJgDvo/s1600/kitchen+2012-10-05+internal+windows.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U3pkcr94cH0/UHGY-uMkiTI/AAAAAAAABFw/DIwzEOJgDvo/s320/kitchen+2012-10-05+internal+windows.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The internal windows being plastered</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jR72CptiWJA/UGiU4Azz8LI/AAAAAAAABE8/NMqwHBVvotc/s1600/2012-09-28+kitchen+ceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jR72CptiWJA/UGiU4Azz8LI/AAAAAAAABE8/NMqwHBVvotc/s320/2012-09-28+kitchen+ceiling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling going in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kO8gk6bSTtc/UGiU0xyHSpI/AAAAAAAABE0/8BMYcP0wGy8/s320/2012-09-28+kitchen+ceiling+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of that ceiling. Cool eh?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1N_2b_juQQ/UHGY_z60IrI/AAAAAAAABF4/Ej-YYOr7bps/s1600/kitchen+2012-10-05+tiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1N_2b_juQQ/UHGY_z60IrI/AAAAAAAABF4/Ej-YYOr7bps/s320/kitchen+2012-10-05+tiles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floor tiles have arrived!</td></tr>
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It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-76750580129419148672012-09-22T05:15:00.000-07:002012-09-22T05:15:54.720-07:00Faraway, So Close<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, what do we have for you this week? Let me see... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Back facade finished yet? Nope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kitchen walls fitted? ... Neither.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Or the flooring laid for the under-floor heating? Nope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Plastering anywhere near done? You guessed it, nope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Accoustic ceiling in the kitchen fitted? You're getting good. Not been fitted, but at least the pannels have arrived. And it's spotty!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M68s7y__caY/UF2qsw09S9I/AAAAAAAABDg/nDN6gjl7crw/s1600/2012+09+22+accoustic+ceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M68s7y__caY/UF2qsw09S9I/AAAAAAAABDg/nDN6gjl7crw/s320/2012+09+22+accoustic+ceiling.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bathroom finished? To see this picture, you'd think we're getting there. But actually that panneling vibrates so has to be re-done. Sigh... </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drj7q-oc5PU/UF2quv6mTbI/AAAAAAAABDo/LDK9mH3TA70/s1600/2012-09-22+bathroom+pannel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drj7q-oc5PU/UF2quv6mTbI/AAAAAAAABDo/LDK9mH3TA70/s320/2012-09-22+bathroom+pannel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What we do have is a deadline about to be missed, and a plan B. More on that soon. </span><br />
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It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-10991694731455677942012-09-14T01:00:00.000-07:002012-09-22T05:07:04.188-07:00El Condor Pasa (If I Could)*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Simon & Garfunkle, 1970)</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyDftdhL5tA/UFQaWyxnfBI/AAAAAAAABDE/Pq4kaF4L-2Y/s1600/2012-09-14+14.47.17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyDftdhL5tA/UFQaWyxnfBI/AAAAAAAABDE/Pq4kaF4L-2Y/s320/2012-09-14+14.47.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How many men does it take to hammer a nail into a wall?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Actually, what is happening here is the marking out of the kitchen partitions. It's a precision task, which has to be done right. Since the kitchen units, ceiling and floor all having to fit snugly together, there is no margin for error. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hopefully, with this now done, there will be no more delaying with putting up the walls, which has to be done before the floor can be laid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile, in the rest of the house, the first fix is progressing, but at at a snails pace. The pipes (finally done) are being boxed in and the surrounds of the windows tidied up. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4Z44Tfk3ao/UFQaPpPtLyI/AAAAAAAABC0/LLA_4axvEdg/s1600/2012-09-14+14.27.26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4Z44Tfk3ao/UFQaPpPtLyI/AAAAAAAABC0/LLA_4axvEdg/s320/2012-09-14+14.27.26.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnBnUw7Cxec/UFQaS1KCsAI/AAAAAAAABC8/j1jlnwtVOtg/s1600/2012-09-14+14.29.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnBnUw7Cxec/UFQaS1KCsAI/AAAAAAAABC8/j1jlnwtVOtg/s320/2012-09-14+14.29.27.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4Z44Tfk3ao/UFQaPpPtLyI/AAAAAAAABC0/LLA_4axvEdg/s1600/2012-09-14+14.27.26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the reasons this is moving so slowly is that the contractor has a few men ill, and can only put a few men on site. Their team manager has recognised that they are "dans la merde" (sic.), and is now considering our suggestion than he subcontract some of the remaining tasks to our original wonder crew, who did the first part of the works so well and so efficiently (and who are also at the ready to step in to do the final finish). Of course we cannot impose this solution - it's a deal the contractors have to work out between them - but we are hopeful that they see the sense of it. We shall see... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* I think only Liz will get this... </span>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-19905091093591068932012-09-07T13:58:00.000-07:002012-11-20T14:06:29.425-08:00Dirty Old Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nothing to do with the house, just snapshop of our new neighbourhood. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meet </span>Taram and Vouzier, <span style="font-size: small;">the </span>two <span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-size: small;">cart<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-size: small;">h</span></span></span></span>orses who do <span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-size: small;">the</span></span> daily round of the<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Schaerbeek streets</span></span></span></span> to collect the rubbish. <span style="font-size: small;">They only collect the </span>street bins - but that alone replace<span style="font-size: small;">s</span> a truck, and are cheaper to run too. </span></span><br />
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It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-81122167373280024992012-09-01T12:55:00.002-07:002012-09-01T12:56:38.122-07:00Rear Window<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6gqgc5keh4/UEJj_8LUDOI/AAAAAAAABA4/c1bJSWEZ9Jk/s1600/bedroom.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">More progress this week on the plastering and insulation front. Notably, the rear facade is being coated with blocks of what resembles blocks of polystyrene, and then a layer of 'roughcast' (what google tells me is the English for 'crépis' - who knew...). </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7SPqjV4AGs/UEJj57hWw0I/AAAAAAAABAo/70qtVpUn72c/s1600/back+facade+from+above.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7SPqjV4AGs/UEJj57hWw0I/AAAAAAAABAo/70qtVpUn72c/s320/back+facade+from+above.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From above - the rear wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ny8Xh4EGE80/UEJj9HK60RI/AAAAAAAABAw/mbs0fqSPJAg/s1600/back+facade+top.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ny8Xh4EGE80/UEJj9HK60RI/AAAAAAAABAw/mbs0fqSPJAg/s320/back+facade+top.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the flat roof to the main bedroom</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6gqgc5keh4/UEJj_8LUDOI/AAAAAAAABA4/c1bJSWEZ9Jk/s1600/bedroom.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6gqgc5keh4/UEJj_8LUDOI/AAAAAAAABA4/c1bJSWEZ9Jk/s320/bedroom.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same, seen from the inside</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, excitement of excitements, we now have glass in our windows! Here you can see the kitchen window in all its glory. The lower left one slides open (pictured here), and there is a little glass balcony, which makes the perfect place for pots of herbs. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FunSjIEQHjo/UEJj2WpotTI/AAAAAAAABAg/niLCKVKlJLw/s1600/2012+8+31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FunSjIEQHjo/UEJj2WpotTI/AAAAAAAABAg/niLCKVKlJLw/s320/2012+8+31.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the blocks of insulation</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jsKO3zoLwk/UEJkLS674yI/AAAAAAAABBA/O6tcx9hxfH0/s1600/front+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-39050953987575824672012-08-31T10:49:00.001-07:002012-08-31T10:49:50.104-07:00As Time Goes By<div><p>31 August 2012: a momentous date. We have given notice on our flat.</p>
<p>In three months' time at the latest, that's to say by 30 November, we will have moved into the new house. </p>
<p>Or out of this flat at least. Whether or not the house is ready for its new inhabitants by then remains uncertain... </p>
</div>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-18246980450311374002012-08-24T09:03:00.000-07:002012-08-31T06:26:30.254-07:00A Whiter Shade Of Pale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While the Not-So-Super Mario Brothers tinker with the plumbing and
heating (they have now had to return four times to re-do/complete various
parts of their brief and some things are STILL not right), the other contractors have been plastering away. <br />
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From the top down, the house has gradually been covered in a pristine layer of white, starting with the bedrooms under the roof:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4gzIkS_tO0/UD-PJCtY99I/AAAAAAAABAA/25mXPVgSGJU/s1600/twins+rm+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4gzIkS_tO0/UD-PJCtY99I/AAAAAAAABAA/25mXPVgSGJU/s320/twins+rm+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQKgaUb-ASI/UD-O8VAJ-LI/AAAAAAAAA_I/2RCmVuhoRDM/s1600/2012-08-24+twins+rm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQKgaUb-ASI/UD-O8VAJ-LI/AAAAAAAAA_I/2RCmVuhoRDM/s320/2012-08-24+twins+rm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Twins' bedroom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-npuoYsYbpNo/UD-O99Tio6I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/E3tqzbwIT20/s1600/atom+rm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-npuoYsYbpNo/UD-O99Tio6I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/E3tqzbwIT20/s320/atom+rm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Spare room</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Down to the first floor, where all the walls have been plastered, save the front facade which is still waiting to be insulated from the inside:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h-7AnheXjZA/UD-PDpMqoAI/AAAAAAAAA_o/pWCyzB89hdM/s1600/bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h-7AnheXjZA/UD-PDpMqoAI/AAAAAAAAA_o/pWCyzB89hdM/s320/bedroom.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Back bedroom</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KtDGcQUs_Tg/UD-PHrk_mNI/AAAAAAAAA_4/YQrMA0Kf5V8/s1600/dressing.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KtDGcQUs_Tg/UD-PHrk_mNI/AAAAAAAAA_4/YQrMA0Kf5V8/s320/dressing.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KtDGcQUs_Tg/UD-PHrk_mNI/AAAAAAAAA_4/YQrMA0Kf5V8/s1600/dressing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTDFRJ9sH24/UD-PFV5CadI/AAAAAAAAA_w/vAm5xHQ2FBg/s1600/dressing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTDFRJ9sH24/UD-PFV5CadI/AAAAAAAAA_w/vAm5xHQ2FBg/s320/dressing+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Front dressing room</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The rear facade has also been insulated from the outside, and plastered. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCzWrZm38PQ/UD-PB1pUtTI/AAAAAAAAA_g/Sk1uqnxggy0/s1600/bedroom+wndw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCzWrZm38PQ/UD-PB1pUtTI/AAAAAAAAA_g/Sk1uqnxggy0/s320/bedroom+wndw.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rear bedroom, from the flat roof</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The ground floor is however a story for another day... </span>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-73594845895456472042012-08-20T00:22:00.001-07:002012-08-20T00:22:36.070-07:00Call off the Search<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To conclude on the kitchen tile saga, well, I'm afraid to say we gave up. After a valiant but fruitless hunt around the salvage yards of Belgium for tiles matching <a href="http://houseinbrussels.blogspot.be/2011/08/kitchen-tiles.html" target="_blank">those we had recovered from the old kitchen</a>, we plumped for new carrelages de ciment, made in the old style by </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.carrelagesdumarais.com/" target="_blank">Carrelages Du Marais</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We did consider a patchwork of old tiles, or old and new, but decided this would look cleaner and would also be much easier to place. It also turns out they are less expensive than recovering old ones (these salvage yards put a hefty price tag on cleaned salavaged tiles - one quoted us eur 175 per square metre)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IjLwESn1HI/UBZJIqJxBBI/AAAAAAAAA5M/4mAw7TY7yA8/s1600/bastide+rouge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IjLwESn1HI/UBZJIqJxBBI/AAAAAAAAA5M/4mAw7TY7yA8/s1600/bastide+rouge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"bastide rouge" from carrelages du marais</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We opted for this 'bastide rouge' design, which fits both the contemporary style of the kitchen and the classic style of the rest of the house. I also like how the green leaves on the floor will echo the greenery of the garden which will fill the kitchen window. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Meanwhile, we have 8 square metres of beautifully cleaned tiles on our hands. Maybe they can find a new home on ebay... </span></div>
It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-24047205217339527852012-08-05T12:27:00.000-07:002012-08-06T12:29:53.673-07:00Paint it Black<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Rollling Stones, 1966) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the dazzling new cornice and windows now in place, the rest of the facade looks even grubbier. It's hard to believe that those tiles above the first floor windows are supposed to be white, as are the stripes in the brickwork. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbsZnUDPmY0/UB439ax-LNI/AAAAAAAAA8g/5YXowZSMbyU/s1600/Vondel+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbsZnUDPmY0/UB439ax-LNI/AAAAAAAAA8g/5YXowZSMbyU/s320/Vondel+172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tempting as it is to get out the scrubbing brush, we decided to leave that for a later date once we have done the main works and our finances have recovered. <br /> <br />We will however be repainting the window frames and restoring the front door, which raises the question - what colour paint? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Originally, the front door was simply varnished, and the window frames painted a rather nasty orangey brown. But do we want them white to match the cornice? Or try to find a suitable brown? And what about the front door - painted to match the windows or returned to its natural colour?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To see what the various options look like, we wondered round the neighbourhood to find other examples of (clean) red brick facades. Surprisingly, the white window frames don't stand out too much, though we might have to get the brickwork cleaned rather sooner than later. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KuoZ4q8vas/UCAXEjxjUJI/AAAAAAAAA9A/4MkMkF5dpgA/s1600/Vondel+150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KuoZ4q8vas/UCAXEjxjUJI/AAAAAAAAA9A/4MkMkF5dpgA/s320/Vondel+150.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NM_IIWqIeKM/UCAW4ghdmAI/AAAAAAAAA84/EwkMUcr8gmc/s1600/Vondel+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NM_IIWqIeKM/UCAW4ghdmAI/AAAAAAAAA84/EwkMUcr8gmc/s320/Vondel+148.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other examples of red brick facades in the neighbourhood - with brown window frames to the left, white to the right</td></tr>
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</div>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-15621462013808133422012-08-03T04:37:00.001-07:002012-08-03T04:37:17.616-07:00The Final Countdown<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With a three month notice period on our current flat, we will soon have to make a call about when we can move into the new house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We broached the subject at the site meeting on Wednesday, and the current plan is this: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">- We hand in our notice by 20 August, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">- The main part of the works are finished by 1 October,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">- A month to sand floors, paint the rooms, fix the front door, fit the kitchen, curtains etc,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">- We start moving our things in over the 1 November long weekend ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">- and are out of the flat by 20 November. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And because we like a challenge, at the same time we have to factor in my return to work, the twins starting nursey and C changing jobs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I think we can already declare 2013 the year of putting our feet up. </span>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-59064811137775808862012-08-02T02:47:00.000-07:002012-08-06T12:06:35.321-07:00Heart of Glass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Although the house is not listed, one of the conditions attached to the planning permission was that we maintain the original facade, including the orginal window frames, made of Belgian oak. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At the same time, if we are to achieve the level of energy efficiency needed to qualify as a "Low Energy" house, one of the most obvious improvements was to add double glazing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Happily, it is quite straightforward to add double glazing to old windows, providing the frame is thick enough. There are a number of companies in Brussels who specialise in this, including Xylonis, who did the job extremely efficiently and proficiently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">First, they take the window off its hinges, and repair or replace any peices of wood that need it. They also place a rubber seal around the frame, to prevent drafts. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vE-tjaRnUn4/UB4wNZ7RvlI/AAAAAAAAA7o/J40odSLCbXo/s1600/Vondel+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vE-tjaRnUn4/UB4wNZ7RvlI/AAAAAAAAA7o/J40odSLCbXo/s320/Vondel+140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5M6X2V20Qg/UB4v8HeyIcI/AAAAAAAAA7g/LMdy6iteuXs/s1600/Vondel+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5M6X2V20Qg/UB4v8HeyIcI/AAAAAAAAA7g/LMdy6iteuXs/s320/Vondel+167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then they fit the panes of double glazing, which has been specially made to measure. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnPyvCJn6BE/UB43tI0tY0I/AAAAAAAAA8U/0k-6PXkTzog/s1600/Vondel+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnPyvCJn6BE/UB43tI0tY0I/AAAAAAAAA8U/0k-6PXkTzog/s320/Vondel+164.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And voila! It took all of four days. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbsZnUDPmY0/UB439ax-LNI/AAAAAAAAA8g/5YXowZSMbyU/s1600/Vondel+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbsZnUDPmY0/UB439ax-LNI/AAAAAAAAA8g/5YXowZSMbyU/s320/Vondel+172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Given how simple this operation was, I find it extraordinary that most windows in London - a city I know well - do not have double glazing. It is not uncommon, in a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> London flat, to feel the draft coming from a closed window. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The usual excuse is that double glazing cannot be fitted into the traditional sash windows, but I find that hard to believe...</span>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-69858559741176081392012-07-30T05:14:00.000-07:002012-07-31T05:14:50.226-07:00Manic Monday<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(The Bangles, 1986)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was C who went to the house this morning to open the door to the window men, and was pleased to find a hive of activity. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHHU5jKTdgg/UBfLdXbld1I/AAAAAAAAA6g/6j6QXuK0aak/s1600/DSCN0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHHU5jKTdgg/UBfLdXbld1I/AAAAAAAAA6g/6j6QXuK0aak/s320/DSCN0833.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div>
The holidays are now over and it seems that everyone is keen to get stuck in to finishing the job - or so we hope. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On site today there were:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the scaffolding men to put up scaffolding on the back facade, so that the back insulation and glass can be put in; </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<li>the plumbers, having their ears pulled work checked over by the architect; </li>
<li>the architect; </li>
<li>the firm which specialises in restoring old wooden window frames and putting in high performance double glazing; and</li>
<li>the contractors who can now continue with the plastering and insulation.</li>
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></ul>
<ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let's hope we've left the doldrums behind us now.</span> </ul>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-48152270515616984812012-07-29T13:05:00.000-07:002012-07-31T04:49:23.330-07:00More Than Words<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">An update in</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> pictures of the house as it looks at the end of July. </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the front, we have a sparkling new cornice (which rather puts the rest of the facade to shame)</span></li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTHwFCcRx34/UBe_JpOxeUI/AAAAAAAAA5k/4HAcrGia7zs/s1600/DSCN0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTHwFCcRx34/UBe_JpOxeUI/AAAAAAAAA5k/4HAcrGia7zs/s320/DSCN0793.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The balcony rail has been replaced, and the balcony itself strengthened;</span></li>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEUwZj2Wkiw/UBfDEHg_r6I/AAAAAAAAA58/zzEekRQVOCA/s1600/DSCN0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEUwZj2Wkiw/UBfDEHg_r6I/AAAAAAAAA58/zzEekRQVOCA/s320/DSCN0801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The back of house has been rebuilt, and now has window frames fitted (but no glass yet).</span></li>
</ul>
<br /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody><><><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span>
</>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psra8tVh_4Y/UBWV12oeeEI/AAAAAAAAA4c/VHc5WXGVrLc/s1600/IMG-20120723-00039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psra8tVh_4Y/UBWV12oeeEI/AAAAAAAAA4c/VHc5WXGVrLc/s320/IMG-20120723-00039.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<><><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span>
</>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That very big kitchen window</span></td></tr>
<><><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></></tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdCgzZljweY/UBUBbqRzHGI/AAAAAAAAA3c/E2FyC61ysjU/s1600/IMG-20120723-00035+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdCgzZljweY/UBUBbqRzHGI/AAAAAAAAA3c/E2FyC61ysjU/s320/IMG-20120723-00035+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--HUJuyOx_Sw/UBUAI92PnpI/AAAAAAAAA3U/fXpz2VIJYGM/s1600/IMG-20120723-00030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--HUJuyOx_Sw/UBUAI92PnpI/AAAAAAAAA3U/fXpz2VIJYGM/s320/IMG-20120723-00030.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The internal windows from the landing down to the kitchen (straight ahead) and sitting room (on the left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The roof has been completely replaced and insulated, </span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-830VLcy15f8/UBWUij8C7pI/AAAAAAAAA4I/1IEiLVM7nH8/s1600/IMG-20120723-00025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-830VLcy15f8/UBWUij8C7pI/AAAAAAAAA4I/1IEiLVM7nH8/s320/IMG-20120723-00025.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top mezzanine - the heating system will go at the far end. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Plastering has started, from the top down.</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2x0BU7U3Lw/UBUB8hpOmlI/AAAAAAAAA3k/_ZBov38QhQ8/s1600/landing+out+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2x0BU7U3Lw/UBUB8hpOmlI/AAAAAAAAA3k/_ZBov38QhQ8/s320/landing+out+window.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plasteing around the new window, looking out onto the flat roof above the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><o:p>Electric wiring has been laid.</o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3btMDaoqpqg/UBWVkjnj3oI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/dJzcbCTs5yM/s1600/IMG-20120615-00098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3btMDaoqpqg/UBWVkjnj3oI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/dJzcbCTs5yM/s320/IMG-20120615-00098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...as have pipes for heating, water and ventilation.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6agwMMango/UBfEwZKSXSI/AAAAAAAAA6I/n0G35eD96gI/s1600/DSCN0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6agwMMango/UBfEwZKSXSI/AAAAAAAAA6I/n0G35eD96gI/s320/DSCN0852.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hopefully things will begin to look very different very soon...</span>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-29174429930890729692012-07-22T02:15:00.000-07:002012-07-29T02:17:23.264-07:00Under Pressure<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s been a while… so where are we?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="wText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s July. The sun has finally found its way to
Northern Europe and all Belgian
workmen have downed tools and headed for the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if it happens anywhere else, but
over here the whole month of July has been decreed the “congé du batiment”,
when building sites across the land shut down while the workforce take a
well-earned rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="wText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a result, July becomes a sort of natural
deadline. The date by which projects are finished, making room for a list of
new ones to be started ‘apres les congés’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our hopes of being able to move in by the congés 2012 have gone the same
way as our hopes of spending Christmas 2011 in our own home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as recently as April this year, there
was talk of the main part of the works (structural stuff, internal walls,
insulation, electrics, heating, water pipes, roof, plastering and windows)
being done by then, ready for the finishing off to start in August (sanding
floors, a lick of paint and fitting the kitchen/bathroom).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="wText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A fair bit has been done - an update on that will follow soon - but a fair bit
remains. The main problem now is that some of the outstanding plumbing and heating jobs
are beginning to hold up the rest of the work. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBWZkrDIiX0/UBT-egdTa7I/AAAAAAAAA3M/Z_b19XKLsSw/s1600/IMG-20120723-00031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBWZkrDIiX0/UBT-egdTa7I/AAAAAAAAA3M/Z_b19XKLsSw/s320/IMG-20120723-00031.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="wText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <strong>Hot water pipes, </strong></span></o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>holding up the plastering <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Firm words have been had with the plumber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been given this week to finish laying
the pipes and filling in the holes in the walls, so that the other contractors
can come back next Monday to pick up the baton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">If they don't deliver this week, then there is a real risk of slippage...</span></span></span></div>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-72812120633554561592012-06-15T12:59:00.000-07:002012-06-22T13:20:48.962-07:00Missing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The ho</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">neymoon is over. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the arrival of two new contractors on site to take on the inside of the house, we were braced for problems of coordination and delay. However, we were not ready to find parts of the house missing. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At the site meeting today, C noticed that the original brass door handles have been swiped. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUkI2eOeQX0/T-TOWZvsN6I/AAAAAAAAA2o/88V6yQzolOo/s1600/missing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUkI2eOeQX0/T-TOWZvsN6I/AAAAAAAAA2o/88V6yQzolOo/s320/missing.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It's not so much their value (although they are not cheap to replace), or the inconvenience of not being able to open the doors any more. What really makes my blood boil is the abuse of trust. Since there was no break-in, it can only have been someone with access to the house, through one of the contractors. Unfortunately there is no knowing who, and of course all the contractors denied that their men could have done this. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The best chance we have of seeing the doorhandles again is to say that we will not pursue inquiries or declare the theft to police, as long as they are returned. But in the end we have to accept that we'll be spending a few rainy sundays in flea markets on the hunt for doorhandles. Who knows, we may even come accross our own... </span></div>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com1City of Brussels, Belgium50.8503396 4.351710350.7701401 4.1937818 50.9305391 4.5096387999999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-54145681516069447572012-05-19T05:09:00.001-07:002012-05-19T05:09:34.672-07:00I Will Survive<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
It is always reassuring to see Mother Nature win out over Man-made interferences, like the little seedling which splits open hardened concrete. So too in our garden...</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
...the sage has tunnelled its way out from under half a ton of stone steps,</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4sIxdbb3pT0/T7eMCTBAx8I/AAAAAAAAA2M/aBPKk1hIQ7I/s1600/2012+05+May+sage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4sIxdbb3pT0/T7eMCTBAx8I/AAAAAAAAA2M/aBPKk1hIQ7I/s320/2012+05+May+sage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
...the clematis has risen above the pile of old doors that had been thrown on top of it, and, just to show off, has even flowered,</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODdAhudMfOo/T7eLohgkmdI/AAAAAAAAA10/MATvEYOPiME/s1600/2012+05+May+clem+%2526+doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODdAhudMfOo/T7eLohgkmdI/AAAAAAAAA10/MATvEYOPiME/s320/2012+05+May+clem+%2526+doors.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> ... and the hydrangea valiantly grows amidst the concrete waste. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzNe3kUHFeM/T7eL3uC8OzI/AAAAAAAAA2E/xM1oaaDE4FQ/s1600/2012+05+May+hydrangea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzNe3kUHFeM/T7eL3uC8OzI/AAAAAAAAA2E/xM1oaaDE4FQ/s320/2012+05+May+hydrangea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is hope!</span><br />
</div>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-48462818279333974172012-04-27T02:32:00.000-07:002012-05-04T02:38:40.822-07:00Protection<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Massive Attack, 1994)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is the reason why the downpour on Friday evening was
particularly satisfying. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tadaa! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdG8-EDVNys/T6Oi-SYpjWI/AAAAAAAAA1g/urepVJeZA0o/s1600/2012+04+27+(25).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdG8-EDVNys/T6Oi-SYpjWI/AAAAAAAAA1g/urepVJeZA0o/s320/2012+04+27+(25).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The kitchen roof is still a few steps behind. The main part has been covered, but the
skylights still need to be fitted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_X_rjJq9Y0/T6Oi8b_IE5I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/jGIPY1Ctg6A/s1600/2012+04+27+(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_X_rjJq9Y0/T6Oi8b_IE5I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/jGIPY1Ctg6A/s320/2012+04+27+(17).jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And the mezzanine in the attic now has a floor that can be
walked on. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4bl7DG2WvJc/T6OjASVYZOI/AAAAAAAAA1o/_zkSkRwetzs/s1600/2012+04+27+(33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4bl7DG2WvJc/T6OjASVYZOI/AAAAAAAAA1o/_zkSkRwetzs/s320/2012+04+27+(33).jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With that, the ‘gros oeuvres’ are more or less complete, and the first team of contractors will hand over the baton to the technical guys, who will do the electricity, plumbing
and heating, as well as the windows and the interior works. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here is hoping that the new crew will be as efficient… </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>It's us!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00764233265554774762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4712824430262279764.post-55848489669257687632012-04-20T02:25:00.000-07:002012-05-04T02:32:02.889-07:00Gimme Shelter<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Rolling Stones, 1969)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpYy9WQbQ9Q/T6OhOExIu6I/AAAAAAAAA1A/Wiu-VlcFZUs/s1600/2012+04+20+(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpYy9WQbQ9Q/T6OhOExIu6I/AAAAAAAAA1A/Wiu-VlcFZUs/s320/2012+04+20+(14).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The roof remains the main focus of activity, with
new wooden slats being placed, and the party wall with the neighbour repaired
and cemented.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_FhDsCIcCQ/T6OhQ4l34CI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Coi24kYpaqQ/s1600/2012+04+20+(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_FhDsCIcCQ/T6OhQ4l34CI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Coi24kYpaqQ/s320/2012+04+20+(15).jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Also, the removal of the neighbour’s illegal
pseudo-terrace and its plastic dinosaurs. </span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There remains the decrepit corrugated
plastic ‘greenhouse’ mounted on their lower terrace, which overshadows our
garden, but that is a conversation for another day. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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