Well we've just returned from our final weekend before christmas in Norway. (Well just over a week ago now) Our original plan was to get the house 'civilised' by christmas this year and we're not far off!
I no longer have roof envy (yes that is a proper condition....google it ;) ), the house is once again solid thanks to new timber floor beams and more importantly foundations, and we actually have bedrooms at last! When we first looked at the house we spent quite a lot of time working out how to house a bathroom and then how to get bedrooms into the existing floor plan without loosing the original. But the new layout means we can now house our family easily and the house can also be adapted for guests and when we get the en-suite in place, also means that we will have a great master suite (for us most of the time) but for guests when required. Hurrah :)
Despite being involved in designing and commissioning building work for the last 20 years in the UK, the last year has been quite an eye opener. From the simple things like realising that dishwashers get plumbed in via the kitchen tap with a special shut off valve on the tap (trust me when/if you travel in Norway you will see this! - it flummoxed me for years what the switch on the tap did!), that you can't just convert a room into a bathroom (you have to use membranes to protect the wall and floor structure before you tile & vinyl) ......although i recently found out that they recommend this in the UK as well, that you have a little heat sensor under your cooker hood that shuts the power off to the cooker if it gets too hot, so you don't forget about pans unattended!
I no longer have roof envy (yes that is a proper condition....google it ;) ), the house is once again solid thanks to new timber floor beams and more importantly foundations, and we actually have bedrooms at last! When we first looked at the house we spent quite a lot of time working out how to house a bathroom and then how to get bedrooms into the existing floor plan without loosing the original. But the new layout means we can now house our family easily and the house can also be adapted for guests and when we get the en-suite in place, also means that we will have a great master suite (for us most of the time) but for guests when required. Hurrah :)
Despite being involved in designing and commissioning building work for the last 20 years in the UK, the last year has been quite an eye opener. From the simple things like realising that dishwashers get plumbed in via the kitchen tap with a special shut off valve on the tap (trust me when/if you travel in Norway you will see this! - it flummoxed me for years what the switch on the tap did!), that you can't just convert a room into a bathroom (you have to use membranes to protect the wall and floor structure before you tile & vinyl) ......although i recently found out that they recommend this in the UK as well, that you have a little heat sensor under your cooker hood that shuts the power off to the cooker if it gets too hot, so you don't forget about pans unattended!
I know, I guess you had to be there ...but very important non the less!
So Christmas is upon us we're not quite there yet and poo ing in the barn is ongoing ( I will miss it when it's gone, although I'll secretly still use it as it's the one place I take a poo in quiet! If you have kids you'll understand!)
Anyhow, thank you to all the people, old friends, new friends, new neighbours, family (old and new), Magnus and his team of carpenters, John and his masons, Kjetil ( plumber and snow patrol rescuer) , Jan and Ove (electricians), structural engineers ( mr b) and anyone else who made the last year possible.
Finally the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to fall into place....
God Jul.
Finally the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to fall into place....
God Jul.
One final thought....what is actually in jul brus! Tastes good, but if any Norwegians actually read this then please enlighten us :)
