Week Twenty-six – Part two

It’s raining this morning, not heavily but rather that horrible drizzle that soaks you in no time. We will do a wee bit of tidyng and covering things but it’s not looking like we’ll get anything done on the roof today.

Pete sent out texts to say nothing much is likely to happen but Martin has just turned up and Pete’s feeling bad that he didn’t say ‘don’t come’. But Martin is taking it on the chin and we are having a good old craic.

We are invited to an early Christmas dinner for the local ‘young at hearts’ in the community centre. We asked if Cristi could come too and they generously agreed.

The Christmas dinner was really nice with turkey, stuffing, sausages, in fact the full Monty, and we met some of our new near neighbours, who were very friendly and interested in our build. There was also live music for entertainment and a great atmosphere and Pete won a plant in the raffle.

We’re back home and even though we couldn’t work we have had a good day and are all feeling happy and relaxed. Tomorrow is another day.

It’s Friday morning and we haven’t achieved as much as we’d hoped but Alistair is coming round to help with the roof and the other Alistair is coming with his telehandler to help us reorganise the plot.

It’s really great to have all the palettes of insulation moved from in front of our caravan and to have more space around the plot. Thanks Alistair we really appreciate the help you’ve given us.

With Alistair gone and the other Alistair here we decide to start insulating the the north elevation roof. We don’t have enough of the second layer of insulation to finish the roof, and probably not enough time anyway, but we can make a good dent in the job.

It’s only quarter to four and its already getting dark so it’s time to start packing up for the day. Molly, Cristi and Alistair have managed to get the roof covered in the first layer of insulation. We are up on the roof to pull down the tarpaulins in case it rains because you never know.

Cristi’s husband, our good friend, Mariano is arriving on Sunday evening so we have changed our plans and will work tomorrow if the weather holds. Then we’ll go to Oban for the usual round of cleaning and shopping on Sunday.

We found out about the Christmas Tree Festival at St Conan’s Kirk in Loch Awe village

There are 61 Christmas trees and we can vote for our favourite, which of these do you like?

It’s dry again this morning so we can get on with the second layer of insulation and maybe even start fitting the Steicodry on top.

Pete is going round the building fixing the tie-down straps while Molly, Cristi and Alistair start installing the second layer of insulation between the trusses.

It’s lunchtime and all the insulation we have is on the roof, we are expecting the remaining Steicoflex to arrive on Monday. Although the Steicoflex layer isn’t complete we start fitting the Steicodry, the third layer as far as we can.

Molly and Cristi are off to the cattle market to see if they can catch some of the auction as Cristi hasn’t been to one before and Molly’s cousin Duncan and Alistair (the telehandler man) should be there selling stock.

Pete and Alistair are fitting the Steicodry on top of the trusses, as far up as they can. They get four layers up before they reach the limit of the double layer

It’s dark and Molly and Cristi are back with some plants and an idea for making a Christmas tree for our plot.

What a week it’s been! we didn’t get the roof on completely but we are close to having it done and surely it will be done by the end of next week. Also, our dear friend Cristi has come to stay and help with the build, and soon Mariano will be here too. And, we are so lucky to have had all that help from Martin, Gary, Alistair (with his telehandler) and Alistair (with his building experience).