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Sunday, 28 January 2018
A facelift for the front
With the back of the barn complete, we turned our attention to the front doors. In desperate need of replacement, these creaky old doors were in a bad state and extremely heavy to open - especially if there was a brisk westerly wind blowing - which of late often seems to be the case.
Being the main entrance, we needed to try to complete the task in a day - so as not to leave the barn open to the elements. We had prepared the new doors which were now ready to be hung, but being a large entrance to allow easy access for tractors and machinery, both new and old sets of doors were not light!
As with the back doors, the first task was to take the metal cladding off so they were a little more manageable to remove and of course a little lighter.
The bottom section was straight forward, but the grinder was needed for the top.
But Melv showed it no mercy and it was soon on the ground, leaving a very large whole to the outside world!! The new door at the ready, with a bit of help from the mini digger it was soon wrestled in place ready for Melv to weld the hinges on.
With the second door soon up alongside, whilst Melv fixed it in place whilst Sal clad the inside with plywood - which would at least provide some overnight protection.
Over the next few days we started the cladding on the outside, a job we had really been looking forward to completing. Melv had designed the doors so that there was a small pedestrian door inside the big doors, this was going to make access so much easier.
As with the back doors, we decided to complete part of the top section with Perspex - which would again allow more light in.
Whilst Sal continued with completing the doors, Melv started on the much needed task of tidying up the entrance. This involved putting sheet piles alongside the ditch edge and back filling.
He tied the piles into the bank with reinforcing bar, this area was going to be excellent for parking vehicles, so it needed to be prepared properly, stable and suitably reinforced.
Next Terram was laid ready for the stone dressing, this would hopefully prevent any unwanted weeds coming up through.
Being the main entrance, we needed to try to complete the task in a day - so as not to leave the barn open to the elements. We had prepared the new doors which were now ready to be hung, but being a large entrance to allow easy access for tractors and machinery, both new and old sets of doors were not light!
As with the back doors, the first task was to take the metal cladding off so they were a little more manageable to remove and of course a little lighter.
The bottom section was straight forward, but the grinder was needed for the top.
But Melv showed it no mercy and it was soon on the ground, leaving a very large whole to the outside world!! The new door at the ready, with a bit of help from the mini digger it was soon wrestled in place ready for Melv to weld the hinges on.
With the second door soon up alongside, whilst Melv fixed it in place whilst Sal clad the inside with plywood - which would at least provide some overnight protection.
Over the next few days we started the cladding on the outside, a job we had really been looking forward to completing. Melv had designed the doors so that there was a small pedestrian door inside the big doors, this was going to make access so much easier.
As with the back doors, we decided to complete part of the top section with Perspex - which would again allow more light in.
Whilst Sal continued with completing the doors, Melv started on the much needed task of tidying up the entrance. This involved putting sheet piles alongside the ditch edge and back filling.
He tied the piles into the bank with reinforcing bar, this area was going to be excellent for parking vehicles, so it needed to be prepared properly, stable and suitably reinforced.
Next Terram was laid ready for the stone dressing, this would hopefully prevent any unwanted weeds coming up through.
Stone in place and cladding complete we now have a smart new entrance - can you spot the pedestrian door!!
Sunday, 31 December 2017
The barn gets a major makeover
Before we set up the aquaponics side of the business, we have always planned to get the barn smartened up, not just from an aesthetics point of view, but also from a convenience perspective. To make it so that it is both fit for purpose and easy, particularly for access - for example so that we are not wrestling with heavy doors in high winds.
The first stage of this work was to renovate the large back doors leading from the chicken enclosure, so we started with the removal of the old tin sheets.
and with a little help from the hens...
We replaced this with wooden cladding at the bottom and Perspex sheets across the top, to let the maximum amount of light in.
It soon started to take shape, as Melv put up the framework and Sal followed on round with the cladding.
With a new pedestrian door installed, next it was time to make provision for the windows for the new office.
Melv made short work of this using the grinder...
Sal followed on behind...
With this face completed, we continued around the south facing wall, with room for another window, the removal of the corrugated tin along the top and cladding. At this point you realise how big the building is...
Melv worked on replacing the doors on this side, which a set of wooden ones which would be much more fit for purpose and manageable, but still large enough to let the mini digger through.
Sal continues the cladding...
The doors soon took shape, ready for Sal's handy work.
The first stage of this work was to renovate the large back doors leading from the chicken enclosure, so we started with the removal of the old tin sheets.
and with a little help from the hens...
We replaced this with wooden cladding at the bottom and Perspex sheets across the top, to let the maximum amount of light in.
It soon started to take shape, as Melv put up the framework and Sal followed on round with the cladding.
With a new pedestrian door installed, next it was time to make provision for the windows for the new office.
Melv made short work of this using the grinder...
Sal followed on behind...
With this face completed, we continued around the south facing wall, with room for another window, the removal of the corrugated tin along the top and cladding. At this point you realise how big the building is...
Melv worked on replacing the doors on this side, which a set of wooden ones which would be much more fit for purpose and manageable, but still large enough to let the mini digger through.
Sal continues the cladding...
The doors soon took shape, ready for Sal's handy work.
and Melv moved on to the windows - hey we are starting to look smart
All that was left to do was to fix the Perspex along the tops and creosote - wow - what a difference!
Sunday, 26 November 2017
Tea break - living with hens
There is no getting away from it living with hens, provides endless entertainment. The Lohmans particularly love to be with us and around us, people would say this is all about food - but we would disagree as an example they take any opportunity to sit on our laps and have a snooze.
They are into everything, if we are cladding they are on the cladding.
If we are using the digger then the hens are on the digger!
That made me laugh out loud :o)
They are into everything, if we are cladding they are on the cladding.
If we are using the digger then the hens are on the digger!
And if we are having a tea break then ...
That made me laugh out loud :o)
Wednesday, 22 November 2017
Head for heights - turning the lights on
The barn at over 500m2 in size has got a large and complicated roof area to match, some of which is in desperate need of repair, particularly the roof lights which are in the form of corrugated Perspex sheets.
The view from inside, showing the tires being used to hold the sheets down, with all the recent gales we have had that can't be the best approach!!
The view from the roof was not much better, with very brittle sheets curled up at the edges and full of holes.
We were also keen to replace the sheets, not only because they leaked, but also because their were in really poor condition which meant that they were not acting as roof lights as they should. This soon became very obvious as the first was removed and replaced, it was just like someone had turned the lights on!
Not having a head for heights, Melv called on the help and expertise of best mate Matt and together they were soon onto the long run of tired covered sheets. With the help from a grinder and hammer the old sheets hit the deck and the new ones were slid into place.
From underneath it was starring to look amazing as the light transformed the area of the barn below.
Last but not least there was one remaining pair of sheets left, which were in very poor condition, with the technique now perfected these were soon completed.
How smart is that!!
But wait for it - someone has turned the light on in the barn - the result is incredible!!
and of course there is the bonus that the roof doesn't leak any more!!
The view from inside, showing the tires being used to hold the sheets down, with all the recent gales we have had that can't be the best approach!!
The view from the roof was not much better, with very brittle sheets curled up at the edges and full of holes.
We were also keen to replace the sheets, not only because they leaked, but also because their were in really poor condition which meant that they were not acting as roof lights as they should. This soon became very obvious as the first was removed and replaced, it was just like someone had turned the lights on!
Not having a head for heights, Melv called on the help and expertise of best mate Matt and together they were soon onto the long run of tired covered sheets. With the help from a grinder and hammer the old sheets hit the deck and the new ones were slid into place.
From underneath it was starring to look amazing as the light transformed the area of the barn below.
Last but not least there was one remaining pair of sheets left, which were in very poor condition, with the technique now perfected these were soon completed.
How smart is that!!
But wait for it - someone has turned the light on in the barn - the result is incredible!!
and of course there is the bonus that the roof doesn't leak any more!!
Sunday, 19 November 2017
Beautiful mornings
Recently we have had amazing sunsets:
A misty sunrise on a frosty morning...
The sky on fire...
A misty sunrise on a frosty morning...
The sky on fire...
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