We’re IN!
- Hils B
- Sep 14, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 21, 2022
At last - the day finally arrived where we could at last say we live at Old Dairy Barns!
Spurred on by a deadline of family with small children arriving for a summer holiday at the beginning of August, our builders had an heroic push to get us habitable and safe! We moved some basic essential items in, and cleaned like mad!
Bedrooms with a view Kitchen half painted Rainy day Evening sun Barn door saved from the fire Discussions! Painting the kitchen Hard landscaping Still some work to do outside! Dramatic light over the fields Storms and sunshine Morning mist and tea in bed Starting to move in Cosy snug Love this wee (tiny) room! Microcement worktops - brill! Handrails Detail of balustrade Sorting the bits Balcony railings Finding more rubbish Who can resist a red tractor! Making friends with the sheep Sheep where they shouldn't be Ron, at home Pondering Hello sheep
Since our visitors leaving we’ve been moving in the rest of our belongings ourselves throughout August, which has been pretty exhausting. We have slowly been filling the barns with all our 'stuff' ... boxes and bags looking for homes.
Our two dedicated builders are still working around us getting those 'finishing and snagging jobs' done, so quite a juggle and still plenty of dust being generated - but we're nearly there! The final landmark was all the hand rails and balcony railings - a real success as we switched from a bespoke blacksmith crafted job to self-build using a key clamp system. Our trusty workers struggled with many challenges, but finally we had it all installed and finished at the eleventh hour, just before the Building Inspector came to do his final inspection and sign us off. The railings (and everything else) passed and we're really pleased with the results of all the industrial steel, especially as it saved us quite a bit of money, which is a real blessing as we've have had too many unexpected costs caused mainly by our contractor going bust etc. We are now having to foot the bill for all the finishing and snagging that we've already paid for and as we discover things not working as they should this of course becomes a bit of a worry. BUT, we are finding ways and are thankful to be in.
Our other priority has been to get the annex complete. We are delighted with the results … many items are reclaimed, up-cycled or just stuff I've hoarded over the years!
Milking Parlour Kitchen Milking Parlour bedroom Milking Parlour Bathroom Milking Parlour pretty things! Milking Parlour sitting room Arts & Crafts nod Up-cycled furnishings Dogs welcome!
There’s still work to do on the land, but most of the ‘mountains’ have been levelled. We had been waiting for damp weather to get the ground seeded with grass which we've just managed, so hopefully we won't be completely surrounded by mud this winter. We at least have some hard standing all around the building now and a front door that is starting to look welcoming!
We are gradually getting to the point where we can have some down-time occasionally too and are enjoying any chance to spend time with family and friends, old and new. The delight at the latest discovery of local gems like the fabulous family run vineyard less than 5 miles away is fantastic. We are sure there's so much more still to discover.
We may have completed the build, but this is by no means the end of the story here at Old Dairy Barns. Now we are in residence, the adventure just begins!
If you are interested in coming to stay in the Milking Parlour for a well deserved break, please send us a message, letting us know your preferred dates and we will get back to you with availability as soon as possible. We'd love to see you in Somerset!
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