Ramblings of a Grouch

I spent the weekend pottering about the kitchen doing a bit of tiling here, new light switch and power socket there. I got a very posh light switch - slimline, black nickel plate finish. Wired it up, screwed it in, blew the fuse. Changed it for a plain white plastic monstrosity, replaced the fuse and it worked perfectly. Go figure.

Anyway, I realised all this faffing about was merely putting off the next stage, which I wasn't looking forward to - marking out the worktop for the sink unit. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to actually doing the job, it's just the fear of getting it in the wrong place. It's very difficult to line up 2 cupboards, a worktop and a sink unit when the existing ones are still in place. Nevertheless, it had to be done.

So it got done. The old saying is "measure twice, cut once". I measured 4 or 5 times. And I'm still inclined to cut a dummy worktop out of wallpaper just to be sure.

By the next installment the new sink will be in place.

Or else I will have thrown it through my new window ...

Woohoo!! New windows and doors installed!

Daryl from Belvoir Windows rang 9.15 pm Friday asking if his team could start the job Saturday. 9.30 am Saturday saw the van arrive. 4.45pm Saturday the job was done. Fantastic! And they didn't skimp on the quality, either. I have windows that open without the frame splitting. I have doors that would keep Genghis Khan out. And my house is cleaner than when they started.

Inside the front door is finished off with wood panelling and a moulded architrave (or whatever it's called). I can tile beneath the back door. The bedroom window opens far enough to allow me to clean out the gutter should it get blocked again. And I can get on with finishing the kitchen.

Except not today. When I stand around too much my feet give in (old injury). And yesterday I spent so much time watching how the professionals do it (answer - with a crowbar and a bloody great hammer) that I can barely walk today.

But I don't care. I've got new windows!