Rebecca Widds

Some great products in here… I’m excited to read How to Bake Without Baking Powder. Just the mention of using kitchen chemistry has me hooked!

I’m also interested to read Celery Wine. It sounds like an interesting story, and it’s winter here… I need some interesting stories to get me through to Spring.

Well, I bought the house.... let the adventure begin!

Of course the first quote I received from a builder was $71,000 for a new roof.... re-establishing my determination to do as much as we can ourselves!

Thank you so much John, that’s really helpful! I know that we have pretty much everything to learn. I’ve always liked to learn new things though - so that’s helpful!

Hi again Permies,

After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing that went nowhere, the owners finally seem keen to sell. So we are off to look at the place on Saturday.

We will be paying a professional builder to go over it before we buy, just to make sure we really know what we are in for. But that won't be for a few weeks yet. In the meantime - what would you check for, or look for, if you were thinking of restoring an old house that hasn't been lived in for years?

Any comments are appreciated, no matter how basic... we are reasonably intelligent and able bodied, but totally inexperienced!

Thank you

I darned my socks this morning while on a webinar. I like keeping my hands busy while absorbing information!

John C Daley wrote:It will be interesting to see its original plan. I think the front view has been a veranda filled in, and the aluminium windows look a bit modern.
I am curious about its build date.
I am guessing 1910, but I see you have listed it as 1920's. The doors on reflection could be 20's.
The flat sheeting I believe has been added when a possible veranda was filled in.
Does the floor slope in that front covered in section?

You are right, John, it was originally four rooms and a verandah. The verandah was enclosed to make room for the growing family.
I will check with Dad about the build date, but I’m pretty sure the town wasn’t established until the railway went through in the 20’s.

I don’t remember the floor sloping, but it may have… I will check when we visit late this month. The photos were taken by my sister, I haven’t seen inside for years.

Definitely worth bringing up Jacque. I worked the last 6 years in municipal government, so I'm well aware of the restrictions that will affect the work. I have made an appointment with a friend who works in that field who is going to walk me through what I need to know.

Steve, that location looks absolutely incredible!

We thought maybe a good place to start would be making Pop’s workshop and garage secure, to store our tools & supplies in. Not great pictures but I have a couple below.

We wouldn’t be able to move there for 3 or 4 years, but thought if we spent a weekend there each month, shoring up with urgent repairs, it might last until we’re there full time.

Here are some of the photos to give you an idea.