The Green Holiday Houses Blog

Blue tits, butterflies and bees

2011-06-01T07:07:00.005+01:00

Two pairs of blue tits, that we know of, are nesting in holes in the stonework of the house, one pair next to the conservatory entrance to Tudor Lee, the second pair outside a bedroom window. Maybe these birds too are benefiting from hot dry weather, although as insects form an important part of their diet, the lack of rain will eventually affect the food supply.
Our visitors to Tudor Lee tell us the noise from the bird families stops at about 10pm - obviously bird bedtime.

The weather forecast for a showery May certainly wasn't borne out here. The two light showers we had in May didn't penetrated the ground and were soon dried up by the strong winds.
Although the crops continue to grow it's difficult to see how the ears will fill with no rain. There are good numbers of bumble bees and butterflies, visiting the early species buddleia and benefiting from the dry weather.

Bumble bee working in the grounds of Orchard Lee

2011-05-18T02:05:00.003+01:00

Insects seem to be enjoying the prolonged sunshine and dry weather. Bumble bees of several sorts are working the flowers around the houses, and hopefully, have already done a good job pollinating the fruit trees.

We do need rain for the crops and the vegetables!

Botanical artist captures spring blossom at Lee

2011-05-18T01:47:00.010+01:00

Sally Whibley, a local botanical artist and member of the Island's Ventnor Botanical Artists' group, has begun work on a series of paintings of local apples here at Lee. Starting with the blossom, painting in situ, she will be building up a unique record for us of old varieties of apples. Sally lived for many years at Wellow in a beautiful thatched cottage and has now moved to Yarmouth. Her work may be seen at the regular exhibitions of the West Wight Art Group

RSPB weekend birdwatch

2011-02-02T08:43:00.005Z

Possibly our finest moment from the hour when we recorded the birds in our garden - on the left the flash of bright red on the great spotted woodpecker on the feeder; below, a moorhen happily picking up whatever the woodpecker dropped; centre, a female blackbird; also on the tree, a blue tit and a robin. Just behind the tree there is a female pheasant, also happy to pick up what others drop. This is the lawn outside the entrance to Tudor Lee. In the foreground are the snowdrops which are such a pleasure at this time of the year. Next week's visitors will be able to enjoy them, and they will still be here for Valentine's day and weekend - any takers?

spring is coming - time for a spring short break?

2011-01-26T21:37:00.007Z

Outside Tudor Lee, the snowdrops are starting to bloom in earnest - January 21st is usually the day and they haven't let us down this year.

A walk round shows that the shrubs are ahead of the flowers - viburnum, having weathered frost, snow and rain is scenting the garden with its very 'pink' smell. I prefer the more restrained winter honeysuckle with pale yellow flowers.

Winter on the Island is generally mild - back to form now, thank goodness ! Those who are feeling the need to get some fresh air can enjoy the wide open spaces and beauty of the countryside by day, and some spectacular skies by night. Island beaches are always great for family walks, just remember the wellington boots.

Isle of Wight Festivals Round-up 2011

2011-01-15T18:30:00.004Z

If you're thinking about coming to the Isle of Wight, we thought a round up of 2011's festival events might be useful if you're helping to set your calendars, so here's a round-up of some of the highlights!

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival kicks off May 7th-22nd. Our properties are an ideal base, with footpaths very close to all of them. Bring your hiking boots and stride out on the feature walks in this festival in 2011.

Sailing into the nearest town to our properties is the Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival on 3-5th June, providing a fantastic spectacle of these gracious boats cruising and racing out of Yarmouth, with great viewing along the seafront and from Yarmouth Pier. All under 2 miles from our houses!

We would tell you all about the Isle of Wight Festival 10-12th June, but we're already booked up!

Hot on the heels of the Old Gaffers is the Round the Island Sailing Race on 25th June. If you've never seen a flotilla of thousands of sailing boats racing around the world-famous Needles it is not to be missed! Some fantastic viewing locations are only a few minutes from our houses.

2011 is a very special year for the Isle of Wight - we're hosting the Island Games 25 June - 2nd July. People from Islands all around the world will converge on the Isle of Wight to take part in a wide range of events, held at numerous venues. Whether you want to spectate, or you're involved, we can provide great facilities for this event.

The Rhythm Tree World Music Festival at Calbourne Mill returns 22-24th July. If you don't fancy camping and aren't so good with teepees our houses are under three miles from this jolly small festival.

Cowes Week storms on to the Island 6-13th August, bringing with it a huge range of events and activities, in addition to the sailing. After some stunning action in 2010. The Extreme 40 racing series has just last week confirmed it will be back in Cowes in 2011 for the UK round. It really is sailing's Formula 1 racing series!

Foodies should make sure they get to the Garlic Festival 20-21st August. With all things garlic and an increasing range of other culinary delights it's an eating event not to be missed.

With acts including The Cure, Brian Wilson DJ Shadow and many others The Bestival is already hotting up to be a fantastic event. Book one of our properties early for September 8-12th for easy access to the event.

The Isle of Wight International Classic Car Show takes place at Newport Quay on 17th September and Ryde's Eastern Gardens on September 18th, with proceeds going to different charities on either day.

This is followed up by the Sun Sea and Cycling festival 18-26th September. Our properties are bike-friendly and provide easy access to the West Wight's quiet roads and the great bridleway network - the most dense and well-maintained in the UK.

The 2011 season closes with the Autumn Walking Weekend 21-24th October, with a series of events already in place to suit a wide range of abilities.

2010-02-19T11:19:00.001Z

Sun shining again today - looks a lot more like spring.
The snowdrops are in full bloom and the daffodils are showing some colour.

2010-02-16T21:12:00.000Z

Busy planning our next holiday house in the same meadow as Orchard Lee

2010-02-12T23:28:00.001Z

First of February half term visitors enjoyed a wonderful multi coloured sunset late this afternoon!

2010-02-11T09:40:00.001Z

Green Woodpeckers seen in the Orchard this morning.
A sign of spring?

2010-02-07T20:27:00.001Z

Spring is postponed for a few more days.
Just time to plant a few early peas with grand daughters help and prune some roses.

May Bank Holiday - the first of the season' potatoes

2009-05-26T20:55:00.005+01:00

The first handful of potatoes - Premiere, living up to their name.
The potatoes are doing their best in spite of a lack of rain. Enough for a meal for us - another week and there will some to sell. So far Vales Emerald and Premier are the clear winners, with Premier a good even size. Best for flavour though were the Red Duke of York babies, snatched from the plants and hardly big enough for a mouthful.

Bank Holiday butterflies - we walked through Painted Lady butterflies in the garden and farm. Usually we see a few, and later in the summer. Must ask the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society for comments on this! http://www.iwnhas.org/

Caterpillars, moths and butterflies

2009-05-17T22:42:00.005+01:00

Actually, one butterfly - an orange tip, on the charlock in the vegetable garden, - and the caterpillars of 2 moths, the hairy one wandering in the greenhouse, the other sliding down the side of the plastic trug.
May is the month when some caterpillars emerge from hibernation, ready to eat their way to a suitable size for pupating. As neither has had time to hatch from eggs and grow to this size, both have presumably overwintered. A short spell with the Oxford Book of Insects should mean we can guess which moths they will turn into, assuming the voracious blackbird and blue tits in the garden, haven't already eaten them.

May Day Bank holiday weekend in Yarmouth

2009-05-05T21:00:00.006+01:00

Low tide , Yarmouth Green, with the new Wightlink ferry heading for Lymington.
One of Wightlink's new ferries at Yarmouth. The red roof is Yarmouth Castle - surely the only one of Henry VIII's castles against which ferries moor.
Perfect weather for the weekend - and Wightlink's new ferries brought all our visitors on time.

Yarmouth harbour in the weekend sun - the water busier than the roads whilst the bridge is shut for repairs. Could we book this sort of weather for every spring holiday?

Lapwings and predators

2009-05-04T13:56:00.006+01:00

There are lapwings in this shot, and in this field too! (Camera with better lens required)
We have 3 pairs of lapwings which return to nest each year in the same fields. This year they are back, and as usual, being harried by sea gulls. Two years ago Steve found a nest and when we went back for a second look, the eggs were just hatching - an amazing privilege to watch.
Exposed as they are on a crop of spring cereal, it's extraordinary that any survive. We see the parents engaged in aerial acrobatics to draw predators away from the nest. Can this be enough to ensure chicks survive?

Fortunately, the fields are away from footpaths but sadly, dog walkers rarely see any need to keep their dogs on leads. Our heifers have suffered from being chased and worried by dogs, resulting in premature labour and lost calves - and they would appear to be better equipped to deal with dogs.

There is an abundance of raptors too. It was great when the first buzzards arrived, but now, with 3 or 4 pairs regularly patrolling the farm, we cant help feeling that some links in the food chain must have altered. The sparrowhawks and kestrels, wonderful to watch and so much more elegant than the buzzards, are presumably keeping the small bird population well in hand, beak and claw. Did the small bird population increase when the small hawks declined after DDT affected their eggs?

Early potatoes

2009-05-04T08:00:00.008+01:00

April ended with a couple of heavy showers of rain, enough to soak into the ground and do some good. The potatoes responded, and several varieties of earlies are through.

'Red Duke of York' - a family favourite for its flavour and versatility - showing its red leaves.
'Arran Pilot' showing strongly in rows.

The swallows are back!

2009-04-21T17:44:00.003+01:00

Great to see swallows swooping in and out of the barn again. Last year one lonely bird sat on its own for several days but this year the gang has arrived together. With the sun shining and a blue sky, the swallows bring an added lift to lovely days.
Not to be outdone, one of the little owls which breed between 2 barns, appeared in one of the old pear trees, a favourite perch from last year.

Another pleasing sighting - a brimstone butterfly in the back garden. Not endangered, but still not seen every day - see link to butterfly conservation site http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Butterfly/32/Butterfly.html?ButterflyId=6

First radishes from the garden too.

http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Butterfly/32/Butterfly.html?ButterflyId=6

Primroses and an ant.

2009-04-20T07:37:00.004+01:00

A holiday walk - the ant was much more interesting than the primroses.

The old pear trees between the house and Orchard Lee are a mass of bloom, with the younger trees following suit. Although we've chosen varieties grafted onto the largest root stock available commercially, it's doubtful that they'll grow to the size of the old orchard plantings here, which are well on their way to a century old.
Wherever possible, we've planted old and historic varieties of apple, grown for flavour rather than quantity. A Victorian variety, 'Golden Spire' has come into flower for the first time this year and is showing why it was recommended as an ornamental variety.

best potato field ever!

2009-04-19T21:34:00.007+01:00

Much pride in the potato ridges - a dry spring allowed for a fine tilth and very splendid rows!
This year's total :25 varieties, including heritage ones such as Peach Bloom, Vitalotte, Burgundy Red, British Queen, Arran Victory.
We are still eating last year's crop - excellent roast Golden Wonder and Bintje for chips, Arran Victory mash and jackets, but some are sprouting so we'll look forward to new potatoes soon!

Now we need rain to save the wheat and barley, and help the vegetables we've planted.

April pleasures!

2009-04-06T10:22:00.004+01:00

No sign of April showers as yet - just perfect bright spring days.

Spring barley is starting to germinate, winter wheat looks a bit pale, having struggled through a cold winter with heavy frosts.

The potato ground has been worked down 3 times ready for planting - what a help a dry spring is! Maybe the seed potatoes will go in before Good Friday, the traditional day.
As ever, our main supplier for seed potatoes and vegetables is Edwin Tuckers of Devon- www.edwintucker.com but for the first time we have bought from Carrolls www.heritage-potatoes.co.uk This year we'll be planting 20+ varieties of heritage potatoes, grown for their flavour. One new variety we're now growing for a fifth season, is 'Smile' - bred from Charlotte and as tasty. Puts a smile on children's faces too.

Winter view from Eastern Lee

2009-01-20T23:02:00.006Z

Winter view towards Yarmouth and the Solent, from the window of the bedroom with the 6ft bed at 'Eastern Lee'.
The view changes as the crops grow and the hedgerows 'green up'. It's always good to see the sea - even though 'Eastern Lee' is the furthest from Yarmouth, it has this view. Visitors who want to eat out in one of the restaurants or pubs in Yarmouth, have either walked the 2 miles or caught a bus. There is a late bus back or taxis from the quay where the ferry arrives in Yarmouth.

As the Island has amongst the lowest levels of light pollution in Britain, our houses here in the West Wight are great for star watching, so arriving back late in the evening has an extra benefit.
Come and admire the sky at night without sodium lights spoiling the view!

Time to fill in any cracks and bring decorations up to scratch at 'Eastern Lee' before people arrive for half term in February. With all the rain we need to check the gutters and drain pipes - and find out where the overflow runs to from the waterbutts. Great for watering the plants in summer, not needed at the moment.

Winter birdlife seen from Orchard Lee and Tudor Lee in the West Wight.

2009-01-19T22:38:00.004Z

Wet and windy, but a treat in the garden outside Tudor Lee - a goldcrest darting around in the holly. It's only the second time in a year we've seen this tiny bird. The holly bush must have insect life providing food in the depths of winter. The berries went long ago.
Although the cold weather has been harsh for wildlife, it's brought interesting birds -plenty of redwings and fieldfares which have been easily visible from 'Orchard Lee' and 'Tudor Lee'.
The verandah along the front of 'Orchard Lee' provides a fine vantage point from which to watch birds of prey. Kestrels and sparrow hawks regularly patrol the field around the house. Feathers in the grass probably mark where there was one successful kill. The buzzards which nest two fields away make their presence heard as they mew overhead. There do seem to be plenty of raptors - no wonder there are fewer small brown birds.

First snowdrops at 'Tudor Lee', and a rare visitor, a snipe.

2009-01-16T16:29:00.006Z

January 16th - first snowdrops through outside 'Tudor Lee', joining the hellebores ( Christmas roses and green) , the winterflowering honeysuckle and mahonia ( Charity, I think).
Hard frosts knocked the Christmas roses to the ground each morning, but left them undeterred and blooming prolifically. They were out, unusually, for Christmas. The snowdrops are 3 days earlier than their usual date of January 19th.

From the vantage point of the office in the farmhouse, we were fascinated to see a snipe speed walking and probing the orchard between Lee and 'Orchard Lee'. What a length of beak!
The old orchard supports varied bird life, giving us much pleasure - and wasting lots of time - as we watch little owls, kestrels and sparrow hawks, all also watching the ground below.
Last week, visitors saw our much loved barn owl on 2 consecutive days. Hopefully, the hard weather hasn't killed off too many of the smaller birds and wildlife that are lower down in the raptors' foodchain.

The pheasants who walk past the windows of 'Tudor Lee' each day, have clearly evaded the guns during the shooting season. They haven't much longer to go. No doubt, this summer they will be back to dust bath in our vegetable patch, which is not popular....

For anyone with even a passing interest in birdlife, the Yar Estuary, visible from Jubilee Villa, provides a great spectacle as winter migrants feed there at this time of the year.
There are ravens to be seen off the Needles - www.nationaltrust.org.uk- and at Newtown Nature Reserve, flocks pf waders to delight even those without binoculars.

Excellent bus service with free bus passes for the over 60'

2009-01-14T18:22:00.004Z

Enjoy the view - Freshwater Bay, served by buses, accessible from our houses.

All of our houses are on bus routes - the West Wight is well served by public transport - and the Isle of Wight Council supports free journeys for over 60s at all times.

You cannot find a service to equal this in many other holiday areas. Here, you can travel by bus anywhere on the Island, enjoy your day out, and then hop on a bus back to our self catering houses.

Let the bus take you where you want, whilst you enjoy the view.

This link will give you all the information about bus times that you need.
http://www.islandbuses.info/routelist.shtml

Footpaths near our houses - and eating out!

2009-01-13T20:01:00.006Z

Eastern Lee at Wellow (PO41 0TA) is the ideal base from which to explore the Island.

For those exploring on foot, just about 100m away in one direction is an access point for the long distance Hamstead trail towards the north, whilst even nearer, the path leads south towards the Downs and eventually the sea.

Footpaths on the Island are recognised as being amongst the best in the British Isles; here in the West Wight, all our houses are within 250m of a footpath - you'll be spoiled for choice.

So too, with locally produced food - always an important part of the holiday experience. The Island has many places to buy local food, from the Farmers Market on a Friday, through small local shops and stalls at the end of the lane.

We are off to try out the food from the new chef/owner of the Hambrough Restaurant this weekend. His many awards give us high expectations.
The link below will give you an idea of what to expect
http://www.thehambrough.com/

We can always quote you for your ferry costs, but do not forget to check out Wightlink's own website first for any special offers.

http://www.wightlinkferries.com/

Winter sunshine

2009-01-12T19:52:00.005Z

Old Freshwater and the River Yar - an easy walk along the old railway line, about a mile, from Jubilee Villa in Yarmouth. There's the Red Lion pub for lunch, just opposite the church, and if necessary a bus back from the bottom of Hooke Hill. - named after an earlier resident, Robert Hooke.

We can offer weekend breaks at bargain prices between now and Easter.
Come and enjoy one of our warm houses, perhaps experience geothermal heating or a woodburner, the milder climate and relaxed days in winter and spring.

Booking Now
We are rapidly filling up summer holiday weeks. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Remember that the Isle of Wight has the best maintained network of footpaths in the UK
Do not forget the Isle of Wight Walking Festival 9-24 May can be found at the following link
http://www.iwight.com/home/news/2008/may/walking_festival/default.asp

Eastern Lee is close to the Hampstead Trail and Jubilee villa in Yarmouth is close to the River Yar walks to Freshwater

geothermal heating copes with sub zero weather

2009-01-11T14:58:00.003Z

Our geothermal heating systems rose magnificently to their first major challenges - providing toasty warm houses for holidays during the Christmas and New Year sub zero temperatures.

The underfloor heating in 'Orchard Lee' provides an easy, very pleasant heat with the added attraction of a warm floor for thawing frozen toes after a long walk. The bathrooms have double quantities of underfloor heating loops - everyone hates a cold bathroom, dont they?
Although it seems counterintuitive to drop damp towels on the floor, it's where they dry best!

The heating is so efficient that, although people taking a winter break ask for wood for the Jotul woodburning stove, it hasn't been used since early autumn as the living room gets too hot. We're finding that setting the system at 23 degrees allows people to operate happily in tee shirts even when it's frosty outside. Although it's not a system which responds instantly, like the hideously expensive gas, 8 hours allows it to come up to full warmth, giving enough hot water to cope with large parties of 10 in the house.

It's great for us to hear people who've stayed at 'Orchard Lee' for a winter weekend, say they've been warmer than at home, and nice to see coffee being drunk on the verandah in the winter. After all, the views over the fields are spectacular and the winter bird-watching varied and interesting, even if a long country walk isn't called for.

Quick glimpses of the nearly finished house. Time to sit on the patio for 3 minutes

2008-06-13T19:39:00.009+01:00

A short visit this afternoon to check our visitors had enough comforts to feel at home.
Hopefully, the view of the kitchen from the dining room has a glimpse of the new room, with the sun shining in.

Bath and shower rooms lent themselves to photos.

Patio was doing its job - but where was the drink?

Next week, we hope to take more carefully considered photos so each room can be seen.

Finished! - almost

2008-06-12T22:09:00.004+01:00

By dint of family working 16 hour days, and a massive last minute effort from all, the house was finished at 23.30 last night ready for the first visitors, who are involved with the Isle of Wight Festival -www.isleofwightfestival.com/

At the beginning of the day, the freestanding bath had a tower for taps but no taps or shower - completed by mid day, polished and gleaming by mid afternoon. The other 2 bath and shower rooms were already 'sorted', needing only mirrors to be put in place.

The furniture started arriving at 8.00 from our base here at the farm where we've been preparing some period furniture, collected over the last year. We've been polishing 1930s period mirrors, stripping varnish from old wooden pieces to replace with white stain - so we'll have some older pieces together with new sofas, beds and dining table and chairs. Older furniture, made of wood, and refurbished for today, gives back some character and has no plastic in it!
The kitchen is unapologetically modern, as new 'white goods' are so much more efficient on energy.
Heroic efforts were made on the cleaning - thank you Anne for working a 10 hour day!

The flooring is also a mixture of old and new - the old pine floorboards have been stripped and sealed - rescued from the dark border of stain which must have surrounded most carpets of the date. Ceramic tiles through out the kitchen and new sun lounge/living area, should be low on upkeep, needing little electricity but maybe some elbow power in pushing a mop.

By 19.00 hours we were making up beds for 8 - which takes plenty of energy ( who needs a gym subscription?); by 22.00 starting to fit low energy bulbs to all the side lights. Why are so many light fittings being produced which dont take low energy bulbs?
We've spent much time researching and checking, and still find some will only take a 60 watt equivalent, the 100 watt equivalent being quite a bit bigger.

By 23 .00 it was the final round up of tools and unused bits and pieces. Remembering to leave some lights on ( low energy, of course!) for our visitors to find their way in, we staggered home, where we ruefully realised we had taken no photos.
Our visitors leave early next week, so we'll return to finish.... the utility room, the garden, and find all the bits we missed.

Early June in surrounding fields and garden.

2008-06-05T22:37:00.004+01:00

In the field behind the house, the wheat is in ear. It will be 6 or 7 weeks before it is ripe and ready for harvest.
As well as the everpresent pheasant cock, who roosts in the tree to the left of the photo, and who clearly has a harem rearing chicks in the field, there was also a lark up high and in good voice, and swallows swooping the insects.

In the loop of grass which will become the back lawn, there's a good variety of wild flowers - fumitory, shepherds purse, chickweed, buttercups with grasses such as hard brome and Yorkshire fog. All provide food and shelter for the insects which are so vital for the larks and swallows - which are so much more attractive than the noisy, flashy pheasant!

Cladding reaches halfway round outside; inside, rooms are emerging

2008-06-05T22:10:00.009+01:00

The cladding now reaches across the back, wrapping around the extension and the old 'utility room' which was added in the sixties and which now houses the geothermal heat pump and large hot water tank.
The extra layer of insulation should keep the back rooms cool in the (hoped for) summer, and retain the heat throughout, in the winter. Visually, it ties the original 1931 structure to the 60's and this year's build.

Whilst work goes on, adding the cladding outside, inside, the plumbing in the bathrooms nears completion.

Rooms are being cleared after being decorated, and the stripped floorboards, now sealed, look very pleasing. As was the custom, only the outer edge of each room had been stained, but even so, there was plenty of dust.
One of the more startling features of the house is the pink fireplace, now cleaned and glowing against the pine floor. This room opens out onto the patio and will have a king sized bed. It's been an enjoyable challenge, looking for prints from the 1920s and 30s to complement the room. We have found a mirror of the period to hang over the fireplace - there wont be fire in the grate at any time as a hazard for the user of the mirror.

The geothermal system is commissioned; the grass is up; the cladding goes on

2008-06-03T20:57:00.008+01:00

With the pipework for the geothermal system at least 3 metres underground at the front of the house, the rain and modest warmth is encouraging the grass seed - our embryonic lawn is appearing.

During the rain there has been much activity indoors - radiators connected, bathroom suites installed and plumbed, painting and decorating and construction of cupboards.
The electrician has been a constant presence, moving the complete wiring forward towards the last fix.

Outside, we've used recycled slabs and some locally made 'stones' for the patio and path around the house.
Today, in gaps in the drizzle, the next batch of battens have been fixed to the brickwork and blockwork at the back of the house, ready for the cladding - Hardiplank - which will add a layer of insulation as well as uniting old and new parts of the house.

A major step forward was the visit by the plumbing technician from 'Ice Energy' to commission the geothermal heat pump and check our plumbing.
Mid evening we went back to the house to find a gentle heat in the radiators and the heat pump sending out signals to say all was well and up to heat. So much more satisfying than having a smelly tank full of expensive oil. The earth steadily provides a constant heat, which we are able to pick up, extract and use to warm our house and water. If we could just find a way to generate enough electricity to run the pump so we were liberated from the National Grid....
By the end of tomorrow, all the heat pump and pipework will be enclosed in a cupboard, and should tick along nicely and silently.

Drive is sculpted and stone arrives

2008-05-13T19:14:00.006+01:00

After more skilled work with the digger, loads of limestone and a heavy roller, we have a drive with a gentle gradient, a sweep round to deliver people to the front door and room to reverse and drive out forwards.
Although we have yet to embark on the paviers which will finish the job, we have a good drive which is user friendly.

The compressed limestone butts onto the old concrete - see photo.
More 'new meets old' - the old utility roof, now pitched, extends out to form a verandah, echoing the one along the front of the house.

The front bank is showing a fuzz of green as the grass seed germinates. It would be too much to hope for light, gentle rain at night to help it on its way.

2008-05-13T19:08:00.001+01:00

Back after a blog break.

2008-05-03T22:22:00.002+01:00

Much disappointment that the grass seed isn't up - sown over 2 weeks ago.

In the two weeks, lots has been achieved indoors - plastering upstairs, main bathroom tiled, cupboards built in and the painting started. The aim is to reuse original doors, removed when rooms were joined.

The flat-roofed sixties extension, with nothing to recommend it visually, now has a pitched roof which slopes down to a verandah which echoes the original. Not only will this room house the heat pump and hotwater tank, and act as utility room, but it now looks good too and restores the character. Slates next week, hopefully.

Shortly, decisions will have to be made about the drive. What was a steep and ugly concrete drive has been sculpted to make a 'kinder' and more attractive approach which swings across and back, but in what material?

We need some permeable material which will provide a weatherproof, car and people-friendly surface. Reusing paviers would be good, but no second hand cobbles are on offer. 'Grasscrete' (www.grasscrete.com) sounds good, with grass the overall look. There is also a patio area to make at the back of the house. Same material? The patio gets lots of sun, facing south. Would grasscrte dry out?

2008-04-14T21:15:00.002+01:00

Another good day, sun shining, grass seed sown.

All the ground work is complete and the grass seed has been sown so as to be green for our first visitors in June.

Building inspector due tomorrow to sign off the extension and drainage works

Work has continued indoors with the new bedrooms and bathrooms prepared ready for plastering.

We will soon start decorating the ground floor rooms now that the plaster has dried out.

All the tiles are on site ready for the ground floor family bathroom.

The pressure is on

2008-04-13T16:19:00.004+01:00

The two ground loops have successfully been put in place and tested.
The system was bled to ensure there was no air before being tested.
Each loop has been pressure tested up to 4 bar and sat at that pressure for 20 minutes, until we were sure the system was leak free. This is part of the formal procedure: paperwork recorded times and pressures and signed of.

Saturday morning after the pressure testing the digger driver was back at work to fill in the trenches. He then went on to do some grading and landscaping around the drive.

The second groundloop panel goes in

2008-04-11T13:31:00.003+01:00

Fine weather made the difficult task of digging the three metre deep trench a bit easier.
The second trench went in parallel to the first and just over 3 metres away, with the same size panels going in.

The first sets of groundloop panels are installed

2008-04-09T18:50:00.006+01:00

A long day resulted in the first set of pipe panels being safely inserted into the trench dug yesterday. Each is now 3 metres down with a bed of sand protecting the pipes from damage. Leaks are not required for at least 25 years. Pressure testing for leaks will begin tomorrow - final backfilling to follow.

The first trench is opened for the ground loop

2008-04-08T21:09:00.010+01:00

The pipework for the geothermal system has to be 3 metres deep, and the top of it at least 1 metre below ground level, in order to extract the heat from the ground.

At that depth the soil is at a constant temperature, and it is that heat which our system will transfer through the heat pump (www. iceenergy.co.uk ) to warm the water and radiators for the house.

The ground here is particularly hard, and it has taken all day to dig one of two trenches.

It is a challenging job, requiring considerable skill, to dig a trench that is 3 metres deep but only 300mm wide ( 10ft by 1ft).

Thanks to the initiative of our digger driver, Mark, we now have a digger bucket modified by the addition of one central tooth to cut into the underlying rock.

Bottom right in the photo of the digger are the racks or panels of pipes, ready to be laid in the trench. Before being covered by sand and back filled, the pipework will be pressure tested to 4 bar pressure to ensure we have a leak free system.

Each of 12 panels of pipes runs to 36m so in total we will be burying 432m of 40mm pipe. Fortunately, speed is not of the essence!

The digger arrives!

2008-04-07T21:29:00.005+01:00

Until the slates were on, there was too much scaffolding to bring in the digger. Friday there was much tidying ( a rare event) and scaffolding was dismantled ready to give the digger access to front and back of the house.

The area which will become the patio has now been cleared and levelled to create an outdoor room which gathers the sun.

At the front, work was begun on grading the drive so that the slope is not so severe; so that cars can swing around to let passengers alight at the front door. When this house was built in 1931, the approach was on foot up a steep path. A concrete drive was added in the 60's ( I think) with a handrail bearing testament to the steep incline. We want to make a kinder approach, bearing in mind that some people would find a steep drive intimidating. Surfacing is still under discussion - local gravel appeals but would probably wash down in the first heavy rain. We'd love to reuse old setts, but are there any cobbles or paving stones available which have been taken out locally?

Inside, the pipework has been pressure tested to make sure there are no leaks. The radiators will be mounted much later, after the decorating, and of course, we cant decorate till the plaster is dry. No plasterers here this week - downstairs plaster is drying, slowly, slowly.

More fine weather please. Snow for 2 hours on Sunday was fine, and hopefully enjoyed by those who like snow. How weird it was mid afternoon, to see bits of snowmen amidst the spring flowers
Tomorrow we need digger weather so we progress the pipelaying for the geothermal groundloop.

The final Velux window goes in, but the roof doesn't quite get finished.

2008-04-04T19:46:00.006+01:00

So near to finishing the roof, just the end section of slates to go, but looking so much better than with cement tiles!

The fourth Velux is in and upstairs is so light and airy - it's almost a shame to put in the room divisions. The en suite shower room now has this great view out over the fields to the Downs and forest, looking over the garden room extension.

How odd that Velux dont make a bathroom window in this smaller size, although there are bigger versions. Are you listening, Velux?

How much better that extension will look soon, clad with Hardiplank 'weatherboarding' and how much better insulated it will be too.

Although the heating will be delivered by conventional radiators, the geothermal ground loop will be delivering very cost effective heating, both here and throughout the rest of the house. With the double glazing, and taking advantage of the south facing aspect, we hope to achieve very efficient heating in a very pleasant living environment.

The roof nears completion, with one Velux left to put in place.

2008-04-02T22:11:00.005+01:00

Fine weather enabled the roof team to press on - the hope is, all slates on before the weekend and the change in the weather.

Inside , the first rooms to be plastered are drying nicely, looking lighter and so much more finished.

The third Velux is finally in place, delivering more fine views. The final one is installed tomorrow. The internal walls should also go up to create the bathrooms and fix the size of the bedrooms.

How the house looked on April 1st

2008-04-02T09:41:00.004+01:00

As the sun shone, the slates went on and the positions of the next 2 Velux windows were fixed. The first went in before work ended yesterday; we hope to see the next in today. The next Velux will give a second window - and great view - to the twin bedroom, and the final Velux will light the en suite shower room.

The roof with slates must be so much lighter than when it was burdened with heavy cement tiles - which were of a red which clashed with the bricks.

We have selected cladding in cream 'weatherboarding' to finish and to add insulation to the garden room extension more information here. Whether we clad the front of the house this summer remains to be seen, time being of the essence.

Spring breakthrough

2008-04-01T23:33:00.010+01:00

Spring at Last!
As the temperature hots up (16.5C today) work continues at a pace. The plasterers are busy on the second ground floor bedroom, the old window between the kitchen and the new extension has been removed to make a doorway, and a new lintel put in. The photo shows the breakthrough, and to the left the blue glazed fireplace we've saved. Originally in a bedroom, it will take pride of place in the dining room.

Work has also progressed on the roof with a new supply of slates and the second of four Velux windows being installed, this one at the top of the stairs. Light now floods onto the top of the stairs and down through the hall.

We have had to delay the installation of the ground loop for geothermal heat pump because of a lack of specialist insulation to protect the mains water pipe. If not properly insulated the water supply could freeze with disastrous effects so we must wait for proper insulation material. Work with the digger on the geothermal installation should restart on Monday.

Weekend work - the extension has windows

2008-03-30T20:21:00.005+01:00

In fine sunshine today, finishing touches were put to the windows and sliding doors, installed yesterday in driving rain and cold wind.
The triple windows on the south facing wall went in first to give some protection from the weather, then the east window and finally the 3 metre sliding doors, so the 'garden room' now looks out at the garden rather than being open on 3 sides to the garden.
Double glazed windows and doors should provide light and heat through the year, with plenty of openings to allow a free flow of air should the mythical hot summer arrive.
Radiators will be heated from the geothermal heat pump :see http://www.iceenergy.co.uk/
- we've been running this system in 'Orchard Lee' since we built it in 2005 and are very enthusiastic about the benefits of obtaining heat from the ground.
Because we built 'Orchard Lee' from scratch, we were able to install underfloor heating and the 400m of pipes ran out through the next field; here at 'Eastern Lee' we are having to work with an existing building and much smaller grounds. Here, the ground source pipes will go in vertically in looped sections like large radiators, each section being at least one metre below ground level. (see the photo of the pipes stacked up waiting for the digger). As we're retaining existing floorboards and have to keep the system simple, we've opted for conventional radiators. With all the increased insulation inside and cladding outside, we hope the house will be much more efficient thermally, and need relatively modest heat.

In the coming week, we aim to start tiling the main bathroom, finish plastering downstairs and start upstairs, and solve the riddle of exactly how to fit in all the elements of the bathrooms. IF the weather allows, the slates will go on, but meanwhile there's plenty to do inside.

Rain stops play - but only on the roof

2008-03-28T20:14:00.006Z

If the view on a wet day in March, is this good, how much better will it be on a fine day?

The key to a 'green' heating system sits in the garden - the pipes for our geothermal system from Ice Energy, piled amongst the daffodils. There wasnews last night from our digger driver who can come to 'sow' them next Wednesday.

Ten minutes clear and dry was the best today, but inside three teams worked steadily and much was achieved.

The plasterers rocked on downstairs. If plastering was an Olympic sport this team would be medal winners. Upstairs, there was awareness that the plasterers have one room only left to do downstairs so the plasterboard was steadily fitted.

When it was built in 1931, there was little insulation. 77 years later there are now substantial layers being fitted which will make a dramatic difference, cutting heat loss in winter, and keeping the house cool, in the apparently unlikely event of a hot summer.

No matter how neatly the drawings show bathrooms fitting nicely into the space upstairs, in reality, trying to fit a shower in restricted space and under reduced headroom of the eaves, has been an exercise in ingenuity. A quadrant shower, nestled up to the central chimney breast does the job. The enclosure fits with one cm to spare - and we've found satin glass so our hard water wont leave visible ugly limescale. And yes, a trip to the loo can be achieved without cracking your head! All the pipework is now in place. The twin bedroom will be en suite.

At the western end upstairs, will be a bedroom with a six foot bed, and in the room, as befits such splendid views from the newly fitted Velux - there will be THE bath. It's freestanding and positioned so that bathers can admire views to the Downs and Brighstone Forest. From the other bedroom window, there are distant views to the West Wight and Hurst Castle. Likewise from the cloakroom window the other side of the chimney breast - so why put in obscured glass?

Today the walls went in, so we can now say there is a cloakroom!

2008-03-27T17:50:00.008Z

Thanks to good, kind weather great strides were made today, after yesterday's wind and downpours made work on the roof unsafe. Even our less athletic staff member was up on the new extension felting and battening all day. With weather like this tomorrow, the slates will be piling on.

The new little patio-to-be at the back of the house is proving a real sun trap - just the place to spend the lunch break, so likely to be a great place for our holiday visitors, even outside the summer months.

Here's the present stage, with the new, as yet empty, sewage system well protected against frost with bales of straw. Once there's a volume of water and effluent, the protection wont be necessary.

Meanwhile, look beyond the sewage system to the new door leading out of the bedroom onto the patio. It was sad to lose the lovely sash window ( which will be reused elsewhere) but great to gain so much light and be able to walk straight out onto the patio. One of the main ways we hope to improve the energy efficiency of the house is by insulation and by reducing heat loss. A double glazed door should cut down drafts and heat loss.

The new extension - with windows on three sides to capture the countryside views, light and heat, is in the right of the picture.

Tomorrow, more velux windows in the roof - I hope.

Plastering is go!

2008-03-24T22:00:00.004Z

Today, despite it being Easter Monday our team of plasterers started work. In order to bring the house up to our demanding standards it has been gutted and we are now to the point where we can start plastering the downstairs rooms, after a number of new windows and doors have been added to make the most of the natural light, especially on the south side.

Our electrician is just finishing the 'first fix' of the electrics. As soon as the rooms have been plastered we are looking forward to fitting up the lights, all of which have been chosen to accept low-energy light bulbs, and still look good.

Just a quick word about what we've already done. The picture is of our sewage digester. Because we're out in the glorious countryside we're not on mains drainage. In the past this has meant either a septic tank, or cesspit, neither of which is a very eco-friendly option. Instead of either of these options we have chosen to install a sewage bio-digester. How one of these works is explained here .

The bio-technology in these means that we are protecting the local water courses and quietly and odourlessly breaking down our waste, on site.

The view in the picture has already changed substantially. We have removed the heavy, ugly and out of character concrete tiles and replaced them with European slate. The insulation in our modern renovation is looked after by the boarding installed within the roof. As the tiles were coming off we've chosen to install Velux windows into the southern side of the house, once again bringing further light into the building.

The coming few days should see the new roof finished and the roof on the extension finished - we've not even mentioned that yet!

Eastern Lee - our new project - new windows going in

2008-03-23T20:18:00.000Z

Our eco-house in Wellow has new windows!

What was once a single floor bungalow, with a huge and sadly neglected roof space, ready with windows, is developing in to our newest, premium accommodation.

The plasterers start tomorrow.

Unlike much of the UK the, weather over Easter on the IOW has been mostly fine!

Welcome to the Coast & Country holiday homes blog

2008-02-11T21:24:00.000Z

Welcome to our blog. We will update this as we continue to develop our holiday homes business.

2008 is an exciting year for us, as we have a new property nearing completion. We'll let you know lot more details about this as we work on it.

There are always new ideas and projects going on, as we continue to strive to provide the best premium accommodation for people looking for a special holiday on the Isle of Wight.