1980s bungalow renovation

WoolyJumper

I just randomly came across this thread. I not a DIY enthusiast by any means but I just read through this whole thread. I now feel really invested in how your bungalow turns out :pac: (I also feel incredibly lazy) Anyway it looks great so far and in lovely location. I'll look forward to seeing more (if you continue to update). Also I agree with the others, I really like those black textured tiles.

FortySeven

Meh! :mad:

Budget just took another hit today. Also going to eat into my work time on Tuesday. My washing machine failed in a pretty spectacular fashion today. Bearings had been rumbling for a while but they were not economic to replace so I was waiting it out. Full spin, bang! bigger bang. Loads of really massive bangs. I was standing in front of it at the time and I actually ran for cover, thought it was going to explode!

In the end the whole drum is dismounted and the motor is spinning. Must have lost the belt.

New washer needed asap. Meh! Meh! Feckin Meh! Will have to spend Tuesday shopping.

Give me a break life! :rolleyes:

Feck, that's all you needed.

Check out adverts/done deal. You'll pick one up for small money to tide you


How'd the footy with the kids go on the freshly cut stadium? They're the things that really matter lad.;)

FortySeven

TheTorment wrote: »

Feck, that's all you needed.

Check out adverts/done deal. You'll pick one up for small money to tide you


How'd the footy with the kids go on the freshly cut stadium? They're the things that really matter lad.;)

Footy didn't go so well as the ball kept getting lost in the long grass so we went up to the local pitch.

Picked up the makings of a pretty spectacular picnic on the way back and we had great craic on the 'lawn'.

First time the kids have been here in 9 months. Another milestone. Things keep getting better.

The washing machine is a small distraction really in the grand scheme of things and I appreciate the reminder. Too easy to let these minor things get me down.

Onwards!!!!!!!!

jlm29

WoolyJumper wrote: »

I just randomly came across this thread. I not a DIY enthusiast by any means but I just read through this whole thread. I now feel really invested in how your bungalow turns out :pac: (I also feel incredibly lazy) Anyway it looks great so far and in lovely location. I'll look forward to seeing more (if you continue to update). Also I agree with the others, I really like those black textured tiles.

Snap! I just stumbled across it late last night, and have just finished catching up. I too am really interested in following to see how things go. Well done OP, I hope it continues to work out for you!

FortySeven

Got nothing done yesterday. Lost the morning driving out to Athleague to get a washing machine. €80, thanks adverts! Getting it out of the car and into the house alone was great craic.

I got a private message through boards the other day offering some building materials for the cause and since the boardsie was out that way I called in to meet him. Now have a roll of lead for flashing the chimney when the time comes. I'm more than grateful of the donation and it was great to meet another anonymous name from t'internet. Nice fella and I'm sure I will be able to return the favour at some point.

Got a call from a friend that his laptop was acting up, he uses it in business so I had to drop everything and get over to Cong to have a look. That was the evening gone, I landed back here at 7pm with a takeaway and woke up an hour ago after falling asleep at 8pm last night. Now I remember I have to drive into Galway to return the mower, first I have to clean it so there goes the morning. Still, I have the afternoon and evening and I refuse to let these tiles mock me any more. They are getting stuck down today!

Nowhere near what I expected for the long weekend but so the cookie crumbles. Have the kids tomorrow evening again so happy days.

FortySeven

So, I had been putting this job off because I have never tiled before. I spent an hour looking for my testicles before setting out to do the floor.




Was cracking on, slow and steady......





Too slow and steady! Bloody adhesive has gone off after 12 tiles. I should have paid more attention to that 'rapid setting' bit on the bucket.




What a waste. I have another 7.5kg bag and now I'm not afraid to use it. I will be laying out the rest and cutting all to size around pipes etc before laying. I will lay them out in the bedroom so I know which goes where and I WILL get them all down within 20 minutes.

I spent part of the morning in the tile shop since I was in town returning the mower. Turns out that not a single tile in the shop was the same size as my floor tiles so them going on the wall is a no, no. I will be sticking to black behind the toilet and sink and will do the rest in white with some design tiles above the bath. Priced it up at €340 without adhesive, grout or trim. Will get the black ones first, white can wait.

Bought a drill bit for drilling tiles to let me fix the toilet. Nothing much else done yet. Absolute disaster of a bank holiday weekend. Still, evenings are still free and it's light till 10.30.

The local annual bonfire has started to appear. I've a whole kitchen to go on it this year. Might just do that now while I'm waiting for the adhesive to dry enough.

Just in case you don't know Fortyseven....dont ever buy the grout and adhesive in tile shops. Its far far cheaper in builder suppliers.

FortySeven

TheTorment wrote: »

Just in case you don't know Fortyseven....dont ever buy the grout and adhesive in tile shops. Its far far cheaper in builder suppliers.

I got the adhesive in B&Q, just happened to be there so I picked it up. Got the grout in Joyces hardware, they are much more reasonable.

Just noticed it was getting dark as I cut my last tile. Not sure the neighbours will be happy with me using the grinder at 10pm. :eek: Still, I'm usually quiet and the sooner I get this done the sooner I will tidy up the outside.

Have everything cut. Going to leave it till after work tomorrow to stick them down. Will lay them out in one of the bedrooms for now in order so I can just slap them in one by one tomorrow evening.












Now to plumb in that washing machine before bed.....

Lad you put me to shame. Afraid of work you certainly are not.

FortySeven

Washing machine was a bit more fiddly than expected. The lead was too short and I didn't fancy running an extension under the sink to the socket so I opened her up and rewired a new, longer lead to reach the socket in one.

Before.






After.





Seems to work OK, I have started it on a sterilisation cycle at 90 degrees. It's working away.

Now for one of those epsom salt baths again, I pulled a muscle in my neck trying to reach the drainage hose behind the machine at a funny angle.

Sleepy

FortySeven, where'd you learn about plumbing?

I'm in the middle of buying a house that needs a bathroom ripped out and reading this thread is making me think I might be up to doing the job if I can read up enough / watch enough Youtube videos in advance.

FortySeven

Sleepy wrote: »

FortySeven, where'd you learn about plumbing?

I'm in the middle of buying a house that needs a bathroom ripped out and reading this thread is making me think I might be up to doing the job if I can read up enough / watch enough Youtube videos in advance.

A lot of it is intuitive or just copying what was there before. I watch the odd youtube video like how to make the crossover pipe. I read the relevant bit of my diy book or just a quick google for most things. A lot of it is common sense but the most important thing is having the right tools. No point trying to do something with inferior or incorrect tools.

FortySeven

Had fun with the kids this evening. Took them to Loughrea for a paddle and the playpark. Didn't get home until 9 and then had to do some computer work. Thought I would leave the tiling but got done with the computer by 10 and thought sod it.




Not at all happy with this, I was as prepped as I could be, all tiles cut and laid out to pattern but I was literally throwing them down and still the mix was going off by the time I got to the end. Rapid set adhesive was a HUGE mistake on my part. Still, what's done is done and I am hoping once grouted and the toilet, sink and bath panel are in it will be good enough. There are a few not aligned as well as I would like and one or two are less than level but so be it. I will grout tomorrow and be damned.

Realised my toilet needs to be fixed, you've guessed it? Directly above my new pipes. :mad: Going to be some careful measuring and nervous drilling to get those screws in.

oleras

Grouting hides a multitude ! Job looks grand to me.

You will always be your own worst critic!

Shint0

Tiles are looking very even for a first-timer. Well done. Keep going.

Dtp1979

FortySeven wrote: »

Had fun with the kids this evening. Took them to Loughrea for a paddle and the playpark. Didn't get home until 9 and then had to do some computer work. Thought I would leave the tiling but got done with the computer by 10 and thought sod it.




Not at all happy with this, I was as prepped as I could be, all tiles cut and laid out to pattern but I was literally throwing them down and still the mix was going off by the time I got to the end. Rapid set adhesive was a HUGE mistake on my part. Still, what's done is done and I am hoping once grouted and the toilet, sink and bath panel are in it will be good enough. There are a few not aligned as well as I would like and one or two are less than level but so be it. I will grout tomorrow and be damned.

Realised my toilet needs to be fixed, you've guessed it? Directly above my new pipes. :mad: Going to be some careful measuring and nervous drilling to get those screws in.

Don't worry about drilling the toilet down. I never do. The screws rust, ALWAYS come loose over time and usually impossible to remove. gently prop the front of the fitted toilet up with a flat screwdriver maybe 5mm. Pump clear tech7all way around and remove screwdriver and gently tap bowl into finishing position. 24hrs later get a Stanley blade and remove excess tech7. The bowl will never move. Then stick white caps where screws would've went.
Screw the cistern to the wall and cover screw heads with silicone so they don't rust

I don't see anything wrong with that tiling! Looks great. Tick it off the list

FortySeven

Hit the wall today. I stand all day at work and I run up and down stairs. Today I just ran out of energy. Was plodding around like an old man. It's a combination of things I suppose. The heat, this has the knock on effect of making me sweat and drink more water which in turn affects my Lithium levels and I have been feeling down all day due to this. I also gave up coffee to save money, this also changes my uptake so I had a day of lethargy and depression.

Needless to say I didn't grout. I did pull out all the little spacers and raked out the grout lines of adhesive. Chipped a few in places while raking but only tiny chips, my sharpie soon had them covered. Gave the tiles a wipe down and they don't look too bad I suppose. A few are not great but I'm sure it will be fine when grouted and the room is done. The toilet sits level without any movement as does the sink pedestal so that's ok. I bought a waste pipe collar on ebay in black to hide the tile chop. Thought I had bought one already but seems I had just looked.

I like the tec7 idea dtp. I will do this but I'm a glutton for punishment and I found these leftover from some polycarbonate sheeting fixings I never used. Galvanised screws designed for roofs with lovely caps. By my measurement I will be nowhere near the pipes and this will just be a small bit extra security. (I'm just dying to use them for something )

Doolittle51

Good work FortySeven. Long time thread lurker here.

I've been doing up my own place over the last 3 years. Similar to you, basically everything is getting ripped out and replaced. So far I've done 3 bathrooms, a guest toilet, kitchen, utility room and all the other unplanned things that come up along the way. Plus I've replaced/moved a lot of the radiators and done a fair bit of wiring for TV, CAT5, Home Automation, heating controls etc. It's taken ages to get this far and now I'm finally at a stage where most of the big jobs are done and the rest of the work is mainly painting and flooring. It's been great fun and the extra satisfaction from doing it yourself is well worth the effort. Keep up the good work.

Just a little advice about tiling - like yourself I had never done it before. Floors are handy enough, because you can cut all the tiles and lay them out dry before you get stuck in. I always use Mapei waterproof adhesive. B&Q stock it, and sometimes have a deal on it.
Don't mix up too much at once. The most I ever mix is 4kg. That will cover about 1.5 SqM depending on the notch size. I spread it all out with a flat spreader and then go over with the notched trowel. Quickly stick up the tiles, and then mix up more adhesive and go again.

Make sure your walls/floors are as even and flat as possible. Even a small bump can make a big impact and make a tile look wonky.
I also use Mapei Grout. I find this goes off really quick, so I only mix up about 500g at a time. Even then I'm wasting some of it. Do it in small sections, smooth over with a wet sponge before it goes off, but you don't necessarily need to clean the tiles 100% just yet. I actually find them easier to clean after it's kinda gone off. Just use a slightly damp sponge and a cloth.
It took ages to get used to grouting and I still don't enjoy it but slow and steady is the way to do it.

Best of luck with the rest of it. Hope some of my advice is useful.

Oh and I always screw down toilets. Use good quality screws. Try not to rely on silicone if a proper fixing can be used instead.

Dtp1979

Doolittle51 wrote: »

Oh and I always screw down toilets. Use good quality screws. Try not to rely on silicone if a proper fixing can be used instead.

I'm a plumber by trade, and have fitted hundreds of toilets.
Years of experience has taught me Not to screw them down. I used to until tech 7 came on the market. No matter how good the screw, it will come lose, or if you're a diyer, you'll prob chip the bowl.
Btw, tech7 isn't silicone. I'd never use silicone under a toilet bowl

FortySeven

Another long day. Just too damned busy. Finished work and it was a mad dash to get to the post office to collect a computer part from China, last in the door as usual. Got home and 2 hours sorting that job then testing it out on my car and got finished just in time to make something to eat and watch the football. Decided to grout at 10pm and am just finished now.

Right enough, doesn't look half bad. I've been over it twice with the wet sponge. Will give it another wipe over in the morning before work but for now, job done!






Now I have that done I can crack on with the laminate. Got the kids Sunday for the day so may press gang them into helping. Monday is my other day off and I have to go to family mediation. Should be fun. I want overnights and permission to take the kids to visit grandparents, all she wants is to force a sale of the house. Anything to get at me.

Might sharpen a stick on Sunday night and take it as an offering for her to go fornicate with it.

krazyklown

Just spent the last two hours reading through this thread - didnt expect to get the emotional life element in it. Genuinely admire your spirit and determination in the face of adversity and personal loss. You sound like a good person who does their best and works extremely hard - hope everything works out for you. Following the thread with interest.
KK

Shint0

You have gone through blips before, FortySeven, and look how much you got done in the intervening period once it passed. I hope you get some sweat equity after everything you put into the house but not sure if it works that way legally.
Careful with the tec7. It does exactly what it says on the tin. That stuff be strong. It works too feckin' well.

FortySeven

Been wiping the tiles every now and again to clear the grout sheen. They are starting to look pretty nifty. Will put up a pic tomorrow in natural light.

Rented a strimmer. Bad idea. I was at work till 5 and then straight to trying to clear this.




That's the back garden, it goes right back to the tall trees.

I was at it till 8pm and managed to vlear part of the side garden and a bit of the rear.





I'm really only knocking it down enough to get some roundup on it. It is thick, full of nettles and brambles and there is a good foot of thick matted grass and moss at the base that the strimmer won't touch. Nasty stuff. Still, the old side to side motion is good for the six pack.

FortySeven

Another busy day. Shattered.

Didn't get anything done Sunday as I took the kids to the vintage car show in Tuam. Great day out. Nearly collapsed when I got back from dropping them off. I was falling about the place. Just tired I guess.

Today was mediation in town, as expected it did not go well. Back next Monday for more. :rolleyes:

Since I was in town I popped into the hire shop and organised to keep the strimmer for the week, had to drop a laptop to someone and called into woodies since I was nearby. Got what I think is clear Tec7 but this one appears to be gender fluid? Doesn't say anywhere it is tec7 but the description was the same and I couldn't see anything else.




As promised, picture of the finished tiling.





Then about 4pm I thought I'd have a crack at laminate. First the plastic sheet. 1000 gauge.





Next the 6mm fibreboard insulation. Pain in the arse to cut this stuff. As you can see, lots of cutting to get it all to come together.




Starting to question my sanity, the idea of running the floor through the house continuously is such a headache. Trying to lay a length of floor that is the width of the house on my own involved much sweating and cursing. However, I'm very aware that I am using cheap materials and I'm hoping that the details will make a difference to the overall finish. I have nearly completed the two rear bedrooms and have made the all important connection through the two doors. I now have a continuous run through the width of the house and it si just a case of working back through the other bedrooms, up the hall and into the living and dining room. :eek:

Still, to say I have never tiled or laid laminate before I am pretty happy with this.




Here you can see the long strip.







I laid out the join strip for the tile to laminate connection and I'm happy enough.





My waste pipe collar came today in the post. It is bigger than I expected but it will do, you can see it in the pic above. Also found some tiles that may be the same size as my floor tiles, cheap too and local. Will have to offer up one of mine to them to make sure but if they are the right size I just cut my tiling costs to less than half I expected. Winning!

colm_mcm

Would you have issues with expansion running the floor continuously like that?
Maybe not an issue on laminate, I think it's a really nice effect though having one consistent floor like that, I think it modernises the house a lot.

Wow, looks super. Nothing like getting the flooring down to give the place a proper 'this is getting there' look!
I love the way the full long length boards extend the feel of a place.

FortySeven

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would you have issues with expansion running the floor continuously like that?
Maybe not an issue on laminate, I think it's a really nice effect though having one consistent floor like that, I think it modernises the house a lot.

Instructions say if the floor exceeds 8m x 8m then expansion breaks are required. That one length is just over 8m 30cm. Going to risk it.

FortySeven

I don't believe it. So pissed off. I just spent the last hour moving all my materials into one room and all the furniture into another ready to move onto flooring my bedroom where I had been storing everything. Then noticed the floor was a little bit off.

When my father in law laid some he got as far as I had but you'll remember he cut it around the door frames and was going to fill it with brown silicone?

Well, I didn't strip it all the way back even though I wanted to just to sort the plastics underneath, it looks like he cut it with his teeth and in places it does not extend up behind the skirting. Anyways, I left enough to work from and have now noticed that the whole lot is not square. A quick measure shows a 5cm differential along the back wall of my sons room. This is a disaster, by the time I get to the living room it will look ridiculous and will be noticable down the hall.

What is seen cannot be unseen. Tomorrow I move all that heavy stuff back and lift the lot and do it properly.

A pox on that man!

Dtp1979

Yes that is tech7 clear
by the way. Keep up the good work.

FortySeven

So, moved all the laminate and insulation back into my bedroom and had a look at the other end where the laminate starts.


One side is 16cm from the wall to joint.




The other side is 19cm wall to joint.





On this occasion I will remove the pox I put on the father in law. I got a bit lucky here really. A part of me wanted to just carry on and be damned but I am glad I lifted it now because I found this.






Not sure if I am lucky or unlucky at this point. Now have to drain the heating system and sort this leak. Have to find my loctite 55 again. :mad:

FortySeven

I have lifted all the insulation and plastic. Also cut off the nails that were holding the skirting with the dremel and hoovered. I am back to a blank canvas.

I'm going to call it quits at this point. I am physically, emotionally and financially drained. I need a few early nights and to reorganise a few things and catch up on some normal domestic chores.

Back in a few days.

Sleepy

Take a proper break for yourself, you've certainly earned a few nights off and a few pints with the lads down in your local at this stage!

RandomAccess

Would be great if you could get a pair of pygmy goats or sheep for that grass.
Its probably more bother than its worth though.

The idea of a pet thats a lawnmower is tempting.

domrush

The quality of your workmanship as well as your determination to do this whilst working full time as well as your personal life is a real inspiration. Kudos

FortySeven

Thanks guys, the break didn't go well if I'm honest. First night I couldn't sleep till 1am so that was the early night out the window. The mediator called to say that my ex had cancelled the mediation that she requested. Now I have to go to court on Monday to apply to dispense with her permission to allow me to travel. Kids need to see their extended family in the UK and she won't allow it. Can't wait for her reasons in court. Just more unnecessary stress and hostility.

Ended up lifting the rest of the floor last night after moving all the furniture out that I had just moved in. Radiator in that room is also leaking from the tail. Strange that it is just the two rooms that were floored but I will get them sorted on Sunday.

Tonight I took the strimmer to the road frontage to appease the neighbours, I borrowed a knapsack sprayer and bought some roundup and have had a clear up of the front driveway. Broke out the wheelbarrow and smashed up a load of wood from the old kitchen and old wardrobes that was out the back and took it all down to the village bonfire for Thursday.

Working tomorrow and have to return the strimmer in the morning but hope to get the rest of the wood down to the bonfire and then I have to fix a laptop I've had for way too long. Kids on Sunday, hopefully my son will help with the radiators and then Monday will be a wasted day down the courthouse.

Back to it. No rest for the wicked..

FortySeven

Didn't get near the rads today. Can't find my loctite 55 so no point starting. Can't buy any more as my bank says -€5 until payday.:mad:

Finances are a disaster at the moment. I'm battling to not go into arrears on the mortgage and am going to have to live like a hermit to get myself back into the black.

Spent the day sorting and tidying. Have filled 2 wheelie bins with detritus and have discovered the dining room! Couldn't move in here last week.



The ugly table and chairs came with the house. They will be going on next years bonfire hopefully. The flooring will be going as will the fireplace. Shelves in the alcoves and decorating plus lighting and it will be grand.



I manhandled the unit that holds the built in fridge into place in the kitchen. I bought a complete second hand kitchen ages ago and partially fitted it. Put down some cheap lino as I was planning to convert the garage to a kitchen diner, that is now on hold due to a lack of money and this will be my kitchen for some time.

Need to get the extractor in over the hob and all the high units need to go up, tiling and decorating still need to be done but this is a start. Just needs fixing to the wall and I can get the fridge in it and the doors on.







Been hunting for this yoke. Finally found it today. Will be fitting this to a rad so I never have to faf again when draining the system. Just connect a hose and open the valve. Got it on ebay cheap enough. Under a tenner I think.




Not much else to report. Tomorrow looking like a wasted day but will see. May get some work done.

budhabob

I've been following this thread quietly for some time. I have to say, your energy levels and ability are phenomenal. Its also a really informative thread.

We're currently renovating our 1950's house in Dublin while working, and I feel we're going backwards rather than forwards....but we'll get there.

minibear

I found this thread a couple of weeks ago and have read it all and am so interested in what you're doing. I just wanted to say how much I admire you. You're working on a budget, you're learning as you're going and have had personal problems also. A lesser man would have thrown in the towel long before now.

Regarding your (vast) lawn, would the grass be any use to a local farmer for hay/straw ? He could come in and cut it to take away.

That kitchen table and chairs would be snapped up if you put it on a local freebie page. And anything else you want to get rid of too I'm sure.

Re your mortgage, would you consider asking for a period of interest only which would allow you to crack on and get the house finished? You never know, they might agree.

Best of luck with it all, and keep posting!

FortySeven

Sorry about the lack of updates. I'm having a bit of a mental introspective (breakdown maybe ) at the moment. I have been sick again and just can't seem to shake it. I have no energy and still being ground down by the ex. Can't get out of it at the moment. Very tempted to walk away from all this but fighting it.

I got the loctite I ordered and will have a go at the rads soon. I got myself a lawnmower through the cycle to work scheme, bit naughty but why are the urban dwellers the only ones to get a tax break? If I'm ever pulled on it I can always fit a saddle and ride it to work. Its a 21" Husqvarna with a honda engine and oddly front wheel drive.

Cut the front and rear lawns tonight, did some weedkilling last week but nothing really to report.

Water John

Wish Forty Seven well. Hope we see him back soon.

delly

Thread locked until the OP has returned and can continue his updates.

The Hill Billy

Thread re-opened at FortySeven's request (& agreed to by delly).

tHB

VladamirP

Hope your doing ok 47, hope the house is, blank the ex, they seem to hate you getting on.

The Hill Billy

VladamirP wrote: »

Hope your doing ok 47, hope the house is, blank the ex, they seem to hate you getting on.

Пожалуйста, товарищ - счастливые мысли, хорошо?

tHB

VladamirP

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Пожалуйста, товарищ - счастливые мысли, хорошо?

tHB

никаких проблем я не просто пытался подбодрить его.

Felix Jones is God

Get a room you two!

wnolan1992

Felix Jones is God wrote: »

Get a room you two!

Maybe when 47 gives us an update he'll have a spare room in his newly renovated house he could rent to them? :pac: :P

FortySeven

wnolan1992 wrote: »

Maybe when 47 gives us an update he'll have a spare room in his newly renovated house he could rent to them? :pac: :P

No such luck I'm afraid. I asked the mods to reopen this so I could finish it up. I know a lot of people were following this thread and I feel it is only fair to provide a conclusion. I'm not going to lie, things have not gone well.

I was naive and innocent when I thought I was back on track a few months ago. I had access to my kids and was cracking on with the bathroom ready to get the bedrooms done for overnight access. Money was tight as I was not allowed bring the children to the house and trying to entertain 2 kids for 8 hours on a Sunday with nowhere to go was costing me a fortune. I was burning the candle at both ends emotionally. I even went back to work the day after my father died.

Still, I was managing and looking forward to the future, then I got a letter from her solicitor. Full of accusations of kidnapping (I was late letting the kids out of the car) verbal attacks, (I had a go for bringing the kids without jackets) etc, etc. 2 days after that I found out she was only waiting for me to finish the house to force a sale when it was worth it. I'm damned if I will break my back to help her profit.

I'm afraid I let myself down, I fell into a depression, stopped going to work and worst of all I ran out of my Lithium meds. I am bipolar and if I don't take my meds I can be a tad erratic. I started drinking after many years of sobriety and the situation snowballed from there.

I ended up being committed to the psychiatric ward after being closer to suicide than I am comfortable with. Thankfully the psychiatric social worker thought this was information that should be shared with my ex and she promptly used it to get me back in court a few days after I got out. She now has a safety order and if I contact her I go to jail, my access to my kids is by skype for 2 half hour sessions a week and I quit my job out of embarrassment.

I am leaving the house, I can't sell it and I won't renovate it for her to force a sale. All my savings are in that bloody house, all my bad memories too and I cannot live there on a building site anymore.

I am returning to the UK. She created this problem, she can deal with it Let her renovate the bloody place.

What a difference a year makes. My head is full of what ifs and buts and if I'm honest I dread the future. I'm a 39 year old bipolar alcoholic trying to start again, bankrupt, in a country I haven't lived in in decades.

I could blame the engineer for missing the rot, I could blame her father for interfering, I could blame her for overreacting when I called him a clown, I could blame myself for being over confident but to be fair. Tis just life.

Thanks for all the support, advice and help I have received from people on this thread. At times it was all that kept me going.

Jon