I had a mighty trip to Rathmullan a fortnight ago. After completing four consecutive night duties it was great to get away and get back into a daytime routine. Himself was only back from his run to Rathmullan so it felt as if we were ships passing in the night, scarcely seeing each other, which made for a lovely atmosphere of domestic harmony. My skirting boards and internal doors were delivered and I got three good coats of varnish on them which will save me bending down later when they’re in place. Needless to say, I completely forgot to get architrave so varnishing that is my job for the next trip. Declan the painter was there and he got most of the rooms painted, which was no mean feat because one of the walls is twelve feet high and forty feet long. It’s just brilliant to see the concrete shell gradually becoming a house that I can actually see myself living in. As soon as the electricity is connected in the next few weeks, the tiling and second fix carpentry can be done, the bathroom fittings installed and the kitchen fitted (if I can afford one by then!). It has been a long and challenging journey and I’m very glad to be coming towards the end of this part of it. There will be a lot of outside work to be done when time and money permit but I’m looking forward to doing that bit at my leisure, especially when I can retire to a warm, dry house for a cuppa every time the heavens open, which happens with monotonous frequency.
