Vilar
The basic structure of the house is nearly finished. It is time to lay the bricks for the walls defining the inner spaces. Each space its own purpose. Doors that can be opened and closed to offer privacy. Walls that keep warmth, cold, noise, shelter, safety in or out. The future garden is now full…
The end of the summer is near. The light is now warmer, the shadows lengthen and the first leaves change color. It is very dusty and dry, we have had no serious rain for months now. Fruit is becoming heavy in the trees and bushes. Soon we see crates being piled up in the orchards.…
Some dear family members have special requests. Of course we need to fulfil… Like there is a special room in preparation for the suitcase of T. When she saw the floorplan, she immediately started worrying about where to leave her suitcase. (We immediately started worrying about the size of her suitcase, or her intentions of…
It has been a challenge to find a company of good quality and trust to come and make our roof waterproof. Not just the usual waterproof, but with a material that is relatively unknown here, and mainly used for large buildings. EPDM EPDM is a synthetic rubber. It does not contain chloride, plasticizers, or halogens.…
As I mentioned before, prices of materials are quickly going up. The workshops are all loaded with work, companies will not accept new orders until the end of this year. This is the moment to act fast, decide, order, pre-pay, and arrange. Make sure all your orders are written down with the best conditions. And…
You are lined up for a technical explanation. What is the use of a warm winter coat in the summer? I almost feel sorry for our building, as it is wrapped up so solidly. But there is a reason. A thick coat keeps the heat out in the summer, and the cold in the winter.…
This is summer. With an acceptable sea climate. About 23 degrees Celsius, a little wind, perfect and comfortable. Not as hot as in the Algarve region, or in the more eastern continental areas. Our mountain, the Serra de Montejunto, keeps the fresh sea winds and the rains on this green side. The eastern side of…
To get the award for ‘best insulated roof of the world’, the chief director of the project invented a pack of advanced materials. Layer by layer they will be applied. Lovely Leca The roof must be gradient, so the rain will flow to the corners of the roof and into the drain pipes. The builders…
In the meantime, I am travelling up and down to the Netherlands. There is work to be done over there as well, and business to take care of. And especially, trying to visit as many loved ones as my energy allows in a short period of time. And this is not easy. Spending time in…
Something else, once in a while… Although I am really running behind with these blogs, I also need to write about this, just because it’s so special. Simmer is all there, it is warm (luckily an acceptable heat on this side of the mountain…) and there is a lot fruit growing in the thousands of…