Stable completed.

Final coat of paint applied and it's time to put the climbing plants back in.

Stable and pool

Once rendered we were able to paint the stable, workshop and pool exterior. The diference it has made is incredible.

Although the pool needs a lot of work on its interior before we can think about using it we believe the work will be well worth it. Paco says the concrete is sound, so we will clean off the algae with a purpose made chemical. Then we will remove all the loose paint and dirt with a power washer before painting it.

It will be too late in the season to think about filling the pool but it should provide welcome relief from the summer heat next year.

Blue sky

On another day with a clear blue sky trhe Villa is looking well. The weather forecast often shows cloud around the Pyranees however our area must have more blue sky days than the rest of Catalunya.

It's all in the wrist!

Paco has triumphed once again! I was sceptical about the amount of material available to him, although I had scoured every bit of the garden to rescue fragments of the 'piedra'.

Always confident of the result, Paco has even surprised Christian with his workmanship. He has effortlessly worked the un-yielding material around the curve of the stairway.

Once the mortar is dry the excess will be brushed away with a wire brush, before the surface is sealed with a silicone based sealant. I will add that to my list then!

Later still

Once the workers leave the site, I sieve the sand heap and fill two barrows full to the brim. I have placed a large board with pieces of 'piedra' on it within an easy reach of the steps. When you are paying by the hour it is important that the 'artiste' is not kept waiting.

West side story

Paco and Christian have tiled the exterior of the steps to the east and west terraces, underneath the tiles they have matched in the 'piedra'.

Further steps

The steps at the kitchen door at the rear of the house were a big problem, but Paco extended them to the corner making them more useful and tidier at the same time

Steps

The steps at the front of the house have been tiled to match the interior tiles, the entrance is therefore much improved. Designed to curve to the left the steps posed a few problems for Paco as he worked on them. Keen to show his mastery of his craft he will render the sides of the steps; and he suggests that if I can find enough fragments of the 'piedra' he will also match the steps to the stone on the rest of the house. He might be showing off now!

Wardrobes

A simple coat of white paint transforms the wardrobe interiors. They are fairly large and solidly constructed, but like the rest of the inbuilt furniture dated and need to be replaced. Because of the design of the house replacement bedroom furniture will probably also be built into the same spaces as it occupies at the moment. The location of the windows and doors in each room somewhat limits placement of cabinets.

The stable

There is a stable block for three horses plus storage. Constructed from concrete block with pine beams to support a roof lined with pine. The roof is finished in corrugated asbestos sheeting which as well as leaking; sheds rain water into the plunge pool which adjoins the rear elevation of the stable.

The elevated water tower will eventually feed water through an irrigation system to the land. At the base of the water tower is a workshop.

Water, Fire and Air

Water

High in the mountains, to the untrained eye, the reservoirs appeared to be nearly full though down on the plains farmers were becoming increasingly concerned; the lack of rainfall and the rising temperatures did not bode well. These were the early days of Spain’s longest ever drought and forecasts about dwindling supplies in the long growing season, proved well founded.

Driving thousands of kilometres through this dry and dusty landscape, between the coast and mountains; stretching from Malaga in the south and Girona in the north east. The effects of the drought and what some regard as the creeping desertification of Spain were all around.

The contrast between the care free tourism on the Costa’s and the agricultural workers inland struggle was quite marked. Parched soils were difficult to work, the crops, grass and woodlands tinder dry. Water restrictions were being brought forward in an effort to conserve the continuity of supplies. The summer temperature soared to record levels and with no prospect of rain till autumn all that remained was to watch and hope.

Autumn came and went without significant rainfall in turn followed by yet another dry winter. The land was suffering and crops were threatened; and when in the following spring the long overdue rains did not materialise there was a growing sense of crisis.

Water tensions arose between regions who accused each other of wasting a national resource. Claimed efficiency in local methods of watering crops were contrasted more profligate methods in other regional Autonomies of the Spanish domain. The people of Valencia marched through the streets demanding that water be piped from the River Ebro to fulfil their needs; whilst their Catalan neighbours resisted those demands citing environmental issues as their chief concern for doing so. The Government planned to construct more coastal desalination units, they would take years to complete and people wanted water now. Property developers continued to constructed acre upon acre of housing all centred around thirsty golf courses. Villas with un-licensed swimming pools which could never be filled were built on demand.

Then disaster struck, nightly reports of fires consuming huge tracts of land estimated at up to 300,000 acres. Families and whole communities destroyed by the all consuming flames, 11 rescue workers dying in their particular battle against the raging inferno.

A disaster that was compounded by the carelessness and sometimes the criminality of people. Barbeques were held in high fire risk zones, despite participants having to scale barriers signposted with the fire warnings. In other cases blazes were started deliberately.

The tile patterns

The tile patterns are fairly simple 33 x 33 cm tiles laid in simple rows but with an inlaid border of herring bone effect tiles of 15 x 33 cm. The three larger areas of the ground floor would have a central panel surrounded by the border tile. The inset panels would also be offset to the main body of tiles thereby giving a variation to the rest of the rooms.

One step forward two steps back

Our expert ‘instal:lador’ has worked his magic and everything within the bathroom is in position. The expert is looking vacant again, something he is very expert at!

When he was measuring the walls for the placement of the pipes, he had removed from the bathroom the very cabinet that was now causing the problem, and put it in an adjoining room. Despite advice from myself and his colleagues that he should simply draw around the cabinet carcass making a template on the wall. He told us this was his work and that he knew what he was doing. Our expert then walked backwards and forwards between the bathroom and bedroom taking measurements from the cabinet and transferring them to the wall where the cabinet would be fitted.

On examination of the situation he has identified the problem, that the cabinet case obstructs the connection to the water supply for the taps. His solution is that he will cut out a large hole in the cabinet, thereby weakening the cabinet but allowing him to connect to the water supply. In order to get this proposal past me he tells me about the situation, but does so by speaking German to me.

It is often said that the most powerful word in any language is ‘No!’

And so it was. I had to say ‘nein!’

Now I was insisting that he corrected the pipe work, retiled the wall and fitted the cabinet as it should be. As usual the extra work he caused was done by others, this is how one often recognises the expert.

A little light but a long tunnel!

The bathroom fittings were all on site and ready for installation. The fitter ‘istal:lador’ looked over them

“Do you have a crane?” he asked.

“No, why do we need a crane? There are three of us here”.

“But they are very heavy!” he complained.

And so it was that, I ended up carrying everything that was required for the following days work up the stairs. I placed everything in position so that the placement of the sanitary ware and cabinets could not be confused.

Slow progress

Arrived 10pm to find that the two bathrooms have not been installed, and that the tiling on the first floor is only partially completed.

Rather than removing the door architrave the tiler has cut round them by nibbling at the tile with pliers, the black grout and the broken edges look awful. Tommorow he will have to refit those tiles, come what may.

Had to put a make shift bed in the lounge; this will be my room for the next couple of weeks. There is a toilet down in the underbuild which is also the garage, what luxury! To make matters worse I will have to battle with those creatures of the night which inhabit that space, despite my best efforts to remove them.

Time management

The work is going much slower than I planned or could imagine, and with the weather getting hotter having to bathe in a plastic basin is a nightmare that has gone on too long. I have decided to go back to England for two weeks, a chance for the 'paletta' to crack on with the tiling. And for me it is an opportunity to get clean again.

Salvador Dali painted his clocks with distorted faces. In the heat and dust of Spain that is what happens to time here. At least to an outsider that is how it appears. In reality construction work is hard work exacerbated by the endless carrying of heavy materials and equipment. Add the heat and the draining effect of energy levels is soon apparent. The 'siesta' is an integral part of the body recovering its capacity for further strenuous endeavours.

Kitchen

Reform of the Bathroom.

There are two bathrooms which need to be reformed; the ensuite and the family bathroom.

After removal of the sanitary ware the next task is to retile the two rooms, after first removing the old tiles.

With only three days to complete the work before the tiler wants to start work it is looking like an impossible task. We therefore decide to get the builders in once more.

In the photograph the bath has been removed and the brick and tile base it sat in has been demolished. The tiles on the walls and every spot of the adhesive holding them on had to be removed by hammer and chisel. Even the mechanical hammer could not cope with the mortar and tile adhesive combination.

As soon as the builder rips out the two suites the tiler calls to say that he is behind on his present job and therefore will not be able to start work for ten days. This means that we will be without the two bathrooms for at least two weeks. With the weather getting hotter by the day this is news we do not need.

Materials to go!

The Materials for the Bathroom have arrived. We have decided to replace the two Baths with large shower enclosures.(80 x 120mm) The rooms each have good water pressure and with the capacity of the boiler invigorating hot showers should soon be possible.

The tiler is ready to start work as soon as the old bathroom suites are removed.

Shopping for materials is a strange experience in this country which still thrives on patronism if not nepotism. You the customer are not King here. You are not expected to show around for the required parts and materials. 'Installadors' and 'palettas' instead order on your behalf and collect the discounts they can negotiate with suppliers. 'Discuento' is still the first word learned by most Spaniards.

When you pay a visit to the large hardware suppliers your prospective purchase has three distinct elements.

First the 'Technico' will search his computer to ascertain if they can supply you with the correct part , he will print off a spec sheet and price the goods and add the IVA tax at 17%. He will then give you a discount of 10% if this is your first visit maybe 15% if it is a subsequent order.

Second the goods will be checked over by the counter assistant with your help.

Thirdly you now go to the office and pay a clerk for the goods and receive your validated invoice.

The process always seems like an exercise in job creation.

Heat and dust

February 2005

During the coldest winter in 50 years we had central heating installed.

All the upper floors had trenches dug into the floors to house the pipes.

When we bought the house we found that the owner had hidden previous damage to the floor of each room by the placement of rugs over the affected areas. In the picture the light grey area is the damage he hid from view.

Gloom

The window company are unable to supply their double glazed units until early next year. We have also decided that we will have to research and then install a heating system. Which may impinge on their work, as our favoured option is under floor heating of some description.

Unable to continue with any substantial work we decide to lock up the house for winter. We will go back to England and pick up where we left off in the springtime.

Plywood boarding has been used to secure the windows and doors. 19mm thick sheets have been fitted to external and internal window and door frames. This should prevent a re-occurrence of the burglary. The wooden boards block out the warming effect of the sun and the house becomes colder by the hour. Inside in the now permanent darkness it is a depressing existence.

The shine is beginning to fade on our new place in the sun.

October 2004

The house is now painted and has had stone 'piedra' applied to the lower walls in keeping with the local tradition. Piedra is a type of stone facing which is decorative and also prevents the paintwork being discoloured through water splashes.

Quotes for the application of the required material ranged from 19 euros to 65 euros per square meter.

A revelation.

Arrived late evening with guests. The house has been painted and the transformation is quite dramatic, with the repairs to the structure and the stonework completed this means that for the first time the Villa looks like it is a substantial building.

Inside the plasterwork and coving in the lounge and dinning room are excellent. The persianna blinds are down but the windows have been left open to allow the plaster to dry. The whole house is covered in a thick layer of plaster dust. We sweep away the dust before opening the kitchen door to reveal our new state of the art kitchen; only to find that nothing has happend since September there in the kitchen are the boxes of tiles but no fittings or cabinets.

We make up the beds and after a quick wash and brush up drive into Figueres to grab a fast food meal.

On our return to the house we decide to call it a night and begin the clean up in the morning. But something is nagging. In the pantry the bottled beer reserved for occaisions like this is missing, there are a only couple of empty bottles lying around. We will have to wait for our drink, but the hot and dusty working conditions endured by the workers mean that we would not have begrudged the builders a cold drink and understand why they may of helped themselves.

Something else is missing too; the widescreen television our only luxury is also gone!

Ah Sí Señor

Señor

Señor M. is certain that the sequence of work for the kitchen element should be,

• removal of the old cabinets
• removal of the old tiles
• retile the walls and floor
• construction and fitting of the cabinets
• install new double glazed units for windows and doors
• complete tiling around window and door apertures
• install granite worktops
• fit appliances
• re-hang internal kitchen door
• stand back and admire his work

When we query this he is at pains to assure us that he must start work immediately if all is to go to his plan. He begins work before the ink is dry on the cheque for the deposit on the work. And within the week he has reduced the kitchen to rubble.

Any colour you want as long as it's...

The painter arrived with some samples for us to choose from, he was recommended by the owners of the specialist paint store we had visited in Figueres. The proprietors had often employed him to work on their own home. His work they said was good, he was also very clean in his methods and although not the cheapest, asked fair prices for his work

He painted coloured swatches on the wall and then asked us for our opinion.

Sample 4 was not practical because of the soil that would be carried on the wind from ploughed fields on the farms around about us.

Sample 3 was a little too orange.

Sample 2 was not available in the anti cracking specification he had advised.

Sample 1 this years black, was available in the anti crack formula and also toned with the
various shades contained in the stone work.

And the winner is Sample 1.

The only complication is that he can not paint the window and door frames until the double glazing has been fitted. He will either return after the fitting of the windows or he will give us a discount of 250 euros if I paint the frames. So thats another job on my list!

Wake me up when it's all over!

September has arrived and Spain is back at work.

7am and the first of the three teams of builders are on site they will work on the roof, exterior wall repairs and the cornice which is crumbling.

8am and the kitchen supply company are here too.

8.30 The plasterer 'paletta' or ‘yesoista’ delivers his materials and negotiates his space on the site.

10am The Window manufacturer arrives with another 'paletta' who will remove the current windows and install the steel frame that will hold the aluminium frames in place once work begins, they need more measurements.

Every two minutes I have to speak to one or another of the firms involved about supplies and potential problems. No sooner do those conversations start then a telephone call from one of the companies involved is called for; I am handed a series of mobile telephones and I take part in three way dialogues; my Spanish is being pushed to breaking point.

1pm Thank god for their siesta! Everybody leaves the site.

3.30pm The work resumes with a vengeance.

4pm The next piece in the jigsaw falls into place, the 'palettas' responsible for fixing the 'piedra' to the lower part of the external walls arrive. They will work till 9pm or 10pm as necessitated by their work.

Taking stock

Well the house is now ours. It is time for us to begin work on it but where shall we begin, and what is reasonable timescale for us?

The Office

This room was set up as a fully functional office with telephone and internet connections. We also asked the owner about the telephone; because this was an essential item and we knew people in some areas had waited a long time for 'telephonica' to provide a line. We were shown the connection to the telephone line and two telephones both functioning. Well at least that was straight forward.

The original kitchen

This is the original kitchen, the units were long past their sell by date. The taps and some cupboard doors were broken. The old fashioned tiles made the room dark and un-inviting and the whole room was pretty squalid.

The lounge

This house is eighteen years old yet the walls were unplastered the chimney unfinished. The heater powered by bottled gas is the only form of heating in the house.

Original lounge

Original Dinning Room

Utility room

The tiling was more gaudy than Gaudi!

The Hallway

In the hallway as in the rest of the house, the walls were decorated with the owners own art work; unfortunately his enthusiasm for paint did not extend to the walls. He painted some areas of a room and not others, to make matters worse he mixed shades of a particular colour in small batches and was unable to match paint on different areas of the same wall.

To the left of the picture is a telephone

First impressions

Click on the photographs to enlarge them!


The buildings scale can be seen here in this view from the second entrance. To make use of this entrance with it's flatter access road; would mean putting in a road across the garden to the garage which is situated on the far side of the building. The car is parked at the garage entrance.

The horses were not included unfortunately, the large stallion in the left foreground was particularly friendly and followed me around the garden. He nuzzled be continually as I attempted to take my photographs of the property.

The front entrance to the Villa is uninviting. The large scale of the building is emphasized by the steps leading to the front door. Steps constructed in concrete but roughly rendered give a poor impression.



This is the first view of the house as you approach from the main road. There is a second entrance across the land on the south side of the house.

What we thought of as a new house when viewed it on the internet is obviously in need of updating. And in many areas the house needs to 'finished'.

Urban plot

This land surrounding the house is urban which means construction subject to planning regulations should be possible. The land to the right of this area is the finca which is non urbanisable and can only be used for farming.



This unmade road is the main access to the house, although we were told by the house owner it is a private road it is in fact owned by the local authority.

The yellow coloured building is a storage facility owned by a door manufacturer who is based in the village. That storage building was built by the owner of this house, and he operated it as a bread bakery. Eight years ago the property was divided and sold by a bank who had forclosed his mortgage.

The concrete slab inside the wall is the top of the old septic tank 'fos-septica' although the house is now connected to the village water and sewerage systems.



Outside the fence is the shared private road; it is shared by the owner of the house, the factory storage, the partialy constructed house and an adjoining farmer.