Spot the Difference ...

Well, progress seems slow, but we're getting there. Considering I'm doing all the painting myself in between our little holiday forays and doing the 'front of house' thing at Dairy House, perhaps it's not as slow as I imagine.

I've achieved quite a lot today and if there are any males reading the blog and looking at the photos, I know I'm working from the bottom up instead of the top down, but there's method in my apparent madness. I'm painting everything that I can reach easily first, so that when I can reach no higher that will be the time I get a quote from a man-who-can to do the high stuff. Funds don't run to having said man-who-can doing it all. There's a tight budget and until it's finished I'm obviously not getting rent in to cover the rent going out. So ... bottom to top it is!

Actually, I'm seriously considering buying a scaffold tower. It'll be cheaper than paying said man and I can always sell it afterwards, loan it out, or keep it for when other parts of DH need decorating. Could be fun ...

As you can see, the ceiling needs Work with a capital 'W'. There have been leaks in the past, the steel RSJs are rusty in places, and the concrete ceiling needs considerable tlc. I would like to paint the RSJs the same sage green that we used for the others, which matches the exterior paintwork. It will make all the difference, I'm sure.

An interesting array of water pipes at ceiling height. Nothing I can do about those apart from vacuum the dust off them. They're covered in black or blue sponge insulation stuff ... lovely! Perhaps no-one will notice when there are lots of goodies to see at ground level!

Still room for improvement, but I'd like to think that the middle of August or beginning of September at the very latest should see The Cheese Room open for business! I've let all the available space, so I really am itching to get it finished.

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Meanwhile, we had another little holiday but I didn't take my camera out of my bag the whole time! We left Dairy House last Sunday afternoon and drove to the (needs must) Billingshurst Travelodge this time. Monday saw us baking in Brighton, doing a little shopping and wandering through The Lanes, and on Tuesday morning we set off bright and early to shop till we dropped at Ardingly Antiques Fair. Poor Pauley managed most of the morning, but had to succumb to Sudoku and his book until I was ready to leave soon after 3.30. It was another scorching day, although it apparently rained all day in Dorset and Somerset. We drove home through rain, but by the time we got back, after a very slow journey, the sun was shining here, too.

I bought well (I think) and at the appointed hour met Lois and her sister for a cuppa before setting off home. This was the first time we'd met although I've bought from Lois's eBay shop for several years, and she's bought from me. It was great to chat face-to-face instead of by email, and we spent a jolly hour or so chatting and buying and discussing!!

So ... one more 'fortnight's holiday' next weekend when we travel down to Cornwall to the Homespun Fair organised by Jane and Christine (see the lovely photographic link on the sidebar), and then it's back to painting with a vengeance. Whilst we're in Cornwall I'm going to meet up with an old school friend who I haven't seen since 1966!!! She contacted me through FriendsReunited just a few weeks ago, and as she lives in St Ives it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss. Serendipity at work! We're hoping to meet up for a cream tea and a 43-year catch-up!!!!! Pauley's going to love it, isn't he!!

Have a lovely weekend, one and all. Judging by the fraught mothers and noisy children passing through Dairy House it seems that the schools have well and truly broken up for the summer. May your days be filled with fun and laughter, not screams and fights!!!!