House of not my Dreams
With our summer vacation drawing to a close this weekend, we have tried to squeeze a few moments in amongst the preparation for the renovation continuance and getting a headstart on the autumn garden prep.
Today, I did some "lumberjacking" which despite the name, isn't a euphemistic title for a sex act, I actually cut trees. well, not the entire things, just dead branches. They have been dead since we moved in a couple years ago, so it was time to take care of them. They are old birch trees, so I had to buy a 5 meter telescopic pole and saw to reach them and, I still can't get them all.
I also got the saw stuck whilst cutting a branch at the wrong angle...
Granted, this is my first time doing this kind of work, so it is a "live and learn" approach. Tomorrow, there will be a little bit more pruning of the birches and then, cutting the lower branches of the apple tree that is killing me when I mow the lawn.
But, outside of the home work, yesterday we made a trip to a "spa center" which is just an indoor pool attached to a hotel. We didn't stay, just paid for a few hours, which was surprisingly *expensive. 55€ for three hours! And this was a cheaper one without a slide.
We will make a few of these trips in the coming months as Smallsteps has learned to sim a bit and we want her to be braver in the water. Yesterday, she swam the entire width of the pool, which is about 8-10 meters across - which was great to see and makes me really happy, as hopefully, she will learn to swim better than me and won't be a drowning risk in the lake.
After, we decided to try a little café close by that we heard about from some friends. It is in an old mansion just behind the hotel that was built in 1912, and while it needs a lot of work done to it, it is an incredible house and must be worth a mint, even in disrepair. Alongside the cafe, there is a clothing and random "old stuff" shop that sprawls through the house and supposedly, there is the possibility to stay the night there, too. I don't know how that works though, as the room upstairs is viewable all day.
perhaps it is for voyeurs?
However, I took a few pictures from around the house whilst listening to my wife continually say how amazing it would be to live in a place like this. Yeah, amazing for sure, but also an incredible amount of work involved and getting used to things not being overly functionable at times.
It is pretty though!
This is the guest room that can be booked.
Quite romantic.
And then, a whole lot of shots from around the inside of the house (where there is the shop) and outside too, where they have a garden set up with tables and chairs and spaces to eat and relax. It is quite a little oasis in what is otherwise a pretty industrial area, with a powerplant literally 100 meters away.
Living in a place like this is definitely a lifestyle decision and it is one that means getting used to the old and paying a lot for it. It is the kind of life where one weekend a month you have to go antiquing to find something to fit in with the time, and when looking at 100+ years old, it isn't going to be a cheap experience.
But, since we were just visiting, we didn't have to worry about the cost of the place, we could just grab a salad and enjoy the atmosphere. Though, despite the sunshine, it was too cold for Smallsteps to sit outside, so we were inside at a little table in the kitchen - which had its own charm about it.
And the stuff in the shop is kind of strange, as while it has a high price tag on it, I am not sure if it is saleable, as some of it looked like it wouldn't survive being picked up. But it looked at home where it was.
And the outside of the house is full of "old worldy vibes" that again, felt a bit out of place considering the location, but also right at home for that little patch of land.
So - the end of the vacation is almost here and tomorrow is doing more prep work, which is depressing. Yes, I will be glad when it is all done, but for the first time in a while, I am really not looking forward to going back to work. But, since I currently still need to pay a crapload of bills, workers and overpriced materials due to the inflation on them - back to work is a must.
Shame...
One day, I will pick and choose what I do, when I do it and, why I do it.
One day.
I don't ever plan on buying a house like this though!
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Man, these are all really good pictures. The last one, the one with the glass cup, mught as well be my favourite. It has a refreshing feel to it.
These house sure sounds like a really lovely one to live in. It just might take a lot of stuff to add to make it come more alive; antiques and all.
The cost of renovation would be immense!
“…. Yesterday, she swam the entire width of the pool, which is about 8-10 meters..” that’s more than what I’ve done my entire life! I’ve still not been able to overcome my fear for water ever since I was pushed in 14years ago and I almost drowned.
By the way, the guest room? Super cozy and definitely romantic.
These pictures are🔥
Tell me about it - I did drown! I can barely swim myself, but I am able to comfortably be, where my feet can touch the bottom. :D
It would be interesting to stay in this place, but I am not sure how it work, since it is a shop too and a cafe - what happens in the morning?
Really???? It always amazes me when people can't go further than the shallows.... But I guess drowning experiences might do that?! Mind you I nearly drowned surfing once but I just paddled back out the next day in defiance
I watched one of my brothers fight across rip for about 30 minutes while outback and then, he finally was able to get off his board in water that was just above his knees, and it took him out again! There was no way I could save him. He survived.
I was in Junior Secondary School (JSS2). My school took us for an excursion to Ikogosi Warm Spring in Ekiti State. I was so excited though because that was going to be the first time an excursion was organized ever.
On getting to the venue,we were given ground rules not to go into the deep and stick to the shallow end of the pool. A lot of people wanted to swim; I wasn't even interested.
I just stood there (at the deep end though) watching my friends and a lot of seniors enjoying themselves and showing off different strokes.... I couldn't swim anyways.
Then, I was pushed hard into the water and next thing I know I was way down and it felt like i was suffocating. I tried to scream but with every trial, water filled my mouth. I trashed my arms a lot in the water hoping I'll at least reach the surface for air, nothing.
Then, I faintly heard the coordinator telling everyone it was time to leave and go back to the bus, what😨!!!! No one knew I was down here? I don't know how but I was able to grab someone's skirt as she tried to leave the pool and I didn't let go; I held on so tight. That got her to notice there was someone underneath and she called for help.
That was the last thing I remembered until I opened my eyes and saw a lot of people above me, starring; some scared and some angry. The most important thing was I was alive and no longer in the water.
Whenever I see a mass of water, it takes me back to that point. I can't close my eyes under the shower for long; I open them after few seconds to remind myself it's just the shower and I can breathe 🙈
That was the last time an excursion was organized....till I graduated though, because I don't know if the rules changed. But, our principal wasn't too happy with that.
PS: the person who pushed me never confessed.
That is crazy!!
It is a good reason to learn how to swim though :)
I tell myself that every year…. “I should learn this year”
😂😂
It looks beautiful in the photos - crisp, white, warm, rustic. But walking around I'm sure you would have seen the flaws and the high maintenance needed.
We were watching a show the other day - Succession - about the Uber rich. Jamie was just going on about how amazing it would be to have something break or wear out and you don't just get another one or fix it, you wave you hand at a servant and they do it.....
If putting a few hundred K into it, it would be awesome, but the cost of keeping its charm would be immense. I am also pretty sure it is protected like so many buildings here, meaning additional costs to keep it all authentic.
Many people want a servant, but have you ever imagined how awkward it would be?
Oh yeah totally. I'm the type that would clean the house before a cleaner 😂😂 Guess you have to be born into it. Kids at expensive private schools be like: 'oh no I have a driver'
Is it a right time pruning? I wait October to do it, I don't know whether it is the right time for every trees, but I don't want to be bothered with sweeping leaves on the ground.
No - but this isn't pruning the fruit trees, this is cutting off dead branches we don't want.
We have a lot of leaves in the Autumn....
It looks like a beautiful place and a wonderful outing. Even the luxurious homes are not make for everyone. You have your own ideas for the dream home of your choice. Imagination, education and money makes it possible.
If it was walk-in-ready, perhaps! But, at the price it would be, I think it is always going to be out of reach.
I actually like retro houses like these. I can imagine the cost of maintenance though....not a pleasant thing to consider
Especially in keeping it aligned with the laws of preservation it falls under now...
That is a lovely looking old place. I actually really love the look of the older architecture and our house is older than that mansion, and yep definitely an expensive pain in the system on the maintenance/upkeep (which we're well behind on because everything but wages keep[s exponentially increasing) x_x partly because previous owners have made some interesting decisions to keep things on the cheap.
Oof, I guess everyone has to get the saw stuck at least once XD you'll be a pro in no time :)
I was just walking around it thinking about everything that needed to be done and the cost it would take to keep it authentic, as it is protected. A lot of these end up crumbling away because the protection means no one is willing to spend the money on it.
It must be fun living in a very old house in Australia with all those spiders under the floor boards ;D
The one I grew up in was from 1926 If I remember rightly.
The problem was, it was way up in the tree and I needed to get a high ladder and a rake to push the branch up a little to unstick it - it was an operation!
Oh my O_O but on the bright side you're less likely to make that mistake in that particular way again? :D
The spiders can stay under the floorboards if they want, I just don't want them in the house or near any doors and windows XD
Mine is from 1898 and not protected so while we try to keep it in theme (we did briefly consider the amusement of making the old house as high tech as possible) we can at least take liberties with the kind of material we use for renovations.
Wow, these structures are all looking fantastic. For the swimming part, I do not even know how to. So I guess your swimmer did a great job there which was mote than trying for me.She deserves a gold medak from me.😁
Good job Smallsteps 👏 keep training to be equip💪 so daddy would be at peace even when he's not around to keep an eye of his precious. I understand the feelings seeing our jewels learned so fullfilling .
It is actaully nice old architecture but I wish they have done something to make it look like a homey!I like what is it in the inside though the bedroom set up, so cozy. You made me laugh how you keenly observed and described those little stuff looking fragile and delicate. 🤣 I can relate because I'm not a fan of collecting figurines or anything and placed in the corner with its uselessness but collecting dust.