Dab's Derek Dixey drives down from Dereham

The infamous bathroom wall

Dab is the manufacturer of the pump that lives in our rainwater harvesting tank - the pump that isn't up to the task of delivery the flow and pressure that the sprinkler system needs. Derek Dixey is Dab's area rep who came to see me on Tuesday to check what was what, and see if a more powerful pump would solve the problem. From his very comprehensive catalogue it seems that there are a number of more powerful pumps that have the right characteristics. However, one of Dab's technicians needs to check that the flow and pressure can be achieved with the pipework we have in place. So I wait...... as I've waited to hear from the alternative sprinkler company who sounded so good last week, but who now seem to have given up as I've heard no more from them. Likewise my existing supplier who hasn't stirred this week. Ho hum, lots of rude words.
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Having been told by my sprinkler company that we had to have the smoke detectors connected to the sprinkler system I decided to check if this was the case. Step forward the National Association of Fire Suppression Systems, and their affable expert - who promptly advised that there is no requirement to connect the smoke detectors to the sprinkler system. So that's £150 saved then. Don't you just love suppliers you can depend on?
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Moving on - the week has seen Jan and me painting and varnishing furiously - well, enthusiastically perhaps. The bedroom is now painted, as is the lounge, and the first coat of varnish applied to the woodwork in the study, lounge, bedroom and kitchen. The hall is complete - one room done at last!
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I had painted one wall in our bathroom in a deep red vinyl silk paint that matched the tiles and cupboard front. Because of the pigment being so strong I had masked off the woodwork. Due to the poor coverage I had to apply about five coats of paint, but when I removed the masking tape it lifted the paint - all five coats - in one piece from a large part of the wall. For some reason it had failed to adhere to the plaster and in no time at all, the wall was entirely devoid of paint as I easily pulled it all off. The only answer was to apply a sealing coat of Unibond and try again. This I did this week and we how have a much better finish which doesn't look like peeling off. Five coats of matt paint later and all seems OK this time.
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Stove man is coming on Wednesday next week to fit the wood burner, and Mr John Lewis is also due to measure up for carpets. The following week our local floor covering specialists are due to measure up for the floor tiles and sisal carpet in the hall.
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We've hummed and harred about fitted wardrobes and looked endlessly at web sites to see if we can find something that we like, and that fits in with the fabric of the bedroom. Not much joy so far so may have to try a bespoke wardrobe firm.
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Sunday afternoon update - lounge and kitchen now finished (decorating), and most of the bathroom and shower room done

Jan & Rog