"The interval between a cold expectation and a warm desire may be filled by expectations of varying degrees of warmth or by desires of varying degrees of coldness."

The interval between the slates on the kitchen roof and the space below however, will be filled by some sheets of Celutex insulation (other brands are available)

The framing will be next, and made easier hopefully by the addition of this item to the toybox

"I have discovered the secret of happiness - it is work, either with the hands or the head. The moment I have something to do, the draughts are open and my chimney draws, and I am happy. John Burroughs"

One of the most satisfying things about this project is when you come across an unexpected problem. When all the doors, furniture and general detritus were removed from the kitchen one such problem became apparent.

A previous attempt to reconstruct a support for this massive stone lintel in the kitchen hearth seemed to be missing something

and turned out to be not the strongest - a gentle push with one hand reduced it to this!!! Over the next couple of days 

a stone support was put in place; ready for framing and insulating.

  

"You start out playing in kitchens, and you end up playing in kitchens." Trisha Yearwood

So now it's the kitchen, probably the most important room in the house. Somewhere to sit, relax, cook, chat, socialise and just generally live. It's a blank canvas at the moment - but my memory keeps filling it with images from my early childhood.

I clearly remember being washed in the stone sink in the kitchen of the pub where I was born. It was less glamorous but more exciting than this one - I used to get to "push the button" on the gas water heater to magic the cold water hot.

and the tin bath was put in front of the fire once a week, on Sunday, and my brother and I took it in turns to be scrubbed clean. Speaking of Mick and kitchens, I also remember the day he locked mum upstairs and shooed the chickens we kept into the kitchen before running away. She had to call for help from an upstairs window!

However warm and fuzzy these childhood memories are, I decided to bring the Manse kitchen into 21st century. To be honest, I didn't have to do too much to make a difference to the room as we found it. So...on with the show!