Changes are afoot

[JanB]

at casa Grumpy and Jan.

As Ria knows, there is a big drop from the front and back terraces to the floor - I've fallen off it many times It's okay at one end, normal step size, but the other is a couple of feet - no idea why it was done. If I can fall off it, so can the grandchildren.

We've been thinking, looking and discussing this for many months and what to do. Grumpy favoured a thick rope strung between the pillars and I didn't

We've agreed to get Alan, our metalworker mate up to have a look and give us a quote. If he's too expensive, we'll ask Joao Luis in Ourique for another one and see.

And then we have a small area by the new work-shop, into which we stuck some plants, as soon as we moved. It's different coloured gravel from the rest of the drive and I think it's wasted space.

So that's going The plants will be dug up and put elsewhere, we'll gravel it the same colour and that's where my T bar washing lines will go Out of the way of any car coming up - we have to move the washing line when campers visit

Sorted.

[meriad]

It is quite a steep drop; odd that they didn't put steps down or something when it was built....

would you consider widening the patio area a bit Jan, the bit outside the lounge windows? It's just a lovely space to sit esp in the mornings? I think a metal railing will look stunning, fingers crossed the cost isn't too rediculous

I'm struggling to picture the bit by the workshop... think I know where you mean; is it the bit to the left of the house?

[JanB]

I'll take a pic and put it on fb later Ria.

With regards to extending the terrace, we've often thought about it - and I would really like both terraces extended outwards, but planning and sizes come into it. We're almost at the top end of the habitation size for the land already and although we could do it and then pay the fine for doing it - well, this is Portugal - the cost in the end would be too much.

We can always sit round the pool, first thing, in the winter. In fact, I did that this morning, watching the sunrise - <and lovely it was too

[meriad]

ah, just seen the photo's..... it is the area I was thinking of and makes sense moving the line to there and out of the way of visiting cars

re the patio - given the size of your plot I'd have thought you'd be able to extend loads - but definitely not worth any possible fine. And as you say - stunning views from the pool area so.... win win. It will be nice with a low railing x

[JoM]

Metal railings sound like they'll be ideal. I know what you mean about the rope that Grumpy likes but that doesn't sound too child-friendly when it comes to safety.

[meriad]

Metal railings sound like they'll be ideal. I know what you mean about the rope that Grumpy likes but that doesn't sound too child-friendly when it comes to safety.

No, if anything they'll use it to swing from and then fall even harder - concrete balustrade would be too big wouldn't it?

[JoM]

Metal railings sound like they'll be ideal. I know what you mean about the rope that Grumpy likes but that doesn't sound too child-friendly when it comes to safety.

No, if anything they'll use it to swing from and then fall even harder - concrete balustrade would be too big wouldn't it?

Exactly, kids see rope and think it's some kind of assault course.

[Suff]

It's interesting you should say that Jan. We have friends here in France who have a balcony out the back of the house, it overlooks the river and has a commanding view of most of the town. If you walk straight out of the doors you can walk right off the terrace with a 2 foot drop to the ground. If you want the steps you have to turn left where the ground rises.

However if you turn right you can walk straight off the end of the Balcony. And fall 6 feet to the ground. Not a railing to be seen. None of the French seem to think it is a big issue. Kind of "if you don't like it and you own it, put up a railing, otherwise don't fall off".

Mind you building control is amusing here. Stick your building notice on the wall of the Mairie and if nobody objects and it meets the sizing regulations, then get on with it. If it's inside your home, just get on with it. If it falls down it's your own problem. Some controls on electricity and gas nowadays, but nothing like the UK.

[meriad]

Stick your building notice on the wall of the Mairie

I'm assuming that's the council building and not the local pub

[manxie]

would it not be possible to raise the ground round the patio to the same level?? don't make it the same as the patio just scatter gravel or grass it ??then put fence up where it does drop away steeply

Manxie xx