Loombucket's Paradise on earth

[Itchy]

A great thread Loom, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your adventures on this build project and I look forward to reading more.

I'm a great fan of build threads, not just the technical information, but also the trials, tribulations and triumphs.

Best of luck with the rest of the build and thanks for a great thread..

[Loombucket]

Today we urgently needed some bits and bobs, so that we builders could actually get on with a few things. We borrowed the Electricians pick-up truck and headed off to Khorat. The first stop was the Mall but we spent most of the day here, having a 'lovely time'.



Actually, Mrs. LoomB had a lovely time. The rest of us were bored witless after a few hours. Four and a half hours, and 40k Bht odd later, Mrs LoomB and Khun Mow emerged, looking very pleased with themselves. It was too much to get in the pick-up and we were forced to 'borrow' the truck of a passing metal worker, who lived close to home.



We then drove back to the Mall to try and score the cooker. They had one but would not let us take it as it was scratched. However, I did get to meet some of the stuff in the complaints department of the Home Pro section. It's well worth complaining, if you get the chance. Now it was too dark to have any more fun, so we drove home. Mrs. LoomB did not think that the house was a safe environment for all the lamps, and stuff, so we are currently knee deep in fittings, cupboards and a big sink. The toilets, we left at the site.

[Loombucket]

I fall over the step, this morning, so I get to the site a bit late. Just in time to see another lot of tiles being unloaded. Mr. Tile was a thin, down trodden looking bloke and his wife was huge. The Daughter was passable, however, and left her mobile number on one of the boxes. I think she may have been 'with child'.



As usual, Khun Mow is on hand to check the boxes and check the colours.



Meanwhile, inside the house, the boys have been working hard. This is the MIL's tank. This is because She has a problem with the new and the modern. (When we went to Laos for a visa run once, we took MIL and she had a great time. Unfortunately, she could not work out how to flush the loo, at the hotel, and ended up getting bath water and putting it in the waste bin, to throw down the toilet, bless her.) She will also have one light and one switch.



In the kitchen, we decided that the sink would be a little low, or visable from out of the window. We had them raised a tad, to make a better working hight. It will make the windows a little smaller, but we have room to spare.



Next stop is one of the the bathrooms, where they have been sinking the pipes into the wall. A sure sign of a return visit from Mr. and Mrs. Brickie, who will be coming back to put the wall tiles up.

After a quick pause for noodles, I arrive back to a deafening screech. They are cutting bits of stone and the bearings, in the grinder, sound like they are in agony. Fortunately, most of the fine dust is contained in the bedroom.



He is cutting pretty bits to cover the pillars, at the front. This is one of the things that Mrs. LoomB found at the big store. They were reduced and that is like the red rag to the bull. I would have done exactly the same, having stolen the idea from Mr. Sea Traveler.

[Loombucket]

Today we are plagued by rain. This is not a big problem, as most people are working inside, but the house is surrounded by water. I leave the bike at the road but I am soon on my ar*e and make a mental note to buy some wellies. Inside, there is a strange tapping noise. I make my way toward it and discover that the soup fairy has been and left a strange brew on my balcony.



The tapping noise is the handle of a hammer used to bed tiles onto the wall. Mr. Brickie has, indeed, returned and is making a start in Mrs. LoomB's bathroom.



He makes good progress, but has to start again because he has forgotten the fish.



Meanwhile, downstairs, Khun Udom is making a start on the first of the floor tiles. This is the MIL's room, the same pattern of the lino I remember from my Grandmother's old house.



The recently done pillar stone bits have been wrapped to keep them fresh and also to keep the mess from the plasterers off, If they ever come in.



At this point it starts to hammer with rain again and Mrs. Brickie pops in for a quick grout.



After a spot of lunch, they have started grouting the first of the floors already. That shade of blue is especially vomit making, but you don't really notice it down the cracks.



The ceiling people have another job, that is paying a fortune, but they send every spare Man, and Woman.



Khun Udom has been hampered by the hain. After making good progress downstairs, he made the mistake of having a go on the balcony, and was quickly rained off. Here, Loong is desperately bailing, but it's over for the day.

[Itchy]

This is the MIL's room

What on earth possessed you to agree to such madness...?

Never mind... It's too late now - You are beyond saving!

[Deck Ape]

Good to see you're back in the saddle Loombucket.

What's your solution to your access (sticky clay mud, I assume) for your house?

[DrAndy]

I fall over the step, this morning, so I get to the site a bit late.

what, no pic Loomy?

[Loombucket]

Quote: This is the MIL's room What on earth possessed you to agree to such madness...? Never mind... It's too late now - You are beyond saving!

The title MIL's room is both true and misleading. It will be her room when she stays but a house sitter, and veg patch minder, is essential at this stage.

What's your solution to your access (sticky clay mud, I assume) for your house?

We are having a little drive built, eventually. In the meantime, we will build up the land, a bit, and make a causeway.

I fall over the step, this morning, so I get to the site a bit late. what, no pic Loomy?

Sorry, not this time.

Sorry about the delay everyone, bit update coming.

[Loombucket]

It's blisteringly hot and the boys have picked a bad day to do anything outside. Nevertheless, Khun Udom manages to finish the party balcony. Not everyones choice of tile, but it reminds me of a holliday in Spain.



Before the sun gets over the yardarm, Khun Udom manages to finish LoomB's balcony....



...and makes a start on the playroom.



Shortly after this, Khun Udom gets a telephone call and drives off. Perhaps he knows something that I don't? The reduced team then takes a break. This is Isaan style, pop in a bag with ice. The empty bottle is worth one Baht, so they don't normally give you that.



Mr. Brickie is working quietly in LoomB's bathroom. LoomB likes his floors green, in case you hadn't noticed.



There is no sign of the ceiling people today so it could be a busy one tomorrow.

[jandajoy]

Once again, excellent stuff, Loom.

[Loombucket]

This is Khun Presit, of the Number One Stainless Company. His team will be with us for a few days, making a handrail for the stairs and, probably, blocking the stairs with all their gear.



The two man team quickly set up and get on with it. They have all the modern trappings, Argon bottle, welder and another cutting wheel. It starts to get a little untidy on the living room floor, and, as shade is at a premium, the cutter goes ouside.



Very soon, they have the basic framework in place.



The ceiling people have been attempting to finish before the Painter arrives arrives. Fortunately for everyone, he is delayed and promises to start tomorrow. Just as well, there is a white cloud of filler, slowly covering everything that is not moving. Khun Sark, proudly shows off his white thumb.



Later, having a crafty fag in the woodpile, the two SS boys show off their cutting scars.



After lunch, the temperature trys hard to burst the themometer and there is the odd casualty. Will someone tell me if this is really comfortable??



Without Khun Udoms voice in his ear, Loong is able to teach the Apprentice a little more about the important things in life, like rest.



Meanwhile, up in LoomB's room, Mr. Brickie is trying to finish the floor.



As everyone else thinks about going home, the SS boys start their welding.

[Loombucket]

Meet Khun Saman and his little helper. They will be putting on the paint for us and offering any technical help. The Painter reminds me of an old hippie I used to see in Blighty, many years ago. His assistant has been dragged out of bed and smiles just the once. This was it.



The young lad is quickly onto the scaffold, to start on the upstairs. This is just the sealer coat, the colour comes a bit later.



Confident that someone is fullfilling his half of the contract, the Painter starts to take a few dust brooms apart. Sitting on his bucket, he carefully sorted the bits into lengths. I was thinking WTF but assumed that he was making something important.



The ceiling people then arrive and devide into two teams. One team goes upstairs to play with sanding paper and the boss and his wife start to make up the window frames.



When the SS boys arrive, there are very few places to stand. Mr. and Mrs. Brickie are hiding/working in the downstais loo.



In fact, anyone with any sense, or anyone not working should not be within hearing distance of the din. I go for a quick ride along the banks of the local cannal. With just one coat of sealer, the house begins to rise up out of the bushes.



Later, the Painter stops playing with his bits of twig, and starts on the downstairs walls.



Shortly after, the boys put the first of the window frames in.

[Loombucket]

It's Sunday and the SS boys don't work today. Everyone else will be in but a bit late. This gives the Painter a chance to get on with the twiddly bits.
Here is the first view of the Isaan style, home made paint brush, made by our painter. Actually, he made two and this is his spare.



Here it is in action as he goes over the bits that the roller could not reach.



The Brickies are still hiding in the downstairs loo. Today they have gone one stage further and try to hide in the tank.



I have been making some noises about access, mud and falling over in it. Behind our land, they have been digging a large hole and selling the dirt. Actually, it was a pond and they are making it bigger. Some metres down, was some of the nastiest stuff imaginable. The sort of thing that you don't want on your garden.



Pretty good for a causeway, or the makings of a drive though. Lots of small rocks, stuff that looked like chalk and a layer of pebbles. We treated ourselves to 13 truckloads and got a free tractor for the duration.



After the tractor, and one of the trucks, had driven up and down it a few times, it looked like this. When the house is done, we will be getting something a bit more permenant.

[SEA Traveler]

Khun Loom,

Your holiday in Spain tiles are ones that I almost chose for my driveway. Good choice and having a holiday party tile for the party balcony is always in order.

I'm thinking the driveway where the 13 loads of dirt we placed will be a nice entrance to your place... any thoughts on how you might want to make this a more permenant raod? surface it with what? expense?

About the inside stainless steel railing and stairway banister... looks nice. I was under the impression that the stainless was an expensive proposition.

The house is looking good. Keep up the good work.

[lamangaharry]

What a fantastic thread, have just read the whole thing today over three sittings, having been called away to do some family things. We have two Rai of land about 10k out side Phitsanulok, have raised the land already and intend to build in about five years. As I know nothing about building a house, this is like a manual and I will be taking notes right up to completion and beyond (garden). Have you given any thoughts to guttering and solar panels.

Again, 100% well done.

[Loombucket]

any thoughts on how you might want to make this a more permenant raod? surface it with what? expense?

Mmm, not sure yet. Reinforced cement to start and something pretty over the top. When I get more info on this, and get some prices, I will get back to you.

About the inside stainless steel railing and stairway banister... looks nice. I was under the impression that the stainless was an expensive proposition.

Yes, it did add a bit more to the bill. As we had budgeted for a S/S one, in the plans, we just gave him a bit more and said 'make pretty'. Full price, for ours, was about 35k, but we only paid the difference.

Have you given any thoughts to guttering and solar panels.

Thanks very much. Guttering will have to wait awhile as we are nearly over budget. Solar power is expensive, over here, but I will be using a lot in the garden, to mark the paths and stuff. Later, when I have some extra cash, I will be thinking about it for the house.

[Loombucket]

By rights, this should be the last day. If I was the Reff. I would be looking at my watch and adding time for injuries and fouls. We have lost three days, due to Khun Udom's bad arm, and about five half days due to rain. However, this is Isaan and not the movies. We smile and carry on.

Today, I notice that there has been a visit from the mouldings fairy. This is a bit like a picture rail, but goes outside to break up the surface. That or hang bladdy large pictures on.



Khun Udom has, again, graced us with his pressence, and is putting down the tiles in the kitchen. The large gap is where the sink and cooker will go.



In the lounge, the team have started on the lounge, a nice bit of granite. Pricy, but easy on the eye and looks good with any dark wood.



On the downside, Mrs. LoomB discovers that she has ordered the tiles a bit wrong and has far too many sea horses. They are supposed to be every five or so.



On the good side, the bannisters are starting to look really nice.



Most of the rest of the crew, is running amok around the outside. Here you can see the 'top coat' of paint. It did look a bit too yellow, fresh out of the tin. I nearly threw a large 'wobbler', but calmed down after a while.



Inside, it looks very yellow



I wisely opted for white, to go with my green floors. We are still arguing about the yellow. It is possibly a case of a bad batch, or a hopelessly wrong colour on the chart. I will let you know how it goes. Meanwile, the painter reaches the landing,...



...and then invites his familly round to open his beer bottles. That's Mrs. Painter on the left. Not sure about the 'chick' on the far right. Maybe she makes good noodles???

[Loombucket]

The ceiling boys have finished the boarding outside, under the roof, but have made such a cr*p job, we decide not to pay him and he hangs around for ages, clutching his calculator and muttering.



Eventually, he agrees to put up some moulding around the edges.



Meanwhile, the Electricians have arrived and start by making holes in the ceilings.



I am a tad concerned because I know that the wiring, for the downlights, does not actually exist. I tried to moan about it many times. Then I notice this little hole into the loft.



The temperature up there was a bit over the top, which meant that the insulation was working, and the guys did not actually last long but they managed to put a few of these up.



Meanwhile, downstairs, the granite floor was reaching the other end of the lounge,



...and Mrs. Brickie was cleaning up.



We were lucky enough not to have to cut too many tiles, as it was a time comsuming process. This gravity fed, cooling system is really the 'spirit level' that we have seen in action before.



The Stainless banister boys have also been busy. Deprived of their factory floor, they have been working out of sight, out side in the shade and have made these pretty bits for the banisters. I am not sure if this is over the top or not. I will reserve judgement untill they get the rest of the paint on. ( There was nowhere for the painer to stand, today, so he will be back tomorrow, hopefully.)

[SEA Traveler]

....... On the good side, the bannisters are starting to look really nice.

Indeed they are. I like the design touch on this Khun Loom. Good choice.

[sunsetter]

By rights, this should be the last day. If I was the Reff. I would be looking at my watch and adding time for injuries and fouls. We have lost three days, due to Khun Udom's bad arm, and about five half days due to rain. However, this is Isaan and not the movies. We smile and carry on.

Today, I notice that there has been a visit from the mouldings fairy. This is a bit like a picture rail, but goes outside to break up the surface. That or hang bladdy large pictures on.



Khun Udom has, again, graced us with his pressence, and is putting down the tiles in the kitchen. The large gap is where the sink and cooker will go.



In the lounge, the team have started on the lounge, a nice bit of granite. Pricy, but easy on the eye and looks good with any dark wood.



On the downside, Mrs. LoomB discovers that she has ordered the tiles a bit wrong and has far too many sea horses. They are supposed to be every five or so.



On the good side, the bannisters are starting to look really nice.



Most of the rest of the crew, is running amok around the outside. Here you can see the 'top coat' of paint. It did look a bit too yellow, fresh out of the tin. I nearly threw a large 'wobbler', but calmed down after a while.



Inside, it looks very yellow



I wisely opted for white, to go with my green floors. We are still arguing about the yellow. It is possibly a case of a bad batch, or a hopelessly wrong colour on the chart. I will let you know how it goes. Meanwile, the painter reaches the landing,...



...and then invites his familly round to open his beer bottles. That's Mrs. Painter on the left. Not sure about the 'chick' on the far right. Maybe she makes good noodles???

coming on a treat lb looking good, as for the driveway have you thought about sandstone?

now that lady... 3rd from the left...i havent ever seen a thai look like that before, is she wearing a mask?

[jizzybloke]

What the hell is that wearing red would make a good halloween mask!

[sunsetter]

^ i had to stop looking at it! i already nearly choked on my tea!

[Deck Ape]

[a. boozer]

What the hell is that wearing red would make a good halloween mask!

It couldn't be the author of this great thread Khun Loombucket in drag, or could it?

No offence Khun Loombucket, this has been one of several really great threads, your photographic skill, coupled with your ability to provide great narrative, leave me with the utmost admiration!

[sunsetter]

great little interlude, now back to the main event