Exposing stonework and clearing the way. Here we go then!

For both of us, buying Casa Grande and moving out to Portugal has given us a huge amount of satisfaction and filled us with excitement and anticipation. We are highly optimistic and looking forward to realising our dreams.

One of the first projects that we will have to tackle head on will be to rebuild and re-purpose what will be our kitchen and dining room areas. This part of the casa is a modern improvement rebuild (1950’s we think), on top of the original lower ground level stone structure. There’s some really sketchy building work on show here and it’s easy to critisise, but we have to remember that at the time they really were improving living conditions and probably quite considerably.

So in no particular order, here’s a list of projects for this part:

• Remove and then place with new the old collapsed roof.
• Reset and re-build a main entrance door / porch area.
• Remove a (large) collapsing and leaking concrete slab roof section.
• Remove and replace all collapsed and rotten wooden floors.
• Clear and rennovate a utility room to take Solar Power installation.
• Dig out and then set new limecrete flooring.
• Install a WC and walk-in-shower room area.
• Connect the WC to the septic system (which we do not have yet)!

Just a few things to be getting on with then.

As with most homes and especially our last family home, the kitchen area will become the hub of our home and also the HQ for the bigger renovation.

We are also working on getting a space in the jardim organised so we can benefit from a few of Portugal’s rays in the spring and summer months. It’s not all work and no play you know!

Much to clear and make ready first though. Clearing the way!

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