Time off

 Friday was Robs usual hospital appointment so we left Bruce working on attaching the 1st frame bit to the wall by smoothing the concrete flat. He also put a floor in the step in the byre.

When we got back, Jill went for a walk down to the beach. The sea was a bit foamy after the recent rough seas.

Our neighbours, Patrick and Lynda were collecting seaweed. It was good to see them

Today was a full day off . We haven't had a full day out for ages. We had an amazing start with a young hare.

Melby was quiet but it looks like they were finally putting Papa Stours electricity back on.

It was a beautiful day so we went down to Sumburgh and Grutness. Finally found a gannet to photograph with a black eye after the flu.

Cat just like Geri at Grutness.

Lovely light on Scousbrough beach.

Lovely day out.

Space!

 Bruce was here for a bit yesterday and today and has made a sort of shutter to support the frame where it joins the wall. When it's dry it can be bolted onto a flat surface instead of a bumpy old stone work!.

It was dry enough, between showers, to give the chooks a good clean out and get some strimming done. The lawnmower is still in for repair.

Jill and Bruce also  moved stuff around to clear out the byre so there is enough room to cut the frame. 

Jill has tried to get the stones out from the step area in the blue byre where they gad been holding the concrete shutters in. They were in too well and took some busting out, but Bruce will put a base in tomorrow when he adds the the frame shutters. That will be another job ticked off.

 Jill's idea for the floor edging upstairs worked. So we'll in fact we will use it at the bottom of the stairs too.

The good news is  the rubber tape at the front door seems to work.

Jill popped to Lerwick to get some builders 

sand and had a quick lunch while there. This nice shag flew in just as the panini disappeared!

Water day

 No builders so far this week. We spoke to Jim and we are pleased his knee is improving. Jill says having a painful knee is definately no fun.

Yesterday we did some sorting in th byre ready for a trip to the tip, and moved some bits from the container. Armchairs are now in, Jill managed to get them out. They are surprisingly heavy. Just need to move our sofa through to the new lounge!.

We went to the tip and got some sand and bits from Huws. We also popped to  open and picked u a sweet table for the porch.

On the way back   we were both a bit in need of a cheer up so we went to Sandness. The otter gave more usual views.....

But the Sanderling, turnstones and knot put on a show.

There was a big vessel 'parked' not often we see that at Melby.

 Today started wet and the rain was pouring in through the front door so more bailing out Jill checked on the roof leak. The temporary work Jill did yesterday was making a difference but unfortunately the water is still coming in behind the roof truss.

Just need 2  buckets now! Pretty angry that our first builder should leave us with such a big problem. It was a real rookie mistake not to use flashing around a roof light.

It dried up at lunchtime.so we finished mopping up and Jill cut some wood to put in front of the door. Have used some rubberised tape too and if it dries out tomorrow will add some foam and solastic just for good measure. That's why we need the extension up!

After that Jill headed to the attic to be creative. It's a useful bodge to make it safer getting into the attic and used up the left over hand rail and spindles rescued from the tip. Jill's favourite place

Left the post tall for grabbing and support.

Rob cleaned the cement of the door and cleaned up where the water came in. It's come up pretty well.