There follows a slide show detailing the work done in our kitchen during the first three months after moving to the Island.

Working on this and the many projects we had to do was good for me, it gave me practical work to do which was so different to the academic work I had been used to. Oakhurst was the ideal house to work on, it has two of everything. Two kitchens yes but both in a state and both had to be worked on straight away.

Before the main kitchen project was started the annexe kitchen had to be emptied as all the units were well below standard. The units in the main kitchen would replace these and new top cupboards fitted. We would use the annexe kitchen and its Baby cooker until July.

Here is the text of the slide show:-

1. Our house in FRESHWATER Isle of Wight.
   Built in 1962 and extended in 1982 we have a lot of space but the kitchen and utility area need to be brought up to modern standards.

2. In February 2004 we enjoyed a weekend house hunting holiday in the West Wight.
   We visited four properties and made an offer to buy one, Oakhurst.
   A month later a quick day trip enabled us to view again and confirm our thoughts about the house"

3. Note the Aga. Which was removed by the vendors but they left the slab of concrete for me"

4. Although OK the old base units had to go. So out they went to the utility area. The BIG plywood doors hide a few pipes and the CH Pump"

5. These were strange times fridge in the kitchen the two ring cooker in the Utility area "

6. It all had to go. The Aga now gone we had a gas pipe too many and one that had to be closer to the ceiling.
   The serving hatch had to be filled in. "

7. Two air bricks to what is now the Annexe they had to be filled in.
   The BIG cupboard has now gone, see all the pipes!
   And Wow the gas pipe comes in, feeds the boiler and goes outside again, DAFT"

8. Gas and Electric now done plus wireless zone valves for the heating.
   The first base unit is in but it will be the last unit to be fixed."

9. Top cupboards now in, you can see why the gas pipe had to be lifted 200mm
   Still the water and drains to be sorted.
   All the base units here.
   Then there is the sink and the tiles.

   Will it never end....

10. Thanks also to the companies that supplied us with the materials
    • Plumbley's
    • Live Wire
    • Magnet
    • Screwfix
    • Downers

The Slide Show