Restoration

I have returned to a hobby which occupied my leisure time almost 20 years ago ... furniture restoration.

I found this derelict piece at the tip at Nicole, a village not far from here.

It was once a cupboard ... but I needed a bookcase for the mezzanine.

I got rid of the crappy top and removed the drawer supports.

I stripped the paint to reveal old pine.

I made a new top out of a discarded board I found at the tip. It had an attractive bevelled edge, which was a good thing considering the fact I didn't have a router bit to create a decorative edge.

An old plank cut into four pieces and mitred.

 I made shelves out of scrap timber and a feature piece for the top.

a closer look at the top and its feature piece

The timber I added was stained and black boot-polished to match the cabinet.

the finished bookcase

I am thrilled to have the work space in the barn and the necessary tools and materials to pursue my hobby.

Winter skies

It was great to see the sun today and a clear, blue sky.

For the past week, we were shrouded in fog.

It was there in the early morning when we woke up.

It lingered all day and as evening fell, the house remained enveloped in mist.

But today was clear, with the barn and house in bright light.

Cliona has picked the last of the summer roses.

The Christmas cactus looks like a flight of pink and white butterflies.

Winter at Ellesmere is as beautiful, in its own way, as the summer was.