From gutters to glory – once we get the keys to Hedera Cottage, we’ll be harvesting Yorkshire’s finest drizzle for future use. A daft and hopeful look at our plans for catching rain, filtering out the bits, and maybe flushing the loo with pride.
Power Struggle: Tesla Powerwall 3 vs Sigenergy SigenStore
Well, the humans are arguing about batteries again. One’s shiny and smooth, the other’s a clever stack of boxes, but I’m more interested in who’ll keep the kettle running when the wind howls and the grid gives up. Tesla or Sigenergy? Read on and help me decide.
What Lies Beneath: The Myth of the Concrete Pad
Beneath Hedera Cottage’s floating floor lies a mystery — a concrete pad poured decades ago, quietly holding up the house and all its secrets. This post explores how it was likely built, what might be going wrong underneath, and how we plan to tackle it (without losing our minds or our socks to damp).
Central Heating at Hedera: Rads, Pipes, or a Gentle Whoosh of Air?
Nowt quite sparks a domestic debate like central heating. Radiators, underfloor, or a full-blown whooshy air system? Here’s how we’re weighing up the options at Hedera Cottage—post-insulation, of course.
How Can We Make Hedera Cottage Truly Off Grid?
Hedera Cottage is already remote – but could it go full off-grid? We explore the joys, challenges and strange temptations of self-sufficiency in the North Yorkshire Moors.
Watt’s the Plan? Storing Energy Like a Squirrel with a Smart Meter
Hedera Cottage runs entirely on electricity, which sounds clever until the bill arrives. We’re exploring home battery storage to buy energy cheap and use it smart — if the house doesn’t collapse under the weight of it first.
What Lies Beneath: A Tale of Floorboards, Fantasy, and Mild Concern
Before we’ve even set foot inside, the speculation’s already two feet deep. What exactly lies beneath Hedera Cottage’s floating floor? Treasure? Trouble? Or just a lot of questionable choices from the 1960s? A nosy dive into the mysterious void no one’s dared disturb—yet.
Can It Take the Weight?
A hopeful yet slightly suspicious look at whether our 1960s timber frame cottage can support a modern loft conversion — or if it’s all held together with wishful thinking and the occasional woodlouse.
The Long Wait Between Exchange and Completion
Waiting for the keys to our 1960s timber-framed cottage in the North York Moors has given us just enough time to panic. Can it support our grand renovation plans—or will the floating floor float off into the sunset?
Why Insuring a Timber Frame House is Basically a Comedy Sketch
Insuring a timber frame house in the UK? Brace yourself. Between the lack of central heating and an aversion to modern materials, getting cover for a wooden cottage like Hedera is less risk assessment, more tragicomedy. Here’s a wry look at the joys of being labelled a fire hazard before you’ve even unpacked your kettle.
The Vision for Hedera Cottage
From timber cladding to solar power, underfloor heating to smart spaniel access — a slow, thoughtful transformation is underway at Hedera Cottage.
Hedera Cottage – As It Stands
Before the cladding, before the smart systems and the pond — this is how Hedera Cottage began: creaky, cold, and full of quiet charm.