Bushel box...

Not one for hiding my light under the proverbial bushel...

This full size bushel barrel  (19 ins diameter ) and its heavy roller have found a new home here at Cloth Shed Towers and are proudly displayed on the "very distressed" side table in the hall.

Originally from the Glendronach Distillery, Aberdeenshire in Scotland, it would have been used to measure the dry ingredients for whiskey production.

In beautiful condition, with chunky iron handles...

And stamped inside 1923.

The roller would have run over the iron rim to level the barley, ensuring the correct measure.

It is currently used for holding the last few windfall apples before I turn them into crumbles, but I do think it would make a good kindling box for the wood burning stove.... Which incidentally is keeping the house nice and toasty today....

As an aside and a test of your knowledge of old fashioned measures.... how many pecks in a bushel?

Four... 

Julie x

Moving down.....

The Bastle landing is more or less finished now....

 Just need to put the iron thumb latches back on the doors.

Natty LED lights in the wall to guide you down to the staircase,

Some remnants of old lime plaster on the walls,

And exposed beams and purlins add to the atmosphere.

Looking back to the bathroom with the angled window above the door.....

 

which provides welcome light into the hall from the garret window,

Now high up in the bathroom.

The two bedrooms are almost complete and just require the emptying of tools, left overs and an awful lot of dust.

Then I will be in to touch up the paintwork and think about the furnishings....The best bit!

All the windows have shutters but I think curtains will be going up in the bedrooms for a cosy feel.

Down the stone steps onto the new staircase and it is a very different story....

The 'soon to be' kitchen with the exposed stone walls, more beams and towering ceiling have taken a lot of our time.

Good job Mr CS enjoys being on the scaffolding as I don't do anything over 2 metres.

Unfortunately he hates painting,  but we both agree his plastering is pretty damn good.

Putting the insulation, battens and boards on at that height was neck breaking...so pleased it is done.

Looking back to how it was three years ago, I think we can safely say it is an improvement even if there are no kitchen units!

Julie x