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[Feltwell]

Yet another vote for "take your time before making changes".

It really is amazing how much you can change your mind with time. 5 years on in this house, we've come to live with quite a few things we thought we'd need to change, have realised that a few things we hadn't considered do need to change, and have come to regret - only slightly - a couple of aspects of the major work we did in the early days.

For instance, for a reasnoble size house we have a tiny, narrow family bathroom. The previous owners were considering a 2 storey extension to make it bigger which initially we thought was a good idea. However, having been here a while we've realised:-

- It would cost a lot for no real return on the value of the house
- The extra ground floor space it would create is simply not needed
- It would spoil the look of the back of the house
- With some very careful re-jigging, it will be possible to take some space from a neighbouring en-suite and end up with a much better, small but acceptable, L shaped bathroom and still have an acceptable en-suite - and that can be done for relatively little cost.

 

[Penners]

I've never really understood the desire for a huge bathroom. To me it's just wasted space. Provided you've got room for all the necessaries, plus sufficient standing room to towel yourself down without barking your knuckles, why do you need more?

Our last house had a big bathroom, which (with LBC) I converted into a small, fourth bedroom and a small bathroom. So when we moved, we were able to sell the place as a four-bedroom house, and no prospective buyers ever commented on the smallness of the bathroom.

Mind you, I don't know what they said when they were a mile up the road!

 

[Feltwell]

I agree Penners, a huge bathroom is very opulent but a bit of a waste. What I'm aiming for though is a bathroom that I can actually have a bath in that is wide enough for my shoulders so I don't have to lie down twisted to one side, like I do currently!

We moved out of our last house, which had a small, narrow bathroom, vowing that if nothing else the next place would have a better bathroom. So of course what do we buy? Yes, a house with an even smaller, narrower bathroom!

 

[Penners]

Just a thought, Feltwell, but have you considered the possibility that a cut-back on the Kit-Kats might be a cheaper solution?

What am I saying?!

 

[Feltwell]

I am circumferentially challenged as well Penners, but the current bath is so narrow that it's narrower than my shoulders, which no amount of kitkat abatement will resolve! Whilst I'm a large build, I'm no Geoff Capes, it's just a very narrow 750mm bath.

Friends showed me their new bathroom recently, they are very proud of what has been squeezed in the space, including the special small bath that tapers at one end and, according to them, is still really roomy to lay in. I think they've lost sight of the fact that she's 5'0" and he's 5'4", and both are a small, slender build! Especially as they're talking about moving soon.....

 

[Penners]

circumferentially challenged

Oooh - don't! Any word that begins with "circum..." makes my eyes water!

 

[Feltwell]

Oooh - don't! Any word that begins with "circum..." makes my eyes water!

Hmm - you need to circumvent that problem Penners old chap.

Or you could use one of these words instead :wink:

circum, circumagitate, circumambage, circumambiency, circumambient, circumambulate, circumambulated, circumambulates, circumambulating, circumambulation, circumambulations, circumbendibus, circumcenter, circumcise, circumcised, circumciser, circumcises, circumcising, circumcision, circumcisions, circumclusion, circumcursation, circumdenudation, circumduce, circumduct, circumduction, circumesophagal, circumesophageal, circumfer, circumference, circumferences, circumferential, circumferentially, circumferentor, circumflant, circumflect, circumflected, circumflecting, circumflection, circumflex, circumflexed, circumflexes, circumflexing, circumflexion, circumfluence, circumfluent, circumfluous, circumforanean, circumforaneous, circumfulgent, circumfuse, circumfusile, circumfusion, circumgestation, circumgyrate, circumgyration, circumgyratory, circumgyre, circumincession, circumjacence, circumjacent, circumjovial, circumlittoral, circumlocution, circumlocutional, circumlocutions, circumlocutory, circumlunar, circummeridian, circummure, circumnavigable, circumnavigate, circumnavigated, circumnavigates, circumnavigating, circumnavigation, circumnavigations, circumnavigator, circumnutate, circumnutation, circumpolar, circumposition, circumrotary, circumrotate, circumrotation, circumrotatory, circumscissile, circumscribable, circumscribe, circumscribed, circumscriber, circumscribes, circumscribing, circumscriptible, circumscription, circumscriptions, circumscriptive, circumscriptively, circumscriptly, circumsolar, circumspect, circumspection, circumspective, circumspectively, circumspectly, circumspectness, circumstance, circumstanced, circumstances, circumstant, circumstantiable, circumstantial, circumstantiality, circumstantially, circumstantiate, circumstantiated, circumstantiates, circumstantiating, circumstantiation, circumstantiations, circumterraneous, circumundulate, circumvallate, circumvallation, circumvection, circumvent, circumventable, circumvented, circumventing, circumvention, circumventions, circumventive, circumventor, circumvents, circumvest, circumvolant, circumvolation, circumvolution, circumvolve, circumvolved, circumvolving

 

[Penners]

OK, smart@rse - now define them!

 

[Feltwell]

My boredom threshold isn't that high Penners! Cut & Paste is a wonderful thing.

Circumlittoral did get my attention though - and not for the obvious reason. Apparently it means "next to the shore". A word to remember for anyone living on the coast.

 

[Penners]

Also a word familiar to anyone who speaks French (from which a sizeable chunk of our Mother Tongue is derived). Littoral = coastal.

 

[Feltwell]

Aha. That's the danger of being married to a French teacher you see - no incentive to improve my terrible French, whenever we go there Mrs F does all the talking!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Unusual that "circum" as a prefix usually means "around", but circumlittoral means next to the shore.

I'd blame the French, but it's the latin but that's wrong.

 

[Feltwell]

I'd blame the French, but it's the latin but that's wrong.

Not just the "the latin but" eh? :wink: :lol:

Anyway, why not blame the French? Come on man, certain traditions have to be upheld you know.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Yes, always time for a pop at our Gallic cousins...

How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris?

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Hi Woody, I am sure that, by now, you are getting the drift of the Forum!! Back to your house, We have all found that patience pays off before embarking on massive changes in a 'new' home. Best to get your head around how you want to use it over the next few months. I think that the conservatory will be very useful and will probably blend into the background as you work your way around repairing, and renovating, exterior features. Two reasons, one is that it will make a useful spill over space for bits and bobs whilst you clear areas in the house for work, and secondly money is best spent on the main fabric of the house before you deal with the 'extras'! Weatherproofing, wiring and plumbing, especially if we are going to be caught up in unpredictable weather conditions!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Dunno - they've never tried. :lol:

 

[Penners]

How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris?

Nobody knows - it's never been tried.

Actually, I'm not in favour of anti-Gallic sentiment. I've always found them an absolutely charming race. And contrary to popular myth, we could learn a thing or two about courtesy from them (with the possible exception of Parisian waiters).

British shop assistant, as you pay for your purchase: "Ta," (if you're lucky).

French shop assistant as you pay for your purchase: "Merci, monsieur. Bonne journée."

Average British bloke, greeting you in the street: "A'wight?"

Average French bloke, greeting you in the street: "Bonjour! Comment ça va?"

Well, that's my experience, anyway.

 

[worms]

whenever we go there Mrs F does all the talking!

...and this is different at home? Lucky chap!

 

[MatthewC]

Actually, I'm not in favour of anti-Gallic sentiment. I've always found them an absolutely charming race. And contrary to popular myth, we could learn a thing or two about courtesy from them (with the possible exception of Parisian waiters).

I agree, but would add a few waiters elsewhere in France to your list.

Also I dislike the French people who refuse to let you try to improve your poor French by speaking English in reply. I once telephoned an office in Paris and asked, in previously prepared (not bad) French to speak with my contact and the girl on the switchboard just said in English "I'll put you through"!

 

[Penners]

whenever we go there Mrs F does all the talking!

...and this is different at home? Lucky chap!

:lol: :lol: :lol: