8.09.2025 More messing about.

 ~o~

  Monday 8th 60F/15.6C [9.00]  Bright sunshine from a clear sky.

 Up at 6.30 after a very wakeful night!

 8.50 Back from my walk. I met my nice neighbours walking their dogs and cat. Stopped for a chat. Traffic rather busy. No sign of the builders this morning. I dragged the recycling bin back with me.

 10.00 Morning coffee over. Whoops! My right hand is struggling to lift a 1kg milk carton without severe pain! I had better let it rest. So no e-biking or heavy work in the garden or at home.

 More home improvements? I was discussing kitchen door removal with my sister while she was visiting. It seemed impossible to just fold the door back into the corner. Not unless I moved all the furniture well to the left. My recycling cupboard would then become much more accessible and is quite easy to move. 

  The IKEA high level cupboard can also be emptied and moved. Though it would presently be in the way of the door when folded back. I positioned the IKEA cupboard to clear the new, tall fridge freezer on the left. So the fridge and both cupboards would have to be moved perhaps 15cm to the left. 

 The fridge has plenty of room behind the other kitchen door. Which leads to the [rear] main entrance hall. The problem is the rather short Schuko terminated cable on the Vestfrost fridge. Which plugs into a brand new Schuko socket. Recently fitted at great expense by an electrician. Who's van became completely stuck on my [previously] soft parking place. The socket is on the right hand wall in the corner but would have been better mounted on the back wall. The cable will not reach if I move the fridge to the left.

 I did a search for Schuko extension leads. Several outlets had 2m leads with a very flat plug. Which would allow the door to lie much closer to the right hand wall than with a standard [90º] plug. Cable duly ordered online.

 There would need to be an annual emptying and removal of the two cupboards. To allow the door to be folded back into the corner in early summer. Back again to normal service in the autumn. To allow the door to keep the heat in! The kitchen is currently heated in winter only with an oil-filled radiator. No central heating or heat pump. I am still waiting for a breakthrough in heating technology. One which doesn't cost a fortune to fit or to run. Wet heat pumps wouldn't pay for themselves until the great grandchildren inherit the place from their own parents.

 Without considerable work the double-glazed door. Leading out to the lean-to greenhouse. Is rather draughty. It was a recycled, hardwood, double patio/terrace door. Which I fitted two decades ago. The door reveal would need to be lined with new wood and draught stripping applied. 

 I haven't had much luck with doors fitted with draught stripping. It makes them difficult to close properly due to the spring effect! The sponge rubber strips are simply too stiff and won't compress!  Regardless of their exorbitant pricing!  

Door folded right back. Taken with G9 and 12-60mm wide angle lens.

 Removing the kitchen door from its hinges would require it be parked somewhere else. The kitchen ceiling is low and has exposed beams. Moving the heavy, fully glazed door would become increasingly difficult with advancing age. Not to mention reduced strength and fitness. Folding it back would be optimum. Despite the repeated fiddling with the cupboards at long intervals. 

 A much simpler solution would be to move everything to the left. Leaving the door hung as it is. This would improve access to the cupboards but still requires a longer lead on the fridge. I found an extension lead. The Schuko lead can replace it when it arrives in a couple of days.

 11.45  I cleared the top of the recycling cupboard. So I could lay the now empty IKEA cabinet on top. Dragged both cupboards far enough out to clear the door. As it was swung into the corner. By sheer luck and magic [?] the antique wooden door lever cleared the top of the cupboard.

 Wider angle from my phone camera. One+ Nordic 0.6x.

 I had to move the IKEA support rail to the left. Before lifting the cupboard and rehanging it on the rail. Minus the doors and shelf to reduce the weight. So much for resting! 

 I replaced the doors, shelf and all the produce. Brought back the plastic baskets holding the bread rolls and fruit. Job done. Not a great image but I couldn't get far enough away. Not with the G9 and 12-60mm wide angle. [Image above] And yes, I should have painted the wall white first. Or even the door as well. I don't think my right hand could cope with painting at the moment.  

 12.30 Time to make some lunch. I am tempted to make dinner at lunch time in future. This is supposed to help me sleep. 

 Unbelievable! It is so much easier not having to juggle with the kitchen door. Even the fridge is easier to access. The cupboards are now effortless. One less door to open. When carrying coffee or tea to the living room. I am very pleased with this simple improvement.

 18.00 It is 75F/24C in the room but I am feeling cold in my t-shirt! 

 Dinner was cheese on toast with halved cherry tomatoes. 

 

  ~o~