Topping it off!

Yesterday, we finished the rafters and, in keeping with tradition when it comes to building a wood house, had a small, topping off ceremony, complete with small representation of an evergreen tree being placed on top of the highest beam in the new chalet.

Five days, That's how long it has taken for the construction team to put this house together. Which is simply astonishing. We are obviously delighted at the progress being made but it has posed it's own set of challenges... that of trying to bring all the other contractors forward to accommodate the ten days or so that we are now ahead in the timeline! Nevertheless, I guess this is a good problem to have, relatively speaking... :)

Lowering the biggest, main ridge beam into place

Dariu gives it welly..!

So that's it in terms of the BIG wood, including the rafters. Everything is in place and, from now on, the guys will be turning their attention to the roof; the insulation and the interior panelling. We are SO impressed with the efficiency and speed with which the guys are building this chalet - they could certainly teach the French a thing or two..!

All done..!

Wilmantus, Thomas, Egi and Darius - our main construction team. Absent is Raimondas, the Team Foreman and Project Manager

The spider-web of rafters on the top floor!

The Master Bedroom

This is probably an ideal time to offer a few, specific, thank-you's: To Al and Bee Street, who allowed us to copy them shamelesslessly (!) in giving us the contact for Dreamhouse and who have subsequently been such a great help for advice and suggestions; to the Dreamhouse Team themselves - notably Mindaugus and Aurimas, who have stayed with us in the three years it has taken to get this far. And who have been BRILLIANT in every dealing we have had with them. And to our respective Dads, who have been 100% supportive in every way in helping us realise our... er, dream house. :) We certainly couldn't have done it without you.

Lisa, Jason and Colin (J's Dad, also known as 'Shutter Man'! Explanation: painted every single shutter in the existing chalet while he was here. And boy, did they need it!!!)