Count House Maintenance Meet - Report

The maintenance meet on the north Cornish coast on the weekend of 14-15 Jan was very successful. Organised by Andy Bullock and Rob Seymour the rather lengthy list of tasks …..

• Fix remainder of floor “skirting” entrance lobby and small area in kitchen (needs suitable capping ).
• Touch up paintwork in various places inc – landing under fire alarm call point and in boiler room and fill spots in plaster work where nails have “popped” – magnolia.
• Paint walls and “dado” in room 1 – magnolia and white vinyl matt.
• Touch up walls in room 4 by west window - magnolia
• Treat with fungicide and paint window reveals rooms where necessary - magnolia
• Paint white edge strip to outside step - Janet
• Strip / sand off & teak oil benches in dining room and telephone room
• Clear grass / mud around entrance path to facilitate drainage
• Clean showers as necessary
• Clean ovens (and fridges if necessary)
• Black paint to renew lettering to entrance granite sign.
• Strim fire brake around hut (if time also “conservation” areas) – Rob & John..
• Strim path towards crag.
• Draft proof attic cupboard
• Use boulders to restrict pedestrian gate opening width Level area for dustbins
• Clean windows outside
• Clean toilet block extract grill
• Clean up boiler room
• Clear sink wastes and traps
• Make new cement mortar fillets to septic tank and well manholes

These were dispatched on the Saturday leaving Sunday for some rather windy climbing or walking. The 15 participants also enjoyed a ‘Spag Bol’ supper on the Saturday evening with a range of liquid refreshment. As an example of what is needed on a meet of this kind, as well as elbow grease, the following were required:

• Capping for flooring – Rob
• Screws and plugs, Nonail adhesive – to hand
• Magnolia vinyl matt 10 litre. - to hand
• Suitable paint / stain for benches – teak oil? - Rob
• Pollyfilla – to hand
• Draft strip and fillet for attic cupboard - to hand Sack trucks for moving boulders – John will bring
  
• Sand and paving slabs for dustbin area – Rob
  
• Sandpaper – to hand
  
• Sugar soap - to hand
  
• Paint brushes - to hand
  
• White spirit - to hand
  
• Rag - to hand
  
• Long handled window cleaning brush – John will bring.
  
• Pollyfilla knife – John will bring
  
• Masking tape - to hand
  
• Fungicide - to hand
  
• Oven cleaner - to hand
  
• Window cleaner - to hand
  
• Paint for granite sign – Sandtex one coat external gloss + suitable brush - John
  
• Trowel for cementing – John will bring
  
• Cement and sand mix. – to hand
  
• Dust sheets for painters.
  
• Circuit breakers – John & Rob will bring
  
• Loppers – John will bring
  
• 2 stroke mix – John & Rob to bring
  
• Goggles x 3 – to hand
  
• Coveralls x 6 – to hand
  
• Work gloves x 5 – to hand
  
• Face masks x plenty – to hand
  
• Power sanders
  
• Hammer drill + 6mm & 7mm masonry bits.
  
• Petrol power strimmer / brush cutter.
  
• Dustsheets.