Monthly Archives: May 2013

Fitting Out the Studio

The fitting out of the building shell continues getting ready for first fix electrics.  Lots of wood and screws for me to organize and make sure that my people keep the workforce supplied with refreshments. During one of the tea breaks I managed to get my zen head on and think about making some music in this new space.

Looking forward to a nice weekend off and relaxing in the sunshine.  I hope my people manage to get the garden tidied up a bit so the bears and I can get out and about!

Windows in!

Today we fixed the last of the windows, and with the doors in place and glazed the building is almost watertight. After a hard day on site I took some time to bathe in the sunshine and imagine  striking up the first chord!

Windows in! Big Ted relaxing in the sun.

Windows in! Big Ted relaxing in the sun.

Fritz does not care much about the windows being in place; he wandered off saying something like “Give me my Mac any day”!

Studio Roof is Finished

Despite a few interruptions from the rain, today I helped the roofers and my people put the roof tiles on the studio.  There are a lot of tiles, and of course the people did most of the heavy work, while I kept things organized and the project on schedule. We had plenty of tea breaks, and buiscuits to keep up the energy levels!

The view from up top is impressive!

Roof - Big Ted roof all complete

Roof – Big Ted roof all complete

Bears at Bristol German Bierfest.

The bears and our people went for a trip down to Bristol harbour side today for the last day of the Bristol German Bierfest.  Of course we sampled the German beer, (spelt Bier!) and ate the delicious Brätwurst (which my people call Brätties) and Currywurst, and had a few glasses of wine.

Our resident recording engineer Bernard ‘Fritz’ Barratt has been in his element as he is from Munich (or München as he pronounces it) and claims that the famous Oktoberfest beer festival is one of the largest in the world. Anyway we all sat round eating Brätwurst and Currywurst, drinking Weißbier from two pint beer glasses and singing along with our people:

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit.

Which translated into English is

A toast, a toast
To cheer and good times
A toast, a toast
To cheer and good times.

Somehow it sounds better in the original German!  Prosit!

Blockwork Finished Before the Rain

Well it was a race against the weather today, finishing the block work over the lintel before the rain set in. Fortunately with my help we managed it just before the clouds opened. See me lay the last block just as the rain started.

Big Ted on the Gable End

Weather better today so we got stuck into the gable end brickwork. Of course I helped Barry with the pointing, although he did most of the heavy work. Great view from up here on the roof!

Goodby Rainy Tuesday

Not a lot of progress on site today, as it has been raining most of the day. Roof trusses have been secured but that is about it. Feeling a bit blue, so I think I just might go and write a song; Goodby Rainy Tuesday!

Bears in Waiting

Not much has been happening on the new studio site since Mickie the Brickie left, and progress seems to have ground to a halt. According to Scott the builder, we are still waiting for deliveries of doors, windows and roof trusses.  The bears are looking really dejected and forlorn in this picture taken this morning as we wait for someone or something to arrive.

Bears Waiting at the window

Bears Waiting forlornly at the window for Scott the builder

From left to right, that is Angus, Fritz, Pierre, me (Big Ted), Harley, Art and Hero.  I gave them some inspiring words about the virtue of patience, and posted a quote from Napoleon Hill on Twitter.  Patience aside, please hurry up Scott!