As you can see in the above video, our restoration of Fish Hooks is finally underway. First thing Monday, Tom and I met with Jason and Oral Bethel to finalize plans for the project.
Almost everything will proceed as originally planned, except for moving the house. Instead of jacking it up and rolling it back onto its new foundation, we’ve decided to use a huge crane to lift and move it. Not only will this result in less stress to the structure, but, as a bonus, it should shorten the move time considerably.
Work officially began Tuesday morning. By the time I arrived at the property that day, the location for the new foundation had been marked off. By mid-afternoon, most of the 12 holes into which the 16”x16” footings will fit had already been chiseled out of the rock.
To make room for the supports that will be installed, Oral began sorting through and carting off the debris under the house.
Mostly, there’s a lot of old, rotten lumber and miscellaneous junk – soda cans, a piece of someone’s picket fence, part of a rocking chair – all of which likely washed in during hurricane flooding. But there’s also some wood that looks like it could be original to the house, and interesting glass bottles, some of which may be antiques.
While Jason, Oral and their team worked outside, Tom and I brought down items from the attic to sort through. I was pleased to find two wooden chair frames that match the old settee we’d previously found. I don’t think this set is terribly old – probably from the 1960s or so, but it’s in good shape and I think that, with a few minor repairs and perhaps some new blue and white nautical-striped cushions, it’ll be perfect for the living room.
We also discovered more antiques, including an old oven (the kind that would sit over a fire), what appears to be an early toaster, oil lamps and more of Pa Herman’s old tools – hammers, hatchets, a hoe, a wood plane and a folding metal yardstick. These will make great display pieces, either in our place or at the Albert Lowe Museum.
Tom and I left Fish Hooks on Tuesday afternoon, excited at what a great start Jason and Oral had made, and eager to see what the next day would bring. Unfortunately, what Wednesday brought was powerful winds, cold rain and a halt to construction. The stormy weather continued Thursday, but Jason and Oral were able to work beneath the house, installing wooden supports.
Today (Friday) the weather is much better, but it’s a public holiday. Fingers crossed that Mother Nature cooperates and work can resume first thing Monday.
Related Posts: We’ve Hooked The Small One, The Inspection, Attic Archaeology, And Then There Were These…, Fish Hooks Update, Fish Hooks Video Diary: The Cellar, Fish Hooks Video Diary: Beam It Up, Fish Hooks Video Diary: Ready, Set…, Fish Hooks Video Diary: The Move.
Chile! Lookin good. Love, love, love the video. Thanks for producing, and sharing, it.
Thanks, Ann! Glad you liked it.
Love the professional video! Fun. Can’t wait to see more progress.
Thanks! Tom had fun making it — lots more video to come.
Love it Amanda! Tom did a fantastic job on the video!!
Thanks, Chelise! Glad you like it. 🙂
Great video! Can’t wait to see the progress.
Great progress !!
I love your blog and your updates about your home. I look forward to the transformation!!
Hi, Shawn. Thanks for your comment. Glad you like the blog. Cross your fingers for us that the “big move” goes well. I’ll be a whole lot more comfortable with this project once the house is safe and sound on its new foundation. 🙂
Very cute photo of you in the window!
Aw, thank you! 🙂
Wonderful – can’t wait until it is a potential “downtown” rental if that is part of your plan. Scary thought though. Having your whole house hoisted by a crane? And where, pray tell, will that crane have to be ferried from? Love the video “journal” and look forward to more updates! Best of everything you 3!
Thanks, Gayle. Yes, at some point, Fish Hooks will be available to rent, though it will be a while. The crane is actually on the cay here, so it won’t have to come too far — just down the hill into town. 🙂 Wish you could be here to see the move. We’ll be sure to post lots of updates and more video. Any chance we’ll see you in May???
Unfortunately, not this May. We head for Spain on May 17th and don’t return to the states until June 3rd. Don’t think either my boss or my travel kitty could handle me taking a week or 2 more off to be on the Rock for Heritage Festival this year. Maybe next year.
Oh, that’s too bad. Hope we’ll get to see you next year for sure!
SO SO Glad that you are willing to keep this house !! Good Luck in the next step…might have to come by and see it in person…and a GREAT video !!
Hi, Kay. Thanks for your note! Glad you liked the video. Please do come by and say hello if you see us around. 🙂
This is such a great story – this is ‘moving house’ in the most stylish way! RH
And perhaps the most stressful…. 🙂
i’ve been wondering about the mechanics of moving the house. is it Roddy’s crane? it’s amazing how competent & creative some of the guys are- & so confident, too!
Yep, it’s Roddy’s crane. I keep looking at it every time I pass by, imagining it holding our house in the air! (gulp!)
So interesting. Look forward to further episodes on this! 🙂
Thanks, Angie. Glad you’re enjoying it. Tom’s working on a new episode as I type this…
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