Home on the Hill

We went to Vanderhoof yesterday and managed to stuff all the chimney bits and bobs into the back of the Toyota and bring it home. Any more stuff and we would have had to use the roof racks. Today I will start the installation. Note the new shiny stainless steel length of chimney next to the old one with the creosote dripping down the side. Almost a shame to hide it in the wall. Like everything else that comes in the house it needs to be thoroughly inspected by the Cats... Yesterday our heavy duty mechanic dropped by and managed to get the Skidsteer back together. We got it running and it appears pretty sweet. No bucking like a mad cow infected bronco. The carb needs some work, but with any luck I will be able to get that taken care of in the warmth of the new shop. But that's another project. I need to get to town to buy a couple of dozen 3/8ths bolts to secure all the guards but that shouldn't take too long. The main problem right now is getting the correct hydraulic fit...

I better get on with the chimney replacement project or Santa might have a hard time getting down the chimney. The two chimneys are walled in between the kitchen and living room. I have been toying with the idea of removing the partition for a more open look. I would have to replace the fireplace insert and would have to see the main chimney going through the house. In the meantime I needed to get at the old chimney to replace it. No problem- I have power tools. As I pulled down the chimney pipes the picture didn't get any rosier. Here is the line up on the veranda out front. Don't think that black stuff oozing is supposed to be how they look. The white crap on the floor is where the baked insulation has leaked out. We'll bite the bullet next week and go to Vanderhoof to see if we can get all the parts we will need. In the meantime I am waiting for my heavy duty mechanic to show up so we can get the skidsteer running. I have a new snow blade for it. It should mak...