Monday, March 31, 2014

The last of the snow we received early last week melted pretty quickly--here's what we hope will be the last snow picture!  The shade around the Carriage House kept these remnants from disappearing as quickly as the rest, but they, too, are gone now.

The Central Virginia Builders crew continues to make good progress on the south portico.  The core foundation of the columns has been established and the workmen are now devising a jig to use for the milling work on the finish material so that the columns will match the originals exactly.

Geo is still away, but plans to be back to work later this week.  Sherry was here today, and Heather, one of the Ramsay landscapers, stopped by to look at one of the pots on the front porch of the main house, which had broken, perhaps as a result of the freezing temperatures.  She and Patsy will try to find another one like it and will be back in touch.

We experienced some very high winds on Sunday, and as a result, there were lots of sticks around on the yards today, but no tree damage and no damage to buildings or fences, fortunately.

Joyce, of Guesthouses, referred a repeat client to Stephen, who met with the client this morning and gave her a tour of the residences at Ramsay.  She is most interested in renting the Carriage House at some point, and was very favorably impressed by all she saw, and plans to add Ramsay to her list of places to stay when she is in the area.

In addition to hearing spring songs of the birds around the farm, we are now hearing the little "peepers" or frogs, who sound as though they are living in the marshy area just on the other side of Stockton Creek, so maybe spring is really almost here!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The past weekend was uneventful here at Ramsay.  This week, the Central Virginia Builders crew is making good progress on the south portico work.  This morning, they started at 8 o'clock in 24 degree temperatures and gusty winds.

Sheathing is being added to the steel supports--here's how it looked
this afternoon.

Tuesday was a snow day--the Greenwood area received around 6 inches of powdery snow between daybreak and nightfall, and fortunately, today's sun has melted most of it despite the cold temperatures (our high today was 35).

On the way to the Northwest field, mid-day today.

Sherry was here part of the days yesterday and today.  Stephen has been doing farm-related office work most of today, interspersed with coordinating with workers on site and feeding animals.  Paul, the plumber, was here today to repair a leaking hot water line under the sink in the kitchen of the Main House.  Geo was here on Monday, but was off yesterday and today.

All the grass is definitely turning green--so exciting!  This is our second spring at Ramsay and we are so looking forward to seeing green pastures and green leaves on the trees again.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Ramsay is enjoying the spring weather of the past two days!  New green grass is appearing, and Stephen found periwinkle and daffodils blooming in one of the borders at the Main House this morning.

The Central Virginia Builders crew is working quickly and effectively to remove the damaged columns on the south portico and insert steel cores in preparation to applying the enclosing materials that will create new columns.

The steel posts and the new beams have already restored the roof to its original straight and true lines.

Sherry and Geo were here today, and Stephen did some office work as well as coordinating the ongoing work.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

A gray and wet day here, but temperatures did reach into the 40s, so a lot of the snow has melted, leaving puddles and mud in its wake.

Yesterday morning...

This afternoon...

Despite the messy weather, the crew from Central Virginia Builders made good progress on the south portico today.  The first phase of work on the exterior of the Main House involves replacing the south portico columns which were in various stages of disrepair.

One down, seven to go.

The carpenters discovered that the original columns were simply hollow boxes with no main, solid core--a major surprise to everyone.  The new columns will be constructed with interior steel core posts, wrapped with custom material designed to match the original columns in every architectural detail.

Out with the old, in with the new! Three new steel supports in place.

The existing roof, which was sagging badly, has been leveled with hydraulic jacks, and the new steel posts are already bearing the load successfully.

Steel posts supporting new beam.

Other work aside from the portico construction included Sherry and Geo being on site doing their regular tasks, and Stephen coordinating workers and completing some office work for the farm.

Tuesday morning, March 18, 2014

Ramsay received about 6 inches of snow by mid-day yesterday, and most of it is still here because of the cold temps.  Even the snowy coatings on the tree branches are still in place, I suppose because there's been no wind, the sun didn't appear yesterday, and it's been below freezing since Sunday evening.

The farm was fortunate not to have suffered damage or lost power as a result of the storm.  Stephen spent most of yesterday morning clearing driveways and parking lots, and fed animals early and late.

Sunday morning, March 16, 2014

The weather forecast for our area is still changing, but here's what we're preparing for, just in case!  (Greenwood is just above the "a" of Charlottesville in this graphic.)

At least our temperatures won't be in the 0 to 10 degree range this time, so fewer freezing issues to deal with.  Finger crossed!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Today was a beautiful one here at the farm, with temperatures in the 50s early and in the 60s by afternoon.  The scattered clouds made some beautiful patterns on the mountains and the fields.  This picture was taken from the NW field this morning, looking toward Afton Mountain.

Some noteworthy happenings from yesterday and today:

• Patsy and Heather were here early yesterday, and planted pansies in the large urn and surrounding bed in the circle of the brick walk in front of the main house.
• Joyce and a prospective client for renting space here visited in the late morning yesterday.  Stephen met them and provided a tour and other information as needed.  The guest was very impressed and loved the location and all the facilities and amenities of the property, so we hope to see her and her group at some point in the future.
• Geo was here parts of yesterday and today, continuing his woods-clearing project and helping with other tasks.
• Clay, the representative from the wireless internet provider for the farm, was here for a good while this afternoon, trying to ascertain why our signal varies or disappears occasionally, despite an overall strong signal.  Stephen explained the problems and they discussed options.  The technician installed a new receiver on the Grigg barn, and is increasing the signal strength, still within our current rate.
• Two representatives from the carpet company engaged to create rugs for parts of the main house came this afternoon to take measurements.  Stephen met them and accompanied them through the house.

The forecast for our part of Virginia is now predicting 5-10 inches of snow, starting tomorrow night and continuing into Monday.  We, along with everyone else except Wintergreen Resort, were so ready for this delightful spring weather to continue!  The lawns and fields are very gradually turning green, and I found these coming up in the woods--I think they are daffodils, and I hope they will survive until the warm weather comes back next week!