Woodworms evicted from Swiss chalet
This blog is written by Ewan Ogilvie, a recent graduate from the Chippendale International School of Furniture.
I was delighted to receive an invitation from the school principal, Anselm Fraser, to join a small party heading out to Switzerland to help restore an abandoned log chalet.
On arrival at 1100m above sea level at the village of Val D’Illiez,our enthusiasm was immediately whetted by the sight of two tonnes of planked timber which was to be used to transform the interior of the chalet. This enthusiasm was dampened slightly when we learned that the only access to the chalet was on a path up a steep slope, under a waterfall and along a narrow ledge. Every tool we were to use and all materials would have to be strapped to our backs and hauled up there. We were assured that the cunning omission of this information prior to our departure had been purely accidental.
However, our first sight of the chalet changed everything; the building was absolutely stunning, and in an idyllic setting with a view down the valley to one side and to a waterfall on the other. We couldn’t wait to get started.
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