Introduction
The Manna is a log cabin that overlooks the lake in the grounds of Ruston House. It was originally conceived as simple venue for day retreats but, to make the cabin suitable for as wide a range of uses as possible, the plan developed so it would be possible for it to be let as a venue for those who wished to have a short "off-grid" break at what many would consider to be an idyllic site on the fringes of the Norfolk Broads National Park.
Development ceased when Ruston House was put on the market and the agent advised allowing any purchaser to finish the cabin to suit their needs. Currently, there is no kitchen or toilet installed and water would need to be carried to the site. As with other sections of the site it is recommended that you visit the What's New page where you can find how subscribe to our newsletter.
2020
6 December 2020 - Problems With The Cabin Floor
The plan had always been to cover the raw, untreated, wood floor with something that would be easy to wipe clean with a mop. It was on 6 December 2020 that I took the photographs seen on this page. Unfortunately, an issue had come to light as the vinyl was unrolled. I can't remember exactly what was said but it seemed that, in transit, the roll had been subjected to some stretching. I was advised that it should recover within a few days and that heat would help. I think I recall that it was suggested a warm iron be used and that is I tried on this day.
1 December 2020 - "The Manna" Sign Erected
Diana and I had agreed the name we would use for the Cabin and the Green Team had been commissioned to produce us a sign. I had picked the font and the Bible image to be used. I was a little disappointed that the image hadn't been reproduced that quite as I had requested, but I doubt that anyone seeing the sign for the first time, would anything was wrong. The sign is hung over the door that you see as you approach the cabin. The name chosen was intended to reflect the purpose that Diana had planned when she first thought of having the cabin built.
28 September 2020 - The Cabin is Stained
The initial coat of stain on the log cabin is complete. The door and window frames are now black. That might seem a strange choice but the tilt and turn mechanism on the opening windows that flank the side door have a black strip in the frames below the glass and having the rest of the frame black is a good way of hiding that. However, given what was happening with the water levels, my comments show more interest in that than the look of The Manna.
18 September 2020 - The Log Cabin is Complete
It's now the end of the week and the cabin has been formally handed over. The picture I took this evening shows that the glazing unit has now been fitted and the veranda boarding is no longer in a stack an about to be laid. The trim at each end of the roof has also been fitted. Now all that needs to be done is for the cabin to be given a coat of stain to protect it.
14 September 2020 - Scaffolding Erected
I may be describing this as "Day Five", but as you'll realise when looking at the dates of posting, there's been a gap over the weekend. This morning scaffolders arrived to do their thing so that work could continue on getting the roof finished. It was a simple task and there were gone before 10:30. We were warned the the folks from the shed company wouldn't be back until Wednesday. One worry is whether we'll be able to get and keep the lake free of duckweed.
12 September 2020 - Roofing Felt On, Doors And Windows In
It's Saturday and, after a day working on the path, I finally got round to taking photographs of the work on the cabin done yesterday. At first glance, as you approach, you might think the cabin is finished, but as you get closer you'll realise that there is no boarding on the veranda. Another thing you'll realise is that while the cabin is water tight there's only an under-felt on the roof. There are still the felt shingles to fit.
10 September 2020 - Floor Laid, The Roof Started
Once again, shortly after midday, I made a trip with camera to see progress on the cabin. From a distance you really get a good idea of how it will sit in the landscape. Once at the site we see that the veranda roof, or loft floor, has been fitted as has that to both rooms the cabin. Up on the roof the team consider the next rafter to be put in position. Inside, you can see how the area above the veranda will look.
9 September 2020 - The Walls Are Completed
The team were on site early and we let them get on with their job, making a first visit with the camera just after midday. They'd made significant progress. It almost makes you wonder if the whole job will take the four days planned. Just after 16:15 I went to look at how the cabin will appear to those holidaying in the cottages. Because of the angles between trees at the edge of the site, large holly bushes on the communal lawns and the island, only two of the cottages have any view of the cabin.
8 September 2020 - The Walls Are Started
At long last today was the day when the team arrived on site to erect our log cabin. A good part of the day was spent unloading the two trucks and carting all the material 100 yards across the cottage lawns.
They were then able to start work on putting all the parts together on our side of the fence. The pictures were taken just after 18:50, when the sun was so low it only reached the top of the trees.
20 August 2020 - The Base For The Log Cabin Is Laid
Today saw the first step in the installation of the long awaited log cabin. Piles were driven 6ft into the ground. They were topped with paving slabs and then the base frames were bolted together and levelled. The job was really quite quick. This photo was taken just after 15:00 and the team had already left the site.
