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.
2021
7 December 2021 - The Cabin Is Moving
Back in February I reported that the cabin was showing signs of movement. The installers came out and did some minor work, hence the number of additional screws that can be seen on the under-frame in the photos on this page. Inspecting all the way around the cabin it would appear that it is only the veranda where a problem is occurring and that is because weight is concentrated around the pillars. It is not happening where the logs span many segments of the under-frame.
7 December 2021 - Cabin Path Construction Update
It was on 21 April that I last reported on the construction of the Path Around the Cabin. It seems I failed to take any further photos of the work or on the completion of the project until those shown on this page. Now, rather late in the year, it's not easy to see whether there are wood chippings in the grid panels or not. Certainly, there are a good number of autumn leaves on the surface. For the first time we can see the full length of edging to the side of the path nearest the back of the cabin.
7 December 2021 - The Manna Is Furnished
After the stove had been fitted it became the priority to furnish the cabin. One of the options was to use the loft above the veranda to use as sleeping space. However, that would have required some work to fit a balustrade and a simple bed/settee was ordered. The clock over the veranda doors was a present. What you see here was a temporary location for the dining table and chairs as they block easy access to the loft. The empty corner beside the stove was intended to be for a small galley area, but we haven't yet resolved the design for that yet.
9 September 2021 - A Stove Is Installed
As the idea of using the cabin for overnight accommodation developed it became the plan to get a wood burning stove installed. Finding a company prepared to install a stove in a log cabin proved surprisingly difficult. Eventually, we found one who would but post-COVID supply proved difficult. We chose a stove capable of being used as a cooker, with a lift up lid on which pans can be heated and a rack inside the fire box allowing you to grill steaks or burgers, cook pizzas, or even a casserole.
22 April 2021 - The Flooring Has Stretched
I suspect this photo was taken a day or two after the discovery of the rucks in the flooring. Given that I was working in the cabin the evening before, it's most likely I decided that the direct downward lighting didn't show the bulges in the flooring well enough and I needed the light to come from the windows to show the effect. It turned out not to be a big disaster. The son of a friend came to have a look, stretched the flooring and left within the hour, without charge.
21 April 2021 - Electricity For The Manna
It was never intended to fit mains electricity to the cabin. What was bought was a kit designed to power an electric fence, a solar panel, charge controller and leisure battery. To that was a added strips of LED lighting, switches, 12volt "cigar lighter" sockets, cable and a fuse box. It's not clear on which day the electrical work started and I failed to photograph the battery, charge controller, fuse box and electrical control gear for the power to the cabin till 2025.
21 April 2021 - Cabin Path Construction Update
Perhaps it reflects the better weather that you can expect as you get further into the year as, in April, I took photos of the progress on constructing the path to The Manna on four different days. The record starts with the first of the new white grids being laid. It seems highly likely that installation of the panels was already in progress before I took my first photos of the month when the first of the wood chippings had been laid. The last picture shows that edging is laid on both sides of the path to the rear of the cabin.
16 April 2021 - Overhanging Trees Are Taken Down
I had become concerned that some of the trees on the far side of the dyke were beginning to grow towards the light and over the cabin. It seemed to me quite likely that in the not too distant future damp soil at their base and storm wins could easily find the cabin roof torn apart in the same way that The Gazebo near the house had been soon after it was built. We called in Clive to prune them. It produced a mass of trimmings that were all chipped and used to surface the path.
7 March 2021 - Cabin Path Construction Update
Whilst, in February, a good number of days were spent working on the raising of the path approaching the Manna, it turns out there was just one day spent on the project in March. The two photos were taken at 16:44 and there is barely a further yard more of the path had been completed. It's also notable that the old grey grids are still to be seen on the cabin veranda. .
28 February 2021 - Cabin Path Construction Update
Rather than individual reports, I have collected reports of the five separate days in February on which I took photos of the progress of the work to raise the final few yards of the path to The Manna. I have no photographs of any work done between 12 January, maybe none took place. Most probably it was the weather that discouraged me from working outside, but taking time to order the sand that I was to use as a base on which to lay the plastic grids, which were to be filled soil and seeded could have been a factor.
21 February 2021 - The Cabin Is Settling
Part way through the month, while work to Raise the Path continues, I notice that the cabin is showing signs of movement. That's a bit of a worry as, with hindsight, it appears that the Underframe was designed to be laid on the usual concrete base and not one supported on a limited number of piles. I take a couple of photos and send them to the supplier.
15 January 2021 - A Ladder Is Installed
Obviously, if the loft area over the veranda in the cabin was to be easily accessible then a ladder needed to be installed. Eventually, a suitable model was found that matched the construction of the cabin. One feature of the ladder was that it came with hooks you could fit at the height needed and a rail to attach the wall on which to hang it A further benefit was that you could order as many extra rails as you needed. I ordered two.
12 January 2021 - Construction Of The Cabin Path Starts
It had been clear for a while that when water levels are at their winter norm it would be necessary, to raise the level of the final few yards of the path to the cabin. The first step was to lay down some path edging between which would be laid plastic grid tiles, similar to those we'd used previously.. It seems I failed to take any photos of that first steps, which probably took place on Saturday 9 January but by the twelfth of the month it can be seen some progress had been made.
