In this fascinating video, we take you on a journey through the hidden history of a neglected bread oven. It all started when we encountered a stubbornly damp wall, and little did we know the surprises that awaited us.
After hours of removing cement render from the internal walls, we discovered the cause of the never-ending moisture problem: an ancient bread oven without a roof. Apparently, the soft clay surrounding the tiled oven structure had turned into a giant sponge, soaking up water like there was no tomorrow.
Undeterred by the challenge, we embarked on the arduous task of digging out the bread oven, only to be met with broken tiles and granite boulders at every turn. As we observed the charred condition of the tiles and bricks, we couldn’t help but feel sorry for those who feasted on bread baked in this ancient oven. Talk about gritty ash on every loaf!
The Hidden Bread Oven’s Secrets
To our surprise, the bricks in the oven floor displayed a hodgepodge of fonts, letter spacing, and thicknesses. It seems these bricks were regularly replaced, leaving a thick layer of ash beneath them. We puzzled over their irregularity from the same brick yard.
Despite the progress we made with the oven, the lounge walls continued to defy our efforts to dry them out. It turns out that decades of accumulated dampness had left them saturated. It’s a waiting game now, but we’ll get there eventually.
Some may argue that deconstructing an ancient bread oven is sacrilege, but when it’s causing severe damage to our main building, sacrifices must be made. Since we have no use for it, we’ve decided to convert the oven into a downstairs toilet. Don’t worry, we’ll preserve the round internal walls and metal door, keeping the essence of the oven alive.
It’s important to remember that this house had been abandoned for 30 years, and without reusing spaces like the bread oven, they quickly become ruins. So, join us as we breathe new life into this forgotten treasure. Who knew that a simple bread oven could hold such stories?
Unearthing a Bread Oven: Shovelling Through Decades of Disaster
