Renovating an Old Italian House in Tuscany- Episode 1
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- I have taken on a massive adventure renovating this amazing italian ruin I bought. Here is the first look for everyone to see what challenges I have ahead. I am not scared are you...?
I am always impressed by anyone who takes on the resoration of an old building and I look forward to seeing your progress.
I have done so twice in my lifetime.
I am certain that you already know that this will not be an easy journey and will be fraught by delays, cost overruns, several disappointments and many strategic errors that could have been avoided.
My five simple rules:
1. Never be afraid to ask for help or advice if you feel stuck or overwhelmed.
2. Always consider an offer of help or advice.
3. When planning a contingency fund, double it.
4. If you are unsure about a decision, stop and do the necessary research.
5. If at any time you feel in over your head, call in someone who knows best.
On the other hand, this amazing project will likely be one of the most fulfilling projects you will ever undertake.
Please remember that when you feel like giving up.
Best of luck. We are all rooting for you!
AMEN.
I was born in Lucca Now I' live in Seattle..I Miss walking days in the City walls,And Anfiteatro Square, Beautiful people...
Oh wow yes , lucca is one of my favourite’s i the region. Do you travel back to Italy now and then.
If the house is classified as a "historic building", it will be almost impossible to change the facade. I hope for you that your architect is also an expert in renovations in historic centers, there are Professionals in this specific sector and many government incentives that could save you a lot of money and headaches with bureaucracy. Good renovation and Benvenuto in Italia.👋
So happy to find your channel! Looking forward to following the excitement! The place is going to be beautiful and amazing, I can already tell. Janice from Arkansas USA
Very pretty in the Alpe Apuane. I've been living in the pre-Alpine area in the very far north of Italy for 8 years now. It doesn't take long to get used to the endless climbs (Just to get to my main vegetable garden is the equivalent of going down 4 flights of stairs and the same back up!). Nice house, good luck with the restoration!
Thanks for the follow Stephan , yes even if the climbs is hard it’s worth it every single time ..:)
Benvenuti ! We are doing a similar project near to you and have filmed our progress. Enjoy the process, hard work but lots of fun and adventures !
Amazing , yes I love it , little slow at the start but hopefully get right into it soon ..:) thanks for the follow
Great project! You’ll be chilling with a cup of tea on your sofa before too long. 👍🥰
Thank you for the kind words , yes I caint wait ♥️♥️thank you for the follow
Glad you showed up on my “suggested videos!” I look forward to watching the transformation! It’s a little “diamond in the rough!” I don’t doubt you will become extremely physically fit after walking up the hill so much and will have a personal transformation yourself! Best of luck!
We purchased my husband’s great grandparents house in the Serchio Valley [Lucca] just east of you in September 2021. We have a similar arrangement of rooms and floors in an old stone building the deed states as ‘from a time before records were kept.’ We’re guessing 1500s, as per my father in law. Most little hamlets in the region are considered to be medieval. Our cousin renovated it in 1986 and added a bathroom. I had the same idea as you, to put in larger windows to allow more natural light (I’m a painter!) When you indicated that change, I muttered out loud, Good luck with that! The notaio said when we closed on the house that we could do whatever we wish to the inside, but not the outside. I’ll be following along with your progress into that permit acquisition. So, welcome to the neighborhood. We don’t return until September 2022…
Ooo yes the opening of the window , I have had a lot of comments and discussion about it . Me personally I think it would make the sense to have it done but like you said it’s up to the commune . Even if I caint I’m sure it’s only a small hurdle in making this a dream home . Thank you for the follow , maybe it your close by next time pop in for a tour ..:)
You should have your own UA-cam channel discussing your ancient home and your paintings! I’d watch it!
@@stephaniewilliams9469 Filming, then editing requires commitment of my time and skill. I’ll take it into consideration.
@@changinglatitudes I understand that our cousin hired someone to make windows for us. They need to be installed. I hope that gets done before we return. That September date is incorrect. We won’t be in Tuscany until the first week in November. I’d love to see your terratetto if you are there at the same time!
Instead of sandblasting, use a contractor that uses dry ice blasting. It’s safer, easier on the wood and less of an environmental mess to clean up. Check on UA-cam. Also I’m a radiant in-floor heating designer. If floors are structurally sound you can lay Schluter panels on top of floor and install PEX tubing for in-floor heating. It’s very straight forward and inexpensive to accomplish yourself.
Cheers!
Thanks you Giovanni I will denfitly look into it , I like the idea of the dry ice as I believe it won’t make such a big mess. As for the underfloor heating that’s a great idea : thank you for your positive comments . Follow along for the ride . Let me know if you have any other ideas ..:)
@@changinglatitudes
I have been a construction and energy consultant since 1977. I have lots of ideas. Grey water capture systems and solar thermal and PV, also woodstove heat exchangers for heating storage tanks.
@@sunworksco oh wow , I might send you a msg if I get stuck with something or have any questions.
Hi! A huge job but congratulations on this lovely casa-torre you have bought!
Even before starting from the roof, I would have a look at the foundations because from the little we have seen of the cellar there seem to be problems there with the roof that supports all the other floors.
My suggestion is also to get an Ape, as someone has already suggested.
This is a place to be loved because it demands a lot of dedication. I am sure this is what you wanted and you are going to enjoy it. Be aware that every change you are going to make will alter its beauty unless it is essential. (No way that you can change the size of the windows, by the way.)
I think people who can conceive and perform projects like this one are special, but a lot of experience is also needed. This is a proper restoration project of a 13th century item and there are special rules and special tecnniques. Get some help from a local building firm!
Beautiful home. Love the glen entrance to our home. Looks like lots of work. But the results will be so wonderful. Look forward to seeing your progress.
Hey bonnie , thank you for your kind words , it’s an amazing property with so much potential .thank you for following the journey .
I bought a house in small town on a steep hill in Italy in April this year. And my house looks very similar in shape and size as yours. Only my house is in livable conditions and we actually spent few nights there already. My house is next to the church and i so wanted for the bells to ring. It's such an amazing authentic Italian feature but found out that the church bells not ringing as they operate this church only in rare occasions. I was a bit disappointed. But there are other churches not far from my house so I can hear the bells.
Amazing I’m so happy you have found a gem , yes I belive talking to the locals they do the same with the church next door only ring it on special occasions . But follow my journey I’m sure you will relate to a lot of my challenges ahead
As an Italian, reading/watching videos of all of you people from all over the world buying a house in my country, especially in more remote areas, make me sooo happy. I really hope you well enjoy the stay and discover all the fascinating places Italy has to offer... especially in the south, ahaha. (Sorry, I come from there, I am a little bit biased 🤣)
Hi Japie, Louise & Rosemary, how’s it? We came across your vlog by chance and have looked at all your episodes so far. You are very brave to tackle such a project. A few tips from my side. You should get these first important items to make your work easier: a wheelbarrow, an Ape (not the baboon, but a Piaggio-Vespa mini bakkie) and a small winch to lift up your materials to the various floors. Start from the roof and windows and get the place waterproof. Insulate properly, this will reduce your heating & cooling bills. Secondly enquire locally for the best heating option, as in winter it will get cold. The slate tiles are quite valuable, if you don’t want them put them up for sale on a local site. Looking forward to your progress. Piero (Switzerland).
This is great...welcome to the "Bought a House in Italy during the Pandemic" Club. We're looking forward to the ride. How exciting!
Oooooo amazing …:) I love meeting people in the same situation as me , except I presume your property is in a better state that mine … where about is your house ..?
The club is growing!! We have bought 2 homes in the Grosseto province during the pandemic. - as a time share between friends and the second as our retirement house and both sight unseen. Can’t wait to see what you are doing with the place!
You are courageous to take on this restoration of your old historic house. Make it a home you ❤️.
I can honestly say that if I bought a house in a village, I would WANT to hear the church bells ring. I have lived with that before and you get used to it fast and sleep easily. It's a comforting sound.
I can certainly see why you bought it. There really is a lot of potential. My big concern would be water damage - that isn't "stain" on the beams, it's rot. Same with corners of the floors. But all that can be replaced. I hope you can indeed save some of the beams. Or perhaps acquire some ancient ones to replace them. Best of luck with it. It's a gorgeous setting.
Hey greenshp yes I do agree with you even if the bells were ringing everyday , it won't annoy me as its part of living in Italy > yes so so much potential and I hope I can do the building some justice and bring it back to live. water damage is a Biot of a concern as mould has taken over most of the walls . the plan is to get someone in to sandblast it and the access the damage. my plan is to try and use reclaimed material as much a possible through out the renovation. Thanks for the follow , happy to share my journey with you guys
The sound of oppression ;)
@@andreelindevall1203 An extremely naive POV, IMO.
@@greenshp No, religion is oppression and that's that
@@andreelindevall1203 The fascist regime’s boots can be heard marching down via Roma lead by the nose of señora Mussolini…
Good luck. I’m jealous but home to be in the same situation in the future. Looks like a fun challenge.
yay, I can't wait to watch what you with the place. It is beautiful. Congratulations :)
Thanks you so much ..:) it’s going to be an amazing journey
Good luck. I see good possibilities for your structure.
welcome to Italy tuscany for me is one of the most beautiful and diverse regions here. I moved here 6years ago but have family here so already knew the place. living not to far from you direction florence. what I really advice you to get is a good geometra a good one can solve you a lot of problems. if you should have problems getting contractors if needed let me know but I think you should be able to fimd what you need in my opinion not really a huge problem. enjoy the process yeah hard work but when you are done you even more proud of whst you got done. ciao from Pistoia
What a Beautiful area.
Even if I was young and skilled. I would hire most of it out.
Yes a lot of people do say that to me , but I when it’s all done I can truly say I saved this building and brought it back to life ..:)
I’m so excited for you! Yes, a lot of work, but what a lovely place to restore! Im looking forward to seeing the wine cellar.
Thanks for the follow ..:) yes a lot of work but an Amazing property ..:)
Looking forward to sharing your journey with you. Gorgeous marble. You'll soon be fit getting up and down that hill. Beautiful area to have bought in.
Thank you for the follow …:) it’s going to be wild and amazing journey ..:)
You love to see it! Keep it up mate, looking forward to following your journey.
Welcome mister Oliver ..:) thanks for the follow . Great content ahead
Thanks for giving us the video tour. You have a huge labor of love ahead of you, mate!
Thanks champ , it’s not the best video as it was my first will be showing more in detail as I go along ..:)
You're actually doing what so many of us only dream of! Please keep filming every little bit of progress and even the setbacks. I've looked online at multiple sites in the Abbruzzo region, but have yet to ever make the journey there to see anything in person.
Again, thanks for filming this! Hope to one day be doing the same!
Cheers/Salud 🍻
This is cool reminds me of a medieval tower!
Thanks brett for the folllow
Hi put rusted tools in vinegar for a couple of hours then rinse and spray with wd40. Works like magic. Lots of luck.
Hey thank you for the follow , I will give it a go with the wd40…:)
I can't wait to see the progress on this. :)
Hey Eric , thanks for the follow ..:)
That's a fabulous house. Any idea of a restoration timeline?
Great video. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress! There's no doubt you have a lot of hard work ahead, but I can definitely see the potential! Good luck :)
Hey Katherine thank you for the follow , yes denfitly worth saving the building and turning it into something special . Exciting times ahead ..:)
Beautiful views indeed. What a project but it will be fabulous. Having to go down 2 floors to the bathroom from the 2nd bedroom will be a pain I think. Looking forward to more vlogs
oh yes fabulous is the right word here :) yes agree but I don't have much off an choice as we will want a private bathroom for us , just off the main bedroom . im sure the guest start will stay with us won't mind going down a couple of stairs
Wow, what an exciting project ❤️
Yes so exciting it’s all I think a o bout 🏠🇮🇹
Good luck with your renovation. We bought a place in Pisticci Italy and start our renovation tomorrow.
This is amazing well done for choosing such a lovely ruin,my daughter's friend is doing up a ruin in Portugal,it is just a shell
You are so brave! And quite the romantic ... truly. Wishing you the best of luck with working with the government officials, mother nature, and financial restrictions. If anyone can do it, it looks like YOU can!
Can't wait to see this progress..looks like the old girl has good bones..Will be watching from Canada
Hey Susan yes old bones in deed … thank you for the follow all the way from Canada ..:) next episode is out on Sunday ..:)
can't wait to see future progress!
Thank you for the follow ..:) some good content coming up 🇮🇹
It's beautiful.
Thank you , I do love it
Beautiful house wow
Thank you ..:)
great house!!
Amazing work to do
Thank you allessandra thanks for the follow
Looks beautiful! How much did it cost?
Looking forward to see the transformation!
Brave man!!!!!
brave or stupid ... we will have to find out :) keep watching its going to be a interesting ride.
wow. will call you 'intrepid'. i love the original beams, but i don't love that they are supported by screw columns. i am VERY interested on the building department response to opening an outside wall for more window. I look forward to your videos of the town and why you bought this place in that town! I send you support and encouragement!!
Hey reno , yes its a definitely not a small task that i am undertaking :) but I a m dedicated and should be fine. Luckily the screw collumns are only in place as a barrier for the opening in the floor, All the beams are secure and safe. Yes for the opening i do not think i will be able to widen it but its definitely worth putting in the application.
Thank you for sharing. I adore the original features like that sink! Good luck what a great project. Do you have a background in DIY or any of the trades?
Hey maura thank you for the kind words . No I don’t have any background in DIY but very hands on and will learn most off the trades as I go . The plan is to bring in friends that has more knowledge in certain topics to help me out of il stuck ..:) should be fine I’m very dedicated .
good luck with the reno dude, that is gonna be a massive project!!!
Thanks Drin yes massive project ..:) but it’s going to be worth it thanks for the follow
Reminds me of the hills I lived on in San Francisco.
I have never been to San Fransisco
Can’t wait to share your journey, best wishes from Australia
Wow amazing I have never been to Australia …. Yes it’s going to be an wild journey ….:) thank you for the follow
Just subscribed to your channel this is awesome can't wait for you to do the place up
Can't wait to follow this!
Hey DJP thank you for the follow , oh yes it’s going to be an Intresting ride that’s for sure but I will be sharing my journey on here ..:)
Глаза боятся, а руки делают. Желаю успехов в ваших начинаниях!
Good luck and thanks for an interesting video.
Hey Michael thank you for the follow ..:) loads of Interesting videos ahead .:)
Your a brave guy ! Good luck !
Thanks sunny ..:) it’s a amazing project ❤️❤️❤️
I am subscriber number 3411. Let's see where this goes. Wish you all the best.
Hey Martin…;) welcome 3411🤪 Hopefully it goes to the Moon 🇮🇹👀 it’s going to be An Amazing journey
Massive job make sure you transfer the light from the roof to the rooms and from each window across the adújese the rooms. Maybe remove some stones from the partition wall to create internal windows that carry natural light through.
hey Mariel yes massive oil an understatement but I'm dedicated , I agree I have to bring as much light into the house a possible its so important . thanks for the follow make sure to follow and see what I end up doing :)
Benvenuto in Toscana!
Look forwards to the repairs.
Thank you for the follow Peter ..:)
Just subscribed ! Greetings from Alabama USA ! Can't wait to see what you do with the house !
Hallo thank you so much for the follow … I’m currently in Italy 🇮🇹🏠 next episode is out on Sunday ..:) the house will be amazing ..:)
Just subscribed. Had seen this vid on TV a couple of days ago and forgot until now to subscribe. I am excited to be on this journey from the beginning. Good luck.
Hallo carol im so happy you came back an subscribed ..:) it’s going to be an amazing Journey 😝
Slate tiles look amazing as flooring too. Don’t know if you like the idea. I’ve used outdoors.
Just a heads up, anyplace where there is concrete touching wood, it will cause the wood to rot as the concrete will wick water up to the wood and keep the moisture against it.
Hey Betsy thank you for the advice , I denfitly not knew that … will have to look into it … hopefully the beams are salvageable 🙂
interesting, very interesting
Thanks for the follow
Good 👍 video 😃👏
Good to see you in action
Thanks wahoo..:)
Congratulations on your old house in the province of Lucca, where I lived when I first came to live in Italy. I now live in the north. It's clear you're South Africans. You will have to get fit quickly and work on your Italian, workmen can be a challenge. That's not to even mention the comune that you will have to satisfy before you can make any changes. You will not be able to make bigger windows that's for sure. Hopefully you can ask around for a tame Geometra. Good luck settling in as your work around your neighbors who are very close.
bravo to you sir.
Thanks for the follow
Just came across your channel , this looks like an interesting project to follow ,like you say a lot of work . I couldn’t help but notice all the acroprops throughout the house , the architect will address what needs to be done there I guess . looking forward to watching your progress . (blow your nose please) 🤨
Hey Jean thanks for the follow yes sorry about the nose I just recovered from covid at that stage and was still feeling pretty under the weather . Yes it’s going to be an amazing project and I caint wait to share it with all of you guys . The next episode will be the last of me not at the house working after that it’s renovation all the way ..:)
Hi, I just subscribed. Congratulations! I am excited to see how you progress. I am moving to Italy with my daughter so I am super interested in how you got there and what you will do with your new home. If I may ask, did you have a budget that you are working on? I am interested in the details of how you have done things. Thank you. Ciao.
Hey Miss car , thank you for the follow and welcome to my channel . That’s exciting news that you will make the move to Italy . Yes I kinda have a budget but not at the same time . I will be posting videos on all aspects regarding the house and future plans for it . If you have any question or content you want to see please feel free to comment . I will at some stage Do a whole video on the buying process of the house . The channel is to help people that want to do the same as me and spread the information
So many people doing this now, how unhappy we must be to go searching for a dream.... Does it exist? I live right near a church honestly the bells, are lovely to hear
Hey Michele I think the opportunity to turn a derelict building back to its former glory is the dream it self … taking on a massive task and challenging yourself to complete the impossible . I see to many people not following their dream and just living
@@changinglatitudes yes, lived it many times myself nothing like a project to distract
Stained glass. Be blessed. You are Brave!
Hey thank you for the follow :) oh yes brave or stupid ? it should be a good journey
i live in lucca, i worked as a builder and renovator. 30 years ago, small and large hovels of little value were being sold as new to rich foreigners! The best houses, cottages, cascine and farmhouses is difficult to find for sale
Granite and marble can be polished to a mirror shine
The red brick wall in the bathroom looks like the shower wall that would have been tiled but should be covered up.
Great channel, very easy to understand so don’t need the subtitles!
Hey wildagain thank you for the follow … yes agreeed it would have been a shower wall , I’m planning on doing glass so will remove it :) I like an open plan bathroom . Thank you for the feedback regarding the subtitles , because English isn’t my first language I don’t people to struggle to follow my journey .
@@changinglatitudes cheers buddy your English is great I thought you were from uk!
Might be nice if you can do a crossover with Raf from ‘not useless yet’ channel at some point, he’s in Tuscany also
@@man8god Thanks , no my partner is from the UK so that maybe why i have a slight English accent> Yes have actually been watching Raf (not useless yet) from the start. His house is actually not to far from mine. But i think we should definitely do a collab. But yes this project of mine will be something interesting and special .
I am a licensed engineer and have been in building and construction for 41 years.That’s some project you have ahead of you.I live in NYC so none of the existing buildings are that old but I have plenty of experience in structures that are 150 + years old so I know what your in for.Are you going to replace any of the old beams and replace them with smaller and lighter engineered lumber ? Are you going to install a central heating system ? Please keep updating your progress on you tube,I would love to follow your project
just found your channel, wow what a project. I am seriously thinking of buying a place in Italy. I am wondering I you have any building experience because you said you want to renovate most it it yourself. Good luck.. I will be following your progress.
That is gonna be a hell of a reno but it has so much potential 😍 but having to get custom fitted windows and fitting plumbing and electrical in italy wont be fun
Yes yes yes he’ll of a Reno , yes it’s going to be troublesome but hey I’m ready ..;)
❤
He already lost the key to the house. Lol! You are funny!
Hahaha yes not the best start to this renovation … hey but I’m here to learn and see if I can achieve this dream. Thanks for the follow
Definitely going to be a huge project! But what would one expect of a house from the 1600s.? You did not mention whether you will be moving there to work on it?
Hello nice video
How about a hunter Herald stove that heats radiators some job heats 12 rads
This looks great-i’m here for the ride. The house opposite looks empty as well? for sale?
I love comments like this , makes this all worth while …:) I know , my fiancé had already told me I caint buy it hahaha not to sure if it’s up for sale. I will ask around and maybe do a video about the house you never know it might be 😜
Good luck trying to heat that home with just a fireplace , my advice get a 10 to12 kw wood pellet stove put it on the first floor , the heat will rise to every level of your home . A 15 kg bag of pellets will cost you 10 € and it should last you a day .
wow better you than me.....take care.
ooooooo I know right , its frightening but hey you only live once :)
Wow,you buy a house in Italy and you hope the Church bells wont disturb you?Thats the beautiful thing over there,you miss it when you go back home…Sunday feels like Sunday in Italy not like most of us North Americans where every day is the same.Didn’t you buy a home over there because you want something different?
The Church isn’t in use any more as he stated at the beginning of the video
Completely agree with this comment. Churches are part of the charm of Italy!
Did you happened to notice that the bell was right out the window feet away.
You never get used to hearing those bells every hour and half hour in my town , the bells are going to be' the least of his problems .🤣🤣🤣
Good luck to you. What about outside space???
Thank you for a follow , I have look into this and I can buy a small piece of land within the town , for a garden and outdoor activity space .. will make sure i document the whole process.:)
I am amazed that you could walk on all floors. One beam does not look so well and you are not light built.
Dang man, any update? How things goin? Its been a year since your last upload. Cant wait to hear from u again soon.
lets do it..here to support u
Hey thank you for the kind words , great to have you follow me on this journey 🏚🇮🇹
Jeez mate, I can't believe some of the comments you're copping. Don't get sucked into believing you need to acknowledge never mind engage in a conversation. Take on board those who give qualified practical advice, and keep doing what you are doing. You owe nothing to anyone, and you are in control of how much personal information you choose to share. I will be watching your journey with great interest. Sterkte from Aus.
Hey Gillian its the advice I needed this comment to get me back onto track :) I'm very new to the whole putting my life on social media . but yes agree I have to pick my battles :) thank you for the follow , its going to be a wild ride :) dankie
I bought a case of 24 cans of Heinz baked beans in Costco.
I lived in Calavorno for a year when i was 14. (coming from Lucca it was the train stop just after Bagni Di Lucca) Ive been back to visit only twice since 1977. Planning a return 9/2023 . What town are you in specifically?
Hey Brian the town is called retignano , very close to Lucca . when you return you are more than welcome to pop in and see the house . Let me know :0
Maybe instead of making the window larger, try requesting from the community permission to put a nice French door there along with a small balcony.
Hey Larry great idea , I am in talks with my geometry hopefully she can convince the commune to swing my way
Congratulations. Unfortunately it takes so long to get any contractors to work a job in Italy. I watch another Channel from Italy. And it's taking forever to get any work done. Because of the strict rules. And the lack of contractors. Some of them have jobs lined up for 2 years. That is why so many people have bought in France instead. Because they don't have that problem. You're not allowed to fix your own Roofing. You can't make changes to any structure on the inside without putting in the paperwork first. It's just absurdity. I don't understand why they are so strict when it comes to the inside of somebody's living space. I understand the outside. Good luck and enjoy the journey.
Could you share about how you found/identified the house to buy?
Yes denfnitly going to do a video on the whole process ..:) keep on watching its going to get wild 👀🏠🇮🇹
Curious to know how much you paid for the home ?
Don’t remove that wall in the shower, just tile it over with some pretty tiles.
are you a construction worker ? A carpenter ? How do you know how to fix this place up ? I've always dreamed of restoring historical houses, but I have no clue how to even hammer a nail. But there are all these men who just seem to know how to install plumbing, install heating systems .... and 2 days before , they were sitting behind a desk at a corporate job. it mystifies me that they ll just "know" how to build a house.
Love it. do you need residency papers to live in Italy, from (I'm assuming) England,
Hey thank you for the follow Johnathan , I’m actually from South Africa . So I need a visa to be in the country and can stay up to 90 days. But the plan is to apply for temporary residency and then go from there ..:)
There are 2 options from uk, become a resident, or, you can currently stay for 3 months out of 6 in the schengen zone.
@@wendygarfagnana4681 Thanks, for the info, that's what I thought. Shame we left the EU, what a disaster.
Gotta have the youth/energy, drive and money to do one of these undertakings. If you have all three you are good to go.Editing my comment at 10:49 in. Dude I hope you have deep pockets and unlimited ambition, because you got a tiger by the tail. For your first project, which I am assuming it is, this is will be a slugfest.
Hahahaha love this comment …. Yes champ , it’s gona be a wild ride … I’m ready , this will be the hardest thing I have done in my life … 😝