Help yourself : Just do stuff!
This site is for information, inspiration and motivation. 
It's also where you can find all the information on our Whitby Holiday Cottage restoration. Lastest ONE YEAR ON GUIDED TOUR VIDEO
I hope it helps you to help yourself. Self help by doing stuff.
Philosophy of DIY: Doing stuff for yourself is self help of the most basic kind. Improving your own surroundings and life without reliance on others. It's akin to personal development of the mind and body, using: goal setting, visualisation, motivation and lateral and positive thinking as well as physical skills. Self help of this kind will give you lasting results and develop skills you can apply in other fields.... its easy just do stuff!
DIY stuff - guides /plans for the right results
Beginners guide to buying and preparing timber
A starting point to set you on the right path for many projects (The easiest stuff to buy isn't always the best!)
Making a front door, a step by step, how to guide
Plan it and do it with the tools you have. (Spending some time and thought instead of more money)
Hewing a Beam using Froe, Axe and Adze
Rebuilding a brick arch in fireplace
A job often needed when a blocked up fireplace is opened up to fit a stove.
Repointing old Brickwork - replacing all the mortar if neccessary
You can rebuild a wall without knocking it down!
Installing Flexible Flue Liner
Starting with the parts, cost and then a full "how to install flue liner" including video
Repairing a Pantile roof from the inside
How to Fix a Rotten Beam or Joist End
Part 1. compares some common techniques, Part 2. How I made the repairs
Planer Thicknesser Review
Critical and honest appraisal (Do I really need a racehorse when a donkey will do)
Fitting Salvaged Victorian Cast Iron Railings
Salvaging an object and possibly a skill from the past
Two Wheel Tractor - fun Intermediate Technology
Trike build and design V the Wooden Motorcycle
Hand Hewing a Tree to a Beam
Retrofitting a structural beam and column
PRO stuff - For an income
I have some insights and knowledge. You might use tools I've designed, seen images I've created, read manuals I've written.
I work very closely with a variety of companies, my take on their products or services are here.
Cherry Pickers (MEWPS) for working at height access.
Rotational Moulding Hydraulic Tank Design
Property Stuff - Investment in High Standards
Earning time by making an effort investing away from the herd .After 14 years as a Landlord, I've a formula that works for me and my tenants. Not the kind off stuff you see on telly but practical knowledge of how and why stuff needs doing to make the best investment of the time and effort put in.
Whitby Cottage, Renovation / Restoration For a Holiday Let Business
Digital Marketing stuff
Find out how I'm learning
Marketing moves on and I've got to keep up with the times. From the days of acetates and booking typesetting, I've not been far behind the latest technology. With the IDoStuff project I'm learning new stuff. A self help trip from novice to expert (eventually).
Self Help / Self Improvement stuff
Thoughts on self improvement and personal development
Some years ago something said made be think about how I approach the stuff I do and how I live my life. This field of self help, mindsets, law of attraction, visualization etc. can get a bit wacky and I like to think I'm a bit of a "down to earth" sceptical Northerner.
iI'll try and make some sense of my thoughts on self help.
Random Stuff
More about our woodland over on the blog. So far a bit of background and digging ditches.
Is a Wood Burning Stove worth it?
We think so but not because it saves us money. Is it more about lifestyle and feeling good?
(Look at expenditure and and see what value it buys or invests: happiness, comfort, contentment, security)
