The Old Farmhouse Door.

When we bought the old Gozo farmhouse back in 2003 it was in one hell of a state, the restoration of the old house did take the best part of two years to complete. One of the questions we were keen to ask is how old is the place, we were told it was built around1795 - 1800 so I think we can assume it has stood the test of time. We were keen to keep as many of the original features as possible, and those that were beyond restoration we had made new but to the old specification where possible. The windows and the main front door was about all we could salvage from the front of the house, the back of the house was completely beyond help in the way of doors and windows anyway.

So we had the doors and windows stripped back to the original 200+ year old wood, restored and refitted, thing is I was never really happy with the finish, so I have just taken on the job of finishing the doors to a standard that pleases fussy old me (check out the picture). I am pleased with the finished job, still bears the scars of time and yet, easy on the eye. What do you think?

Then I got to thinking (dangerous), what was going on in the world when these doors and windows were fitted first time around?

• 1795 The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution is passed.

• 1801: Tsar Paul I of Russia demands the return of Malta to the Knights.

• 1803 England declares war on France, (again).

• 1805 Lord Nelson defeats the Spanish and the French at the Battle of Trafalgar.

I am sure Admiral Horatio Nelson would approve, if he were here to see the door for himself.

"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives". Abba Eban.