The Build

Its been a while since my last blog, but that's not a sign of inactivity, I just haven't got round to sitting down and blogging. During September, 3 builders moved in (well that's what it felt like) and we have been able to make the changes to our house that we have been planning for some months now.

It certainly feels like a transformation as we have changed the direction of car access to the garage and created a lovely kitchen diner with large French doors. The French doors will overlook a new garden space created through relocating the drive. I have put some before and after photos at the end of the blog.

At one point we had contractors working on the drive, electricians, builders, plumber and the guy fitting garage door. Never mind the project managing, the tea and coffee order required a spreadsheet and meticulous planning. 

The build has gone well, and although we have had some head scratching moments solutions have been found. We are really pleased with the outcome.

We have had some interesting characters working here, including Rocket Ron the plumber. He was billed as 'not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but he is the fastest!' I would add to that his psychic powers as he obviously knew what we wanted doing before we did - or he thought he did! 

The main building work is now complete and sadly Dave and his boys have found a new home to pull to bits and reassamble. We still have lots to finish off but at least we can now do that at our own pace and as budget allows, although we still have a further visit to come from the Rocket, to finish the plumbing.

Whilst the building work has been taking place we have also aquired a new addition to the family - lofty the killer cat. On the first day of building work she was discovered in the garage loft space, presumably having snuck up there the day before as I tidied up in preparation for the building work to start.

Lofty has never really left us since, she comes and goes and pops in for a nap most days. In fact she likes us so much that we get a daily gift. We have had dead pigeons and live mice in the kitchen, but more often we have a dead bird or mouse at one of the doors to our house, it's a bit like the pet cemetery! I cut the grass this week and discocered 6 dead mice and two birds in what must be her store cupboard. In fact we've had so many gifts that I would think there is a 2 mile buffer zone round our house that must be rodent free!  

Well that's enough for now and I think brings the blog up to date, I need to get back to my painting. I have the boys boat trip to look forward to in October as we head off on the narrow boat for a week, I hope the good weather continues.