Well after a month of having the builders in we were very glad that Tom came back today to finish the last few little bits. He rendered the wall so its all smooth and when its dry it’ll get painted. And he tidied up the concrete on the steps as well especially over the pipe….
A fine bank holiday Monday
Another fine day so went to B&Q to get some more gravel bags and then we went on a mission to find the right (and heavy) pot with the right architectural plant to go in it. Henry was driving so its always an adventure but with the festival people going home at the same time,…
A surprise job for a Sunday – new front garden!
Being a bank holiday weekend, but one where we’re trying to save money, we hadn’t planned anything to do today. However, it was gorgeously sunny so Sara decided it would be the perfect time to attack the front "garden". We had originally planned to simply prune and weed it, but as we got further in…
A new day door-ning…
After a delay of a week or so (more like two actually!) the builders finally delivered the new back door and installed it. It hasn’t got a cat flap in yet, but they’ve done half of it. Hopefully they are coming back next week to do that, plus the rendering on the outside. After that…
Another day for partying.
Today was the day of the big summer family party, so we had a lovely barbecue. We were able to show off our new steps – unfortunately the door hasn’t been finished yet, so it wasn’t ideal – and had a great time in the sunshine. We also had the use of a great gazebo…
The new sofas arrive at last!
Being the first day that the builders weren’t coming for over a week, we thought we might get a lie-in today. But alas that wasn’t the case, as the men came to deliver the sofas at possibly the earliest time they could have – just after nine o’clock. This was quite good though really, since…
A doorway appears and then disappears!
Thursday was the day that they finally got round to starting the doorway. Tom came round on his own, and as well as fixing a few paving slabs to cover up the concrete footing of the wall (not sure what that means!) he managed to take the old window out, knock the wall out from…
Almost time for the opening…
Today seemed to be the last day of work on the steps, before the grand opening (scuse the pun!) tomorrow – when they knock a large whole in our kitchen wall. Below are shots of the finished (apart from painting over the render) walls and steps – I’m sure you’ll agree it’s looking pretty good….
Finally coming together…
We’re running out of things to say about all this now – the pictures pretty much say it all! Today Tom (I am reliably informed by Sara!) added the side panelling to the top portion of the steps, and finished the retaining wall at the bottom. He also did a rough "scratch" layer of rendering…
Retaining walls built in one afternoon
Henry was at home today, due to an emergency doctors appointment to find out what is wrong with his skin. Turns out he has a skin infection which is why he is covered in blisters on his hands, legs and feet. I think we’ve caught it in time before it spreads elsewhere. Therefore there aren’t…