Our First Flat

The builder's last day (we think)

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. He also put concrete down in front of the door so that water doesn't seep underneath it. I think thats it. And even their equipment is gone from the garden as well. So apart from the money aspect, we're all sorted and can now enjoy the sun!

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, I'll just say phew we're home!

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 we realised it would only look good if we sorted it out completely.

So, after two trips to the tip with top-soil and rubble, oh, and all those plants, we headed off to B&Q and got ourselves some weed underlining and some bags of Cotswold chippings. Not enough mind you, but we'll fix that when they open again tomorrow!

We're very pleased with how it looks - it needs a plant pot or two, but generally it lets lots more light in to front room and should require a lot less maintenance. Hopefully people might stop using it as a rubbish tip now too, although I doubt it!

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 they'll be finished for the year! Next stop, bathroom...! :)

It actually looks much better than we were imagining, and thankfully it's got a lot of (tough) glass in and ISN'T obscured by that funny frosting (which the builders thought we had wanted). Job's a good'un!

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 in case the weather turned, but thankfully it stayed nice all day.

In attendance were Susan, Claire, Dave, Phil, Terrie, Ben, Katy, William, Lucy and Neil, as well as us two obviously.

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 it meant Henry could make a doctors appointment and then we had the rest of the day to relax.

We're very pleased with the sofas themselves, they weren't very expensive and it's just as well since they've quickly been covered up with throws to protect them from the kittens!

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 underneath and build up some new blocks, ready for the carpenter to come in and fit the doorframe, which will hopefully happen on Saturday.

As you can see from the photos, it was quite a messy job, so we had to put dust sheets over everything in the kitchen. Even then though, the whole place seems to be covered in a fine layer of orange brick dust! Oh well, at least it's on the way now.

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. Now we've got to figure out where you get railings from, to stop small children wandering off the sharp drop!

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 to the new wall and the side of the house.

It's all coming together now, so we can't wait to see what it looks like when it's finished. By the looks of it, we've only got the final rendering and the new door to go now - fingers crossed it might be done in time for the weekend!

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 that many pictures as I had no excuse to take them (normally I say I'm emailling Henry about it!)

Today the builders were here, there and everywhere - measuring up, delivering materials, putting RSJs up somewhere else. Eventually Tom came back and built up our walls, in what I thought was a short amount of time, but he said it could be done quicker.