Xmas went by with QSP having two weeks off, the site was deserted and I had time to faff with no interference. I did have a xmas day with family but otherwise I was busy doing – er – I cannot remember – although it was very important.
QSP have been back a couple of weeks and making good progress finishing their part of the project. The accoya and corten cladding is complete (barring the window reveals). Drains are complete and tested. The ground is levelled up – as much as possible with the wet ground and spoil. The workshop and main house doors are 2/3rds fitted. Barring the wet back wall of the garage all the rendering to garage and lower ground floor is done. Laid 10t of type1 to make n0n-muddy paths around the house, garage and static and I madea mini-rockery and steps the the door. The plan is they finish by end-month, apart from ……

The gas,elec and water services and cat6e are running from the driveway to the garage (where the meters are sited) and on to the house – we are now legitimate for the first time in 9 months. My acquaitance, the scrounging malingering Birdie spent a week with me making pocket door, drinking and eating to excess and 3 days installing the garage door – 2 days of abuse and 1 productive. The garage has doors, windows, elecs and fakin’ coolness.

Chris – a plumber-delinguent friend has been hard at work installing the heating system in the services room and is now crawling around under the house making grunting sounds. We have a working loo !! with most water and waste services tested out. Oddjob (Phil) has finished the soundcoat, boarding and plastered the services room – waahayy we nearly have the first room of the house running – ok, minus the electrics. They’re now boarding and plastering the FirstFloor – bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and corridor. . Electrics for phone, sat-tv and solarPV are now routed onto the FF roof.

The hearthstone (remains of the ashlar hall) has been taken away to be cut and shaped and the woodburner arrived on Friday. The windows are starting to be installed in anger (or love really).