Mon 11 Nov

Builders' meeting was productive. We think we've come up with a suitable answer, chipping away at the bottom of the lintel to create enough space for a slightly altered beam.

Another problem today: the internal builders had booked three plasterers, expecting the top floor bedrooms to be ready. Oops. We've delayed them till tomorrow, so there has been much stripping done today, with dear old Nick being a brick.

Pics will follow; firstly, to finish stripping.

(incidental music)

Back! Right, they've started filling in the BIG HOLES IN THE FLOOR with a substance I was amused to hear our structural engineer call "pea shingle". Think I've had that on me chips.

Also arriving: the pipe to the utility. I'm ready for my pea shingle, ma!

While we all await the structural work - they've got to fill in the pea shingle first, see, so they can put enough wall supports on that floor - the internal chaps have been starting to fit the en suite... here's the shower. Not finished, obviously.

And various pipes, some of which are fitted, others just lounging around like lairy schoolkids at a bus stop.

And so to the top floor, where Nick has done sterling work. Nat's room:

...and oooh, the mess on the floor, it took 45 minutes to sweep up...

Lodger's room. Those walls are clear of paper, honest, that's plaster underneath the blue paint.

Ella's room:

Looking the other way, Pawel's been busy making preparations for Ella's bed, knocking out some wood and adding a little light plastering.

Now the top-floor rooms are clear of paper, the proper plasterers can start in earnest tomorrow. Clean lines and smooth surfaces always mark a turning point in a build. Here's hoping the structural stuff comes good, and soon we'll feel like we're nearing the end.