September 2007 Having decided that we needed an en-suite to help alleviate the morning bathroom queues, a simple plan grew into a new double bedroom, and converting the old bedroom into two en-suites. After months of delays and excuses, architect finally sacked and we decide to make it up as we go along. Flat roof extension agreed as it will fit in with original garages and kitchens along the street. November 2007 Excavations start, and the first job is to move the old palm trees. Easier said than done, but they seem to have made a solid job of it and they have so far (with a little help) survived quite strong winter gales, and retained green leaves. Although aware of the work going on, visitors have insisted on Xmas and New Year bookings, so Andy has a tight deadline to get the groundworks and oversite completed. January 2008 Building Inspector happy with the drains, Xmas and New Year over without mis-haps and the walls and roof progress at a pace. Apart from the severe gales over the holiday period, the weather has been quite good. Just the knocking through, internal walls, new windows, plumbing, electrics, tiling, carpets, furniture, decorating, slate retaining walls and new front garden and driveway left to do before Easter. February 2008 Inside beginning to take shape - not quite as it looked on the back of the envelopes, but seems everything will have a chance of fitting in. Beginning to look better as the showers, WCs and basins are put in place. Builder (Andy) plumber (Garry) and electrician (Mark) should all be on site next week. March 2008 Dave, Dave and Tom arrive to help with gardening, walling and painting. Carpet fitted, Ikea furniture delivered on time, electrics, painting, retaining walls completed and drive widened. Just cleaning, and more flat-packs to be assembled, and new plants for the front garden to finish off. |