Up and Down

It's been a strange few weeks.

We haven't visited the barn for about 10 days, as we know not much has happened on site whilst the builders wait for the scaffold to be erected - and the scaffolder has had labour problems.

Our builder, Neil, met with the engineer yesterday to consider what to do about the bulging wall at the road end - and it looks like it needs some repairs!

Neil has ordered the oak posts and beams today.  He's also struck a good deal with the brick supplier, buying a job lot of 4500 hand-made bricks for less than £300/1000.

So whilst progress might have been a bit slack on site, things are happening - honest.  I've even had a further call from Central Networks, saying they're trying to find ways to reduce the quote for the electricity connection, but still finding all sorts of reasons why they can't do an overhead cable - mainly I suspect because it gives them maintenance problems in the future.

Meanwhile, I'm off to Hong Kong on Weds with work, so I'll be relying on the internet for news whilst Neil does the site project management and Misan takes on the role of clerk of works.  That'll keep everyone on their toes!

PS: Misan has objected - she thinks she's PM, not Neil.  The fireworks are about to go off!!

PPS: My sister Ann has just reminded me that I put in our latest planning application this week - for a garden shed!  Because the planners had inserted a condition in the last approval saying no building or structure could be erected within the curtilage without prior written approval from the loacl planning authority, we've had to send in drawings showing the plans and all four elevations of our proposed shed, together with a design and access statetment justifying our proposals.  I even included some photos to help.  They now have 8 weeks to consult the neighbours and publish their decision - which we hope will be a nice Christmas present.