At last a sketch arrived from the architect today. Not bad, 3 en-suite bedrooms, 2 staircases, and the kitchen in the front extension. A few tweaks, and that might be a basis for discussions with the planners next week.
But still no news on the land. Who knows what's happening. Our solicitor called on Mon & Weds, but no developments.
Want to go to the barn tomorrow to see it without the pig pen and (storms permitting) to take out the rest of the trees.
Called the estate agents today to ask them to take down their board. Looking for their phone number on the net brought me across this ...
http://www.fishergerman.co.uk/file/3590/most-successful-local-auction-in-two-years.html
Friday, 13 November 2009
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Our first contractors
Fibretech came this morning to take away the asbestos animal pen and some loose bits of corrugated sheet that have been laying around the barn for some time.
We met them on site at 8.15am. It was a cold, damp morning - ideal for asbestos removal 'cos it keeps the dust down. Once they started donning their white overalls and protective gear we left them to it. They should have finished today, so when we go back on Saturday it should look quite different, and we'll be able to take out the remaining bits of the willow tree. Might get to have a go with my own chainsaw this time!
Our neighbour's scaffolding has gone, and his stone house looks really smart. Shows our barn up a bit - have to get that ivy off and tidy up the road gable as soon as we can (assuming that wall isn't one that has to come down).
Still no news on the land - maybe the winds blowing from the east this week.
We're planning how to do our fencing now. Anyone want some exercise (cheaper than the gym, and far more satisfying)?
We met them on site at 8.15am. It was a cold, damp morning - ideal for asbestos removal 'cos it keeps the dust down. Once they started donning their white overalls and protective gear we left them to it. They should have finished today, so when we go back on Saturday it should look quite different, and we'll be able to take out the remaining bits of the willow tree. Might get to have a go with my own chainsaw this time!
Our neighbour's scaffolding has gone, and his stone house looks really smart. Shows our barn up a bit - have to get that ivy off and tidy up the road gable as soon as we can (assuming that wall isn't one that has to come down).
Still no news on the land - maybe the winds blowing from the east this week.
We're planning how to do our fencing now. Anyone want some exercise (cheaper than the gym, and far more satisfying)?
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Another lovely day at the barn
Had our first proper day as owners today. Took a car load of tools, a trailer load of equipment, and the assistance of Michael & Nicola, so that we could do some serious tidying up.
Mike liked the chainsaw, so he took out the big willow tree and one of the elder trees that has grown against the south wall. I fixed the front gate, put a lock on the barn door, had the odd go on the chainsaw and loaded the newly-cut logs into the old lean-to. Misan, Mike & Nicola used the smaller branches to build a bonfire for later.
Part way through our neighbour dropped in to sheepishly ask whether we'd pay his solicitors bill for the sale of part of the paddock to us. I couldn't answer. Misan can decide that one; I've had enough.
By the time Shaki and David joined us it was dark and we'd got the charcoal going for a BBQ. They spent about an hour with Michael arguing about the best way to get the bonfire going, but little success. We cracked open the champagne around the little fire we had, then all got smoked out by the BBQ 'till our bangers & burgers were cooked. We also saw most of the village firework display from our barn.
The barns starting to look better already. Just gotta let that wood dry out so we can have a proper bonfire.
Mike liked the chainsaw, so he took out the big willow tree and one of the elder trees that has grown against the south wall. I fixed the front gate, put a lock on the barn door, had the odd go on the chainsaw and loaded the newly-cut logs into the old lean-to. Misan, Mike & Nicola used the smaller branches to build a bonfire for later.
Part way through our neighbour dropped in to sheepishly ask whether we'd pay his solicitors bill for the sale of part of the paddock to us. I couldn't answer. Misan can decide that one; I've had enough.
By the time Shaki and David joined us it was dark and we'd got the charcoal going for a BBQ. They spent about an hour with Michael arguing about the best way to get the bonfire going, but little success. We cracked open the champagne around the little fire we had, then all got smoked out by the BBQ 'till our bangers & burgers were cooked. We also saw most of the village firework display from our barn.
The barns starting to look better already. Just gotta let that wood dry out so we can have a proper bonfire.
Friday, 6 November 2009
At last
Solicitor called this afternoon to say he's completed the transfer on the barn - whoa-hoa, it's ours at last!
Asbestos can now be removed; fortunately they did't turn up today - they're coming next Weds.
Now we can get on with the design; met the Architect there this morning and turned his ideas completely on their head. He's gone away to think about our latest suggestions - kitchen at the road end in an L-shaped extension, en-suite bedroom above the dining, large double height lounge, 2 en-suite bedrooms (1 up, 1 down) at the paddock end - and 2 separate staircases. Get those drawn up, then its back to the planners to see if they might accept it. Keep your fingers crossed.
We're gonna have a little toast with a tipple of champers tomorrow. Shaki, David & Michael (and Nicola & maybe even Lord Marley) are due to join us round a bonfire to celebrate our acquisition. Might even set off a rocket. Wheeeeee ... !
Can't upset the neighbours yet, though. Still got a land deal to close out.
Asbestos can now be removed; fortunately they did't turn up today - they're coming next Weds.
Now we can get on with the design; met the Architect there this morning and turned his ideas completely on their head. He's gone away to think about our latest suggestions - kitchen at the road end in an L-shaped extension, en-suite bedroom above the dining, large double height lounge, 2 en-suite bedrooms (1 up, 1 down) at the paddock end - and 2 separate staircases. Get those drawn up, then its back to the planners to see if they might accept it. Keep your fingers crossed.
We're gonna have a little toast with a tipple of champers tomorrow. Shaki, David & Michael (and Nicola & maybe even Lord Marley) are due to join us round a bonfire to celebrate our acquisition. Might even set off a rocket. Wheeeeee ... !
Can't upset the neighbours yet, though. Still got a land deal to close out.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Nowt
Nuffins happenin'. Contract isn't signed. Opposition want some change to the indemnity. Can't be done before tomorrow.
So the asbestos guys can't come in yet - except that I couldn't contact them to defer them again, so they'll be turning up at 8am tomorrow. We'll be there to turn them away, just before we meet the architect!
And there's no news on the extra land. Not surprising really, but it would be nice to hear that things are progressing.
It better not carry like this; takes the fun out of it.
So the asbestos guys can't come in yet - except that I couldn't contact them to defer them again, so they'll be turning up at 8am tomorrow. We'll be there to turn them away, just before we meet the architect!
And there's no news on the extra land. Not surprising really, but it would be nice to hear that things are progressing.
It better not carry like this; takes the fun out of it.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Nearly ...
Managed to catch the architect at 8.30am today. Discussed a few of our ideas for overcoming the low headroom issue, and agreed to meet him at the barn at 8am on Friday - another early start.
Then at lunchtime our solicitor called to say he'd managed to negotiate a higher abatement from the sellers, which is good news, but that they require him to draft an indemnity saying we won't pursue them any further if we do get into a tussle with our neighbour about the fence position. So completion didn't happen today; we think it'll happen tomorrow.
That meant putting off the asbestos contractor, so he's rescheduled to Friday too.
Could be an interesting morning at our barn that day! Wonder if we'll have some extra land by then, too?
Then at lunchtime our solicitor called to say he'd managed to negotiate a higher abatement from the sellers, which is good news, but that they require him to draft an indemnity saying we won't pursue them any further if we do get into a tussle with our neighbour about the fence position. So completion didn't happen today; we think it'll happen tomorrow.
That meant putting off the asbestos contractor, so he's rescheduled to Friday too.
Could be an interesting morning at our barn that day! Wonder if we'll have some extra land by then, too?
Monday, 2 November 2009
So near yet ...
... so far! We signed the contract for the barn at our solicitor's office at 8am this morning. Not a bad start time for a Monday. It's now gone off to the seller's solicitor, accompanied by a response about the abatement for the encroached fence. They haven't yet come back on that, so completion tomorrow looks doubtful.
We haven't heard any more about the extra bit of land, so completion on that tomorrow seems an impossibility.
And I keep trying to contact the architect but to no avail. They weren't picking up the phone last Thurs or Friday, then when I eventually got to speak to someone at 5pm today, our man was busy and, despite leaving a message for him to call me back, he didn't. Might be time to read our new yellow pages starting at A ...
At least the banks have come good. Our account looked really healthy over the weekend after the mortgage arrived on Friday, but most of it has gone to our solicitor now ready for completion - tomorrow? Do hope so, otherwise I'll have to postpone the asbestos gang as they're lined up to come in 1st thing Weds!
I even managed to apply for a discount card today for use at builder's merchants like Jewson. And checked out prices of sheds and requested another fencing quotation.
We're pulling out all the stops to be on top of things; just wish others would do their Jewson bit.
We haven't heard any more about the extra bit of land, so completion on that tomorrow seems an impossibility.
And I keep trying to contact the architect but to no avail. They weren't picking up the phone last Thurs or Friday, then when I eventually got to speak to someone at 5pm today, our man was busy and, despite leaving a message for him to call me back, he didn't. Might be time to read our new yellow pages starting at A ...
At least the banks have come good. Our account looked really healthy over the weekend after the mortgage arrived on Friday, but most of it has gone to our solicitor now ready for completion - tomorrow? Do hope so, otherwise I'll have to postpone the asbestos gang as they're lined up to come in 1st thing Weds!
I even managed to apply for a discount card today for use at builder's merchants like Jewson. And checked out prices of sheds and requested another fencing quotation.
We're pulling out all the stops to be on top of things; just wish others would do their Jewson bit.
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