Renovation Blog

5 December 2006 - Tired and emotional
Had forgotten what the sleepless nights are like with a new baby and we're all a bit battered by it. Still, it's slowly getting better but what with the cold it dampens one's enthusiasm for things somewhat. To cheer ourselves up we go to a massive antiques and bric-a-brac fair where (we are assured) we can pick up some bargain furniture for the house - turns out not to be quite so fantastic, especially for our two-year-old who finds it all distinctly boring, but we do bag a couple of useful items and get him a wooden rocking horse to pacify him.

7 December 2006 - All fired up
All this cold is making me think we need to get some fireplaces sorted out. The original fireplaces downstairs have been lost or stolen at some point in the past and after lots of searching I have tracked down a potential source of some reproduction marble ones to go in their places. If we can get approval to fit them then that will mean we can at least make those rooms warmer...

12 December 2006 - Currying favours
Having two people working on the job is always more jolly than labouring away on one's own, and if you trade working days rather than cash it works out cheaper as well. In order to get some strapping assistance in future (and boy will we need it) I am helping a friend fit a new kitchen for a few days. Plenty of beer and curry keep us happy as we work!

19 December - Christmas is coming
... and the geese are looking delicious! We have a small invasion coming to brave the cold and the dust for Christmas so are busy sourcing food and drink - renovations are on hold as we need to provide some small degree of comfort for the visitors...

26 December - Back outside

My son seems to think it's good weather for gardening (and indeed wearing no trousers). I am busy trying to sort out a fallen electrical wire that is just hanging outside the back door and scaring people! Not too long before it's back inside for a restorative glass of mulled wine and some mince pies.