Preparing for sping

We've arrived at Halcyon for the school half term holiday. We got here on Sunday evening, just as it had got dark. All of the flooding that had been there in the week before had gone, however we were met by our own mini flood inside, as some temporary plumbing had been dripping on the floor and had created a large wet area.

The new plaster work looks good, and makes a real change to the look of the place. Clean flat surfaces which we have not seen here before. Considering that I we had put up the plaster board, the plasterers had performed wonders. We have had all of the heaters on for the day, which has transformed the place into a sauna. The walls have already turned from a muddy brown to a pale pink, and only a small patch marks where the flood took place. The windows, however are dripping with condensation.

The plan for the week is to complete the cladding on the east side of the house, put up a picket fence and move the gate along the side that borders the footpath to the south, and place gates and fences to the sides. The next step is to create two decked areas, one on the south side as a BBQ area and sun deck, and one on the North side as a river view deck and an area to contain small children like our daughter. We went to the local wood yard this morning, who were very helpful, and got quotes for the projects. Neither they nor Helen believe I can get all of this done in a week. I probably agree really, but we may as well aim high.

Today I managed to get the bottom half of the cladding complete. I intend to finish the upper part tomorrow. Helen has been rooting up the decrepit privet hedge bordering the footpath ready for the new picket fence that arrives tomorrow.