Snow!

Snowy day today...

thank goodness the new roof is now complete and the cottage is water tight and weather resistant! (hopefully!)

The Electrican visited today - fitted a safe socket direct to the meter box so we have power to use, and he also stripped out all of the old cables, sockets, light switches etc, ready for rewiring to commence.

Gable Pointing almost finished

Builders were keen today...well wrapped up against the cold North wind blowing
Snow is forecast for this week, and they would like to have it finished very soon!
This gable side of the cottage is on next door neighbours' driveway, only trouble is every time the  neighbours need to be in or out with their cars, the scaffolding has to be moved.

Handrail removed!

The cottage previously belonged to an elderly lady, and someone had installed a metal handrail to help with her access up and down the steps...
At last this has been removed!! the front of the cottage is much improved...although in a few years time we will possibly need to re-install a similar handrail for our own use!

Ongoing Building Work

We now have the beginnings of a shower room/wet room, doorway from kitchen and small lobby window have been blocked up, although we have sacrificed some of rear hallway to make this possible.

After removing timber cladding from kitchen walls, we have un-covered a chimney breast - unfortunately no hidden cast iron fireplace under there too!!

Ebay Purchase

I know we are a long way off from actually fitting any doors to the cottage (not bought any doors yet!) but I found these antique Victorian brass door knobs with brass back plates on ebay...and was the winning bidder - 4 sets, just need another 3 matching sets now.....

New Roof

Scaffolding has been removed today from front of the cottage, and we can now view how it looks with new slates, fascias and guttering. the left side gable is still to be pointed and roof to be tidied where it meets the stone wall.

Kitchen demolition

Surprised to find this morning that the builders have started to remove the old timber cupboards and tiles from the kitchen walls...ceiling is to come down, and all old skirting boards and door architrave to be removed from throughout the cottage.

Roof Work now complete!

The final slates have been put in place, the lead flashings finished...we even have new gutters! and it all looks totally transformed. Scaffolding should be removed early this week, then the cottage should be at least water tight for the winter weather!

One gable of cottage has been completely repointed, and the work on the other side began today.

Have agreed with builders for next stage of works, interior wall to be demolished, kitchen timber cladding, old tiles and ceiling to be removed, and also all skirting boards and door architraves also to come off, and new blockwork to create a shower room.  Hopefully, this work will all be done before christmas.