Brace Yourself

Dave fixing braces to the house walls! The structural engineer has advised that as well as the underpinning and stitching, further support should be provided by putting braces up through all three floors. Dave gets to secure them in place. Finally we no longer see daylight through the cracks which has to be progress!

Fencing for 'the beasts'

Today the fence went in between us and our neighbour (on the other side of our land to the sheep) - it was hard work as they had problems with their post knocker. They need the fence to keep in 'the beasts' ... we await these with interest!

Sheep

Much to my delight we have a field of sheep as our new neighbours. Once I saw the fence was up I kept hoping for some animals to arrive. Today I saw a lorry go by and so I rushed down to welcome them. There is lots of lush grass around for them to enjoy.

Sunshine

We have a really blue sky now that the frost has gone. The light shows up the furrows in our big field. It's my first chance to look up at the house now that the power cable is out of sight.

A hard morning's work

Our team have finished barrowing the concrete into the house and the freshly washed wheelbarrows are drying by our spoil heap.

First Frost

We woke today to our first real frost of the year although by the time we reached the farm the sun was out and only the area by the hedges was still white. Fortunately it has firmed up the mud which is a definite improvement.

It's busy outside

Today is one of those days when everything seems to be happening at once. The concrete is still being mixed when the tractor arrives to fence. Fortunately it isn't raining (and it's handy we own the road!)

And more concrete!

After taking out so much old concrete flooring it's now time to have it replaced. It was exciting to see the lorry deliver the first load.

Concrete

We seem to have taken more wheel barrows of concrete and soil out of the house than would seem possible. At last though the end is almost in sight. The floors are now being insulated ready for the first layer of concrete - due tomorrow.

A Hard Winter?

Most of our holly is now covered with berries which I believe is the sign of a hard winter to come. That is also the long term forecast so we shall see ... meanwhile the robin is singing his heart out in the hedge.