The first week away

We are very fortunate to have a builder whom we trust to get on with the job in our absence, consulting us about important issues by email or phone. We had started to make plans for a trip abroad many months ago, accepting that the varying state of the pandemic and international travel rules might make it impossible. However, by 23 August we had a plan that seemed possible. A drive in the campervan to Devon, an overnight stop with Colin and Helene at their building project (close to the finishing line now), an overnight car ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff, four days in Moelan-sur-Mer in southern Brittany with Chris, Katie and family, an amble south-east across France to visit Brian and Joy in Provence for a week, and finally a trip to Riva del Garda to spend a few days with Martin and Molly from California, before a solid three days' driving to get home via Calais-Dover.

It all went extremely well, and a great deal happened at our plot over this time. We had a crucial email exchange with Pat about the siting of the underfloor heating pipework manifolds (Keith had wanted to put them in the downstairs and upstairs cupboards which have been specially designed on top of each other in case we ever want to have a lift fitted. That would not have worked!) At the end of the first week Pat sent us photos to show that further progress had been made with the slating, and with the laying of the insulation to the ground floor.

part of the front roof elevation, with the roof window that is over the hall and landing

the rest of that elevation - the roof window to the left will be over bedroom 1's ensuite shower

a big change - a temporary safety rail around the stairhead (right) and the double height hallway (left) with the insulation resting on battens fitted between the joists, waiting for the underfloor heating trays and pipework (bedroom 1 in the distance)

the rest of upstairs photographed from bedroom 2 - the wider boards mark out the ensuite and small wardrobe, with the family bathroom and small cupboard next, then bedroom 3 which will have a bay window through what looks like the doorway on the left, and finally bedroom 4 at the end.

and downstairs, the taped insulation boards will have the underfloor pipework stapled to them, with a concrete screed put on top. The image is taken from the study at the front, with the shower room to the left, the utility room to the right and the kitchen at the end.

and this is the sitting room prepared for the underfloor pipework

Thanks for all the work, and the photos, Pat.

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