Our first key, and preparation for cladding

We are very excited to have our first key to the house. Not that we need it, as the front door is still under construction, but this week we have gained the other two external doors, one of which is our back/side door, and the other the personnel door to the back of the garage. 

complete with temporary handle protection

A new joiner (we understand that Ian is on his way back from Covid) started on Monday the laborious task of battening the walls which are to be timber-clad. I should think that by now he is fed-up of 2 x 1s, but he is doing a very tidy job.

his job is made a little easier by the enormous mitre saw and stand which are now on the scaffolding while he deals with the upper walls

meanwhile, the chimney has been rendered (well all of it except the section above the roofline - wonder who gets that job?)

and Pat, we learned, is having an argument with the suppliers of our rooflights as he thinks the waterproofing is inadequate and they may need to be replaced - hence the unplastered sections

pretty much off-subject, but I love these sawhorses - what stories they would have to tell

It seems that Pat is going to revert to groundworks tomorrow to construct a large soakaway in the field strip, working with his brother Dan's team as Dan is off work with - yes - Covid. This will produce the destination for all our rainwater which, under modern rules, may not be added to foul and grey water to enter the public sewer.

Next week should see the return of Keith to complete the heating system (even though we don't have a water supply yet). We are relieved to know that the system can be filled from our friendly neighbours' outside tap and should run happily without mains pressure. Gentle heating should complete the drying out of the plaster and get the humidity level to the point where flooring and second fix joinery can go ahead. Fingers crossed!