House

Well we are finally beginning to have a new chunk of house!! The photos show the progress from timber frame to a building of sorts. OK, so far it is a glorified drying area cum toystore but the bones are there. However we are now stuck, thanks to our antiquated planning system. As we are Grade II listed we have to ask permission for everything to do with the appearance of the house even if we disagree with the verdict of the planners.surveyors/listed building surveyors - and they charge us for every letter so if we argue it costs!!??! The dh won't let me anywhere near them in case I upset them. Upset them? I'd hang the lot - preferably from our unfinished extension. We are informed we have to have 4 different roof finishes. FOUR - I ask you. No way are we allowed to thatch the new bit so it blends in with the old, oh no. It has to have clay tiles, and then slate on the second section of roof (another listed buildings requiment) This plus the small area of felted flat roof - you get the picture? Look carefully at the picture of the back and you can see the problem. Oh, and in this age of climate change and sky high heating bills we are NOT allowed double glazing - SINGLE ONLY.
Our lovely 16th century cottage was rescued from dereliction in the sixties by an eccentric, alcoholic, caftan-wearing American, who helped it along by putting picture windows all along the back in a long dormer. Consequently this was part of the listing. So we have the perfect cottage on the street front (see the pink one in the picture)and a sixties nightmare at the back.
The pictures show the extent so far of the building inside and out, and a view of the garden so far being protected from the ravages of building. There is a line across the lawn that the builders are not allowed to cross and so far it is working. In fact the dh has worked so hard on the garden that he is trying very hard.
Speaking of that, we had our 25th Wedding anniversary this week with a party held at my daughter's house (in the circumstances a brilliant idea - thank you Caroline)
It was great to see lots of friends and family we haven't seen in a while and for once the weather was great. I wil post pictures eventually but I have to rely on others as I didn't have time to take any - too busy talking! But we did get given several presents of roses bushes from my favourite David Austin and a really cute statue of a little girl. Of which my little g-d kept going up to and saying 'hello little girl'!
Today I finally had had enough of dust everywhere after yesterdays onslaught on th side of the existing house - there is only so much 16th century dirt a girl can tolerate, so I had a major clean-up. Washed rugs and windows, polished furniture, I felt great and can look the house in the eye for at least a day! But they'll be back...