October 2019 – Raise the Roof

October 2019 – Raise the Roof

Hello, it’s Layla reporting for duty again.

As you can see from the photograph above, great progress has been made on our new build project during the past four weeks.

Please see below for my paw-by-paw account of the tiling and brick work completed on the ‘extensions’ during October.

I suppose I must first relinquish a small amount of editorial space to include some of the best snippets from Freddie’s mailbag:

The first is from Guildford Girl and she does conclude with a most welcome suggestion, “Well, Freddie, you have surpassed yourself this month. I witnessed some of these changes myself in mid September, and was delighted to see the progress on the extensions. Naturally, I can see the three of you spending more time in the upmarket West End of the house, rather than the smaller East End, as you clearly know your status in the world. It does concern me somewhat that with all these beautiful wooden timbers around, you guys will find it irresistible to use the house as a giant scratching post…………………!!”

………..of course, we would never have considered this possibility all by ourselves (Just who are you trying to kid? Ed) 

The next is from Maikl’s Mate in Helsinki, who says “Just read the September blog. Wonderful progress in equally wonderful autumn weather. How thrilling it is to see the ideas you described during our visit taking the concrete form. Also thrilling to see the beautiful balancing on fences by Layla and Freddie. Enjoyed all the photos – your editor was extremely busy reporting all the action filled days. Good luck with the next steps – and I will spend two minutes in silence remembering the exquisite sunflowers.” (Just cannot see the attraction myself, although I would not like Mr Rod to be aware of that.)

And finally, we three thought Mr Rod and SWhoMBO were touchingly delighted at the positive progress report from the West Wickham Wanderers about their own building project, “Thought you’d like to have an update – of course I’m not in the same league as you cats at Hazels but at least it’s good news for once!  We have a roof – so exciting!  We had a very despondent week the week before last when nothing really seemed to move. So, some uncomfortable meetings with the architect project managers and the builder.  And, lo and behold, things started moving – result!”

The very best of luck to the Wanderers and we look forward to seeing some photos soon.

And, as if our ears have not been damaged enough by loud sources very close to hand during morning, noon and night (I think you are exaggerating more than just a little! Ed), they have also suffered a further indignity of bombardment by alleged ‘news’. That is, Brexit Brouhaha and Trump Trivia at every hour of the day from every type of electronic device you could imagine. So, we empathise with our Californian cousin below and any thanks to Maidstone Miss for drawing this to our attention.

And yes, since I know you will all be querying, “brouhaha” is indeed a real word, meaning “fuss,” “argument” or “ruckus.” “Brouhaha” comes to English directly from the French, where it originally meant “noisy chattering”.

External Progress 

As I alluded to above, this month we have been overrun with people – oak frame workers, roof tilers, flat roof workers, ground workers, brick layers, plumbers, window/door frame installers, electricians and maybe even others of whom I know not their names. Mr Rod kept referring to an ‘Uncle Tom Cobley’ but, despite regular consultation with my fellow felines, I have found no evidence whatsoever that any such person graced our site with his appearance.

Putting aside all my prejudices (That will be the day – Ed), I have to admit that there has been a significant amount of tangible progress with the build project in recent weeks. And I hope you will agree that the photos below speak for themselves.

East End – view from the East

East End – view from the South 

East End – view from the North

West End – View from South West

West End – View from the North

 

Internal Progress – Oakwrights Phase 2 Sign off (Thursday 10 October)

This was a very important day indeed for Mr Rod and SWhoMBO, one where they ‘signed off’ the oak frame second stage work with their Oakwrights Project Manager (Matt Michael – shown centre below) and Oakland Vale Project Manager (Greville Thomas – shown left below). I think they were a little sad to say ‘farewell’ to the construction team, but they are absolutely delighted with the end result.

Friends Corner

We were all so pleased to see the return of ‘Dizzy Dirt Steve’ (Lucas Construction).  He had come back on site for a few days to (among other things) rebuild the brick pillars supporting the balcony legs (previously built by others).

We are also constantly amazed at the tasks to which the lovely Carol can turn her hand.

Then just when you thought you had heard the last of the sunflowers……………

……………then Mr Rod’s birthday was upon us in the middle of October and you readers let the side down by your insistence upon maintaining a sunflower theme.

So, this is Layla signing off – I will be returning in January 2020.

Planned highlights for November:

• Brickwork and roof tiling completed
• Floor membrane and insulation installed
• Ground source heat work commenced
• Return of the bats???????
• Kitchen plans firmed up