November 2019 – The Eagle has Landed?
Moses here – I do hope that this will prove to be an interesting update for our readers.
We three felines have been keeping Mr Rod and SWhoMBO on their toes this month by catching lots of choice rodents and birds for their admiration and delectation (particularly at 2 o’clock in the morning!) We cannot quite understand why their enthusiasm rarely seems to match our own.
I am very pleased with the way in which the house appears as you approach it from the Hambledon Village end of Vann Lane (especially in the winter sunshine).
Following her October blog posting, Layla was quite taken aback to receive the following message from Mikal’s Mate in Helsinki: “So excited for you and hoping all will go as planned. But, I was a bit surprised by one of your long-range photos –
And, when we checked for ourselves, she proved to be so very very right ……….
This observation was drawn to the attention of Mr Rod and SWhoMBO who were in fits of laughter and made comments such as “we can always trust those sisters to spot something like this!”
However, detailed forensic investigation of the 10 November photograph resulted in a surprising revelation:
Who knew?
Layla was also delighted to hear from Fantasy Flat Friend (although she was a bit suspicious about her ‘praise’) “Such progress! And the October bulletin 24 hours early. You must be very proud!” She continued to say “the West Wickham Wanderers’ project is running late and they still have their old kitchen in situ. They’re meeting the builders to get a clearer sense of the revised schedule, but surely builders will want to be finished by Christmas so that they can have their customary month off? (Methinks she shares her sense of humour with Layla!)
However, less than a few days later, we had word from the West Wickham Wanderers themselves and enclosing the photo (minus old kitchen) below:
“This is the only time we’ll be able to see front to back as the walls to make the bathroom are now being constructed. Two weeks today until the kitchen is delivered – a LOT of work to do but the builder says it will all be fine…………………………………. fingers crossed! WWW
All the best of luck to the WWW and we will definitely be keeping a watching brief!
External progress
Internal progress
CURIOSITY CORNER
Trust my sister Layla to make us aware that she knows her Shakespeare – she just could not resist quoting from both Witch #2: “When the hurlyburly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won” and from Witch #3: “That will be ere the set of sun.”
(Yet) Another building project in Hambledon
Many of you will have known Hambledon House (a popular event venue), in Vann Lane – – near the Cricket Green and village shop.
On 24 January 2018 eight Surrey fire crews were called to the property to tackle a blaze as it engulfed the roof of the entire building.
One person was rescued and two people were rushed to hospital. A faulty tumble dryer was suspected to be the cause. The burnt-out ruins were a very sad sight in the village for many months.
But at long last, a new house is to be built on the site. First, the old house has had to be demolished …………
We do not often venture that far down the lane but we will take a great interest in the building project.
What a year it seems to have been for fungi!
There is a long-standing private joke between the Young Master and Mr Rod about SWhomBO preferring her airplane seat to be as close to the front as she can get it. Of course, because she has rarely had the luxury of travelling any way other than ‘cattle’ class, (although Mr Edge has sometimes treated her to ‘Premium Economy’), the seat number is invariably considerably more than a single digit.
So, the Young Master sent her this card recently, indicating that he would ‘assign’ her to the front row. However, there is no pleasing some people as immediately she complained she would want to be seated in 1C rather than in 1A!
December Plans
Well, as you can see, my sister and I are starting to get ready for Christmas. Please note our sophisticated taste in alcohol.
Mr Rod and the Young Master are very well aware that SWhoMBO’s No 1 choice of bubbly is Pol Roger (the favourite champagne of Sir Winston Churchill from 1908), but they definitely do not want to spoil her anymore than necessary.
December Highlights:
- Pouring the ground floor screed
- Plywood covering cladding on first floor
- Front door and bell
- Kitchen plans
Another Brick in the Wall 
Very impressed by this month’s Brick in the Wall
The WWW have had no heat or shower for a week and lady of the house has resorted to extreme methods to escape but understands that Mr A had no hot water this morning – she’s glad she wasn’t there but he also says the kitchen is looking stunning as is the bathroom! Very exciting. The new bed arrives on Wednesday and the very smart new door on Tuesday 10th -the lady of the house intends to make every effort to return for the installation of the door – just in case Tom comes with it. No further explanation will be forthcoming for a blog!
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Dear Moses
Your photographic skills clearly match your literary skills! Very impressed that those furry paws of yours can produce such amazing & detailed pictures. Even a pterodactyl to boot!!
You must be getting excited about testing out all those miles of underground heating cables, and choosing the best spot for your own sonambulistic moments ready for when it’s switched on. Not long now!!!!
You can surely measure the end results in weeks now, not months and certainly not years, and must be getting quite excited about that event.
Do please tell SheWMBObeyed that I’ll be sneaking a picture from many months ago, into my Christmas letter as I’m so impressed with all the hard work.
In the meantime, happy rodent catching & make sure you save an especially attractive number for your Christmas Day present – they’ll love your thoughtfulness!
Best wishes
Guildford Girl
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Hi SWhoMBO Your new home looks really terrific you must all be so excited Another fun and interesting post Thank you Best wishes Sally
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Dear Moses
I am so pleased to hear that the Eagle has landed safely and has kept away from the Pterdactyl…..he needs to take care!!
The heating system seems to be doing along well…..do you know if it is ground source??? That would be amazing!!!
Hope you and your friends are getting on alright….there don’t seem to be many cosy corners for you to hide…..have you asked the Boss where you are to sleep??
Good luck for the next phase…..the house looks magnificent!
Best wishes from Puttenham Pal xx
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 at 14:25, Another Brick in the Wall wrote:
> anotherbrick1955 posted: “November 2019 – The Eagle has Landed? Moses here > – I do hope that this will prove to be an interesting update for our > readers. We three felines have been keeping Mr Rod and SWhoMBO on their > toes this month by catching lots of choice rodents and birds ” >
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Robin is sure that the 3 cats could work together to see off the pterodactyl. Sending lots of love and hope our feline friends keep writing X
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What a great blog Moses, such fantastic progress you’ve reported!
I spotted your post on my phone while out with a friend and just had to open it to have a quick peep. A fellow cat lover, she knew about your mammoth project, so I scrolled down to show her some pics – just of cats you understand!
My scrolling was somewhat over enthusiastic and I managed to land on the sad photos of the demise of Hambledon House and for a minute my blood ran cold, more than cold – my confused old brain thought it was Hazels – what had caused the blaze, had Mr Rod set fire to the remains of his sunflower plantation too close to the house …..?
Sanity regained, with my scrolling finger well under control and over a calming coffee we digested the whole thing from top to bottom. Thank you for the amazing photos and account Moses, don’t tell the others but my friend thought that you are the most elegant of cats!
We did wonder about the photo ’27 November – kitchen underfloor heating pipes’ – is the lifeless ‘rag’ on the floor the remains of said eagle/pterodactyl, if so was it just too much for Layla, Freddie and you to digest?
Whatever it is we ‘eagle-ly’ await the December post, the last of 2019. Good wishes to you and all your readers for Christmas and the New Year.
Compton Couple (plus my ailurophile friend)
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