Jan/Feb/Mar 2021 ….. almost the last brick in the wall

Jan/Feb/Mar 2021 ….. almost the last brick in the wall

24 January – Hazels does not often look like this!

It’s Layla here and I cannot resist saying that I think most of our readers need to go to Spec Savers! Strongly encouraged by me, Moses was very clear in his December 2020 posting that we three would not be issuing any more updates until the house was more or less complete (inside at least!). And then what happens? After 31st January and 28th February (and now even into March), we have been inundated with messages via email, WhatsApp, text and (wonders will never cease) telephone, querying whether an important entry had been missed………

So, much against my superior feline judgement, I have been persuaded to publish this ‘update’ in late March. However, even I can admit that Mr Rod and SWhoMBO have taken some tolerably good snaps in recent months, particularly when we had snow at the end of January.

24 January – Even the driveway has a smattering

24 January – The South Face

24 January – View from the Gardener’s Loo

24 January – View from Oriental Bedroom

24 January – View from Oriental bathroom

24 January – View from Scandi bedroom

Freddie is where he should NOT be

Progress – Staircase

19 January – Equipment in place

19 January – The first two steps

19 January – Main flight in place

19 January – Phil shows his strength

19 January – Equipment does its stuff

19 January – Michael gets down to business

19 January – Old Staircase Repositioned

20 January – New Staircase Standing Proud

20 January – Michael Works on Bottom Two Steps

09 February – New Staircase Waiting for the Glass

09 February – Work on the Balustrade

09 February – Looking down into the hall

04 March – Glazing applied to balustrade

04 March – Glazing Applied to Bannisters

04 March – Looking up to the landing

Progress – Fixed Glazing Repair

The fixed glazing panel over the front door failed and so the oak frame company (Oakwrights) had to return to replace it. This proved to be quite a big job.

19 January – Scaffold Tower in Place

19 January – Ready to Go

19 January – About to take out the old glass

19 January – Ready for the New Glass

19 January – New glass in place

Progress – Utility Area

19 January – A Proper Door at last!

19 January – And the Skirting Boards have it!

19 January – Skirting boards move round the corner

09 February – Ready for the hanging out the rainy day washing

Progress – Kitchen

09 February – Carol working on internal dividing doors

23 February – Brick Slips Ready

23 February – Brick Slips halfway there

25 February – Clock Wall completed

25 February – Smaller Wall completed

Freddie checks out the new tap!

Progress – Wood Burning Stove

23 February – Brick work completed

23 February – ready for the wooden shelf

25 February – Ready for the first fire

Progress – Oriental Bedroom

19 January – Dennis and Mr Rod put together the wardrobes

09 February – And then there were doors

09 February – ‘Her’ Wardrobe

09 February – ‘His’ Wardrobe

09 February – SWhoMBO just loves that fan

Progress – Sauna

We think that this will definitely be one of Mr Rod and SWhoMBO’s favourite places in the years to come. (I really cannot see the attraction myself!) The sauna cabin kit arrived from Finland, to great excitement.

22 March – It’e even starting to look like a sauna!

22 March – “Come on in”

22 March – Insulation and supporting frame

24 March – Lined with aspen woods

24 March – Just the benches and the stove to come

STOP PRESS:

The sauna stove arrived from Finland on the afternoon of Friday 26 March.

Post Bag

Moses was relieved that he can still draw in the fan mail. This first one is from the Compton Couple:

“Hello Moses (and your two underlings – SWhoMBO and Mr Rod!)

Thank you for the last blog of 2020 which was a glory to read and behold! It was good to see that you, Layla and Freddie are taking it easy at last. 

Here we must also mention the talented Witley artist whose beautiful picture may just appear on The Antiques Roadshow in 100 or so years!

Well done … that familiar phrase “Didn’t they do well” springs to mind! Apart from you, please remind us who exactly is the driving force behind this project as they deserve many congratulations on this wonderful achievement!   We’re sure they would be much in demand to oversee a similar venture ….. did we just hear a few expletives?“

He was also delighted to hear from Apple:

“Thank you for the Christmas edition – your new home looks amazing. You must be thrilled that all your plans came together and it must have been lovely to be able to celebrate Christmas there. That will be a special memory. With love and very best wishes for your new life. in your new home.”

And Guildford Girl did not let him down either:

“Well Moses, I’m sure you must all be exhausted after so many years of meticulously organising and reporting back on all aspects of the build, but think of all the experience and skills you have acquired. You could set up your own project-management company and offer your services to mankind in perpetuity.
Or just rest for a year or two in order to recuperate from all your hard work……….. Well done and congratulations to all of you on such a splendid result!”

Moses hoped that the Chief Spa Sister would be enthusiastic and so she was:

“Wow! Your new place looks simply fantastic – thank you so much for sharing the journey with us all, it’s been an amazing ride!”

He was thrilled to hear again from the Surrey Foundling:

“Great news that you are comfortable in your new home. Your taste is great – I absolutely love the cascade lamp, really beautiful. The bathrooms and kitchen are magnificent and as long as there are enough cosy places for the 3 of you, everything is perfect. Definitely a good end to 2020. Love the photos and cartoons as well – so, thank you.” 

Moses always looks forward to receiving photos and jokes from Helsinki, and he has not been disappointed in recent months.

Helsinki Sailing

The final note is from Mikal’s Mate:

“Just read the blog. It looks simply wonderful. Minimalistic Scandinavian style. The photo with all the wooden arcs and white walls has something zen-like in it, you can just admire it and let your mind rest. And the waterfall lights, stunning detail that one as well. And the Scandi bathroom’s play of lights and, well, everything. Top notch! By the way, I thought the ladders are just the right thing in the Scandi bedroom.”

Topical Humour

 

Trump Humour

I never thought I would miss all the humorous potential of the previous incumbent of the White House. But, life can seem quite dull without the frisson of excitement about “what will he do next?”

So, I could not resist sharing these three below:

What’s Next?

I have to say that I could not resist a little smirk when I heard that Mr Rod and SWhoMBO were telling anyone who would listen that the builders were finishing work for Easter on Wednesday 24 March and the intrepid pair were planning to move in just before Easter. You should have seen what the house looked like first thing in the morning!

08:00 on Wednesday 24 March

08:01 on Wednesday 24 March

However, I have to say that even I was impressed by the transformation at 4 o’clock!

16:00 on Wednesday 24 March

16:01 on Wednesday 24 March

There is still a long snagging list but they truly are very nearly there.

The deep cleaning company and the window cleaner are booked for Sunday 28 March and the plan is for everyone to be moved in by Friday 2 April 2021.

There will be a final blog at the end of April to show you what the finished product looks like.

Until then – this gives you a flavour of our spring entertainment