Day 1

Day one was supposed to start at 8 am when the builders were to turn up, which is an unearthly hour all by itself. But due to - ahem - my slight failure to quite finish clearing it the day before (I stopped about 11:30 pm), the day begins at 7 am when I rise and trundle a last few loads of plant pots (that I don't want but can't quite throw away), bits of wood, etc etc, down to the garden shed.

Builder #1 turns up (on an electric bicycle) a bit before 8: he is Paul, and introduces himself as "the demolition man". Soon after Peter the bricklayer arrives, and they have a bit of a poke around, doing builder-type things. Its like having mechanics look at your car or (the other way round) me looking at my mothers computer (or explaining domains to Manfred :-). In other words, they look at it and instantly see and understand things I never have. Like the layer of headers of the interior wall. We talk a bit and I confirm that all the bits left in place are definitely junk and may be thrown away.

Ian McGonigal our architect turns up soon after, with the contract, which we sign: £18k+, for phase one. BTB is a bit later (thus confirming the correct attitudes for builders so carelessly broken by his men who arrived on time :-) because he got stuck in the traffic. He signs too, which is just as well, as judging from the noises outside the work has started: good. Gavin (?) the builders son turns up in what may be a twin SUV to BTB's and will be joining in, we gather.

All seems well so we leave them to it. I have interviews at work today but hope to get back before 4 when Paul and Peter will knock off.

But the interviews run over so I don't make it back in time. When we do get back, there is a skip in the driveway with a load of bricks in it, the windows, and misc junk. Everything is neat and tidy, and they appear to have swept up the interior: a good sign. As you may see from the photo they have taken out the interior walls, leaving just a "header" pillar for stability. The ceiling is now propped up by scaffolding: we're not sure if this is just a precaution or if it will fall down otherwise...