Please Mr. Postman

(The Beatles, 1963)

It turns out there is a Ministerial Decree about letter boxes. Their height, size and position. And unfortunately, as we were politely informed by a recent note from the postman, our neat little brass letter box, which is part of the original door, is not the requisite 23 x 3 cm.

So we have rigged up an temporary alternative (which has the added benefit that it keeps the post out of the way of muddy boots tramping in and out the house).

In the longer term, we will need to find a way to add a letter box to the front door. Maybe at the same time as we give it its facelift, but that's another story.

Blue is the Colour

Another big change this week.  Instead of a blanket of snow at the back of the house, there is a canopy of blue. 

It’s under this large awning that everything has been happening, sheltered from the drizzle.  Digging down to make space for the foundations for the kitchen extension, and inspecting the drains (all clear) and laying down new pipes for the drains and the rain-water circuit. 

This is also where the rain-water cistern is.  Happily they were able to salvage the existing cistern, which, at 7.5 m3, turned out to be easily big enough for the small grey water circuit we had in mind (utility room, downstairs toilet and garden tap).  Here it t is, covered up for the moment (better picture to follow).

In addition, the opening between sitting room and the kitchen extension is gradually opening up. 

Meanwhile, as soon as it stops raining, they will be able to make a start on the roof.