If I sounded a bit hesitant last time that the works had actually started, then this week has made it all real. Where to begin?
In the house, the contractors have been busy, beatifully wrapping the chimneys, floorboards and marble hallway in protective coverings,
Removing the banister from the back staircase, as well as the doors and windowframes, ready for the demolition of the back annexe.
On Friday, we paid a visit to the neighbours, to check the state of the dividing wall before we start the heavy works, and also to identify any works that need doing on the dividing walls. It was a good opportunity to build up good neighbourly relations, not least because of the issue of the illegal and grotesque roof terrace and corrugated plastic extension on one side, which blocks out quite a bit of sunlight. See what I mean? There is hope for a solution that everyone is happy with, but more on that in due course.
To top it off, this weekend we finished off the bits and pieces we had on our list of things to do inside the house, like removing the plastering around the front door (which will be fitted with insulation),
removing the staircase down to the cellar from the hallway (part of it will find a new life as part of my bike ramp idea), and...
... an interesting but fruitless trip to a salvage yard in the Belgian capital of the Duracell battery, in search of floor tiles to match those we have recovered from our old kitchen. No tiles, but we did see some inspired roundabout art...
Meanwhile, temperatures have dropped to below freezing and the whole of Belgium is bracing itself for a general strike on Monday. Let's see what this week brings...
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