Renovation stress in Alvechurch!

Can't beat a good fire - but it did get a bit smokey

Time is drifting, online and in the house, we have still been working our socks off, but with nothing dramatic to show for it. Finishing touches to the garden, using up the remainder of the fence paint on the outside of the back of the fence... replacing kerbstones in the front garden, after we found them hidden in the undergrowth.... Finally emptying the loft in preparation for laying lots of insulation. The insulation is up there, but until the lights are fitted in the bathroom it can’t be laid.

This seems to be an ongoing story, we can’t paint the porch, or the outside till the windows are in. Windows suddenly seem to have become vital but with the third Bank Holiday in quick succession everything slows down. We can’t paint the lounge till it’s not being used as a workshop for the kitchen fit. The kitchen windows can’t be tiled till the windows are in....

Jackie and her mum (R) at Forge Mill 40's day

We’ve been full circle round bathroom design and have ended up with pretty much what we’ve got now, a shower over the bath, via a free standing shower and a walk in shower with no bath.

We seem to have had a bit of a communication break down with Colin the letting agent, happy to sort out the lounge floor and supply and fit of the kitchen. As far as we were concerned also fitting the bathroom, but now claiming ignorance of this. It’s ‘his’ double glazing man who has given a scary (to us) quote and now vanished. All in all, just at the moment it’s very stressful.

Birthday girl at the 40's day at Forge Mill

Stupid things like the gas meter have not been helping. At some point in the 14 years the tenant had a pre-payment gas meter fitted without telling anyone. He also went off with the card so we’ve had no heating or hot water, though with all the radiators off heating would have been tricky anyway. Just get it changed, it’s my house, should be easy.... So you’d think, but no, change account to my name, and then wait for 28 days. Contact them to have the meter removed and replaced with a normal one. First appointment available was Friday, not ideal as the lounge and access to the cupboard under the stairs is full of kitchen, but get it done ASAP. Only for him to turn up with his job sheet saying to remove the prepayment meter but not to replace. After a fraught conversation with a very grumpy woman performing a credit check on me to confirm I’m responsible despite having no intention of living there and using the gas, the very nice fitter did then fit a new meter, but why is nothing easy?

Sunday Tea Club, LtoR: Pete, Crystal, Jackie, Manu, Helen, Hilary & Ian

Jigsaw relaxation at Jackies mums

We are running on one day off a week, last Sunday was my birthday, so ‘light relief’ of looking at lights before going to a ‘40’s day at Forge Mill, one of the places mum volunteers at. A pleasant afternoon before going into Birmingham for a Sunday tea club with Helen and Ian, Manu and Crystal and Pete and Hilary. Crystal as usual was fantastic, selecting a great range of dishes for us all to tuck in to. It’s so lovely just having food brought to you without having to make any decisions.

Takeaway supper at Helen & Ian's

Monday Club was at the Weighbridge in Alvechurch so no driving for us. We went and ate with mum before Bill arrived and had a very pleasant evening. We were ‘joined’ by a guy on his own for a couple of pints, kept chipping in to the conversation. Quite harmless but a bit unusual. Yesterday we had an afternoon with Abi, doing a couple of bits for her, fair exchange for her further jet washing this week and a trip to her flooring shop! Not really a social afternoon, but very worthwhile, much helped by Sooty hearing our voices and running in to see us and provide required cat therapy. Today we are waiting for Helen and Ian to return from her mum in Cornwall so we can go out for a yummy curry.

Kitchen clear and ready for action

The kitchen so far. Nothing to do with us, it's all builder Paul and his cousin Gary