Feeling Hot Hot Hot

An eventful week of the build. We finally, after six years of living here, have a house with a central heating system that works properly and... wait for it.... a thermostat!! Oh thermostat how we adore thee and your controllability!

This weekend we have felt smug in the knowledge that our radiators work, and I, for the first time since we started the build haven't felt cold. In fact I have even been wearing short sleeves in the Doyle household ... (the forearms are out!) something which is unheard of!

Here's where we're at in the kitchen, electrics are in we have spotlights, extractors, sockets and lightswitches (if you notice any additional holes in the ceiling all will be revealed!)

The most loveliest thing at the moment and the reason for us feeling warm and fuzzy is the boiler..

BUT.. forget warm and fuzzy.. I was in fact rather hot under the collar in the week that was, number of reasons for this:

1. Deliberations with door company continued - five days later the doors eventually got picked up after we spent a lovely Tuesday evening with a roll of clingfilm wrapping them back up again. Apparently they will be re-delivered next Wednesday
2. My beautifully plastered ceiling was punctured repeatedly in an attempt to 'find' where the electrics for the spotlights had gone, I have never seen so many stressed men in one room in my life
3. Two different electricians doing two different parts of the job threw up all sorts of problems.. problems... problems
4. While back in the old kitchen we had holes in ceiling, walls ripped apart, floor ripped up and more dust and dirt than you ever imagine
5. Boiler we had purchased in good faith was wrong and had to be sent back - it was only B rated and we needed an A rated boiler. Charged a ridiculous £100 to send it back and the new boiler cost an extra £300. NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM PLUMB NATION!
6. Hot water cylinder didn't fit in the airing cupboard, had to be sent back. New cylinder ordered didn't arrive in time, another cylinder bought in the interim and the second cylinder is being sent back

So it was a tad a stressful, coupled with water leaks, builders accidentally turning the boiler off on Friday night and the need to mop 24-7. BUT I am remaining optimistic and the end is drawing ever near.

I have also been making friends with delivery drivers, I know them all - UPS, Royal Mail, Foldingslidingdoors (coming back this week for a cup of tea!), and I have had more men than I could ever imagine in my understairs cupboard. It certainly hasn't been boring.

Madge has been very poorly this week and no deals to speak of, but we went and bought some rather lovely yet inexpensive floor tiles yesterday, oh and then there's the mirror. I fell in love with a mirror 4 weeks ago and after a luncheon with a certain Ms Foster decided I would purchase and it is gorgeous. Fab interiors shop called Just Interiors in Petts Wood. Only downside is it wouldn't fit in the mini but hey they deliver!

This mirror will be mostly hung in what I am now calling the 'vestibule' which is in fact the old kitchen and will be the 'transition room' into the new wing...

The garden is also in need of a 'bit' of TLC. But the build continues and we are about 4-6 weeks away from the finishing line...and I can't wait.

The kitchen arrives on Saturday by which time we will have doors fitted... we live in hope...Until next time.

Mrs D x