August

August was a bit of a nightmare month. Builders were on site quite alot working hard but not much was being achieved (it seemed that way anyway!). The amount of digging out required was totally underestimated by all involved, builders dug, dug and dug some more and there was still LOADS left to come out. This was loaded into wheelbarrows and dumped in the driveway. It wasn't so much the earth that was the problem but the massive granite stones that were there. I have never seen stones quite so big before.

When the trenches were being dug for the kitchen foundations the mains sewer pipe was uncovered and it was discovered that it had been leaking for quite some time (not very nice), this was duly replaced and a new drain was installed as well. The Building Inspector came out to inspect this and decided it had to be checked with South West Water as it would be running under the new kitchen, in his opinion it would be better to relocate the sewer around the kitchen extension. This would not have been practical and would have involved digging up both neighbour's gardens and of course more time and money. A few polite words with the South West Water from the builder and they sent someone out to have a look. Admittedly the chap came very quickly (I wonder how 'polite' the words spoken were?!) and agreed that if a few minor changes were made to the drain itself he would be content with it. The Building Inspector came out again once the changes were made and passed that stage off.

The dreaded drains! (apologies for dark photo but this was taken in the evening!)

To make it easier to move the earth and stones through the house the stairs were ripped down and chucked onto the pile in the driveway. The cats who are still residing in the house were a bit shocked to discover they couldn't get upstairs to their bed! To put them out of their misery a plank of wood was wedged against the landing and they can now safely get back up and down!

You can see where the stairs used to be. The plank of wood is for the cats to get up and down!

When it came to the removal of all the earth, stones etc etc in the driveway we weren't able to have skips mainly for two reasons 1) the amount we would need we would probably run out of money! and 2) a skip lorry is unable to turn properly in the lane. Therefore a tractor, trailer and digger were hired and all the rubble was trailered to a mine where they accept rubble for dumping.

August - a conclusion

Although the builders have been here I honestly thought more would have been done this month. Maybe I expect too much?! The majority of the digging out has been completed now and the foundations will hopefully be laid soon. Obviously as the weeks tick by I think it is becoming a bit unlikely that we will be moving back in before the baby is due. Hopefully next month will show some major construction..... although the way things are going I seriously have my doubts.