This week we had planned to take of the roof and re-roof the back of the building, but when we came to it the brickwork supporting it was shot, and had sagged. After discussing it with Brian our fantastic brickie, Tom and I decided the only course of action was to take down the offending brickwork, and chimney stack  and rebuild

 it. Every time things like this happen it has an effect both on the timescale and also on the budget. We always knew that on that part of the house the roof would need replacing, but had not anticipated rebuilding half of the supporting walls! So this week Brian has given Maud as I call her, a Tummy Tuck, much more streamlined!

Its been really cold on the roof but Matt and Brian have battled away all week, if the weather stays dry we may have the new roof on in time for Christmas.

 

Inside we have also been working away, I seem to spend most of my time sweeping up, emptying wheel barrows and cleaning bricks up to be reused.
After discovering three boarded up fire places, when we got to the room I have decided will be the family snug it was really disappointing to find nothing! However we have decided to design a feature wall which will take in a Log Burner, TV , Light boxes and some storage. It has taken quite a lot of time to set out but I am confident that it will be worth while and really give the room the wow factor.

 

The new windows for the front of the house are going through the factory, so I am hoping they will be ready before Christmas. We had looked at putting French Doors on the two front rooms leading out to a patio, but have decided  for security reasons on just large Sash windows. The company we are using makes replica Sash Windows which look like wood with all the mouldings but are in UPVC, which means we will benefit form the U values of modern glass and frames.

This is a vast job and sometimes we feel like we are not achieving anything as it can be one step forward and one back, but turning Maud from an ugly duck to a thing of beauty is what motivates us, and keeps us going. The budget is being used at an alarming rate, Maud could do with 200k spent on her and we simply do not have the money. Everything we do has to be based on cost and need, is it a job we can come back to , does it need doing now. I have decided that the only way I can have curtains of the quality I want we be to make them myself. I have found a fantastic fabric supplier in Atherstone of all places called Eden Fabrics. The Dad had an automotive parts shop and the daughter sold fabrics from out the back, but last week I had to ring to check they were still there. The reason I could not find them was the shop had closed and was being refitted as a fabric shop and was not quite ready to open. The fabric range is fantastic and includes fabrics that all the major departments stores like John Lewis and Next sell. The only drawback is you have to buy it when you see it as she only has a couple of each rolls as end of lines. The savings are incredible £25 meter fabrics are around £3-4 so well worth a visit.