Groundworks commence

It seems I'm a terrible blogger! always signing off from the previous blog with " see you soon"  I cannot believe where time disappears to - its as though it rushes away with out any control. 

There is a positive here I suppose- when I get a quote for a job and they say they cant come out until September, it isn't that far away!! (I'm refering to the Electricity company, they are in fact so busy they really cannot connect us until September!)it is actually only 45 days, 6.4 weeks away

But the positive news is the groudworks have begun. Our builder Paul started just over a week ago and frankly is making great progress. We have a driveway albeit made from MOT type 1 (hardcore) its opened it up and changed the perspective hugely.

Here I am (below) in the hole that will be my studio! Richard did get carried away with the "toys" on site and yes we did consider an olympic size pool...!!

We have had 12 lorry loads of spoil taken away so far and its estimated that there will be at least 30 in total! the driver from Scotts is a real character called Pete - he informs me that each lorry load is approx. 22 tonnes!! we've had 12 lorries so far - you do the maths... (thats 264 tonnes of spoil for those without their calculator handy)

Paul hopes to dig out all the foundations and service trenches by the middle of next week and we'll then be ready for the block and beam floor.

I am busy speaking to the services and getting quotes for various things including doors and windows.

We had a visit from a local archeologist who was interested to see if there is any evidence of Mediaeval foundations - Pebworth is in the Doomsday book and it is rumoured that William Shakespeare himself belonged to a drinking club here! The Archeologist didn't think we would unearth anything although I did find the usual blue & white china pieces strew around about 4ft underground.

We have stayed over on site in the caravan for most of this week as there has been so much going on and I seem to be giving out cheques constantly!!

We've had really good weather here its been hot and sunny for the most part which is great as we don't want Somme like conditions yet - saying that its just started raining..

Paul at SIPS UK has continued on with the building regs drawings and we have approved the house and garage and have just received the studio building regs.He thinks we are still 10 weeks away from delivery which is a surprise as we felt we were closer? lets hope we can get the studio up and running to at least live in and we can take it from there.

On a much different note:

Last weekend our Tuesday Textiles group (tutor Edwina Mackinnon)were part of an exhibition at Avoncroft Arts Centre in Bromsgrove. It was a very well attended event and the standard of work was superb. I have put up some photos as a little diversion from the build..!

My mono printed cushions 

"Dump Pot Alliums" a lino cut print that I embroidered 

Fabulous work by Sian Kibblethwaite


And so thats about it for this week, we are fast approaching the weekend and of course I have a long list of jobs to do. We will continue to try and keep the remaining garden in some sort of shape and have even more trees to tackle!

Back with more news soon
Bye for now Wendi xx