After the last excuse for the telephone people not turning up – “we couldn’t find you” – we decided to push ahead making the gate and putting it up. Now say you can’t find us! Thanks again Uncle Mat for the sign.

The next job is re-building the wall on the other side of the gate.(and concreting the path and building the deck and………….) I am really looking forward to warmer weather and lighter nights so we can enjoy these jobs

Nigel has flattened the garden so that we can start planting and laying grass. May has already planted two apple and two cherry trees as well as half a dozen bushes.It still looks daunting but I’m sure we can do it a bit at a time.

 I took Friday off so I could be there to make sure the telephone engineer didn’t mess us around like last time. Unfortunately he just didn’t bother turning up! On the up side I was able to channel my anger into making a lot of progress at the front of the house. I finished the form work for the path, laid hardcore to most of it and shifted several tons of soil to level the garden. Then on Saturday we laid the first section of concrete, shifted several more tons of earth and then came inside to tape & plaster much of the spare bedroom. Sunday was lots more earth so we are just about there at the front. We were even looking at grass seed and border plants today.

May has been astounding me with her spade and wheelbarrow skills. I think she must have been a navvy in a previous life.