Renovation project - proof that I do some work - Monday 10th September

Renovation project - proof that I do some work - Monday 10^th September

Morning has broken, like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird............

Oh joy of joys, we were sat in the lounge this morning when we heard a knock at the door, not a normal visitor knock but quite a forceful one, panic initially springs to mind, but we then remember we are in a small French town and not Manchester anymore, so it won’t be the police! It is.................. (I’m extending the suspense!)

OUR NEW MATTRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My life is almost complete, now you may be beginning to realise I’m prone to the over dramatics, but after 7 weeks of sleeping on a variety of camp beds, blow up mattresses and a little settee bed, you have no idea at the joy a real mattress can bring! We will have our first proper night’s sleep tonight, my excitement is beyond comprehension.

We have a busy day ahead today, we are making a start on our new en suite, but first we have to do a tip run, 10 bags of rubble and a big pile of bricks and it’s only made a small dent in the pile in the living room.

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John builds the vestibule wall, the first consumer unit is now all covered it looks much better than the hundreds of wires hanging around.


The rest of the old pipes are removed and the new shower is taken to the attic, we spend a long time in discussions about whether we should continue with our plans to make the attic into a large master suite or whether we should redesign and keep the 2 bedrooms with a small bathroom, so decide to get advice from the estate agent as to which has the best resale value, following that we are back to our original discussions between ourselves not really any the wiser for the advice. We opt for the master ensuite because we are going to be living here for quite some time.

I leave John filling the car with the rubble as I go to the Mairie to check whether we will need planning permission for the new windows, we do, the planning officer is yet again unbelievably helpful, printing off the documents we will need and e-mailing us an English link. He finishes the meeting stating that if we have any problems completing the forms, write what we are planning on doing on a piece of paper and he will complete the forms for us (yes, just like going to an English town hall and speaking to a council worker!). We have to compile a file that will be sent to an architect, but as we are planning to use wooden windows there should not be a problem. The process could take up to 2 months but because I explained that the windows already leak, are covered in lead paint and are rotten, he thinks it should be quite quick.
If you live in a conservation area any alterations or changes to the exterior have to be approved by the local Mairie

Back at the house, rubble gone, it’s time to start on the shower. I have made sure I have been included on the photo’s, as I spoke to my own mother earlier today, who has been following the blog and even she said what a good job John was doing. So just realised as I’m not in the photos a lot of people may assume I do nothing other than stand about with a camera, this is not the case!

when we put the base down we realised just how not straight the walls actually were, well it is an old house!

Time to finish and we’re very happy with the work completed, need to go shopping again tomorrow to buy plaster board to make the wall between the new ensuite and the bedroom (I’m so not looking forward to that, but hopefully we will find our new sink unit)

Absolutely shattered so time for bed, the new mattress beckons and it is so comfortable, just starting to doze off when there is a load clattering, I’m totally freaked out and all John can say is ‘ oh, it’s probably the bedroom door opening or the light falling off!’ well that’s OK then!!!!!! He doesn’t even stir after that comment and I’m lay here wondering if there is a drunk in the house, a mad wild cat or the ghost of the attic mouse, my honeymoon period with the new mattress is ruined.

Top tips                 

1.      Make sure you acquire the correct planning permissions that are required in your specific area

2.      Make sure someone takes photo’s of you working!!!!!

3.      Don’t let anything spoil the pleasure of your new mattress