So, before we can create, we must decimate, right? I’m sure it’ll turn out right in the end.

It’s time to remove the old kitchen. But before we do, we discover a secret larder behind some wall boards. Time for a quick rethink and redesign.

At last! The dining area is now open, and instantly the space is transformed. We can really get a feel for how it’s going to be.





One of the best features of all the modifications is the fact that we’ll have French windows from the dining area onto the deck. We can look forward to having breakfast out there when it’s all done.

The flat roof is on the dining area extension (rebuilt) and the large window from the old extension has been put back in. It’s starting to look more like part of the house than a prison.




The dormer windows are in at last. Minor problem – the bathroom window isn’t obscured, but they’re sending out a replacement for it. We’re just so pleased to get the windows in and the roof watertight again.



And our lovely bedroom is looking very smart. So far.

The bedroom has been pretty much boarded out now. You can really get a feel for how the finished room is going to look.





Buddy awaits progress as the walls climb ever higher. Shall we make it a two storey dining area extension? Vaulted ceilings, anyone?

Some progress upstairs – photos before being boarded out, and before windows go in.

We had a good day today. We got the flashing kits for the faux Velux windows. Hurrah! No more rainwater coming past the Velux frames.

The dining area walls are growing. They’re being built above the DPC (Damp Proof Course), and the line of bricks in the photo will support the main south-facing window frame. Still got the cat ramp in situ.

Next week, we’re hoping to get all the blockwork done, the flat roof built, and then Roly the Roofer is due to lay the flat roof felt on Wednesday. We may be able to open up the kitchen again, which would be lovely. In the meantime, we’ve had a big delivery of foil-backed plaster board, ready for lining out starting on Monday. We should see a lot of progress.

After waiting for a delivery of more blocks, progress is once again rapid. The floor joists are in, and the walls are going up. Note the wooden ramp on the near left for the cats to get access to the cat flap. It’s all a question of priorities.

The first blocks of the new dining area go down. It’s good to see construction work actually begin.





The walls are starting to go up quite quickly now. We’re reasonably pleased with progress so far.





We’re having a cat flap built into the wall, so I thought I’d build a wooden tunnel from offcuts of decking material, which will pass through the two skins of the wall. Nice, eh?





At the end of each day, we look at what’s been done. As ever, Buddy wanders around sniffing at the quality, and Annie comes to look too.

Bang on time at 8.30am, the concrete arrives for the footings.





Later in the day, the concrete sets hard.





We use Buddy to inspect the standard of the work.