Which view do you prefer?

Give me green fields and cows any day!

This is one view from my flat in Bahrain, the building site next door makes ours seem insignificant in comparison!

The last month has been a bit frustrating over here, as school hasn't really got started. First it was delayed by a week, then we were ordered to stay closed after the holiday following the end of Ramadan. It's all 'precautionary measures' to prevent swine flu spreading. (Althought they prefer to call it H1N1 over here, can't think why!) We still have a week before we partially re-open. In the meantime staff still have to go in, so there is a lot of thumb twiddling going on!

And it's all the more frustrating as I know Sam is working like a trojan, dealing with all the building issues by herself. At least her ticket is booked for a very relaxing 2 weeks in the sun when it's all finished!

Nearly tea time

A brief taster of the kitchen, still no electricity but it should be soon.
I think the kitchen is gorgeous and when have you ever heard me get excited about a kitchen?

Sewage plant almost done.

Lots of digging activity, as you can see.
The drains are nearly done and the trench for the electricity cable is dug.
Kitchen is in and looks fab-must use Sallys camera though for inside shots, might even do a video......

Celebrity on site

As you can see the sewage plant arrived at 9am this morning, it was delivered by none other than Doddie Weir! (Scottish international rugby player for those of you not into sport).
I have been speaking to him on a few occasions but didn't think it could really be him - he is so tall I could hardly reach up to shake his hand!
He still looks as fit as when he was playing rugby, but has moved on to septic tanks now!

Tea anyone?

Well a bit premature I know.
Won't be long now.

Getting close now

As you can see the roughcasting is nearly done, scaffolding has been packed away and the hesh fencing will be coming down soon.
The flooring is down in all the rooms except the bathrooms. So hopefully the kitchen, the interior doors, skirting and facsias will be done by the middle of next week!
There could be trouble ahead with the drains though.........If you remember we hit rock with the foundations and we will no doubt hit rock again.

Floor down

Solid oak floor is laid in the living room!
My camera is great for outside shots but not so good inside-anyway trust me- it looks gorgeous!

Block work finished

Finally, we have had a few dry(ish) days and the outside stuff is getting done, so much so that we now have a skip on site to start tidying up.
Hopefully we are getting Ronnie (the man with a JCB) back to bury the amoured cable for the electricity, dig a hole for the sewage plant and find the BT cover plate.
We are all set to get the big switch on next Wed and I can send the generator back!

Cills and mullions revealed

As you can see the blockwork has started to creep up and the cills and mullions fitted to the back of the house. It hasn't exactly been good weather lately for brick work-just been pouring down for a couple of weeks.
More interior shots on the next post.....

We nearly have electrickery!

If you look very closely (or open photo in another programme) you can see the pole on the right is the source and the pole on the left belongs to us (together with 2 more out of sight).
You may just see they have strung some wire between the two of them.
Solid wood flooring arrives next week.......