Sun Dial Lodge, Pelham

A little digger has arrived and is rapidly excavating, clearing earth and revealing that the original exterior wall in this area was built without foundation so

It’s now time to dig down through the new concrete floor and old exterior wall to create space for the basement access steps, which requires some

Work carries on, despite unseasonal wind and rain.

Looking out of an upstairs window, project detritus is on display: old paving stones; wood from the temporary supports; sections of plumbing and aircon; pillars that

The floor of my new office is starting to take shape, with lots of insulation materials in place.  

Insulation is something of a new concept for this house!  All the new work is being properly insulated, starting with the floor of my new office.

As the wall of the laundry room is stripped back, a brick wall is revealed.  I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but everything else seems

With the wooden frame in place, the decayed wooden beam could be removed and the new metal I-beam installed.  It spans the entire width of the

The entire back of the house is now gone, including the original kitchen wall, revealing the interim wall that is temporarily supporting the bedroom floor.  

Final demolition of the back of the house has started!  

Metal I-beams are now in position, supporting the bedroom overhang, and we no longer have to worry about it collapsing.  (It seems that the original construction

The metal I-beams have arrived on site.  They will be replacing the decayed wooden beams, and will last the lifetime of the house!