Monday

Another week of painting windows. I’m settling into it now and they’re getting neater as I go along. I’m quite enjoying my audiobooks and they’re making the time go quickly. I’m listening to the Sarah J. Maas books again before her new ones come out in October.

Tuesday

I’ve been setting up a desk space in the estate office bedroom to show off my new desk chair for some Instagram content. It looks quite pretty and makes me want to sit down and write a whole book. Maybe I will one day.

Wednesday

Well, we’ve certainly picked the right weather to change out windows. The secret room and library have just been openings for a couple of weeks now and we haven’t had to board them over. As long as the swallows or any other wildlife don’t move in we’ll be fine!

Thursday

Just more painting. Will it ever end?

I posted on Instagram about the marble fireplace in Toby’s new bedroom with broken mantle. Quite a few people have suggested I just leave it as part of the story of the place. I don’t think I can do that. I think it will drive me mad so I’m going to have to figure out a repair or replacement.

Friday

A romantic trip to Brewers for painting supplies. I love a new paintbrush! I’ve also started painting the wood preserver on the outdoor furniture. Can you get RSI from painting?

Saturday

I’ve been tired and grumpy all day. Completely my own fault, I’ve been staying up too late and yet I still wake up at the same time. Ended up taking myself off to bed for a nap after lunch. I then had a burst of energy and cracked on with the utility room floor. I’ve been meaning to put the tiles back for weeks. It’s a bit of a mess but it’s the best I can do as a long term temporary fix. The whole floor will have to be replaced when we get to renovating this room but I can’t see that happening anytime soon. Maybe having the floor like this will spur me on to get the whole room sorted sooner.

Sunday

A nice church service this morning. We are such a small congregation but it’s nice to see a few people in the village and our vicar is just lovely. Our services are super informal and usually involve coffee and biscuits. We spoke today about how it would be so much nicer if we didn’t have to spend so much time fund raising and worrying about money instead of just worshipping in peace. I can’t see that ever being the case sadly.

I got my painting done today but apart from that I spent some lovely time in the garden planning the jobs. I still have 26 garden ‘rooms’ to work on but just deciding where to start is a relief. The veg garden needs a lot of work but we’ve made a start so I think we may as well finish it now. The only other area that’s pretty much done is the pool. We spent an hour there this afternoon. It’s heavenly in this hot weather. So if I can just get those two spaces completely sorted then I’ll be down to 24!

I hope you all have a lovely week. Still no sign of any rain, we’ve certainly had a real summer this year. I actually quite like it even if the garden is struggling. I still love spending the long evenings outside and Autumn will be here soon enough. I’m not wishing it away.

Monday

I did a yoga session this morning that really had me sweating. I thought yoga was meant to be relaxing!

I’ve been searching for furniture for the guest cottage. I’ve got loads of things saved on Facebook Marketplace. I have to keep measuring and trying to make sure that everything will fit.

Tuesday

So, I’m not very pleased with how the windows look. We’ve used black glazing tape and it’s almost impossible not to get some white paint on the black glazing tape. It looks fine from straight ahead but messy if you look down into the joints. I have a plan moving forward but now I have to try and fix these ones.

I got some more peas planted today. I love peas but I’ve really struggled with them this year.

Wednesday

More window painting. I’m going to be here for weeks because James just keeps ordering more windows! I actually counted the other day and we’ve got 44. We’ve replaced 11 and there are another 6 on order. Nearly halfway! (That doesn’t include the Velux style windows. We’ve done 5 of 7.)

This afternoon we went and picked up a Facebook marketplace table. It’s a beautiful drop leaf oval shape with lovely barely twist legs. It’s in relatively good shape for its age and won’t need more than a quick clean up.

Thursday

So here is what I’ve learned so far about painting these windows. Firstly, Accoya wood can be tricky so it’s worth using really good brushes and using a super soft laying off brush. Secondly, if you’re glazing them then it’s much easier to do all the painting first and then just a few tiny touchups once they’re assembled. Also, you can choose the colour of the glazing tape to match the window colour. Lastly, if you do have to paint them with the glass in then the peel off glue masking is really good. It takes a while because of the drying time but it’s a much cleaner finish than tape.

Friday

More painting and another visit to the recycling centre. I have to say that putting up plasterboard seems to create a lot of waste. I dread to think how much gets wasted in the building trade as a whole. It goes in the plasterboard bin at the dump built I’m not sure if they can actually recycle any of it.

Saturday

My peas have been eaten again! I don’t know if it’s birds or mice but they’ve had the lot again. I’ve ordered a cage.

Sunday

In between the painting I’ve managed to get in some lolling by the pool. This has been a fantastic summer and the pool has been a real bonus. Even if I still haven’t finished refurbing the teak furniture set that we’ve got! I have to walk past it to get to the pool and it’s starting to really get on my nerves.

Hopefully next week will bring on some more exciting jobs. A bit of variety does us all good. There’s so much to do in the garden and I just haven’t had the time or energy to do much other than water the tomatoes. If anyone knows how to make more hours during the day then please let me know!

Monday

At the moment we seem to spend most of our time cleaning up on the top floor. The plasterer is back tomorrow and we have to keep tidying up so that he’s got room to work. There are so many tools up there and building materials waiting to be fitted that we have to keep shuffling them from room to room. Every job seems to create endless mess which needs clearing up all over again. It’s frustrating but getting the rooms plastered feels like a huge step forward.

Tuesday

More tidying up today but I’ve also been cleaning in the Old Estate Office. Now the carpet is down in the living room and everything is a lot clearer I’ve been able to put the kitchen back together. The floor needed a good scrub. It’s amazing how many specks of paint I seem to have got on the floor even though I thought it was covered the whole time. Luckily it came off fairly easily and it’s all looking pretty good now.

My youngest passed his theory driving test today. I’m one step closer to being free of my taxi driving duties!

Wednesday

I spent quite a lot of time today fitting acoustic rock wool into one of the internal walls on the top floor. The stud walls don’t provide much sound proofing so this should help. We’ve already done the stud wall between the bedroom and my office. Today it was the stud walls between Toby’s room, the hallway and library. Basically we’re sealing Toby in so we can’t hear him gaming.

Thursday

We’re still sanding this outdoor furniture. I made a huge mistake trying to use paint stripper on the varnish in the hot weather. It all dried out and became really difficult to get off. After endless scrubbing we’re finally back to sanding again. I’ve pretty much finished all the bottom halves. I now need to sand again with higher grit sandpaper.

Friday

Today I got set up in the old tack room to start painting the next batch of windows. This involved quite a lot of cleaning up to begin with then laying out of all the windows. They arrive from the carpenter unglazed and we assemble them. They’re made from Accoya which is a treated soft wood. It’s sustainable, doesn’t move and doesn’t rot. The downside is that it’s expensive and difficult to paint. We use the Teknos system which is a preservative treatment and end grain sealer followed by two layers of primer and two of top coat. It takes a while. Basically I’ll be painting windows for the next few weeks. It doesn’t take all day though, I just have to put a coat on and then wait for it to dry. In the meantime I can get on with other jobs.

Saturday

Besides the painting, it’s first coat of primer today, I also got some sanding done on the furniture. Then I spent some time glueing the wicker back on to a garden chair. Unfortunately it arrived with some damage and the wicker unravelling in several places. Very disappointing. I could have sent it back but I do really like the chair and I haven’t seen another one like it anywhere. We managed to get a little discount and decided to keep it. The glue actually seemed to work quite well. Hopefully it will last and the chair will be okay. It’s quite comfy at least!

Sunday

The second coat of primer is done on the first window and I’ve started the smaller window that will fit in the secret room.

We also spent some time in the secret room today figuring out how to finish the walls and where to run the pipes through for the radiators. This room had a huge open water tank when we moved in. How the wood isn’t more rotten I don’t really know. As it is there’s a bit of surface rot but all the timbers seem solid enough. We’re just making sure that all the wood is dry and can breathe. Hopefully with some heating and a decent window in here everything will be dry and rot free. It’s going to take quite a while a lot of work though. It feels like we could get really bogged down in this one tiny room and be stuck in here for months. It’s not a room that’s going to be particularly useful in the grand scheme of things but it will be cute so I guess it’ll be worth it.

So, lots going on. Thank goodness for the pool which has been glorious in this hot weather. We’ve been squeezing in lunchtime swims whenever we can. The garden is looking a bit sorry for itself. Everything is parched or overgrown but I’ve managed to keep the greenhouse and the raised beds watered. My vegetables haven’t been great so far. I’m still figuring out what works and how to keep the pests under control. The deer haven’t been too bad this year but the pheasants are a pain. They love making dust baths in any spare patch of dry soil and they pull out any young shoots. Peas seem to be one of their favourites. I’ve planted so many and I think I’ve had about 2 pods!

Anyway, hope you’re all having a lovely week. It looks like we’ve got more hot weather coming our way. We have really had a proper summer this year which I love. I know so many people seem to wish for autumn but I like the long summer days. Let’s not wish the time away and enjoy it while we can :-)

The Old Estate Office

Anyway, onto the update. It’s been super busy, so there’s a lot to share. Last time I posted, I was still finishing the decorating in the hallway of the Old Estate Office. That’s all done, and everything is looking pretty good in there. I’m just gathering some more furniture; there’s a new chair arriving today, and I’ve got a couple of jobs to finish off in the living area. I’ve had this new rug arrive for the bedroom, which I absolutely love! This room is really coming together. The rug is from Rugette and was a gifted collaboration.

We’ve had family staying in here to test it out and find all the snags. We’ve had a problem with the hot water cylinder this week that will be fixed under warranty, so that’s ok. Then there are things like doorstops and mirrors for makeup and other things you don’t think about until you actually stay in a place. I’m slowly gathering it all.

The Garden

I’ve been working super hard to finish my raised bed garden. Filling them with compost has been quite hard work, but it was made a lot easier by the purchase of a Muck Truck. This is basically a powered wheelbarrow/dumper truck that makes moving heavy loads easy, especially up and down the hill. I’ve decided I’m too old to wheelbarrow earth up and down hills, and it will also be needed when it comes to doing all the paths. The roofers have already been using it to move tiles around as well.

So I’ve just got a little bit more woodchip to put down (no matter how much you order, it’s never enough!), and then this area is finished. I’ve started lots of planting, and I’m throwing in all the seeds I can find! I can’t wait to see it full of vegetables!

Elsewhere in the garden, we’ve had the summerhouse reroofed. This structure was made with some really old, huge oak timber that was reused from somewhere, judging by all the notches in it that look like they were cut out for rafters or joists. It’s marked with the initials EV and CW and the date 1925. When we moved in, it was covered in wisteria and other climbers that were starting to grow into the roof. Once we took them all off, it started leaking in earnest. I really wanted to save the old oak beams, so it was time to reroof them. This turned out to be quite a bit more complicated than we’d hoped, and it cost a pretty penny, too! The way they’d done it before, the angles on the roof had just been filled with tar or some sort of bitumen. It hadn’t lasted, and so the roof was leaking at all the joints. When we stripped off the tiles, it was clear it had been leaking for quite a while, and there was a lot of rot in the timber. James spent a week figuring out compound angle cuts to replace some of the joists. Then our lovely roofer came and put all the tiles back on with lead fishtail soakers on all the roof angles. Some of the tiles are new, but he reused whatever he could, and I think it looks great. It should now last for another 100 years.

The Top Floor

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the house, work has been progressing on Toby’s bathroom. James plasterboarded the ceiling, and then we insulated. Unfortunately, this was done on a day when I had a bit of a hangover and will forever be one of my least favourite experiences!

Our plasterer then did his bit, and last week the tiler came and started the tiling. I love the tiles, but unfortunately, the shower tray is a completely different grey. More blue, if you ask me. It’s too late to change the shower tray now, so I’m hoping it will look better when everything else goes in here. If not, I might have to do something drastic. Has anyone ever painted a shower tray before?

We’ve also had a new window in here. We’ve come up with a way of replacing the sash windows that costs about half the price of getting a window company in to do it. We have the window boxes made to measure by a local carpenter. We then get the double-glazed units and fit them ourselves. I paint everything, and then James fits the window. It also means we can get them made from Accoya, which is more expensive but is more sustainable and almost completely rot-proof. Our new windows will definitely outlive us! Interestingly, when we took the old window out, the box had been made with some chipboard, which wasn’t around until the 1950s. So these windows are not original. It makes me wonder how many times they’ve been replaced over the years!

What’s Next?

So, the top-floor project will be going on all year. We’ve got more insulation and ceilings to do, quite a few more windows and then a lot of decorating. James has numerous shelves and bookcases to build; there’s another bathroom to do and new radiators to fit. If we get it all done this year, it will be a miracle.

Outside, I’ve got a lot of pointing and painting to be getting on with. I must fit some outdoor taps because that’s driving me mad, and I’ve got some outdoor furniture to restore.

At some point, I’d like to get all the paths in the garden done, but that’s heavy work, and I’m not sure we can do it ourselves.

We’ve also got the last of the big plumbing works going on. That’s mostly outside in the plant room now, so it shouldn’t be too disruptive.

Then there’s getting all the construction drawings done for the conservatory extension and the barn conversion. That’s the first step towards starting work, which will mean our planning permission won’t run out.

So, just a few things to do then! I’d better stop writing this and get on with some of it! Speak soon!

Monday

A bit more painting of the woodwork in the hallway. I do find that it takes quite a few coats when it’s white.

Most of today, though, I spent doing the paperwork for the church. I have somehow ended up as the treasurer, and I don’t really have the time for it. The church is very small, and there are not that many transactions to keep track of, thankfully. At least I feel as if I’m doing my bit for the community.

Tuesday

A bit more painting, and I’ve been starting off some more seeds. I’ve got peas up in some guttering so the mice can’t get them. Then I’ve added some snapdragons, coriander, and cornflowers. I’m not that good at keeping seedlings alive, but you can’t beat the excitement of seeing them first come up! I’m ever the optimist and vow that this year will be the year of keeping everything alive!

I’ve sketched out a plan for the veg garden. It’s a bit ambitious, and I don’t know whether I can really manage that many beds, but I won’t know until I try!

Wednesday

James is working in London today, so I feel like I have the day off. I don’t, of course, but I definitely go a bit slower when I don’t have to look busy! Lots more painting of skirting boards and more sowing of seeds.

Andy, our lovely electrician, is here today. He’s doing the first fix wiring for the top floor and coring holes for the bathroom extractor fans. Adding showers to this old house is a bit tricky. First of all, we need enough water pressure to get up to the top floor. Then we’ve found that with these solid cold walls, condensation leading to mould can be a problem. Extractor fans are therefore super important, as is adding insulation in the bathroom. The idea is to keep the walls warm enough that moisture can escape as steam before it hits something cold enough for it to condense. In Toby’s bathroom, which is most likely to have a steam problem, we’ve added an inline extractor, which should be pretty powerful. We’ve used a solid pipe with a fall in the attic space, just in case any water condenses in the pipe.

Thursday

It’s a wet and windy day. We’re both tired, so take the afternoon off. We flop on the sofa and watch a movie. Just about made it through Greenland 2, and then we both fell asleep. Feeling old!

Friday

Now that it’s March, I’m back to Friday being a gardening day. Kate is here, and while she prunes all the fruit bushes in the fruit cage and tidies up the hydrangeas, I do my best to make sure the new raised beds are actually level. They don’t look level at all, and I’m not convinced we’ve got them completely square with each other. It’s quite tricky putting them in on a slope and onto soft ground. Anyway, I’ve done my best. Hopefully, they’ll look good when they’re finished, and I won’t have to dismantle and rebuild any of them.

I got some lovely new books today. From the Veg Patch by Kathy Slack, who has a very good Substack with loads of delicious recipes, especially good for homegrown veg. I also got How Does Your Garden Grow by Milli Proust. It’s a bit more suited to beginners, but there are some great tips on garden design.

Saturday

It’s a beautiful day outside. I took a sketch book outside and planned out Toby’s bathroom in more detail to make sure I’ve got everything covered. It’s going to be a bit different from the last one we did. Much more modern, although still dark and moody. I need to order samples of tiles, wood and paint colours now.

This afternoon, I got James to help me prune the wisteria. Really, he just stands at the bottom of the ladder, but I like having the supervision. I got half of it done, including the super high bits. It’s a bit late, really, and it should’ve been done in February, but it’s making its way back into the attic again, so I can’t leave it. Hopefully it will still flower ok.

When he’s not holding a ladder, James has actually been super busy on the top floor, framing out all the walls in the bathroom. The insulation then sits inside the frame with an air gap behind. It also means you can have straight walls and a square corner where the shower will go. The actual walls are very far from square!

Sunday

We went up to my sister’s house in Nantwich for a Mothering Sunday dinner. I’d forgotten what it’s like to be in a super clean house and go to the loo without freezing your butt off. I think I’ve got so used to the dirt and dust that I don’t even notice it anymore. That’s a bit depressing!

Spring is definitely with us now, and we’ve had some lovely days. It won’t be long, and I’ll be back to working on the exterior of the house. Wishing you all a lovely week!

We spent quite a long time planning the work on the top floor today. There’s a ton of decisions to make. I think bathrooms are always the most complicated. We really need to decide exactly what we want before we even start with things like insulation and floors. The shower tray, for example, makes a difference to how the floor will be set, how the pipework will run and how the tiles will be set. Toby wants a modern, dark bathroom, and I have a few ideas, but I really need to get clear on the design. I can’t quite ‘see’ it yet. I’ll get there in the end.

Tuesday

Some more sunshine today. We actually had tea in the garden. This time of year always feels so hopeful.

I picked up this picture the other day at an antique store. I looked up the Italian title, and it says the daughter of Charles I of England. It’s a copy of a lithograph of a Van Dyck portrait from 1636. It says daughter, but apparently it’s actually James II. I think it’s quite cute anyway. It’ll look good on the wall.

Wednesday

Today we had Luke the plumber to look at the next phase of plumbing works. It’s all about getting the main pipes up from the boiler through the house to the top floor. We have a plan, and hopefully we can get it all done fairly soon. It does involve digging up some of the floor in the utility room, but I think it’s the only sensible way.

Thursday

I got lots of painting done today. I’ve primed all the woodwork and finished all the prep. There’s always more than you think, but the hallway is getting there. I’ve finished my book club book, Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. It reminded me of growing up in Dorset. An interesting story, but I’m not sure I really understood the characters.

We took down the hired rubbish chute today. It’s a relief that it’s gone, and it means much less dust blowing in through the cracks in the windows.

Friday

I finished the ceilings today while James was doing more clearing out on the top floor. When he took up the carpet in what will be the spare bedroom, we found this old linoleum. It says Linoleum Manufacturing Company Limited, England, Established 1864. I looked it up, and the company was started by a Frederick Walton who discovered that solidified linseed could be mixed with cork dust, resin and pigment and then rolled onto canvas backing. It became hugely popular and was sold all over the world. I think this is quite an early version, but of course, I can’t be sure. I made sure to keep a sample of it that I might frame for the wall.

Saturday

The warm weather makes me want to get out in the garden. It’s the last day of February, and I’ve run out of time to get the hedges done before the birds start nesting. Oh well, they’ll have to wait until August now!

More painting and caulking today. This hallway is taking forever!

Sunday

Gone are the days of relaxing Sundays. Today we went up into the attic and did loads of clearing. We’ve taken out the worst of the old insulation. It was filthy and somehow mixed with straw and dirt. We took out the old water tanks and cut out a lot of the redundant pipework. We’re salvaging the old copper and tidying all the pipes that come down through the ceilings. It will also make it much easier to put in the new insulation now that it’s all tidied. There is some evidence of squirrels up there, and I wish I could be sure we could keep them out. We’ll try to cover any entry points with rodent mesh, but I’m not sure we can find every hole, and they’re clever creatures. I’ve been looking into sonic deterents but I’m not sure they’re very effective. Any suggestions are most welcome.

Another week is done. I think next week I’m going to take at least one day off. It’s starting to feel like a bit of a treadmill, although if I can just finish decorating that hallway, I can move on with my life! Onwards!

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It’s half-term, and Toby is away, so I get to wake up later. It’s tempting to stay in bed for the day, but I force myself to get up and make a start on the jobs for the week. I’m still sanding woodwork in the hallway, but I also have to go up to the church and swap out the broken pump. The boiler room, which is in a basement, tends to flood because the drains are all blocked. I don’t know if they’ve tried to unblock them, but it reminds me that we really need a groundswork person to work on the drains at the house. We had them all surveyed, but there is still some work to be done and some things we want to move and add to. Drains are not something I thought much about before starting a renovation!

Tuesday

Today we had a meeting with a solar power supplier. We use a huge amount of electricity, and because of the pool, it doesn’t even go down that much in summer. The plan has always been to add solar at some point, but how and when is yet to be decided. We’ve spoken to a few companies, and it seems to be quite tricky. There are a lot of companies that push really hard to get the sale, and quite a few that haven’t been doing it that long. We found someone who came recommended, and we talked through the location of panels, batteries and cables. I’ll let you know how we get on.

Then we had the building inspector visit. I know they have a reputation for sometimes being difficult, but our building inspector, Andy, is lovely. We chatted through insulation options on the top floor, for the ceiling and the walls. We will need building regs for the new bathroom and the insulation. (If you’re renewing more than 25% of your loft insulation during a renovation, it has to meet regulations.) Andy is super helpful with how it all works and gave us various options for how to meet regs and protect our solid walls.

Wednesday

Today I’m onto filling all the cracks in the wall and ceiling of the hallway. It’s at this point that I always regret not having the walls replastered!

We also had a visit from Matt the tiler to discuss the bathrooms on the top floor. We’re a long way from tiling, but Matt is really good and so gets booked up a long way in advance. He’s reserved some time for us in April, so we will have to be at the tiling stage by then! James is much better at looking ahead and getting all the trades lined up. I’d much rather leave it until we’re actually ready and then wait until they're available. James’ way is much quicker, mine is much more relaxed!

Thursday

Today I reskimmed a section of the hallway ceiling. I’m not very good at it! I really need to go on a plastering course. I’m never going to want to plaster whole rooms, but it would be handy for the odd small section.

Friday

Spent most of the day driving in horrible traffic. I went to Birmingham airport and back to pick up Toby and his girlfriend. He had a wonderful time in Dubai, and I don’t think he missed us at all! I suppose I was a little jealous, but as much as I’d like to see some sun, I don’t really miss travelling. I’m very happy to stay at home in the shire and keep working on the house.

Saturday

More sanding and filling. I will get there in the end!

Sunday

The sun is shining, and it actually feels quite warm. I headed into the garden to tackle some of the hedge-cutting. I really need to get them all done before the end of the month to avoid the birds’ nesting season. I got the first big one done before my arms gave out. I’m going to have to get some help, I think!

Another week is all done. It really does feel like spring is on the way now. I’ve got some cobaea seedlings and sweet peppers coming on, and everywhere I look, new things are bursting to life. I love the blackthorn, which always flowers first in the hedgerows and the crocuses that gradually take over from the snowdrops. There are even daffodils out in a few sheltered spots. This is, of course, a fake spring where we get lulled into a false sense of security here in the UK. There will likely be more frost yet, but we can enjoy it nonetheless!

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The swimming pool was already here when we moved in. It was built by the previous residents sometime in the 1960s, I believe. The story goes that Mrs Eade, who lived here until her death in 2022, suffered from a bad back, and she found swimming helpful. She swam nearly every day well into her 80s. Some of the people in the village remember being invited here to swim as children. They don’t remember it being particularly luxurious! Rather cold and a bit green! I’m a fair-weather, warm-water swimmer, and although the rest of the family is a bit less picky, I wanted this area to be super comfortable.

Assess

So, first of all, we had to figure out what we were dealing with. Over the years, it seems there have been a few methods used to heat it. There were some large glass panels with piping to heat the water in the sunlight on the south-facing wall: an early solar power. There was also an oil boiler with a separate oil tank. The boiler was housed in a small lean-to building along with the pump. The pump still worked, although the building itself was in a poor state and needed a new roof.

The pool itself is concrete-lined and was in pretty good condition. No leaks and apart from a bit of staining and a few missing tiles around the top, it was fine.

First Year

That first summer we were here, we just had a basic cleanup. We tidied up the overgrown bushes and got used to using pool treatments. We luckily found someone who had worked on the pool for Mrs Eade, and he was able to come and show us how to work the pump. He hoovered out the bottom of the pool and shocked it with chlorine. We were then able to maintain it with chlorine tablets. It was cold, but that year we had a lovely couple of weeks in June, and we swam when it was warm enough.

The Plan

We needed a plan to heat the pool and make it somewhat affordable. At 4.8 x 9.7 metres and 2m at the deep end, that’s about 75,000 litres of water to heat. Straight away, it became obvious that we would close the pool in the colder weather. That’s pretty standard for outdoor pools in this country anyway. The winter cover goes on, the pump is drained, and everything is turned off from October until April, depending on the weather.

We looked at a number of ways of heating the water. The oil boiler was clearly going to be too expensive. An air-source heat pump seemed to be the best option for our situation. If we can run the heat pump with solar-generated electricity, we can heat the pool for free in the summer months.

A pool cover also really helps the pool hold the heat overnight. We looked at safety covers, and if I had small children, this would have been more of a priority. (I have a friend who has one of those amazing ones that you can walk on.) But they are hugely expensive, and we just couldn’t manage it. Maybe it’s something we will think about in the future.

Once that was all sorted out, we could get onto the fun stuff of designing the patio and how it would look. I quite early on decided that I wanted to incorporate a brick path along with a lighter stone. I just felt that tied the modern pool area in with the house a bit more. I got my daughter Emma to draw up some designs.

Year One - Plumbing

So the first job was to redo the plumbing and heating. We decided to abandon the lean-to with the collapsing roof and put up a new shed at the end of the pool area. This would house the electrics and pump, and then we added an air source heat pump on the sunny side of the wall. Of course, to move the pipes, we had to dig them all up! Jonathan, our friendly digger driver, came and dug the trenches all the way around the pool. Aqualate, the pool people, came back and reinstalled all the pipework and the new heat pump. They also drained the pool and repainted it. We used a two-part latex pool paint that is not easy to work with, but it gets the job done. If I were going to do this again, I would a) choose a different colour (I was led to believe there wasn’t much option, but in fact there is) and b) cover the pool while the paint dries, as that would stop stuff sticking to the wet paint and give a better finish. You live and learn!

With the trenches filled back in and everything ready, we built a shed to house the pump. Andy, the electrician, installed the wiring via an armour-plated cable, and the pool was up and running. Over the next couple of weeks, we removed the rest of the old patio slabs, levelled the area and laid down type one gravel in preparation for the new patio. Of course, by then, the weather was starting to get colder, so we closed it all up for the year.

Year Two - The Patio

This was 2024, and if you remember, it was a very wet year. We swam when we could, hobbling over the type one gravel to get in and out and managing without steps or a ladder. It was not the luxurious experience I was hoping for!

We did get to choose the patio stone, though. The lovely people at Westminster Stone put up with us umming and ahhing and asking a million questions. We started off with a porcelain choice. Super hard-wearing, ideal for pools and cheaper than anything else. However, it just didn’t really work with the brick pavers that I had my heart set on. It also just looked too modern. Martin explained that we could use a natural stone around the pool as long as it’s properly sealed. We ended up with the Antique Honey Cathedral Limestone. It has been tumbled, and so the edges look worn, and it worked perfectly with the Tudor Clay Pavers to create the brick detail I wanted. We didn’t get started until October, but very soon, the landscapers had the patio down.

Year Three - Getting There

After the horribly wet summer of 2024, we had the most wonderful spring in 2025. We abandoned our indoor projects and set about getting the pool finished. First came the steps. We kept it simple with a corner design. We couldn’t go central because of the pipe inlet, and these work just as well. Because of the cover, we didn’t add a handrail. So far, it hasn’t been a problem, but again, something we might think about in the future.

James got to work building some decking around the shed, which has the added advantage of protecting the pipework. I then painted the shed and sealed all the patio stone. The landscapers hadn’t been able to do it in the wet weather of the autumn, but we had plenty of sunshine to get it done now.

I also painted the pool steps in the same latex paint as before, only white this time. James built a fence to replace the green chain link, which had seen better days. I enjoyed choosing the design for the fence. I wanted something smart but not too fancy. This American farm-style fence fit the bill.

We also added lighting. These gorgeous wall lights come from Mullan Lighting in Ireland. They’re understated by day and dramatic at night. We use Philips Hue bulbs so that they can be controlled from our phones, and you can change the colour of them depending on your mood. They’re nearly always on a warm white, but maybe for a pool party, a colour would be good!

I also dragged out some old furniture and added a rug for a sunny seating area. It was a very lovely place to spend the hot days of last summer, and it finally felt more like the comfortable space I had planned.

Maintenance

We’ve gradually figured out how to manage the water testing and chemicals. We’ve stuck with chlorine as that’s what it’s always been, and we’re all happy with that. I like to keep the water at 29-30 degrees, and at those temperatures, the water will go green in days if not properly chlorinated. You need a good water testing kit. We use one like this at the start of the season to get it all stable. After that, you can use the cheaper dip strips, just to keep an eye on things. It’s super important to get your total alkalinity right at the start of the season. Once that’s sorted, you can adjust your pH. Then add your chlorine treatments. One thing that has really helped us is using a mineral filter. It has massively reduced the amount of chlorine we use, and we haven’t had any problems with algae. So, once it’s all adjusted and set up at the start of the season, we just use a couple of chlorine discs every 10 days or so.

The other thing that’s been invaluable is Horace, the robot pool vacuum. (Our model is discontinued, but this one is similar.) I have no idea how he got the name Horace, but he’s fantastic, and I could watch him trundle about all day. You just pop him in and then a few hours later lift him out and rinse out the filters. We have an overhanging tree near the pool, so we do get some debris in there. The cover helps keep it out of the water, and a leafblower on the patio once a week keeps that clear. So, before each swim, we just take the cover off, sweep off the steps and net out any bits that crept around the cover edges. Then, once a week, put Horace in, check the water chemistry, backwash the filter if needed and sweep up. Easy!

Ongoing Plans

So, we still have a few jobs to do in this area to make it perfect. Firstly, we need to add the solar panels to get the heat pump down to near zero cost. We’re doing this in conjunction with solar for other parts of the house, and it’s a big project all by itself. Maybe I’ll do a whole other post on what we’ve learned about solar panels!

We also still have a little bit of tiling to do around the top edge of the pool. It’s quite a big, awkward job for not very much gain other than a neat look when you're in the pool, so I will get round to that when I can!

I must also install a tap down here by the shed. Don’t know why I haven’t done that yet. It’s an easy job with the water line just the other side of the wall, so I must get that done this year.

We’re also going to add some sort of mini outdoor drinks bar. And I need new cushions and umbrellas for the seating area, along with some more pots, plants and sunloungers. All this I can gather slowly as we go along.

Eventually, and I’m not sure this will ever happen, we’d like to build a brick building where the hedge behind the shed is. That would have changing facilities, a loo, maybe undercover seating and storage. But, like I say, that’s way down in the list of priorities and may or may not happen in my lifetime!

So, that’s how we’ve renovated the pool area. As always with us, it’s taken ages as we do it bit by bit. Yes, we should probably have left it alone for a couple of years while we work on the house and then done it all at once, but where’s the fun in that? At least this way, we can gather by the pool for gin and tonics after a long, hot day of dusty renovation work.

* This post contains the odd affiliate link. If you use those links to make a purchase, it doesn’t cost you any extra, but I get a few pence, which helps pay for the coffee I drink while I write these posts :-)

** Pr Discounts with Westminster Stone and Mullan Lighting

I’m still finishing the painting at the top of the ladder on the awkward bits of the ceiling and walls in the annexe hallway. Standing on the rounded ladder rungs is uncomfortable, and I’ll be glad when this is finished.

After lots of email discussions with the structural engineer, we think we’ve decided that the dividing wall in what was going to be the games room has to stay. This means a bit of a room shuffle. The two rooms up here will now become my office and a bedroom. The room behind the kitchen on the ground floor will now be a games room, which may make more sense anyway. Although it might be a nuisance having my office at the top of the house, it means it will get done much sooner, which is exciting. I’ve been pinning decoration ideas!

Tuesday

While I battle on with the hallway ceiling, James is still ripping apart the top floor in the main house. Today, he had to lift some floorboards, and we found more remnants of the old mechanical bell system. The wires ran all over the house, and these metal fixtures were where the wires had to turn a corner. Surprisingly, they still move quite easily. Sadly, the bells are long gone, replaced by an electrical system around 1910.

Wednesday

A busy day. While Toby did his theory driving test in Shrewsbury, I popped into the abbey for a look around. I enjoyed reading the history of how it was founded in 1083 on the site of a pre-existing Saxon church, although most of the building as it is now was restored in the 19th century. I still always think these buildings are impressive, and I marvel at the people who worked all their lives to build them. (Toby failed the test, btw, but that means I have longer to prepare for him being out on the road!)

James has handyman Ian here to help him today, so they’ve been cracking on with more ripping out of lime plaster ceilings. Once Toby and I returned from Shrewsbury, we had to get the plasterboard delivery up to the top floor. It fit up the main stairs to the first landing with no trouble, but there was no way it was going up the second flight, either on the main stairs or the back ones. The only way to do it was to cut a large letterbox-type hole in the ceiling of the landing and pass the boards up to the top floor that way. With Ian and Toby passing them up and James and me lifting and stacking them at the top, we got it done.

Thursday

Today is my baby sister’s 50th birthday. Obviously, that makes me ancient, but nevermind. She has all sorts of trips and festivities planned, but wasn’t doing anything for her actual birthday, so we went for afternoon tea at a Cheshire hotel. It was a very nice change from the painting.

Friday

I’m on to sanding the walls, but I’m off the ladder, which is much more comfortable. These old walls are a mess, and I’m going to have to skim quite a lot.

I took Toby to Telford for a quick shopping trip, which was actually quite fun. It was nice to spend a bit of time with him before he heads off to Dubai tomorrow. Lucky thing!

Saturday

It’s sunny! I abandoned my painting and ran out into the garden with a huge list of jobs. First, I had to fix the wheelbarrow, which took forever and did not go well. Not a good start. Then I replaced the broken pane of glass in the greenhouse. Again, it took ages, but I got it done. Then, I got to planting. Finally got the garlic in, too late really, but they might be alright. I started all the onion sets, sowed onion seeds, beetroot, coriander, radish and peas in the greenhouse. I’ll have to get some more sweetpea seeds to replace all the ones the mice have had. The ranunculus are at least looking promising.

Sunday

I’ve realised some of the walls that we’ve uncovered on the top floor have wallpaper. It must be quite old because it was obviously here before the house was extended and the top floor added. I’m pretty sure that was around 1850, but it could have been before that. I really need to find records of what was done to this house and when. They must have recorded it in the Raby Estate files, but I can’t find anything in the local archives. I think at some point I will have to take a trip to Raby Castle in Durham and see if I can access the archives there.

Another week has flown by. After January, which goes on forever, February seems to pass in the blink of an eye. But there are signs of spring and some hope in the air. The crocuses have joined the snowdrops, and the birds seem to be singing more often. Spring won’t be long now!

I went up to the second floor to view the devastation. It is quite interesting to see the old timber frame underneath the new layers of the house. There’s the odd spot where there might have been a roof leak in the past but everything up here is now bone dry which is a very good sign. No rot anywhere apart from on the windows which is very good news. The mess is something to behold though. I really ought to be up here clearing up after James but I’m still busy painting in the annexe. I’m just working on the awkward high bit of the hallway ceiling.

Tuesday

Just a bit of touching up on the paintwork today. I’ve finished in the living room and I’ve just got some topcoats of the woodwork in the kitchen to do. I just put my audiobook on and paint away. Current listen is Brimstone by Callie Hart. Sexy fairies and vampires, what more could you want!

Wednesday

I’ve been trying to do a few jobs in the garden but I’m really not feeling it in this cold weather. Something has fallen on my greenhouse and broken a pane of glass in the roof so it’s not even warm to work in there. I’ve ordered acrylic to fix it. I’m pretty sure it will be a pine cone or twig from the cedar tree and it will keep happening so I may as well replace with acrylic and at least it won’t break as easily.

Also the bloody deer have eaten all my purple sprouting broccoli. I need a plan to keep them out. I can’t decide whether to try and keep them out of the garden altogether or just fence the vegetables in which might be easier. Maybe both?

Thursday

I helped James with some clearing up on the second floor. He’s still pulling off plaster and taking down ceilings so the mess is horrendous. We have to bag up all the lathe and then shovel up the plaster separately. It’s horrible dusty work and my glasses keep steaming up over my mask. It doesn’t take too long with two of us though and I still get a bit of painting done in the afternoon.

I’m starting to get a bit worried about taking out the wall in the games room. It’s looking quite structural and I think we might need an engineer to look at it.

Friday

We’ve been looking at the joists on the second floor and trying to figure out what’s going on with that wall we want to remove. Firstly its weird because in the old nursery which is the other end of the house the ceiling joists run the other way. They’re supported by some big beams that we don’t have in the games room. So that wall is definitely supporting the ceiling joists but maybe it’s supporting the roof too? We’ve put in a building regs notice because we need that for the insulation anyway and James has called the structural engineer. We’re carrying on with taking out some of the ceiling as it makes it easier to see what’s what.

Saturday

First I had to get up into the attic to take some pictures for the structural engineer. We’re just trying to decide whether he needs to do a site visit or if he can say it’s going to be complicated right from the start. If we can’t take that wall out it’s not the end of the world. We’ll just rearrange our room plan and keep it as two separate rooms. It’s not worth doing if it’s going to cost a lot of money and as soon as the structural engineer mentions the word steel I’m running for the hills!

The roofers are here today fitting the new Keylite (similar to Velux) windows in the library. Another step in the right direction and it should make this room light but cosy.

Sunday

Went to church and then did some admin. I had planned to get in some more painting this afternoon but then I discovered the dishwasher drain was blocked outside. I spent a few unhappy hours with drain rods and an ungodly smell but I did get it cleared. The drains from the kitchen will need replacing but as we’re moving the kitchen and putting a patio down here it will all be dealt with then. For now I put the drain cover back on and hope for the best!

Well, that’s another week that’s flown by. I’ve actually been feeling pretty moody this week and everything is irritating me. A combination of a lack of sleep and being a woman of a certain age I think! Here’s hoping I can get back into a regular sleep pattern. Renovations and mood swings really don’t mix well. Wishing you all a peaceful week x

*This post includes an affiliate link to the current audiobook. If you purchase through the link it doesn’t cost you anything extra but I get a few pence towards a coffee that helps me keep writing.

Back to painting in the Old Estate Office living room. I’m just recoating woodwork now, which is fairly boring. I listen to audiobooks while I work. Usually, you’ll find me listening to what James calls ‘faerie smut’, but I also enjoy some quite interesting things for our village book club. I’ve just finished The Light Behind the Window by Lucinda Riley. A bit slow to get going, but an interesting story set in France during the Second World War. There’s also a rundown chateau in need of renovation, which felt appropriate!

Tuesday

A slow start. It was a stormy night, and I didn’t sleep well. I’ve battled a headache all day. I did manage to make a start on the hallway, which is the last area to complete in the Old Estate Office. The first job was to get the access hatch to the flue open and get the flue cleaned out. This would’ve been easier if it weren’t so high up. It took quite a lot of swearing to get the ladder into position, but James managed to get the hatch open without taking the whole wall apart, so that was good.

Wednesday

A beautiful day, and I went out for a lovely dog walk with the neighbours. Time to get on with cleaning out the flue. I removed all the twigs, jackdaw skulls, soot and rubble, but it was a disappointing result. Once it was clear, I could see that the chimney had been filled from above. It looks like someone dropped a load of rubble and lime mortar down to block it off. Very annoying, as this will be super hard to remove. For now, we will leave it and think about other options for the fireplace in the living room. It will either just be decorative, or we will look at getting something like an electric stove or bioethanol feature fire. Still disappointing, and I got very dirty for no reason.

Thursday

I got caught up doing admin. It happens!

Friday

James is making more progress on the second floor. There’s more clearing out to do than we first thought. The walls up here have been old-fashioned dry-lined. They were battened out and then plastered with lathe and lime. We’ve taken it off in the rooms that will be bathrooms, as it’s useless for attaching tiles to. Then, quite a few of the ceilings had to come out because they were in a pretty rough state, especially where we took out the dividing walls. It’s all looking like a terrible mess, and I find this stage so depressing. You always uncover more problems, and it really feels like you take some giant steps backwards. I try hard to keep the faith and trust that it will all be worth it in the end.

Saturday

We found a beautiful fireplace today, and it has cheered me right up! Maybe the ripping out stage isn’t so bad after all. This gorgeous little Art Nouveau fireplace had been covered up, and then a cupboard with a sink inside was put in front of it. Most of the rooms up here were fitted with sinks, I guess in an era when you were expected to arrive for breakfast looking well-groomed, but bathrooms were few and far between. Whatever the reason, I’m glad they didn’t destroy the fireplace. It’s missing its top mantle, but other than that, it’s been kept safe behind the cupboard and is in good condition. I have no idea whether the chimney flue is blocked or not. I will have to test with a smoke bomb. Meanwhile, we will clean it up, and it will be a lovely feature in this room. I’m thinking a subtle Art Nouveau theme for curtains and cushions will work well. Just don’t tell James, he’s not a fan of anything patterned!

Sunday

Today I moved on to the ceiling in the little hallway of the Old Estate Office. I’m doing all the awkward bits of the ceiling and wall that require the long ladder to reach them first. Sanding ceilings is never fun, but at least it’s a small room. I can’t quite believe that the Old Estate Office is almost finished. It’s taken so long, and I don’t think I’ve realised how close I am to the finish line now. I really need to get on with ordering carpets and furniture!

That’s all from me. I hope you’re having a great week. There will be some extra posts coming your way shortly on top of my weekly diary, so stay tuned.

*This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase using the link, I earn a few pence, which helps me buy tea to fuel me when I write these blog posts.

I made it back to the gym today. I’m mainly doing strengthening exercises for my dodgy old hip, but at least it’s a start.

The ripping out on the second floor is progressing, and while I’m horrified by the mess its exciting to see the space take shape. James can’t wait to get the electrician and the plumbers in, so I need to make lots of decisions about room layouts.

Meanwhile, I get on with the painting. The woodwork is slow and always takes a good few coats.

Tuesday

A bit more painting, but I take the afternoon off to take Emma out for a late lunch. I missed her birthday meal, so it’s good to spend some time together. We go to a lovely riverside place in Shrewsbury, The Armoury. I like the decor, old framed prints and a wall of old books. Also, the tea sets are super pretty!

Wednesday

This morning, I get straight to work draining down the central heating system. The plumber is coming to cut off all the radiators on the second floor. We’ve managed to find the pipe that goes down to the first and ground floor, so we can disconnect the second floor but keep everything else running. The plumber sorts it all out easily, but there is also a broken zone valve to fix, and he’ll have to come back with the parts for that.

The scrap man is also here today, collecting all the metal that we’ve ripped out on the top floor. We keep the copper for weighing in separately, and I need to decide what to do with the old radiators. We have a lot of modernish ones, but four of them are really nice old ones. I’d like to get them refurbished, but I don’t know if that’s a possibility or if they’ll work well when done.

Thursday

Before I can even get dressed, I get bombarded with a missing school shirt, a sick child and a leak in the ceiling. Toby ends up going back to bed, and I abandon the search for the shirt. Then I drain down the heating system again to stop the leak. One of the joints that was done yesterday needs fixing, so the plumber will have to come back.

This afternoon, we head out to Screwfix and Brewers for a few supplies. Honestly, we’re here so often I could move in. I get some nice velvet mini rollers that are perfect for woodwork. The fluffy ones don’t roll well on the wood, and the foam ones go all bubbly. The velvet ones are the best, I think.

Friday

I make my pilgrimage to Middlesbrough and back to drop Emma off at university. It’s a really long drive, but we play music and sing at the top of our voices. On the way back, I call my Mum to wish her a happy 83rd birthday! I seriously hope whatever keeps her so young is in the genes.

Saturday

A bit of a slow morning, but lots more painting today. The woodwork is nearly done, and I’ve finished my audiobook for book club. It was called The Light Behind the Window by Lucinda Riley. It was really slow to start, but quite good once it got to the experiences of the women working with the French Resistance in WWII.

The shutters are taking a long time to paint but they’re looking good, and I’m almost there.

Sunday

After church, where the cyclamen and snowdrops are coming up in the churchyard, I head to Attingham Park. Really, I just want to visit the gift shop to get some presents, but while I’m here, I may as well enjoy a walk. The weather is grey, damp and cold, but I’ve got my big coat on, and I enjoy just walking with my own thoughts to keep me company. It feels like a very Victorian thing to do. They were big walkers, and I think about all the people who will have walked around Attingham Park long before it was gifted to the National Trust. I suspect the paths were much muddier then, and I wonder how much the National Trust spends on putting in hoggin paths. Maybe we should do the same in the garden at home. I wonder if they used a geotextile membrane. I’d like to dig a bit up and have a look, but I resist the urge.

At lunchtime, we head out to meet my Mum and sister for my Mum’s birthday lunch. We eat at Goldstone Hall, which is very nice. They have a wonderful garden, and usually I’d drag everyone out to have a look, but the weather is dismal. We sit by the open fire and enjoy a long lunch that includes seconds of the dessert trolley.

In the evening, James and I sit down to plan out our next phase of renovations in more detail. I want to nail down the budget a bit more, and to do that, we have to decide exactly what we’re going to do in this next phase and in what order. It’s complicated, but we do at least have a plan now!

Let’s hope the weather cheers up a little and we can get outside a bit more soon. I was eyeing the bags of compost at the supermarket this morning. It will be time to start a few things in the greenhouse before too long. Have a great week!

Monday

It’s a beautiful crisp day, and the sun is shining on the snow that covers the fields, roofs and gardens. It feels like skiing weather. I don’t actually think my knees could handle skiing nowadays, but a Glühwein in the garden would be most welcome!

I drive in the snow over to Bridgnorth for a routine hospital appointment. Making my way through the first few villages is a little treacherous, but once I get to the main roads, they’ve all been gritted, and it’s plain sailing. The views are stunning, and I’m reminded just how beautiful Shropshire is. I vow to get out more and spend more time getting to know the local area.

I finish taking down all the Christmas decorations and pack them away before tonight’s Twelfth Night. This year, we kept all the decorations to one room, so this was quite straightforward. The Christmas room will now become my sewing and ironing room for a while. I want to make some bench cushions and maybe a blind or two. It will be good to have somewhere to set up my sewing machine and be able to take over the whole table.

Tuesday

I’m not feeling particularly well today. I woke up with a headache and stomach pains that I can’t seem to shift. I get the ironing done and some shopping for Emma’s birthday tomorrow, but then I head off to bed for an early night.

Wednesday

My daughter is 21 today! How on earth did that happen? I get up to make sure she gets her gifts and cake, but then go straight back to bed. The headache is merciless, and there’s no way my stomach can handle a restaurant meal this evening. Luckily, Emma has her girlfriend staying and plenty of people to make a fuss of her.

I lie in bed all day listening to Onyx Storm on Audible. I have numerous theories, but I resist the temptation to fall into a Booktok rabbit hole. Just know that if we ever meet in person, I could argue Empyrean theory with you all day!

By evening, I’m starting to feel better, and I manage to eat some toast. The kids text me pictures of each course from dinner, and when they get back, they all pile into the bedroom to tell me all about it.

Thursday

I’m feeling so much better. I guess I just had a bug. The chimney sweep is coming this afternoon, so I spent the morning making sure he can access the wood burner and that the Aga is cool enough. I should have turned it off last night, but it cools down quickly if you leave the doors open and put pans of cold water on the tops.

In the Old Estate Office living room, I have finished painting the walls, and so I can now put back the vintage features that I saved. The lamp sockets and the servant’s bell are no longer connected, but with the paint cleaned off, they look too good not to keep. I carefully put them all back as they were, and also refit a cord to the vent. The Victorian air conditioning is now functional!

School closes early, and I manage to pick up Toby and then another of Emma’s friends from the station before the snow starts. It feels super cosy having a house full of teenagers as the snow starts falling in earnest outside. That is, until the water goes off! Our water is pumped from a small water station in the next village over. If there’s a power cut at the pumping station, the whole village has no water. Thankfully, it’s only off for a couple of hours, but in the meantime, we discover that Toby has drunk all the emergency water supplies and that we really need to be better prepped!

Friday

A snow day! School is cancelled, and it’s just as well because someone has ploughed the snow off the lane outside and piled it up behind our cars. I have no ambition to go anywhere anyway, and I content myself with a day of painting in the Old Estate Office living room. I’m doing the skirting boards, which is always uncomfortable, but the white is looking good against the latte coloured walls, and I start to see how it will all come together.

While I try to get the Old Estate Office finished, James and Toby have started work on the second floor. They’re ripping out some stud walls that are a later addition, and taking it back to the Victorian original. Also, some ceilings have to come down, as they are beyond repair, and we need to improve the insulation. I don’t really like this stage. It seems like it has to get a lot worse before it gets better, and it just feels like they’re making a giant mess. It is exciting, though, to see the space and start to plan the room layouts.

Saturday

I spend the morning cleaning our bedroom and going through my overflowing cupboards, sorting through old clothes. I have to give up on some items that are so covered in paint and holes that they can only ever be rags from now on.

Then I’m back to painting skirting boards. I don’t get as much done as I would like, but I’m getting there slowly. I’m just starting on the shutters now, which at least means I’m not crawling around on the floor. We’ve reattached the heater to the wall, so it’s a nice temperature in here. The Old Estate Office is much warmer and cosier than the main house now, thanks to the double-glazed windows and the super-thick loft insulation. It may be that we move in here when the renovations reach the main rooms of the house.

Sunday

The snow is almost melted away, but there is a fierce cold wind which makes the house moan. I always think this house is colder in the wind than it ever is in the snow. It’s so draughty, and the wind blows up from the basement to push against the swing door into the hallway.

I walk through the slush up to the church and keep my thick winter coat on for the short service. There are only four of us, but I see a couple from the village that I haven’t seen since Christmas. After a late breakfast, I tackle the church accounts, which take me most of the day. It’s the first year I’ve done them, and it seems overly complicated for such a small church that barely keeps going. But they’re done now, and at least I can let everyone know how much money the church doesn’t have!

James has done lots more clearing on the top floor, and we all gather to discuss the layout of Toby’s room. After much debate, we decided it’s best to leave it as the original nursery layout. It means that Toby’s room will have two doors. One leads to the main landing, the other to the landing at the top of the servants’ stairs. To get to the library, you will have to either go through Toby’s room or up the servants’ stairs. I don’t think that’s too much of a problem for us, but it does make the library rather useless as a spare bedroom, as the access to the bathroom would be through Toby’s room. I’m still not 100% sure, and we’ll do a bit more thinking before we decide for certain.

Next week, I hope to have some more time to get the painting finished and move on to the hallway. I’d also love to get some jobs done outside if the only the weather cheers up a little. I hope you all have a great week xx

For me, it was a year of ups and downs. There were definitely a few things that could have worked out better, but also some things that could’ve been so much worse and on the whole, I think we’re happy to have made it through relatively unscathed. I always get to the end of the year feeling like I haven’t achieved nearly as much as I wanted to, but then when I list all the things that happened each month, I’m surprised at how much we fitted in. So here it is. A look back at 2025 and the year I’m calling ‘Almost a Disaster.’

January

I was busy decorating the bedroom in the Old Estate Office. I’d done most of the walls, but this room had a ton of woodwork to do. We renovated all the old cupboards, which I think turned out well, but it was a lot of work. I’m still not sure if it was worth paint stripping them all, but at least I’ve got rid of all the lead paint.

While I was painting, James was working on the workshop. This year, we moved the workshop out of the house into the outbuildings where it belongs. It took quite a lot to get the building ready. This month, James was insulating the roof so we could get a little heating in here, and we put in a staircase to reach the hayloft without using the scary wooden ladder.

We had the plans back from the architect for the ground floor of the main house. I feel much more confident knowing exactly what we’re working towards now. I still can’t really envisage having all this finished, but at least it’s a plan!

Outside in the garden, I pruned the apple trees, took all the ivy off the front of the house and started the greenhouse repairs. I learnt to cut glass, which took a bit of getting used to, but I got pretty good by the end!

February

Still lots of painting in the bedroom, but I also did some pointing in the gym. We decided to leave the walls as bare brick in here, but some bits had a few holes and some of the pointing needed tidying up. I worked my way round steadily, and it wasn’t too bad. Pointing indoors is quite a lot nicer in February!

I was still mending the greenhouse, but outside we also had some new gates fitted on the garden, and all the hedges were cut. I love how neat everything looks with trimmed hedges! I hard-pruned the yew hedge at the top of the veg garden and reclaimed the path there. We also cleared all the vines from the top of the summerhouse. There’s still lots of work to do here, but we’re slowly getting the wisteria under control.

This month, I also took a trip to London for the Garden Press Event. It was a great day, and I met so many lovely people.

March

The bedroom painting continued with the cupboard doors. James refitted them all, which took some doing, and then I painted them all. I also had to refinish the floor, which had some water marks under the protective covering. This was irritating and all down to doing things in the wrong order. Always do your floors last!

In the gym, we sorted out the fireplace, and I rebuilt a brick hearth. We don’t plan to use this fireplace, so I just wanted to tidy it. I think it went pretty well!

The weather was pretty mild, and I got some seeds sown in the greenhouse and a little more hedgecutting finished. I also got up on the scaffolding and sorted out the lead flashing over the bay window. We had this bit reroofed, but I wasn’t happy with how the builder had done the flashing. There’s functional, and then there’s how I want it to look!

April

In the bedroom, I refinished the desk and painted the lock boxes, which have become luggage racks at the end of the bed. Then I moved onto the ceiling and the upper half of the stairwell. I’m keeping it light and airy here.

I also painted the woodwork in the gym. It’s all soft black and industrial-looking. I think it works with the exposed brick.

The weather in April was surprisingly glorious, and so we pushed on with the pool area. I sealed all the brickwork, James built some decking, and then I painted the shed. We also had some steps built into the pool.

I had a wonderful birthday lunch, and the asparagus and wisteria were the stars of the garden.

May

The gym was finished, and with the weather still wonderful, we stayed on the pool project. I painted the new pool steps with latex pool paint and sealed the new decking. James started work on the new pool fence, and we cleaned up some old furniture to use out here.

The garden was amazing, with everything flowering, and the peonies really put on a show.

We also took a trip to Dorset for some fishing and a short break.

June

Another glorious month of weather! Plenty of swimming and enjoying the pool while James finished the fencing.

I did get more painting done in the stairwell and the curtains fitted in the bedroom.

I also visited the RHS Hampton Court flower show. It was a super hot day, but very beautiful, and I met some of my Instagram heroes.

July

I continued work on the staircase until I squished my leg in an accident. We were digging out the paths in the veg garden when I managed to tip over a mini dumper. Unfortunately, it landed on my right lower leg, which meant a trip to A&E, but nothing was broken, and it was confirmed that I have bones like Wolverine! It was quite swollen and sore, though, and I struggled on with a few jobs in the bedroom but not much else.

August

James fitted lights around the pool and started the refurbishment of the shutters in the living room of the Estate Office. He also fitted new locks and refurbed the front door.

Meanwhile, my leg got infected, and I ended up in the hospital for a week with a couple of surgeries to clear it out. It was a pretty miserable time, but I was home for Toby’s birthday on the 30th, and it did the job.

September

A slow start back to activity. I did lots of knitting and sewing, and eventually got back to painting the stairs. The garden didn’t do too well, what with a drought and lack of attention, but we still had a fabulous harvest of potatoes, garlic, apples and grapes.

At the end of the month, we discovered a leak in the oil tank, which caused a whole lot of chaos.

October

We drained the leaking oil tank and then got the digger in to clear the area, ready to put down a new base for the bigger tank. That’s when we found what turned out to be a rainwater cistern that goes under the old scullery. I think they collected rainwater to wash clothes, and there would have been a hand pump in the scullery above the tank. Luckily, the new base didn’t need to go over the cistern, so we’ve left it for the moment until we can be sure it’s not still filling with rainwater.

The new oil tank was fitted, which caused airlocks and all sorts of problems with the aga. I spent a couple of days on my hands and knees fixing it all. Aga’s are very basic but can also be a bit dramatic if things aren’t quite right. Once I got it going again, it was fine.

James worked on the guttering and fixed quite a few leaks around the house. An excellent job to get done before the winter. I finished the stairs and moved onto the ceilings in the living room.

November

In the living room of the Old Estate Office, I finished the ceiling and moved on to wall prep. I also fixed the wallpaper in the bathroom that had been damaged when the new window was added. (The joy of doing things out of order again!)

Outside, we finally got to work building our new Woodblocx raised beds, and James made a new door for the storeroom.

We also had a fantastic bonfire and fireworks for a friend’s birthday and then a lovely visit to Crewe Hall for cheese and wine. I had a superb massage, and honestly, my back and neck have felt loads better ever since. I must book massages more often!

December

I got the first coat of paint on the walls in the living room and fixed things like the air vent. Then I moved on to cleaning and decluttering, ready for Christmas. Honestly, I didn’t get all that far, but I took heaps of rubbish out of the kids’ bedrooms, and I got the old workshop ready for Christmas.

And then Christmas was upon us! We hosted 10 for Christmas Eve, but Christmas Day itself was quiet. We went out for lunch for James’ birthday on the 27th and then down to Dorset for a second Christmas on the 28th. Then it was back home for the New Year. Honestly, it’s flown by!

So that’s it. Everything we’ve done in 2025. In some ways, it’s not very much, but then in others it’s plenty. I would really like to have completely finished the Old Estate Office. But we have made lots of progress, and it shouldn’t be long now. I think if it hadn’t been for my leg, it would’ve been done by now. I also wish we’d been able to finish the paths and the raised beds in the vegetable garden, but again, the leg got in the way somewhat. By the time I was back on my feet, the weather was against us. We will get there! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an injury-free 2026 and lots of progress on the main house.

Thank you for all your support over the last year. I love your messages, so please leave me a heart and a comment here or catch up with me on Instagram. I hope to send you more regular emails in 2026, and I also have some exciting news for those of you who like video. Take care, and I hope you have a very Happy New Year x

The Oil Tank Drama

We started the month off with the drama of the oil tank. At the end of September, we lit the Aga and merrily filled the oil tank ready for the winter, only to find that the old tank had sprung a leak and our heating oil was dripping out. We quickly organised sand to soak up the drips and buckets to catch them, and then contacted Luke, our oil heating engineer. He was promptly booked to come and fit the new tank. Meanwhile, we had to drain the old one and move it out of the way so that the base could be prepared. This should’ve been simple, but of course it wasn’t. The pump we bought broke, we couldn’t find the right connectors or hoses, and it was all very frustrating, but we did get it done in the end. With the heating oil safely stored in a temporary tank, we set about clearing the area for the new base. We got Jonathan, our friendly digger driver, to level it. When we moved in, there was a huge Scots pine tree in this spot. It was beautiful but much too close to the house. We had the stump ground down, but we knew Jonathan wouldn’t be able to go too far down before hitting all the old tree roots. However, what we weren't expecting was a concrete slab that covered a tunnel entrance.

After some investigation, it turned out to be a cistern that would have collected rainwater from the roofs. You can see the steel pipe that would’ve led to a hand pump in the scullery above. The soft rainwater was excellent for washing clothes. At that time, this house would’ve been fed water from a spring on the Wrekin hill, so any extra rainwater that could be collected was super helpful.

For now, the cistern is still there, and we’ve just covered it with the concrete slab again. Luckily, it wasn’t in the way of the new tank. I want to keep an eye on it over the winter and make sure the drains going into it are definitely disconnected. I don’t want to fill it in only to find it fills with water!

Anyway, after all that drama, the new tank went in super easily. We had a bit of bother getting the Aga to relight, but it’s all sorted now and the central heating is working. It’s still super expensive to run, so we don’t have it on very much, but it does take the chill off.

Stairs

I finally finished the stairs in the Estate Office. I ended up painting the risers a dark green and then Osmo oiling the treads. They were a bit rough with a few dents and gouges, so after sanding them down, I used a two-part resin to fill all the holes. It actually worked really well, and I’m pleased with how they turned out. I maybe should’ve gone dark with the bannister too, but it’s a bit complicated with how it meets the white woodwork at the top, and I couldn’t work out where to make the transition. So, I’ve kept it all white and I think that’s fine. I definitely didn’t want these stairs to be too dark, as they are on a north-facing wall.

Bathroom

Rather annoyingly, I’ve also had some work to do in the bathroom. This room was finished over a year ago, but then we had the window refitted, and the window surround and the wallpaper got messed up. This room also didn’t have a door for quite a long time, and I hadn’t gotten around to painting it. So, I had to go back and fix the wallpaper, touch up all the woodwork and paint the door. I also had to fix a tap as we’ve had trouble with grit in the pipes. It’s all done now, but I’ve got plenty to do without having to redo the same things over again!

Living Area

With the bedroom, stairs and bathroom sorted, it’s time to move onto the living room. James has done all the woodwork in here, so it’s time to move on to decoration. I’ve started by prepping the ceiling and sanding the beams. There’s quite a bit of filling and more sanding to do before I get to the painting stage.

Shopping

We’ve also had quite a bit of fun this month shopping for items of furniture for these finished rooms. We had a day out in Shrewsbury, where we didn’t actually buy anything, but we found a great shop that we will definitely be visiting again. I’ve also picked up a couple of things on Facebook Marketplace that will fit with the Victorian gentleman’s residence vibe I’ve got going on in the Estate Office. I’m hoping I don’t have to do too much to these pieces. Just a good clean and polish, and they should fit right in.

Healing

Thank goodness my leg seems to be almost better. I managed to get the big bandage off a couple of weeks ago, and I’m now in normal shoes, which is a huge relief. I’ll have some scars, and my lower leg has a bit of a dent in it now, but my ankle seems to be strengthening nicely, and I don’t really have any pain. If anything, the skin is a bit numb. I think I’m very lucky that functionally it’s good, and I can get back to doing everything I want to. Thank you to all of you who sent lovely messages and healing thoughts. They worked!

And so, onto November. Lots to do and plenty to look forward to. Wishing you a happy and healthy month :-)

I did manage to finish my sock knitting, and I also did a sewing machine course and made myself a cute apron. I’ll be onto curtains in no time!

So James has been doing the bulk of the work this month, and I have to say he’s doing quite well! He started off refurbishing the front door of the Old Estate Office. It’s a lovely, big, old, solid door and just needs a new paint job and some prettier hardware. He started by taking off all the old locks and latches. As is usual for this house, they’d been changed a few times and added onto over the years, so there were plenty of holes to fill in. We’ve gone for a new night latch and a 5-lever mortice lock. I don’t know why we couldn’t get an aged brass night latch, but the whole lock thing did seem quite complicated, and I wasn’t paying that much attention! Anyway, it all works and is much more secure. I now just need to finish off the painting. After much consideration and about a million samples, I think I’m going to use the same green I’ve used in the bedroom!

The garden, despite the neglect, has been pretty productive. I’ve been swamped with courgettes, which is great because I love them! The grapes in the old greenhouse have had their best year yet, and there are apples everywhere. My lovely gardener has been digging the potatoes, and they are huge! Plenty to keep us going into the winter. But the best of all has been my garlic. I grew Elephant garlic and three other varieties. Picardy White, Mersley White and Solent White. All planted in January. I’ve had a great harvest and think I have enough garlic to keep us going until spring at least! The dahlias have not done so well, but I’ve had a couple of flowers, and they are still trying, so I may get more yet. I haven’t been able to do any of the big jobs I’ve wanted to, but hopefully October will see me back out there. I’ve got a lot of hedge cutting to do, and I can’t wait to get the new raised beds in. I also want to put some paving in the greenhouse and get that prepped for next year.

The pool lights have been a great success. Unfortunately, it’s time to close the pool for the year now. It gets too expensive to keep it clean and heated. Last year, we had trouble keeping the winter cover in place, so this year we have some new anchors that we need to fit around the pool. Hopefully, then the cover will stay in place and keep all the winter leaves and debris out of the water. We also need to put the furniture away. I’m going to have to sand it all down and retreat it before next season. I’m hoping to put it in the barn, where there is enough space to work on it undercover.

I’ve been able to get back to some light work, and I’m finishing off the painting in the Old Estate Office stairwell. Luckily, I’d done all the higher up bits, so I’ve been able to sit on the stairs and do the skirtings and bannisters. There’s quite a lot of white woodwork, what with the window and door frame, so it’s taken a while. I’ve kept it all light and bright here because I didn’t want the stairwell with its north-facing window to feel dark. The walls are lovely creamy stone colour called Timeless from Fenwick and Tilbrook. I’m now experimenting with the actual steps. I had thought I’d paint the risers a dark green, but when I sanded them, I loved the worn look of the wood too much to cover it up. The worn wood is particularly good in the middle of the steps, so a runner would’ve covered it up as well. The only problem is that there were some gouges and really rough bits in the actual treads. I don’t want anyone getting splinters if they come down the steps in bare feet, so I’m experimenting with filling in the holes with resin. I’ll sand it and then seal it with poly-oil, and hopefully it will look finished, but you’ll still be able to see all that lovely old wood. I’ll let you know how it goes!

While I’ve been doing that, James has been replacing guttering. We’ve gone for cast iron effect plastic, which perhaps won’t last quite as long as aluminium, but it’s easy to fit and honestly, with the amount of guttering we have, the cost was a big issue. I was thinking about that, and usually a normal rectangle-shaped house would have two lengths of gutter on either side and maybe a bit on a garage or something. We have way too many roofs, and we have short bits of gutter everywhere. I haven’t counted them all, but it’s a lot, and there are loads of odd places where they meet and go round corners, etc. James is getting quite good at it, and he’s been able to replace all the leaky bits on the first storey. There are still some that will have to wait for scaffolding, but the worst problems have been attended to, and hopefully, we should stay water-tight this winter!

The next slight disaster we have to deal with is the oil tank. We had it filled ready for the winter, whereupon it immediately sprang a leak. Nightmare! I patched it up as best I could, but it was still dripping into a bucket, so as soon as we could, we pumped it out into a temporary container. Then Jonathan the digger driver came and levelled the area, and today Luke the oil boiler man has put down a new base. He will be back to fit the new tank later in the week. It’s a big cost, but we knew we were going to have to do it at some point, so it’s more just a case of rearranging the budget and pushing a few other things back. It’s one of those slightly boring things, though, that you don’t really want to spend on, but it will feel good to have it ticked off the list!

So October will be super busy. We’ve got some roofing being done and some brickwork repairs. I’ll be moving on to the living room in the Old Estate Office. It’s mostly decoration in there with just a few odd jobs for James to finish. He’s then hoping to start stripping out the third floor. I’m nervous about that because I know it’s going to make a huge mess in the main house. It’s got to be done sometime, though, so I guess I’ll cope! I hope you’ve all had a great month, and I look forward to getting back to this blog a bit more regularly! Speak soon x

So where were we? The last time I did one of these updates was back in April. We were just finishing off a few areas and about to have the plastering done in the Old Estate Office.

First up was the gym which is now finished. I say finished, I’m starting to understand that nothing is ever really completely ‘done’ to perfection. There’s always a bit more to add or something that isn’t quite right. But it’s just little fixes now that we can do as we go along. The gym is great to use and before I hurt my leg I was in there more or less every day. It’s lovely to start the day with some yoga or a quick strength workout. Meanwhile, Toby uses it nearly every night and loves it. He’s getting super strong which is great because he can help us with any heavy work!

James is currently making a little cabinet to house the fridge and provide a bit of storage then there is just the radiators to fit and some draft excluders to add to the door before the winter. There’s also still some work to do to the outside of this building. Some painting to finish off and some fascia boards to fix. I really wanted to get to that while the weather is good so hopefully I’ll get to it before too long.

The pool area is very nearly complete. I’m just adding things now like plant pots, cushions and trellis. There is still some tiling to do around the top of the pool but the quotes we’ve had for that have been huge so it’ll either have to wait for me to get to it or we’ll have to save up somehow. The pool itself is lovely now though and has been a real treat when the weather gets hot. I often wonder whether we’ve done the right thing spending money on it before the house is finished but then a heatwave comes along and I’m beyond thankful!

The Old Estate Office is coming along nicely. In fact my daughter and her girlfriend are staying over there at the moment while they’re home from university. The bedroom is more or less complete. Again a bit more furniture to add and I still need to put some shelf liners inside the cupboards but I’m super pleased with how it’s looking.

I’m onto the stairs now. I finished the ceiling and all the tricky bits that were hard to reach. I had everything else sanded, primed and ready to paint when I hurt my leg. I’m looking forward to getting back to it! I still haven’t 100% decided what to do with the stairs. I was going to paint the risers but looking at the rough wood I think it might be better with just a clear oil. I’ll paint the skirtings and bannisters and then decide.

James has been making a unit to fit in the alcove in the sitting room. He’s got some skirting to fit and some repairs to the shutters to make. I’ll be decorating in here soon. I still need to decide what to do with the safe in the wall. I think maybe it just needs some trim around it as it sticks out from the wall a bit. We’ll try a few things and see how it goes.

Meanwhile, We’ve been working in the kitchen garden. We’ve dug out the new paths which has made a bit of a mess but when it’s done we’ll have a sitting area in the middle as well. I’m also adding some raised beds which I’m super excited about. It was in the process of moving the earth that I hurt my leg though. I managed to tip the dumper over and get my leg trapped. Luckily it’s not broken and it could have been so much worse so I have to be thankful and try to be patient while it heals. I’m hoping one more week and I should be able to at least do some light work.

So that’s it for the update. Take care and don’t get complacent like I did! Accidents happen but it’s frustrating when it could’ve been avoided with a little more care and attention. Stay tuned. While I’m stuck here I might as well write some more blog posts! Speak soon x

So, anyway, I’ve started. I’ve tried to stop saying ‘um’ so much, and I’ve edited out some of my worst waffles, but bear with me as I get used to video. I’m sure it will get better as we go along!

Also, an edit to say I was wrong about the lever by the fireplace in the living room. It was a part of the mechanical bell pull system over on the other wall and had nothing to do with a vent for the fireplace, as I first thought!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little walkthrough. I will attempt some more in the future, and eventually we’ll get around the whole house!

If you have any questions or ideas for things you’d like to see, just let me know!

The Old Estate Office

Progress continues on our guest cottage. The bedroom is all but finished, with just some snagging jobs and things like curtains and furniture to sort out. We did have a bit of a problem with the floor, which is really down to doing things out of order. The problem is that we put the new wood floor down way too early. We did cover it, but when the chimney breast was plastered, some water got under the covering and stained the floor. Luckily, these are good quality oak boards with a 6mm top layer, so they can take quite a bit of sanding. I’ve sanded off the marks and re-oiled them, which seems to have worked okay. You have to do the whole board, as otherwise the new oil shows, and they do look a bit darker, but I think they will blend in with a bit of wear. I'm giving them a bit of time while we sort everything else out.

I also sanded back the desk and oiled that too. A new set of handles, and I think it looks pretty good. Sadly, the top is quite stained, and I was starting to sand through the veneer in places, so I gave up on that and covered it with a desk mat. The fact that the desk mat exactly matches the wall paint is a complete fluke. Thank you, Amazon!

I managed a visit to an antiques emporium this week and I picked up quite a few pictures and frames for this room. I’m going to put the bed up and then decide where to hang them all. I’ve also got a rug that I want to clean before it goes down in here.

The lockbox safes that were in this room are being repurposed as trunks for the end of the bed. Lots of people said not to paint them as they wouldn’t look old anymore, but I don’t always listen to Instagram, and I think these look a lot better with a coat of paint! They had both been painted in the past before, and the green one in particular was pretty grotty. Also, the paint smelled really weird when I wiped it down. Goodness knows what was in it, probably arsenic or something, so I think it is much better that it’s all sealed in and covered up. I used radiator paint as they are metal and the colour is Dark Magic from Rustoleum.

So we now turn our attention to the stairs and the few bits of ceiling that need replastering here and in the living room. The stairs’ ceiling had woodchip wallpaper on loose chipboard, so that needed sorting out. It was a bit precarious getting up there to reach it, but James fitted new plasterboard and that is ready for the plasterer now. We rarely attempt plastering ourselves, and especially not ceilings. Luckily, we have a lovely man who is super quick and does a great job of it.

The Gym

Meanwhile, I have been getting on with the gym. James has fitted the skirting and built a cupboard around the fuse board. We also had to sort out the fireplace. I removed a few cracked fire bricks and then realised it was full of lime and rubble. It had got quite damp and turned into mush. We knocked it all out and took it back to the brick surround. Then I rebuilt the hearth with some bricks, and James polished up the cast iron fire surround. We then had a problem with the mantle, as after taking the plaster off the walls, the wooden mantle was now too wide for the chimney breast. James cut it in half, took a bit out of the middle and glued it back together. Genius! I’ve started painting now, which hopefully won’t take too long. The flooring is already here, so hopefully Toby can help fit that as soon as the painting is finished.

The Pool

With the weather being so nice lately, we’ve started sorting out the pool area and finishing off the few jobs we have to do here. The patio was laid in October, but the weather was cold and damp, and a few things were difficult to finish. Firstly, the brick path needed more sand, and it goes in much better if you use kiln-dried sand and the bricks are really dry. After that, the whole thing needed sealing. This is especially important around a pool where the stone needs some protection. We’ve done all that now, and next we’ve got John the builder coming back to build some pool steps. Then Dan, the pool man, comes back, finishes off the tiling, and opens the pool for the summer. Meanwhile, I’ve been shopping for plant pots and looking at sun loungers and outdoor lights. I always take ages making these decisions, so I have to give myself plenty of time to find the right ‘thing’.

The Garden

It’s a joy to have my mended greenhouse filled with seedlings and everything starting to grow. The weeds are, of course, starting to grow as well, but I do feel a bit more on top of things this year. The peonies are looking good, and I’m hoping they will get a lot more light this year and hopefully more flowers. So far, we’ve kept them weeded and I’m on a weekly hunt for bindweed to try and keep it somewhat controlled.

The flower beds are not completely weed-free, but a lot better than last year, and I’m more hopeful that we can keep on top of things. The fruit cage is looking more manageable, and I’m hoping I can keep on top of things there. I’ve got a bed of garlic and broad beans in the veg garden, and I’m gradually working my way along the bottom half of the space, creating beds as I go. The top half of the garden will be mostly cut flowers, and I’ve got lots of seedlings and dahlias ready for that space.

I’ve also been trying to make some progress on the tennis court. I’ve cleared off all the brambles and given it a sweep. I’m looking at hiring a moss sweeper to clean the tarmac, and then we can think about painting it. Lots of people on Instagram have suggested turning it into a pickleball court, but I love my tennis, and I look forward to playing here. I used to play a lot at a club before we moved. The irony, of course, is that since moving here, I haven’t had the time or the energy. But one day!

Thank you to all of you who left lovely comments about the video content. It seemed really popular, so I will record more of that, I promise! I’ve been struggling with where to start, but I realise that I just need to pick somewhere and get going! Look out for that coming next week, and Happy Easter!

February was, for us, plagued by coughs and viruses. I haven’t done nearly as much as I wanted to, but sometimes you just have to give in and let your body recover. Annoyingly, it seems to be taking much longer to get over things than it used to. I can’t decide if that’s my age or if the bugs are getting stronger. Probably both! The change in the weather this last week has been most welcome. I can feel my energy returning, and I’m looking forward to all my jobs again.

The Bedroom

We’re making some slow progress in here! The painting is ongoing meanwhile, James is refitting all the cupboard doors. It’s been a bit of a nightmare as we try to match up hinges and decide what needs to be new and what can be reused. It’s also quite hard to get them all to actually function. Looking back at old photos, they were nearly all open or ajar when we moved in, so I don’t think they closed properly when we started! James has had to patch some, add magnets, and chisel away at others. There’s been quite a bit of swearing involved! But we are nearly there, and while they don’t look perfect, they look old and well used, which is kind of the point in restoring them! I’m really hoping to get the painting finished this week, but we’ll see!

The Greenhouse

The newer of the two greenhouses is now all fixed and ready to go. After cutting and replacing a lot of the glass, I gave it all a good cleaning and moved in some benches and pots. It’s been fabulous to get going with some seed-sowing this week. So far, I have tomatoes, chillies, aubergines, sweetpeas, antirrhinum, cobaea and foxgloves. Lots more to come. At some point, I will put down a floor in here, but at the moment, I can’t quite decide if I want a border on both sides or just one. I thought I would use it for the coming year and see how I get on.

Yew Hedge

The gardener and I got a bit carried away with the trimming of this yew hedge! In the end, we decided to take it back by half and reclaim the path. Yew can take quite a severe trim, so it should be fine. Next year, I’ll take it down a bit lower as well to get a bit more light into the bed on the north side. There’s still a lot more hedge trimming to do, and I’m running out of time before the birds start nesting, so some may have to wait until later on in the year.

The Garden Press Event

On the 18th of February, I went to the Garden Press Event in London. James had meetings in London anyway, so we went down the night before and had dinner together. It’s always a huge change of scene for me when visiting the city. It’s hard to believe that I lived here for a while at uni! The press event was a chance for the press, and that includes us social media ‘influencers’ (I am one now apparently!) to meet with brands and see what new products are coming out and what their plans are for the coming year. My takeaway was that cut flowers are a big thing this year, there are lots of developments around peat-free compost and generally, the gardening community is super lovely. I got some wonderful free samples and got to play with the new battery-powered products from STIHL. The electric pruning shears are a thing of beauty!

The Gym

Back at home, I spent some time repointing in the gym. We’ve taken all the plaster off the walls and decided to leave them as exposed brick. The electrics are surface-mounted in steel trunking, which gives the place a strong industrial feel. I’m hoping it inspires us to feel strong when we’re exercising! The brickwork is a bit rough, and to make it really neat, I should’ve repointed the whole thing, but it would’ve taken ages, and I’m not sure it needs to be that perfect for a gym. So I just did the holes and sorted the really bad bits. Then I gave the brick a bit of a scrub and painted on a breathable sealer, which is supposed to stop the dust. James is now finishing off the trim around the windows, repairing the door and fitting the skirting. It’s coming along nicely!

Bay Window Roof

At the back of the Old Estate Office, there is a bay window in the living room. We took the roof off the bay last year and replaced all the rotten joists. It was covered with roofing felt, but then the big scaffolding went up, and we couldn’t get to it to finish it off. Before Christmas, we finally got the scaffolding altered, and this little roof was tiled. However, I wasn’t happy with how they’d done the leadwork, and it still needed some guttering. Well, we finally did it! James got the fascia boards and the guttering on, and I did the step flashing. The scaffolding is down, and we can move on with our lives! I’m actually looking forward to getting back out there and finishing off the bottom level. A big tidy up and this area will be ready for landscaping.

Wisteria and Summer House

Speaking of landscaping, it’s that time of year when the wisteria needs pruning. The bit on the house was quite easy because I’d pruned it so hard in the summer. A quick tidy up and that was done. We decided to move on and tackle the vines that were swallowing the summer house. This was a mix of wisteria, clematis and chocolate vine. The weight of it all on that roof must have been immense. How we got it off without taking all the roof tiles with it, I’ll never know, but we did it! Later on in the year, we’ll repair the roof and turn this into a lovely eating-out space. The weather has been so good that we’ve already started sitting out here. That doesn’t usually happen until April!

Anyway, that’s all from me. Thank you for all your lovely comments on my video post. I’ll be doing some more of those shortly. Have a great week, and enjoy the sunshine!