The last room has now been concreted. It was a particularly hot and grueling one and we ran out of cement towards the end. Fortunately the builder's yard is reasonably close by.

Another hot day and a last minute dash to the builder's yard for more cement. Is it the weather? Anyway we dug a hardcore layer and threw in all the bricks, stone and old metal we had, then covered it in concrete and a layer of bricks. Incidentally they are the same bricks that came out of the bread oven, so a lot of the house materials are being recycled.

We bought new replacement oak beams at Jacques Leplace's woodyard. Great place and you get left to your own devices to pick what you want and Jacques gives you a price...deal done. They were heavy to get in place but they look delightful.

Now having our full contingent of beams we are able to start getting the first floorboards in place. We are putting in waterproof chipboard (Hydrofuge) first, as a leveller, soundproofer etc. after which we'll lay pine tongue & Groove floorboards. First time we've been able to walk up there in a couple of months.

Our mate Ritchie suggested that we include general guest pics of stuff going on around us as we renovate the house, which we thought was a good idea. So to that end he has supplied us with pics of his new Goslings - twelve in all. Cute or what?

It might seem a rather strange contrast but to us, both toilet and flowers are delightful in equal measure. After 5 months of medieval sanitary arrangements the sight of white ceramic is as beautiful as a red carnation.