From Ruin to Rack, not Rack to Ruin....

The kitchen was starting to take shape, and Craig decided to build a plate rack for me to display and store our 'special' crockery (as opposed to our everyday ware). I wasn't too sure what to expect, but left the design and build entirely in Craig's hands. The result was amazing, and I was (and still am) very pleased with the outcome as you can see.....

It was such a success that I commissioned a Butchers Block from the same source....Craig !!

It was also time to take another batch of birds to the abattoir -  this is a  very strange experience, not least in the fact that we had to catch them first ! They had to be loaded into a crate, and then driven. They were all very quiet on the journey there, maybe sensing the destination, and once we arrived, we had to hand them over to the people there. The plan is to collect them the following day, which is slightly annoying as it means that we have two separate journeys to make, but it is so much easier than doing the work yourself, despite what we had been told. We collect them, fully plucked and oven ready. It is a satisfying thought, that all they are all raised by ourselves.

From this....

to this....

and then this..... 

We enjoy a day out at the beach, as does Arthur. There are times of the year that he is not allowed on the beaches, but when he is, he loves it - running around, chasing seagulls but never catching them of course. There are many empty, long stretches of sand near by, and its a relaxing time for us both, to unwind and clear the cobwebs away.

The next stage of the renovation was to board and insulate the floor on the top level of the house. It had never had any insulation there - mind you, none of the house had ! - so we were hoping that by completing this work, it would make it warmer over the winter.

 It gave us some idea of the space we would have, when ultimately this would become a bedroom and bathroom for guests. Once the wall is built around the entrance, and a door fitted in place this will be quite cosy, and private for visitors.