Having measured the brickwork my husband assured me that the blocks are accurately placed...though he didn't use his set square to check the corners because it's buried in the tool shed. He feels pretty certain that it's the foundation lines that are causing the squiffy appearance. The builder boss 'Big Bird' says the bricks look straight to him...
To be fair...none of the builders are actually cross-eyed...though I suspect in-breeding as two are certainly related. Then there's Bandanna man...he's the brickie. He's ok. He's a bit heavy on the fags, but as I understand it the Government are becoming increasingly concerned about the costs of caring for the elderly, so at least he'll not become a drain on resources in the long term. Dom's not a smoker. He clearly has other vices if the wire cage that he keeps in the back of his van is anything to go by. There was a container of stuff in the van that looked like baby oil, which seems to confirm my suspicions. There's a young chap...I call him Doc. I think Doc must be a doctor or something like that because his 'phone is on-call all the time. Big Bird's the boss...he drinks too much, and admits it. Not that he smells of booze...and I've ever seen him drunk...it's more an instinct...I recognise the signs. My gran was an alcoholic and used to wee herself whilst wearing a see-through nightie.
Monday:
8.15am: Dom, Sun and Gym Bob have arrived on site. Work has begun.
11.40am: There's a lot of stuff getting done today...block and beams are being set in place and it's looking good.
2pm: The beam and blocks have been laid now and there's some brickwork going on. My dad was a master plasterer having learned the trade on site, from the tools upwards, with a London firm, AVC Telling. Dad moved to Bristol after the war, when the firm opened a division here. He left when the company amalgamated with someone else...I can't remember who. Whatever...he spent his near-retirement years specialising in cornice replication and repair work. I've watched dad working and recognise a good brickie when I see one. Dom works smoothly and efficiently. I hope he stays on with this site, he knows his stuff. As you can probably gather, things are going really well today.
3.30pm: Close.
Tuesday:
8.30am: Delivery lorry (HJ Chard & sons)...concrete blocks and stuff have arrived. It's getting exciting now! There are no builders here yet though.
10am: Hmm...am I happy? Nope. The build is a week behind schedule due to unforeseen delays during the first two weeks. I can forgive that. Every set-back was a challenge to be overcome. The builders were just as frustrated as I was, but they stuck to task and got through it without losing their rag. Credit to them. Now things are on track and there's an opportunity to move forward there are no builders here.
11am: Still no builders. This is the sort of thing that really pisses me off...
12.10pm: Since the build began, as followers will know, we've had visits from three different building inspectors. The second of these has just returned and seems accepting of the present progress. This is more than can be said of myself. I am seriously pissed off, particularly as I lost one sandal this morning and still haven't found it. Roxy is taking the blame for this, regardless of her innocence. I am feeling grumpy...after all...the building materials are stacked temptingly on the driveway and it appears to me to be only a Lego construction project now...that I could probably 'do' myself if I felt so inclined. Grump. I don't even know why there's no-one here. I mean...has a builder died? If so this is really no excuse for not being here. I hold séances four nights each week for heaven's sake...it's not a lot to ask is it...for a builder to turn up and let me know of their demise?
12.30pm: Right. I've now got the facts. The site boss...who I shall refer to as Top Cat...was informed yesterday that a building inspector would be calling round to check on the build to date...and that he wants to inspect the laid beam and block foundation before the build proceeds. Therefore the builders couldn't progress until this inspection had been carried out. And the soddin' dept wouldn't give TC a 'time' for the visit...saying only that the inspector (who lives locally) would arrive sometime today. So...rather than having the builders sitting around doing f'---all TC decided to put them to work elsewhere. Now...grump...why didn't TC let me know this yesterday? And more importantly, why wasn't this building inspector buried under the foundations when we had the chance to do this? It's not that I am disrespectful of this gentleman...I would...in time...have genuflected at his burial spot occasionally on my way to Asda. It's the least I could do. The builders are back tomorrow.
Wednesday:
7.30am: The builders have arrived...so I'm happy again : )
10.15am: Three builders are on site and have been working hard...they are now taking a well-earned break. About 1/4 of the external blocks are actually in place already. Unfortunately it's just started to rain...which is a drag...the forecast is for showers.
10.30am: They are back at work : )
11.45am: These three builders are working really efficiently together. There's Bandanna Man...and another one, who wears an earing. The third is a young lad who is really efficient...which is unusual for 'nowadays'. The trio is a good team. Most of the walls are up to window height and one is higher : )
12.15pm: They seem to be running out of blocks now...what a shame...
4.00pm: I went out visiting and now I've returned home the builders have gone. The building work looks fine and it's really great to see the progress that's been made today. Apparently more blocks and bricks are being delivered tomorrow morning.
Thursday:
9am: The builders arrived at 7.45am and they've done some odd jobs while they are waiting...there's a delivery due...
9.30am: Delivery of blocks, bricks, insulation and damp-proof stuff has arrived...work continues. Again, like yesterday, I must say that these three builders work very well together.
3.30pm: I have been out all day and returned home 15mins ago when the builders were just clearing up for the day. The build is really getting along well now.
Friday:
7.45am: The builders are here and work has begun.
9am: Top Cat turned up to check that all is well, as the bricks being used are a bit on the yellow side. Unfortunately the original house was built in 1984 from a complex brick blend that is not available. The yellowy ones are the closest match...and although acceptable this is a bit disappointing. However...to be honest as it's a single-storey building with a door and two windows...there's not a lot of blank wall space...the mis-match become less noticeable in time. The growing build is progressing steadily now.
3pm: Quite a lot of progress has been made today. At this rate it'll be up to roof height by the end of next week : )
