…or pinch and a punch. Whatever, it’s the first of the month and never have I welcomed a new one with such zeal. What a drag February was, and although it’s just another day there’s something about this meteorological date that says it’s now spring which makes all the difference. That and the fact the sun is out, the birds really are singing and we have been sitting in the garden and watching the frogs in the pond rather than…
Saturday 18 May: it was raining. The car was packed, yet again, with more of our stuff but this time we had Betty with us, squidged in between boxes and bags. When we arrived the heavens opened and we all three stared at the house, rather reluctant to get out. A break in the downpour saw us leap out and into the house to be welcomed by the view of the valley beyond. It was our first day in the…
So, aside from all the council people and estate agents, there are three main people we have had to deal with: a lawyer, an architect and a builder. The first two we found locally (near Casa Azul that is) but for the builder we needed someone up where the new house was. So how on earth could we find a suitable person? How could we find someone who could turn an old granite house into a home we liked? Someone…
When we got the builder’s licence it was such good news. We were then able to pick up from the Council a special log book he has to use, and a poster which he needs to put up outside the work with the official info on it (needless to say neither of these things were done with Casa Azul). We handed these over, and the builder replied: Great, we just need to get the water and electricity installed. Now neither…
Three years. Three long years from buying the house and getting first planning permission, and then the builder’s licence. One day the memory of the endless meetings and phone calls (and sometimes confrontations) with lawyers, architects, various council officials and builder will dim and we’ll feel it’s all been worth it. Not to mention of course the endless documents and forms to fill in and sign. Now we have the updated quote (another 25%, please) and the builder’s agreement to…