Day 16: "It has begun."

I love that quote from the pilot of Battlestar Galactica's re-make when the hot blonde Cylon announces the recommencement of hostilities. But I'm using it in a good way - there's movement at the station or, rather, on the block! It actually started yesterday but I got home from the day job (way) too late to see the progress. However Stos reports that the ground was levelled and cleaned up and today trenches have been dug and some framing put around the location of the slabs. Bob the Builder had called to give me a status update and also to tell me that a level had disappeared from his truck. I do hope that this was not a local issue - someone in the street reported a similar incident attributable to a local, which is very disappointing.

Anyway, the front pile of dirt is where the garage will be and the pile towards the back is the lower level. I hope this means that the concrete will be poured this week, which will be very visible progress. Note the very healthy lemon tree at the back of the block on the left.

Day 1 - lemon tree is safe

I have been trying to work out what has been Day 1 of this project. Was it when we decided that we wanted to work with Bob the Builder and create a new house rather than go down the rennovation path? Was it when we decided that the cost was acceptable, the plans were complete, the building permit granted or when we signed the contract? However, I nominate today when the old house was knocked down and things really started. It was a very strange feeling, walking down our street, knowing that the house that we have lived in for eight years would be gone. Not sad - we have no real emotional attachment to the house - but it is a very odd sensation to see a pile of rubble and twisted metal that was a solid and habitable house this morning. But the first thing was to make sure that the lemon tree was still standing - Stos had told me that it was and I was assured that the demolition team knew that there would be consequences if it was harmed, but I had to see it myself. And it is there - lush, green and loaded with unripe lemons. Now it has to survive the next nine months of building.