So, that’s winter over for another year!
I’ve a period of a few weeks to try and gather my ideas for the gite before another work contract begins.
There’s an old fold-up chair that I’m going to use as my ‘contemplation chair’ – somewhere I can sit and reflect and plan. Working without architect’s plans involves a ridiculous amount of forward thinking, so 30 minutes can easily pass whilst I sit and look at the spot I’m working on.
I guess it helps being a builder, as I know how simple or difficult realising an idea will end up being – there’s always a cost and time implication that needs to be adhered to. I often come across clients who can’t project their ideas to me, but luckily I have an ability to envisage a project completely finished in my head, which can be a marvellous tool.

In a typically English way, I’m doing things backwards (I’m told).
Most people would start with the house of course (and do the garden at the end), but in my way of thinking I can’t think of anything more pleasing than having a relaxing swim after a hard days work in something you’ve created and built from scratch! So, it’s time to start getting my thoughts together for the garden and pool.

I’ve already spoken about the waterfall here and want to continue with that idea. The pool will be around 10m long and 5m wide with a deeper area at one end. I want to put in a shallow-water sunbed area too (not shown below) that can be used to relax at the poolside in a few centimetres of water. I’ve done a very basic measured drawing of the garden dimensions which will help me fit everything in.

I now have a new channel on YouTube which will be especially dedicated to The Pilgrims House and the work I’ll be doing there.
No videos uploaded yet, but the first one’s already in the making. I’m going to start with the removal of the old front door and its lock. I’m planning to completely renovate it if possible, so I’ll be dismantling the whole thing on camera, and want to include the delicate opening of the old lock.
I need some good local advice from the lock-maker on how it’s done as I’ll only get one chance with it. I’m told that once the backplate is removed, it’s highly possible that the lock will be stamped and dated inside. If it is, then I’ll know whether the lock was made for my house or another earlier one.