Apparently, first impressions count. To try and draw viewers' attention away from the hovel I repaired the sadly broken gate. This also met a request from a local farmer who was worried sheep, which roam on the moors, road and verge outside the hovel, would get into the garden. Sheep in the garden would be useful to munch through the undergrowth.
This week I had my first 'sleep-over' and set up a microwave and other kitchen bits in a bedroom. I am dubious about using the existing kitchen since it is a health hazard and lacks a sink.
We got very helpful advice (gratis) from Andy at Yorkshire Dales Building Consulting about the status a room in the loft space of the hovel. Fire resistant doors (FD30) will be required throughout the house in renovations.
Andy's picture does not yet feature in the 'Meet the Team' pages. But Brent, a heating engineer, makes a guest appearance. Embarassingly, I had not found the stop-cock to turn the water on. Comfortingly, it took Brent at least ten minutes to find it - in a small cupboard under the stairs at the centre of the hovel.
We turned on the water and as Brent started to refill the central heating system he got showered with water. We suspect whoever was doing the house clearance was keen to remove the boiler; but gave up when it became too complicated. Very annoying.
Worse, from my viewpoint, was the fact that the ceiling in the utility room started to bulge and water flooded down the walls. This is probably a separate leak.
Two steps backwards and a job for next week.
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