Rain! Rain! Rain!

Last week we set off for Belguim to visit a factory called Danilith which is about an hours drive from Bruges. We had an appointment to go round the factory to see them building a house in sections. The company are trying to get into the English market. The advantage of this method of building a house is that within three weeks we would have a watertight shell. We decided we would have a short break and look round Bruges. The minute we came out of the channel tunnel the rain started and continued to pour down. The rain continued all through the next day but of course improved for the day we booked in to visit the factory.

Bruges was very quaint with lots of narrow cobbled streets which were full of chocolate and lace shops. We were rather amazed at some of the chocolate 'sculpture' which was on display in the shop windows. We found some lovely restaurants and sampled the local beers.

The factory was very interesting. We were allowed onto the shop floor right next to the machinery, health and safety was far from the Belgians minds and we couldn't help but comment on what it would be like if we were in this country. Our visit has certainly given us a lot to think about.

Whilst we were away the electrician was busy at Redlands. E-on are coming next week to disconnect the electricity from the house and supply the new meter boxes. We have also managed to organise BT coming and disconnecting the phone line, so at long last we are beginning to feel that we are making some progress.

Planners!!

The planning officer has realised that she cannot be delegated to make the decision on the planning for the house because it is in open countryside and therefore has to got to the committee. Yet another delay as it will be September before it can be brought up. The conservation officer came out earlier in the week to do a site survey. She has no objection apart from us preserving the Horse Chestnut tree which we were hoping to do anyway. The Highways have replied and state that they do not have any objections either. Hopefully the councillors will agree and we can get on with the project. Mum's memory gets worse and we need to be able to care for her 24/7.

Geoff has nearly finished laying the floor in the barn we are going to use as a workshop. Next step is for the electrician to come and prepare connections ready for e-on to remove the connection from the house.

Harvest is still continuing. It is rather stop and go this season. In between the stoppages the ground is being prepared for next years crop. It has been really hard owing to the dry conditions.

The sheepdogs are full of life. We are waiting for Millie to go to be trained, it is hard to believe she was so poorly as a puppy as she is so lively now. Lassie (see picture) is the noisy one and tends to be more shy than Millie and will go once Millie has returned home.

We have made arrangements to go to Belgium and visit the factory where they build houses in sections. The company are trying to get into the British market and the advantage of a house being built in this way is that it is very eco friendly and we can have a watertight shell within three weeks of beginning construction. Most of the houses in Belguim are built this way. We felt it was worth going and having a look before we make a decision.

Work!

After a hectic week we are both wondering how we ever had time to work full time. Harvest has started but very frustrating as the humidity means that the rape, which needs harvesting before the wheat, is too damp. There has been so little rain that the fields which have been harvested are so dry that it is impossible to get the plough into the ground. Various attempts have been made but none very successful.

Geoff is continuing to prepare his workshop. He has got all the floor joists in place now and we have started to lay the flooring. We are still preparing the hen house and the new chickens are due round about the middle of the month.

We took the collies to be assessed by a sheepdog trainer earlier in the week. He was impressed with them both and thinks they will both become good dogs. Millie is going to be trained first as she tends to be a bit more willful than Lassie. She will be going in about a fortnight and probably be gone between 6 and 8 weeks. Once she returns then Lass will go. They have been little devils this week. They have managed to find a way out of the garden. Each time we block up a gap they seem to find an alternative route.

We are still waiting for the planning to come through. Why do these councils have to take so long. We need to get on as Mum and Dad need 24 hour care. Hopefully we will hear very soon.