Our Achilles heel

So the plumber came. We had to go next door to check the drains that run along the house. Seeing as we don't have another side to the house per se, it is in the nieghbour's property. So we knock on his door to get permission to see if there was nay over flow on his side.
Well the greeting we got from him was not positive at all. He started gesticulating and talking about solicitors to get access etc etc. He thought the plumber was Craig and we had come to hassle him. He was not a happy camper.
Until I said that this WAS the plumber and we just wanted to make sure he wasn't having any problems. Oh then he changed his tune and was ever so nice. Turns out it's not the combined sewer that was the problem and was just our pipes.
But sheesh. What a reception he gave us. This is only the 2nd time I've met him and for him to give me such a stern tirade. Oh boy, are we expecting the worse from him once the plans are up to public scrutiny and demolition/building begins. Not looking forward to it.

As a plumber, I make a good graphic designer

So the drains in the bathroom were not draining freely. So a little bit of Draino and the sink is fixed.
The shower was not so co-operative.
A bit of googling, and apart from one of those machines that you stick one end into the drain and it agitates the blockage away, I decided that the plunger shoud help dislodge whatever gunk was down there.
Well, plunging away for a bit seemed to bring up some globules of hair and lord knows what else. But it still wasn't draining. Then the bathtub started to react to my efforts in the shower. Aha, so they're connected. Maybe a bit of Draino down the bathtub drain might help.
Nup.
Ok, so I'll try plunging that and see what I can remove.
Well, after a good hour or so. To no avail.
Craig has a shower and now the shower AND the bathtub are not draining at all.
It took over night for the water to drain from both.
So, on a Sunday. A plumber is coming with his whatchamie to stick down the drain, to agitate whatever it is blocking the drains. At weekend rates of course. Sheesh.
So much for D.I.Y.
Should have called the professionals in the first place.

Plan 2

Yesterday we met with the architect again. The design for the rear extension has evolved from a curved glass form, to something more formal. With angled roof forms and a glass slot gutter system. Its looking fabulous and I really like what he's coming up with.
After the meeting we went to a handover of a small workers cottage/terrace house that had just been completed. So we could meet one of the builders and see the kind of finish we can expect; and a happy client also. It was a small cosy 2 bedroom place for a single guy, and was quite nice, if teeny weeny. And that job took 12 months to complete, but they have 2 party walls to contend with. Anyway, alls well thus far.

What a day

We've finally moved in. After a hard day with the movers, we've managed to get 97% of our things to the new address. Now the unpacking... but most things will remain in their boxes. Then again, some may find themselves relieved of their duties and removed from our posession!

Packing, packing, packing

Oh how I dislike packing. But we are getting there! The big move is Monday when all the furniture is transported.
We have sooooo many books. So many books that are heavy and difficult to pack efficiently. The bummer thing is that most things will remain in boxes as we'll move out again when they start building. Sheesh.