En Suite entrance and basin: The basin will stand above a hard piece of wood with taps and spout just above it. The bath will have about 20cm tiled area around it and the taps for it will be built into the wall at the foot of the bath - this as a result of nowhere else easily accessible to reach them! If they were in front of the bath one would have to ascend stairs and stretch across it on all fours to reach - an odd position to be in. The doors will be installed this week, and the fittings completed. I imagine we're anpother two weeks away from completion. I will update more frequently from now on.

New En Suite Bathroom: The last of the first set of renovations! Apologies for not having updated for so long, but I took a break and went abroad. The ceiling of this new bathroom also took some time to set. Front left hand corner will be a free standing basin; beneath the window the bath will be built in and raised enough to have three steps to get into it - flanked on either end by a wall. The walls will separate it from the basin area, and the shower at the top. The shower will be open - no glass, just a sloped floor. Above the basin and shower are skylights. Top right where the water pipes come in will be a toilet. Once all the fittings are done the wall on the right, leading to the bedroom, will be completely removed. Where I'm standing will be sliding wooden doors.

Bathroom complete - next, the en suite starts. It'll be less masculine than the current one, more round with softer shapes, better tiles, and marble mosaic.

The central window I was most excited about - being able to watch tv from the kitchen :-)

Kitchen - Almost complete - just the extractor. Shelves are great, but a little high, so a step ladder is necessary. Chairs make the kitchen social

Lounge - Finally, the plasma is up on the wall and the sound is connected.

The lounge - couches in, cushions out, art on the walls - taking shape

Front entrance - complete with lights, furniture and Bunny!

En Suite - this wall and window will be knocked out - the last of the walls to go :-) - and lead into a bathroom with shower.

Main bedroom - this isn't the best setup - but laying things out anticipating the new bathroom...

Main bedroom - finally, a couch, clothing, a lazy-assed tv setup and a bed!

Study - where I'm working now.

Guest bedroom - ready for anyone who needs a place to stay :-)

Bathroom - tiling almost done, shower to be inserted and fittings to be added. Unfortunately the new geyser isn't yet working - the plumber and electrician will look at it today. The detail I'm most happy with is the mosaic...

Kitchen - the oven and plumbing should be sorted out over the next two or three days - just waiting on the tiler to finish up. The kitchen will get the mosaic as the bathroom...

Boxes - a familiar site to all - the double bind: excitement at finding all your stuff vs the reality that you keep far too much crap.

Cottage - Justin is more than comfortable with his new setup and i'm thrilled to have a spot for all my parents and family hand-me-downs :-)

Kitchen granite is added, tiling begins, and the gas hob is working - because of all the dust from tiling the lounge furniture is still wrapped and sealed

The patio is tiled, the tables and chairs and umbrella and braai - bring on spring!

The entrance hall finally loses the echo that has been creeping us out - sounds in the house are so much more diffused with the addition of everything.