Small barn work continues with the help of a dummy

In with the dummy window frame and the constructive work begins

All finished...

The hole for the first patio doors is complete.

Melv prepares for the door.

Sal cleans up.

All the rubble has disappeared easily into the foundations of the new patio.

We can now start to visualise our new home - with a bit of imagination...

Christmas weekend at Mill Barn

Making the most of the daylight hours and dry weather the Christmas break was an excellent chance to continue the work on the small barn.

First Melv wanted to construct the retaining wall for the patio - so we had somewhere to lose all the rubble - brilliant idea.

So in with the mini digger

then up with the wall

We were now all set for the demolition - dusty work - but great fun

The big concrete lintel was next to go

Stand back...

And the next...

There was no going back now

Not a bad couple of days work.

We have finally made a start on the small barn

Now the planning has come through and with the approval of the building inspector the work on the small barn begins.

First Melv looked to level up the floor and he built a retaining wall in what is currently the entrance to level up to.

Then in goes the new floor - a mix of cement and flooring grit.

8 tonnes later Ruby gives it the thumbs up.

Next it is a new opening inside, which will be the link between the entrance hall and the kitchen.

Our attentions then go outside, as Melv looks to knock out the opening for the large patio doors that will reveal the fantastic view down the valley to the Quantocks.

Guess what we will be doing for Christmas?

All the planting in the orchard is done

Finally all the trees arrived and are now in the ground, 12 in total - two plums, two pears, one cherry, two cooking apples and five eating apples.

So how many fruit trees make an orchard?

A perfect time for a spot of tree planting

Any excuse to avoid Christmas shopping...

We were both looking forward to getting some structure in the garden and of course to reap the rewards for our planting. But we were going to have to work for it, first it was a case of breaking up slabs of concrete that covered some of the area where we wanted to plant fruit trees.

Fortunately Melv had the help of an excellent piece of kit from a friend of his and he soon made progress.

It wasn't quite breaking up rocks in the hot sun - in fact quite the opposite - but it took a while to remove it all. But looked good once it was done.

First we planted a line of birch on the boundary, as a wind break and to provide a tall hedge.

Next it was the thorns and dogwood for a hedge around what will be an orchard, with a variety of fruit trees.

As the ground was so stoney we cheated and Melv whizzed around with the digger to make the holes.

The chicken were in their element and often actually in the holes - any chance for a quick meal - loads of worms, loads of protein - loads of eggs!!

We ran out of daylight - but at least managed to get ready for planting the fruit trees tomorrow

and of course the chickens did their bit.

Great News - our planning permission has come through!!!

Today our architect phoned to say that the amendment to our planning permission has come through - which is brilliant news - we know what we will be doing this Christmas break!!

As optimistic as ever Melv has already set the target date for moving out of the caravan - April 27th - so watch this space...

Cheers - Happy Christmas!!