According to the Met Office, it has been the 9th wettest August in Scotland and the dullest since records began.
This will come as no surprise to Mick the Roofer who has been rained off on average 3 days a week. Despite this he has finished the north facing roof with only repairs still to do and has got a quarter of the south facing roof done. 
Needless to say, there was scaffolding to be moved when Emily and Richard visited with Richard’s Mum and Dad, Sharon and Steve. Steve helped move the scaffolding while Sharon and Suse picked apples and brambles for pudding. Thanks for all the help. Thanks also to Kate and Nick who helped finish move the scaffolding and dug potatoes.
With Kate and Nick we also said a few words to celebrate John’s Mum and Dad and planted a very nice pair of rowans which Suse had sourced from her favourite Garden Centre in Armadale. They sit on their little slope watching all that is going on and you can’t help nodding back to them.
Despite 24 hrs of continuous rain, the long awaited windows were delivered right into the site by Aquatran driver Vince Allen who wasn’t phased by the narrow gate piers. Such a pleasant change to deal with a contractor from outside the area who listened to what was needed, set things up accordingly and delivered them as promised. Nothing difficult but extremely rare in our experience.
So far we have put in two of the small windows and haven’t discovered any problems. Fingers crossed for the rest, some of which are huge and heavy and will need some kind of lifting gear – or a party for muscly men (Suse’s preference!).
Whilst waiting for the windows to arrive , we’ve lifted some very soggy potatoes on the dry days and lined the upstairs walls with OSB when it rained. Our second brood of swallows fledged during this time and it was delightful to see them playing around, even at the price of having to clear up their droppings. They will be away soon, which is just as well now as their flight paths will hopefully be removed as the windows go in.
Hi Suse
Glad your windows have arrived at last!
Trees look lovely. Looks like you had a very socialble time.
We were still eating your potatoes last week – boiled, mashe etc. All lovely.
Coming up breifly next week for an interview at the council in Lochgilphead but it’s a brief visit so I probably won’t see you.
Best wishes
Ali
Hi there. Sorry the weather hasn’t been too kind. Melbourne has had a pretty wet and cold time too so we are feeling it with you. Had to enlarge the photo of the window to double check it was indeed Larick House – can’t believe the transformation and the difference the finishings/windows make. It looks great and it must be exciting thinking the interior (Magnolia or Biege Vanilla and all that – can hear your excitement dad!!!). Loving your work. xx
Hi John & Suse – the whole thing is looking fantastic. I’m staggered really at the progress – but then again, I’m not on site day in day out.
Mum and Dad came back raving about the time they spent up there with you recently and by all accounts really really enjoyed themselves.
The trees I think are absolutely an inspired idea and from the sound of things, exactly right too.
I also do not in the slightest find it shaming or at all a slight on my character that you have had internet etc on site for so long and I’ve only just got it in my flat.
Will keep on watching the progress with interest!
Dave
xx