What to Keep?!

How can a family of five acquire so much 'stuff' within thirteen years? So, I have a bit of an excuse for the accumulation of stuff by blaming the running of several businesses and chasing round after three children, a farmer husband, dogs, cats, chickens all these years! Each forgotten cupboard I open heralds a plethora of discarded children's toys, started 'projects' and grown out of clothes. A weekend of ruthless clearing with bin liners soon sorted most of it.

The idea is, that we live in the farmhouse for a while until we decide what to do with the troublesome gable end of the house. How much will that cost and what can be saved? So we have decamped into one end of the house. It's rather cosy, but needs must and all that. Children aren't too impressed by lack of internet signal however! 

Monday morning saw the prompt arrival of a team of vans and trucks equipped with an instant, all important site hut and scaffolding. Our dog didn't know quite what to do with herself but, I'm sure that she'll work out soon enough that builders means a ready food supply! She'll soon calm down. 

Scoffolding was soon up on the gable end, and a garment of plastic sheeting spread to reserve the old girls modesty! 

Gable End Shrouded in Plastic Sheeting

After poking around, some basic investigation by sticking of hands into holes in beams and ummming and arrrrring, it became quickly evident that most of the beams were rotten.....

State of the Bedroom Wall

Once all the furniture was removed it was clear how much damp had come through the walls. These walls had no cavity or lining.

Supporting prop in the Small End Bedroom

Props were put up inside to take the strain of the roof. However I don't think there was actually much attached to each other before work began!

Inside Beamed Landing

In the past metal supports had been put around the beams and bolted together to add support. The problems had been skimmed over and lead work added that acted like a sponge just meaning that the beams had become more and more rotten. Sadly it will be difficult to save any of this.