With every spare minute we’ve had, we’ve been working hard at the cottage. We are due to move in there permanently, in just six weeks time, which puts a degree of pressure on the venture! There’s been a few more surprises as we’ve taken back the old and rotten parts of the house which have slowed progress a little. Finding damage in a whole ceiling’s worth of joists above the kitchen meant we had to reassess, but we have got back on track now and are in the process of replacing them.
The wildlife and peace has made up for the work going on in the house though. The ground around us is home to many wonderful animals and birds including oystercatchers, curlew, lapwings, kites, buzzards and ravens. As summer rolls round the flowers are blooming and we are surrounded by lambs and birdsong.
I also found an old Victorian bottle dump just behind the house. These dumps were often located on the outskirts of towns, near old hospitals, factories, or even in back gardens, and can be rich sources of historical artefacts. I’ve found many beautiful glass bottles, as well as stoneware jugs, clay pipes and household items. I’m sure there are many wonderful things to be discovered as we build the steading.
– Amy
