24March 2020

Yesterday we came to site late after a long walk, climbing the home hill and following a burn that runs out to a nearby bay. The builders had departed for the day but the sole plates were laid out, that is the timbers on which the stud walls will be stood. So – ignoring that one that suggests a corridor and just happens to be lying there – the rooms are outlined. You can walk in – anywhere you like actually, but a pretend doorway is best – go through another doorway and stand awestruck in the room your choice.

We were thrilled. Great view from the northeast (top right) work/spare bed room. I realised I hadn’t viewed all the videos Andrew had taken on my stop frame camera and that I should have set the camera up again to catch today’s work. Ah well. I watched all the videos after supper, some of frenetic activity, some entertaining and some minimal, where the strong wind had simply blown the camera over to stare at the grass all day… At seven thirty this morning I set up the camera again and pressed ‘START’.

Sadly all it will have captured are the images of a site grinding to a halt. Westminster government says construction sites can continue. Scottish government says construction sites should close down. Our site is small and very low risk but we still need the suppliers of plant and transport and materials. Will the windows leave Germany as planned? Will the cheaper Veluxes for the garage arrive? What about the lorry with the hiab (crane) to collect the timber kit and manoeuvre the panels into place?Andrew phoned and emailed all the relevant parties this morning. They’ve shut down. The decision has been made for us. Understandable but deeply frustrating.

We came on site this afternoon and could see things were packed and covered, if not already taken away. Andrew’s pickup and trailer were loaded and ready to go. This last photo is of Andrew leaving the site…

Effectively we are stopped for how long no one knows. At least we got out of London.