Building work often equals disruption, mess and inconvenience. Nothing you can do about it – just keep picturing how wonderful it will be at the end.
The first project of the planned building works here – converting our Clock Tower into our second holiday cottage is now complete. And it is wonderful. It’s now a relaxing retreat for two with glorious views out to the garden. We just need to add a sofa, a TV and to fit the drapes for the four poster bed and it is finished. Hew can’t wait to move in and try it out.
Last Friday the first of the concrete was laid to create a new passageway next to the newly planned walled garden. The builders went away that afternoon very happy with what they had done and left with the cement still wet. I did joke to them as they left that wouldn’t it be cute to press Finn’s paw into the setting concrete to make a print (I don’t think they were impressed).
Shortly afterwards, after being left alone for a short while, Finn decided to walk all over the concrete, leaving many more paw prints than I had suggested. “He’s left his mark” we said to the builders when they turned up Monday morning and saw it. They stared back at us. “Honestly” I said “it looks much better now”.
Kate Elliott came to Columbine Hall in 1997 when she was sixteen. She is now head gardener but also helps with managing the property generally and in conducting guided tours.