Rebuilding Hazelbridge

Miranda and I arrived back from Australia in July. The same day we started to pull down our home and begin extensive rebuilding works. We lived on site throughout the project. For several months, as we headed to winter, we had no windows or doors and just one room with a gas fire and small electric hob to cook, work, plan & relax (not). Our electricity, water and heating were often off. We ran a wifi network off a mobile phone.  When the wind blew, the plastic sheeting covering the windows would flap all night, the noise was intolerable and would play cruel tricks with our minds. We had strangers threatening our builders and the police were on alert. 

Miranda managed the project every day of the build, making sure our crew were well looked after and their spirits were kept high. Each night we'd walk the site together plan the coming week and month, reworking drawings, reviewing builders issues and making sure all the supplies and suppliers were lined up ahead of our team. We had hundreds of brochures and samples. Our walls were covered in clippings. Every weekend we visited suppliers across the county. We blew our initial budget, but somehow managed the cashflow throughout and paid everyone promptly. We had hoped to be back in for Christmas. We decorated a tree, but it came and went. Our children visited regularly and shared the experience in good spirits, even when the heating, water and wifi was off.
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Miranda somehow made sure I had a clean, ironed shirt everyday for work. She dropped me at the station and I would show up as if nothing was happening, with a crazy schedule criss crossing the world, grateful for a hot shower and a comfortable seat on a plane.

This short video makes it look quick and easy, but it hides the reality of the dust, noise, cold, damp, sickness & stress. It was extreme. Our life has literally been on hold for 9 months. 

Last week we finished and we got to celebrate Easter with some of our clan. We're both looking forward to emerging from the dust and enjoying the next chapter of life ... do come and visit us soon!