posted by dilwyn1 on Black and white, Cottage renovation, Herefordshire, Holiday cottage, Uncategorized

It was a bleak vision. Opening the door of our little cottage for the first of our progress checks on Saturday we were met with a gutted shell – layers peeled back, dark and unwelcoming, a pool of water dripping on to what should be the kitchen floor.

We’ve been here before when refurbishing property – looking at the carcass of a property and trying the dispel ‘the fear’ – and the rational person in me knows that this is just a stage that you have to go through to prepare your canvas for the wonders of the aesthetic finish.

But with the rain pouring down outside and the drip from the bathroom pipes falling inside, it made me wonder what we had taken on and whether it was such a great idea.

My maudlin moment was broken by the bright tones of Gill, our neighbour from across the court, who came bearing gifts – harvest fare of runner beans and apples. She caught sight of our dark little shack and offered us some Herefordshire hospitality – a hot cup of tea and freshly baked scones in the warmth of her lovely cottage across the way.

Fed and watered, hubby and I then made our way to Hereford to collect more builder’s supplies and make a return journey to drop them off before heading homewards.

It was 20.50 when we left, driving into the black of a premature night. They say it gets darkest before dawn – let’s hope for a little light on the horizon.

Tags: black and white, dilwyn, gutted, herefordshire, peel cottage, shell