Progress…

Well after a long day we are back. We spent an hour wandering round the house or whats left of it, if any more holes are made in it I am sure it will fall down. They have already put some scaffolding in to shore up one ceiling.(see pictures). The old pine trees are down which has improved the view from the house but in addition has also drawn more attention to the dead trees on my neighbours property. I will have to have a word with them and ask if we can have them taken down. They are gradually falling down mostly on my side of the fence with each storm! The work is progessing inside so much so that we need the [lumbers now to put the pipes down inside unfortunately we havent apponted one yet as they seem slow in doing the quotes! The only one we have is way over the top on cost.Tipical.Anyway you cannot rush things in itlay!

Havent posted for a while

I havent posted for a while. I am going to see progress on the house on wednesday next week. Unfortunately depsite the continued dry weather they havent started the earth moving. I know when they are ready to start it will rain! Its always the case. They are however still getting on with the work inside.
I will post new photos when I have them

The progress even if it still all demolotion!

Work on the project is continuing. They have taken up the floors and dug down inside the house to see if the foundations need redoing. Only in part thank goodness. As that will be a small saving!
I have also received a quotation for the fotovoltaic panels and electrician. These seem ok … I say ok they are less than forecast and having said that I have asked what is not incuded there is always something! Next week I will go down and take some more photos! Cant wait to see the progress even if it still all demolotion!

Still a nice view

I think I was getting carried away with the view but actually it is Corsica and not Sardinia. I think Elba is obscured by a hill we have in the way. But which ever it is it is still a nice view

At last August is over!

After a long August break work has started again on the house … and  hopefully in earnest now after almost two months without much happening. We have had to sort out the problems with access by road for the lorries and cement trucks, to do so the builder had to present two insurance policies to the council for the existing and future damage which we may cause. These have been presented and will of course have a cost impact( to be discussed). Unfortunately they will not allow the heavy trucks to take away the soil we need to move for the pool and garage so we will have to use smaller trucks which will cost more as well. I hope we dont have too wet an autumn so that work can move ahead without further delay and get it finished…..
There i some good news.. they have started cladding the concrete retaining walls with stone, the builder says they look good, we will see next week.  I hope to post some new photos next week.

The view

The view from what will be the dining room and breakfast terrace towards Forte di Marmi. On a clear day it is possible to see Sardegna! Obviously not today.
This is the view from the first floor. Once the old pines are cut down and an Olive tree moved it will also be the view from the ground floor. We will be replacing the pines with some old olive trees which will become the focal point of the garden obviously not taking anything from the view!
As you can see the work has started. There is still a lot of demolition to do. But they are off to a good start. As ever they have discovered that the old building was not built very well(1970s’) and as a result we have to strengthen the entire first floor, otherwise we risk guest ending up on the ground fllor if they are not careful tipical!

Olive groves and woodland

The house backs onto Olive groves and woodland which forms part of the Parco Apuane. There are lovely walks from the house. There is much evidence of wild boar and the other day we suprised a young one on the track from the house. I know our neighbour who is above us has problems with them digging up his garden and so he is fencing a large part of it off. Tomorrow I will post photos of the progress.