Windows

In the end, the window fitters weren't all that troublesome.

They lobbed in at about 20 to 8 (fortunately we were up and dressed - or I was at least - if not absolutely ready for them quite so early).

They methodically removed windows and put new units in. The bathroom window was in and virtually functional by 5 past 8.

They were finished, done and gone before 1.

And Marlo hated them!  The Builder had covered the lounge chairs with the lounge curtains.  Marlo took refuge hidden under the curtains.  Until the window fitters advanced into the lounge room, whereupon he took refuge down in the cellar, emerging after it had all gone quiet, and absolutely covered in dust.

Might almost be time to clean the cellar!

In the meantime, it had become clear to me that I had vastly underestimated the level of chaos that having new windows put in would create.  I had, of course, realised that the window sills would need to be cleared, things would need to be shifted away from the windows, the kitchen benches would need to be cleared.  I had arranged to go in to work a little late to assist The Builder with this.  But as I realised that almost all the contents of the kitchen benches were now on the dining room table, that we had moved lots of furniture that hadn't been shifted since we moved in almost four years ago (dust, grime - the dead mouse was something of a surprise), that the house was in considerable disarray - it became all too clear that sorting it all out was going to take the rest of the day, and then some.

I rang and pleaded to have the day off.  Permission was granted.

So as the window fitters finished in the bathroom, kitchen and our bedroom, The Builder and I moved in with buckets. mops, dusters, cloths, Henry.  And we now have sparklingly shiny rooms.  The lounge and dining room are marked for Saturday, but shouldn't take all that long.  The spare room will have to wait until Easter, largely because I want to sort the cupboards out as well.

So - a result all around.  Clean, shiny rooms, removal of the dead mouse, dust and grime banished.  And lovely new windows.  They open.  They close. Then they can be opened again.  And they close again.  And we can see through them. And they let light in, and keep wind and rain out.  They're Lovely!