It's suddenly reality.

I feel that there is so much missing from this blog already, that has happened between May and now, yet so much is happening day by day. Its a shame you can't fill in the gaps as you go along and end up in a structured chronological order.

However that's not to be.

This week then has been our first visit to building control, Dave (the artisan) builders first look at our proper plans, and the trip to buy our caravan! (Yes its official, I'm now a pikey).

Building control went better than could be expected, our inspector Steve was a constructive and proactive chap. Very aware that we are doing our own drawings* he was thorough in exploring all the areas that he knew we were novices at, fire protection and access, emergency escape, sound penetration and insulation. With the exception of needing a few extra internal doors for fire escape nothing seemed too far out. However we did leave with an understanding of how much legislation and detail there was for every single part of the build.

Dave likewise seemed happy with most areas, Paul and he wanted to see all ground floor walls made of block, 'All?' I said, Dave asked me if I was going to want shelves up? Ah, yes, all I agreed. The best part of this meeting was that we've decided to build all of the ground floor, plus the ceiling/first floor joists before taking the existing roof off. This is a fantastic idea in my mind as everyone can work in a dry environment, plus when Paul and I dismantle the roof, we can do so from the first floor.

As for the caravan... Paul has been a complete star and spent two and a half days literally driving round the country looking at all the mobile home resellers. Its a bit like a shop at home service, he's photographed the good, the bad and the ugly and reported back to us. The conclusions are that a) all mobile home designers have had a taste bypass, and b) the affordable ones have bits missing and smell. Armed with Paul's research we at least felt we had some idea of what to expect and what to pay, the ones we had budgeted for did indeed smell, and required some little bits of work (new toilets/carpets!).

The nearest dealer was just a few miles away in Kettering, it must have been fate that took us to Kestrel Caravans as when we couldn't find one we really liked at all (at least that didn't have a SOLD sign in the window). Just as we were leaving we saw the owner (Chris) working away on a large static. 'Is this for sale' I ask, 'Its just come in, it will be in a few days, you can have a look inside though' That was our big mistake, this one smelt fine, even pleasant. There weren't any missing bits at all. Someone had loved this caravan. Kate looked in the bathroom, it had a proper cubicle with a glass door and a proper shower. It had heaters in all the bedrooms. It was also £1200 above our self imposed budget. Despite the tasteless 'mahogany on every surface treatment' and the dodgy glass lampshades everywhere this one was clearly a nicer prospect, and on the basis its not what you pay, its how much you lose on it in a year, it was a done deal.

*I'm doing my own drawings basically means I'm the chimp with the pencil, Kate's the one with the flair and I've had the most fantastic creative help from three dear architect friends who happen to make glorious buildings for a day job, and some brilliant little ideas from friends, siblings and parents. I'm not wanting to design by committee but any good idea is worthy of consideration. Those details can wait for another post though.