The kitchen has moved on v fast this week. We got a phone call from the builder early Monday morning (phone calls at breakfast time get the heart racing somewhat as to what bad might have happened to who, so we were relieved it was only him) and by Tuesday evening we had a big hole in the chimney breast (as planned). The plastering work on that is due to be finished on Tuesday.

Meanwhile the paper stripping crew (the other grandparents) became available to come today so after excellent efforts from them we now have dramatically reduced the amount of "wood chip" style paper. This is great timing as it now shows where the plastering has to tie into, and also Gran was able to help me get the kitchen back into some sort of shape.

And this has all been achieved while Ed has been off ill since Thursday. We're hoping he's better enough to manage his classes on Monday without having to run off to the loo. Philip is full of cold but not that unhappy with it but it very confused by this new "door" we have made in the kitchen. Hopefully all will be revealed to him soon.

After this enthusiastic outset we intend to take a bit of a breather with a half dismantled but functioning kitchen before the demolishing of the old and fitting of the new cabinets begins.