Groundwork: Part 1 - Clearing & levelling

At last after months of preparation and planning the diggers rolled in and we finally got started on the building work.

The first stage was to clear and level the site.



 



A section of the bank was excavated to create our side entrance.
 

 

 

 



The bank on the other side was lowered.





We knew there was a view there, somewhere...





With so much heavy site traffic anticipated, we laid down 60 tonnes of stone (luckily we live around the corner from the quarry). This stops the heavy vehicles from sinking into the mud during the construction and also provides a solid base on which we can build the driveway later on.

 
 

Moving day for the fish

Unfortunately the fish pond needed to be removed as it was right in the middle of the site for the new house.

The fish pond before its annihilation.





The temporary 'pond' was set up in the back garden, behind our home and well away from the construction of the new house.





Some of the old pond water and the plants were transfered to the new, luxury 160 bedroom complex that includes room service, internet and digital HD - fish TV.





The pond water was slowly pumped out and the lining taken up gradually, making it easier to catch the fish. We put them in a bucket of water and wheeled them over to the paddling pool, their 'Winter home'.







We will be adding thermal protection to the outside of the pool to help against the cold weather and frost using old blocks and roof insulation.

The total count was around 160 fish, 5 toads and 2 frogs. They have settled in nicely.