Slowly we move on...

This is Duncan & Katie, who were married on August 29th, and begin a new life together. We too are thinking of our new life together. After a very slow period during the summer, planning conditions are about to be discharged, and we have sent samples of our buff bricks, red decorative bricks and dark red roof tiles for approval.
We have chosen Solar Partner, from Newport Pagnell to provide the photovoltaic cells. We had planned to insert the panels into the roof, so saving on roof tiles. However, the way the flashing works meant that we could have only inserted 6 panels. If we have an "on roof" installation, like most retro-fits, we can have 12 panels. It seemed best to double our output, so that's what we shall do.
We went for an "experience day" at Miele headquarters in Abingdon, to help us choose new ovens & hob. We had a very interesting day, which was recommended by Peter Bews. His family firm have provided a lot of our appliances over the years. We thought that Northamptonshire would be too far for them to continue to look after us, but it is just within their area. We're thinking about a steam oven, so if any of you have any experience of them, please let us know, because we don't know anyone who has one.
Keith has been designing the kitchen layout, and we think we'll have a central island. he will build that higher than the other work surfaces, then both of us will be able to work at the correct height!
John Ciccone from Palladio Design in Woburn Abbey has been liaising with Potton, and helping us order the correct windows.
We are very grateful for his advice, and to our neighbour Leslie for putting us in contact and negotiating a very good price; also Jacky's ex-colleague Cathy, who let us try out her windows so that we knew what we were getting!
One of our next tasks is to source a wood-burning stove. We hope to look at them at the Grand Designs Exhibition at the NEC on the 8th October

slowly we're getting there!

Not that our house - wonderful as it will be - will look like this! This is another timber frame building - The Globe Theatre, taken when we did the "Heaven & Hell" tour.

Since our last post we have received planning permission for the new design.
We have made a number of decisions, although all of them have yet to be implemented - we have to wait until the planning conditions are discharged, which we are now doing.

Our bricks will be "buff" - the colour echoing the local stone. There will be a small amount of decorative brickwork - the quoins & a side waistband in red brick. The clay tiles on the roof will be a dark red, we're still deciding exactly which one.
We don't have to worry about fitting in to the local design - one of our neighbours' homes is red brick, the other pink render, and we are opposite an old stone cottage.

We have chosen our under-floor heating: Nu-Heat who impressed us at the house building shows. They will also install 2 solar thermal collectors on the South East (facing the High St) roof. These will provide some of our hot water.
We are hoping to cover the South West roof with photovoltaic cells, but we have yet to choose a provider. There will also be a couple of sunpipes that bring daylight down to the landing.

Our main heating will be a wood burning stove that we have yet to select, and the heat will be circulated by a mechanical heat recovery pump. We've ordered one from Villavent, and they will also install a central vacuuming system.

We've also been sorting out insurance & warranties and learning a lot as we go.

Still no firm date for breaking ground - but our own house is now on the market.
Last weekend at Duncan's & Katie's wedding, there were so many guests who had known each other, and Duncan & Katie, since early childhood. We are so glad to have brought our children up here, and loved our family home - but now, time to move on.