Anyone would think we were asking the impossible, a builder to remove a fireplace and shore it up, the calcs are all done so all that is needed is someone to do the work and therein lies the rub!

We initially tried with the loft boarding out and had a guy come round, who eventually provided a quote on a compliment slip but didn’t really want the job, had one that left and never got in touch, and then one guy turned up without any tape measures who then provided the most comprehensive excel sheet that showed the minutia of costs, but never exactly said how much.

So we thought FMB (Federation of Master Builders) lets get a professional in to look at the fireplace, after all these guys must be hungry for work and we have all the info they need. Advertisement placed, 3 respondees, one turned up, measured, made notes and would supply costs on return from his holiday, but never came back, one left two messages, but when we got in touch he never turned up and then the most promising was a guy who runs teams of builders. This one measures it all, provided detailed quotes and then when it came to the crunch of him providing references. RAMS and accurate details, suddenly that very day had taken on a mass of work for the foreseeable future.

Is this mission impossible, can we build it, obviously bloody not!!!

Is it the USS Enterprise on manoeuvres or is it some alien life form?

Nope, to overcome the appalling state of affairs in rural no broadband Britain, we have invested in a satellite broadband solution with a dish that measures just under 1m in diameter (so just under planning requirement restrictions) and hangs out by just over 1m (no idea what the neighbours might say), but who care we got 20mb download, who rocks, yup we do!! Tongue pocked firmly at the government and its lack of broadband roll out.

Well we are finally finished decorating one room. A mammoth two weekends and we’re shattered.

This is the first time I’ve decorated- says something really as we have a habit of just moving instead!! I can confirm, it’s less stressful to move than decorate with your partner!

So the bedroom looks beautiful. A restful haven. Mind you, we have had to do works unplanned – replacing faulty smoke detectors, wobbly switches, taking crap stuff back to Borderline and Quasi DIY store.

Only the rest of the house to do then…..of course we could always move first……

Now for a long sleep……

Wool I never, gotta love a pun or two and this ain’t no “sheep” shot, no I’m not kidding ewe. Is this Mrs Fogg on the lamb or just stroking its chops!

Sorry, all of those were very baa’d.

As you can see, Mrs Fogg has adopted the local sheep, or just checking out next weeks accompaniment to her mint sauce.

The lesser known poodle wearing gimp foot has at last been spotted in my garden.

This is what happens when she paints a room!

Gone is the putrid horrible colour wall, in comes the plain ole magnolia. The previous occupants couldn’t paint for toffee seeing the state of what they left.

And not a single argument!

So what else to do on a rainy day?

B&Q, paint, rollers and dust sheets. Joy

Forward planning, only 129 days to Christmas 2013 (take 1).

We’ve even bought the shite indoor fireworks for New Year’eve and rumour has it Mr XaddieFrog may be supplying the shitezikki and rockets to blow stuff up with.

Last night of the hot tub and the conclusion of the meteor shower saw Mrs Fogg and I in the tub staring at the sky watching the ISS, counting satellites, seeing 8 meteor trails and then one extremely bright fragment drop to the ground somewhere down the lane.

Having seen Twilight Zone and the Blob, I think I’ll not be hunting for it and prodding it with a stick any time soon.

Cool light show though.