Thanks

We're not even halfway there yet, but I really wanted to say thank you to a few people, without whom OPH would not be where it is now. There will be more to thank as we continue, but for now:

My hubby Greg and Dave, our friend (hopefully continuing!) who came all the way from southern Italy to help us out. Both have worked literally as many hours as they've been able to for weeks on end, in a monumental effort to get our house built, Greg after hours and weekends and Dave all hours, despite a twisted ankle last week and impending frostbite this week, when temps have rarely risen above zero and conditions inside an uninsulated, concrete-floored shell are, shall we say, less than toasty. Dave's skill is indisputable (despite the best endeavours of the infamous brickie) but he is also a master of creative solutions - the interim garage door he fashioned from some Kingspan and offcuts of wood is just one example of that - and perhaps it's his Cornish extraction but he's one of the hardiest people I know, both physically and in spirit.

Another mate, Marc, whose Capetonian temperament has kept him sane and whose ability and eagerness to learn quickly have resulted in the most skillful novice I know. Special thanks for ongoing insulating efforts and your immensely - really - encouraging comments about the screed.

Brickwork is on hold indefinitely, but the roof is finally finished, thanks to Greg Hardie Roofing (greghardieroofing.co.uk); it looks magnificent as well as providing a very welcome barrier to the harsh February elements. It was touch and go whether or not the screeders would be able to do their work on Thursday, as the temperature inside the house had to be above zero in order for them to be able to pipe out the flowing screed. So my thanks to Simon Wilson from Selfbuild Floors, who specialise in all types of flooring for selfbuilders and who were an absolute pleasure to work with (floorscreedingsouthyorkshire.com). Simon suggested we heat the interior using electric heaters, an ingenious solution to keep freezing at bay (although sustained use has probably depleted the national grid). The floor looks fantastic, and it contains fabulous underfloor heating pipes which will make for a deliciously comfortable winter 2012/13.

My children, for not disowning us despite being subjected to almost constant narrative that I'm sure bores them to tears - I mean, really, what child is interested in drainage, wires and rolls of Ecotherm? And yet that's all they ever hear about; that's when we're actually here and not on site, the wee ones having been farmed out to various friends. And on that: thanks to Rosi and Pascaline, not only for taking care of my sprogs when I couldn't but also for your encouragement throughout the project.

Which sentiment I extend to everyone reading this. Thank you for doing so, thank you for your comments, and thank you for continuing to be my friends despite being even more bored than my children (see above) - at least they can switch off but you're all too polite to tell me to shut up (well, mostly). Your reward will come in the form of extensive visitations to the Flowzone, aka the small but perfectly formed kitchen/diner/living area, endless supplies of margaritas/hotwine (delete according to season) or tea and brownies.

Lastly, thanks to Greg for (a) embarking on this with me, (b) remaining, mostly, calm in the face of my storms and (c) providing a constant source of levelheadedness and encouragement, particularly in my darkest hours when you really should have been heading out of the door with a kayak on your back.