The site before starting

Hole dug and level, post positions marked out, dry stone foundation walls down, first retaining wall built against front bank.

30 or so small trees and a bit of chainsawing later. Lift logs, prop up, nail together and continue until no longer wobbly.

Split logs over the top and palettes on the floor. Tree in to prop up sleeping platform. Palettes on the floor to take insulating bales.

Straw delivery. Cotton sheets then straw bales on the roof and cover it up with plastic, other bales inside, quick before it rains.

Build straw bale wall inside, a fun and quick job. The bales are stacked on rough dry stone wall and staked together with hazel sticks. Inside bales go on pallette floor ready for floorboards on top.

Pop windows in the holes, stuff straw into any gaps then chainsaw trim the bales smooth with cute roundy corners.

Father-in-law and tool bench, 4.30am. All tools lost, snowing outside, no doors, plastering underway.

Spring, mud on the roof, plastering and whitewashing done, landscaping nearly finished, beer brewing, bread in the oven.