After months of much rain we were finally able to get the brickwork painted on our house. It´s not complete, but almost — at least all the places you can see are done.

It´s been a lot of fun working with our neighbour Caelen, who has done an outstanding job. We´ve also had a lot of fun swapping music when we could get YouTube working (he is 16). Did you all know that there is a Finish band that does folk-metal pretty well? I need to write down some of the names of bands we listened to (can you tell me some of them Caelen?). Thanks for all of your help Caelen — we love you!

Rob has been our coach and DJ with keeping the music going, and overall motivator for me to finally attack this. We have some help soon from Isabelle who I hope to do some detail work with (see all the green wall anchors Isa?), but think it´s more important to listen to some Rolling Stones in the sun as we contemplate it.

Whoever painted the brickwork on our house should be drawn and quartered. Okay, I will give some slack that maybe the bricks were too damaged after 350 years, but wouldn´t re-pointing them have been much more sane, as in no other maintenance needed?

As usual, we have also had a lot of help from the dogs (not). They like to get in the way and steal brushes just as you are ready to use them. Everyday I have to wash paint off of Jane or take her in the shower with me (she no like).

Next week it will be more woodwork with Bert again, and then hopefully we are finally done.