Thank Crikey McCloud’s Not Here

Big Kev. 

That’s what we affectionately call him.

The Grand Designs guru is bestowed with an almost god-like status in the Guthrie home.

His show is property porn as far as we’re concerned. 

So it was with considerable excitement that I found myself discussing filming schedules with one of his producers last autumn.

They liked our story.

Kevin McCloud would be spending a full six days with us.

Our project would be documented by Grand Designs.

GRAND DESIGNS!!!

Coiled springs doesn’t cover it. 

When the producer in question later sent me a Dear John email – citing logistical and editorial reasons for ditching us – I was gutted. 

But as with so many break ups, what initially seemed totally devastating has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. 

Inevitably with a conversion (or even any building project really) there have been unforeseen challenges; we’ve had to make decisions on the hoof; we’ve made some mistakes we’ve had to hastily rectify.

When Oli walked on what he thought was a dry footing and fell Dawn French-style into waist-deep wet concrete we’d have looked like rank amateurs in front of the cameras. 

But that’s the joy of this construction game.

Every day’s challenging; every day’s exciting; every day’s a school day. 

If only Big Kev were here to give a thought-provoking piece to camera.