Such an exciting day is worthy of a post even if it is out of sequence with lots of other stuff. This summer I have really stretched my budget to get my shop front tackled professionally rather than just bodged by me as I originally intended.
In June I spotted the guy over the road up scaffolding doing a beautiful job of replacing the rotted sills on his bay window so I nipped over and admired a bit more and ended up booking him to rebuild my bay which was always a big flaw to the property as it was very grim and had bits missing. Andy started in July and a £600 quote became a £1,300 job as more and more rotten wood was revealed. He had to take it back to the interior panelling but it is now strong and beautifully rebuilt. I had fun putting on the colours (although Andy did insist on doing the tricky top bit on the upper layer of scaffold)
Then it transpired that the son of a neighbour is a canal boat signwriter, who again coincidentally is based at Cooke's Wharf. He came down and drew the letters freehand giving exactly the right 1930's feel that I think Ethel would prefer!
I have spent the last week giving the sign many layers of varnish and finally, yet again thank to Andy and his scaffold tower, it went up yesterday evening when I was out sailing. It was so exciting to come back late and see it. I just ran down this morning to see it in the sunshine. I am so pleased with it, finally my shop looks real not just some rented shed space. Yipee. I may not have money to eat or to restock ready for the Christmas shows but...Yipee!
