Spores

Goodness, I'm fed up today. With our planning decision due next Tuesday we phoned our architect-type, who thought the due date was a whole week later that it is. The planning officer still hasn't been out to inspect the site and with the decision only a week away, we're off on holiday this Friday so bang goes his chance of gaining access to the rear of the property to take a look.

'I've emailed the planning officer but he hasn't replied' says architect-type. 'And I've e-mailed his wife to see if he's actually in work this week.'

We rang the planning department ourselves, who confirmed that the decision is indeed June 7th and that our planning officer is indeed on annual leave. Perhaps it's a good sign - perhaps he's not bothered about taking a look - though it would be useful if he did because our complaining neighbour's house is hidden entirely by the newly-blossomed trees and can no longer be seen at all - so much for invading his privacy.

One of the quoting builders made an appointment to see us last night, which was a bank holiday. It was his thrid visit and he came armed with a quote for which he'd consulted a professional estimating service at a personal cost of £150. We really like this builder and he comes on personal recommendation, but his professional estimate puts him £60,000 above the cost of other builders tendering for the work and we simply can't afford to use him. Now Dr B feels guilty about him spending £150 on the estimate and thinks we ought to pay him or at least offer to meet him halfway, which I'm sure he'd accept but I'm not sure is the right thing to do in the circumstances. £150 is £150 - we never said he had the job and he never said we had to pay for the quote.

Anyway, in my frustration at all this waiting, I've started peeling at the manky wallpaper in the downstairs loo - it's full of disgusting spores as you can see. This time next week, it'll be gone. At least something is moving.