The new entrance to the upstairs flat has been one of the biggest dilemmas in the project and completely at odds with keeping the budget under strict control. Decided on a balcony and staircase, but the decision to go high-end on a part of the project that isn’t front of house has been a really difficult one. Essentially, the disproportionate expense is the result of an ambitious future plan to transform a rather grotty, unloved, landlocked space at the back into a magical physic garden. Somewhere to lift the mind, body and soul, but that plan can be revealed another day.

In the meantime, a beautiful cast iron balcony and spiral staircase, which comes in the form of extreme Meccano, has arrived. Having broken the bank to have it custom made, we’ve somehow agreed to mostly build it ourselves, bar the main supports. Tools at the ready, we wait for the installers to complete their bit. Sleet, snow, torrential rain didn’t deter them, but perhaps explains why it took two days to fit the frame rather than one.

Then it was over to us. All I can say Readers, is “don’t try this at home”… unless you have an ex-firefighter/competent DIY’er on Team Build. Family favours definitely being stretched to their limit . It is not a job for the faint hearted. The sweat-inducing labour and rather frustrating lack of a custom assembly plan for the custom build balcony to one side, it is a fabulous piece of British engineering from a local foundry and a much welcomed uplift to a sad and sorry forgotten space.