The builders have arrived and gotten to work. And already the kitchen is basically gone. The wonky cupboards and the cheap plastic countertops have all been thrown out. They’ve also already removed the two layers of flooring on top of the original pine (one layer of cork board and one of imitation wood). Only the shell of the room is left.

Since we have no kitchen, we’re now doing all our meal prep, cooking and eating in the dining room. Washing up happens in the laundry room, which also houses such things as the kettle and the microwave.

I can barely imagine living without cooking proper food. Living for however many weeks completely without a stove was not an option. We bought a portable hob with two hot plates that’s going to have to serve for this period.

It kind of works… but it is already frustrating. The plates do kind of get hot, but not proper hot. And it takes them half an eternity. We have to get used to the old school way of cooking again: whatever the meal you’re about to cook, start by turning on the hob. By the time I’m done chopping onions, the pan might be almost hot enough. Cooking on this thing is an exercise in patience