Wreck of the Week

Oh my. Several of you have sent me links to this particular Welsh wreck. Which, I should mention, is up for auction next week (on November 27th). Blaen Blodau Hall, at New Inn, is undeniably beautiful. The Grade II listed property comes with around two-and-a-half acres of land - much of it rather enthusiastically cleared - accessed via a quiet lane and its own. long drive. Lovely. Inside are (hopefully) three reception rooms, a sort-of kitchen, hall four bedrooms and a bathroom. I say hopefully because most of Blaen Blodau is unviewable for safety reasons - the agent suggests standing in the front doorway is about as far as you'll get in terms of inspecting the house. No matter. It's pretty clear the property is going to need rather more than a job-lot of Dulux and some reclaimed floorboards. Indeed, the view from said front door into the hall suggests that all the new wood is gamely holding up the old wood. Here's the kitcheny bit, by the way. And b...

I was sorry to see this particular wreck arrive onto the market because it's a house I once lived in. And loved living in. The house is in Cottingham, a large village/small town just outside Hull. It's five bedrooms (albeit one was only big enough to hold my drum kit, as I remember), upstairs bathroom, two good-size reception rooms and kitchen, and an impressive hall and staircase. Outside are two gardens and there is (or was) parking behind the house, plus a garage. And it's in a nice position; a short walk from the lively village centre. So far so good. But the house is on the market via online auction, and auctions mean risk . The timer system on bids means you may not get chance to have a survey done and you need to be sure you have the cash in place to complete the sale within a month. Plus, if you do pull out, you'll lose around £6k or £7k in deposit and fees. It's pretty clear 16 Beck Bank needs a full refurb job and that there have be...