Basic renovation done!

It took my crew four months to do everything that we agreed upon, according to my funds. And that was: repairing foundations, rebuilding cellars, repairing the roof construction and building an arcade in the front. Here's my cottage's new look, as seen from the yard (the new front):

I fell in love with it all over again. But no wonder, huh...?
The thing you can see on the top of the arcade is a carpenter's "wreath", signifying the end of work, hung up for luck. Here the wreath is actually a wooden sculpture, representing traditional carpenter tools.
A nicer photo of the the front:

The larch wood is a little reddish and will get darker in time. It smells divine :) I will be watching stars, listening to silence and feeling darkness from here - or first warmth of dawn - every day. Let it be so.
The construction of the roof had to be raised a bit and now there's this overwhelmingly huge space up there:

They had a smokehouse here and there was a huge chimney in the middle. The floor was raw clay. All had been removed and the clay used in laying new foundations.
I am planning two rooms and a separate "apartment" here for guests. I felt skeptical about it when looking at the plans, but after experiencing the new space I can believe anything is possible.
Some space will be left "undone" for me to dry herbs, mushrooms and linens. Imagine the smells!
A small roof window was added that overlooks the road. I can see the lake now.

I am told this old pump could be cleaned and used again. Three years ago we had a family of tits nesting inside it. We tried not to disturb them, wondering how they'll manage to get out? Finally, they flew away, all except one that may have been too weak and died there.

And here's the house as seen from the road. The old pine beams closest to the ground unfortunately could not be saved. But in the future the walls will be covered with traditional wooden weatherboarding (vertical) and the bricks will disappear.

I am now well seen from a distance :)

If you're curious about the extent of work that still awaits me, here are some photos that convey it all or more...

I am including them here for the future, when I will look over old posts and wonder, where on earth have I taken a nerve from to throw myself into this...?
But, I am not depressed by the mess - it's glorious! I feel happier than ever before. I am finally realizing a dream. I am showing my mettle like a true man should: building a house, having two sons already; only tree planting left now (planned for spring) :)

And anyway, whatever happens, I have forests around that make me breath again.