The Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen issued a fresh update on the ongoing renovation of Anty John's during the latest episode of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids, which aired on Monday night (October 12).
The documentary series follows Amanda, her ex-husband Clive and their nine children as they balance daily life on their remote sheep farm, Ravenseat, with the ambitious multi-year renovation of a nearby derelict property named Anty John's.
Weather causes complications
During the second episode of season four, the Owen family battled wind, mist and rain to get a piped water supply to their home. A day out to Beamish Museum later provided inspiration for ambitious plans to build a cupboard bed for the children.
Two years and six months into the renovation, the Owens faced another setback as the winter weather proved challenging for the builders. "We've reached a stage where everything has almost snowballed. Complications are arising," Amanda revealed.
"A lot of paperwork, a lot of permissions required. We're trying to get the water supply in. The weather has stopped us on many aspects. I mean, it's made it difficult to travel. It's just been really hard to get any tasks done at Anty John's."
Progress made despite setbacks
Amanda acknowledged that it has "taken a long time to get to this stage", but added that their patience will pay off. She went on to say: "Sometimes you don't know about whether you're doing right for doing wrong."
The Yorkshire Shepherdess then caught up with electrician JD, who was set to wire the farmhouse before the floorboards were placed. Despite the recent hiccups, carpenter Dan revealed that the floorboards would be down within the next couple of weeks, as an excited Amanda said: "It's like the next stage."
Progress was made later in the episode, as the floorboards were finally installed at the farmhouse. "It's really just all hands on deck," Amanda said.
Floorboards installed
The family battled the blustery winds as they worked to get the wood planks inside the property. Amanda acknowledged: "It's a big thing. It's a massive thing. Once we can start putting the floorboards in, then it's starting to really look like a home."
She concluded: "I think there's 80 square metres of floorboards needed to put in the upper level. It's another step in the right direction."
Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids airs Monday nights at 9pm on More4.
