I thought joists were supposed to go into the wall.....

Now this is quite frightening - when they finish taking up the floor in the first floor bedroom we see that the joists don't quite meet the wall in a number of cases - does make you wonder how the floor hasn't collapsed.  Of course, as the joists are of "historical importance" we have to put in new joists next to the old ones (oh and treat the old ones for woodworm as we go).  There's nothing simple about the renovation and some days it feels like I'm burning £50 notes - for nothing (as of course, the joists won't be visible once the renovation is finished)