The Elephant in the Room – Part 2

This post comprises two reports from Bob – the first of which highlights the ‘joys’ of working outside in the ‘delightful’ Cumbrian weather at this time of year. The second describes work on one of the better days!

The successes of Monday 15th and the elation of taming the rear wall were completely negated by our efforts on Friday 19th to get any meaningful work done at all as our water supply resisted all attempts to thaw it out – hot water and blowlamps proving no match for a Stainmore winter. The bulk bag of sand was frozen into a rock-solid block which even a determined attack by Andrew (with a pick axe!) did little more than reduce it to a selection of large sandstone rocks. So, after 4 futile hours of trying to start work, and with frozen fingers and empty bellies, we had to give it best, go home and await the thaw, but rest assured, we are not easily put off and we will be back!

Yesterday (24th), as winter released its icy grip, at least for the moment, we were able to continue our work on the rear wall, raising the blockwork up to what I think will be the penultimate course on the inside. There is still work to do on the back side – replacing at least the top two feet of stone that was lost long ago, but at least all is now stable and true with the prospect of collapse gone for good. When all the material has hardened, we will fill the core of the wall with a watery mix of cement that will penetrate all remaining orifices and consolidate the structure. Once this is done, we can once again begin the laborious and time-consuming task of the facing stonework bringing us ever closer to our goal.

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