Del Boy’s Challenge

Derek ‘Del Boy’ Payne

The stonework on both the east and west-facing walls is now at a height to receive the final, second, ‘string’ course on which the window frame will sit. All that is required now is to bring the front wall up to the same height which will allow us to settle the large, heavy and expensive sections of stone comprising the machine-cut ‘string’ course into place.


Derek ‘Del Boy’ Payne has begun the mind-numbing task of pointing the rear wall beginning with the inside face which, although it is going to be plastered, requires fresh mortar in all the joints. If he manages to keep his sanity, then he will begin the task all over again on the other side thus sealing it from the weather and finalising the very satisfying rejuvenation of this 160-year old wall.

With snow forecast, it is presently uncertain when we will be on site again. Hopefully not
too long and I look forward to reporting further progress soon.

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