October's Here - Check out the Tiles!

With the roof up, the plan for the short term was to lay the tiles and complete the two gable ends (that's builder-speak for the walls with the sloping roof edges - ok, the front and back then).

We've been very lucky with the weather so far, it's hardly meant many days rained off, and if it continues as-is for a few more weeks, then we should be working on the inside comfortably by the end of October. Finger's crossed!

In the beginning ...

... and lots of other stuff ...

...there were tiles ....

A big thanks to Martin for the tiling and fitting the roof-windows (veluxes - is that a real word?).

"Ehh"

Alfresco

Franky getting high

Ere, wot you looking at?

This view from the other side of the railway shows that because the inner block-walls are built from the inside, then it was a case of using simple trestle arrangements within the building to go higher. But the brickwork for the outer walls then, needed external scaffolding. We used the towers for the front gable but they wouldn't fit in the space available for the rear - so we had to build it all to suit.

Closing the ends up

You can see the tiles and some of the roof-windows here, but even though the tiles may look very "new" when compared to the main house, I guess that within a couple of years they should become more weathered and match a whole lot better. There's a lot of big trees around which should help. 

While it doesn't appear very high when looking "up", believe me, that when you're up there, simply reaching out to get something or just changing your position slightly, takes on a whole new level of balance that you take for granted when you're standing on the old terra firma. The guys that do this stuff everyday have my utmost respect.

The brickwork around all the new windows has been built to exactly match the same style as on the main house. This is also true of the concrete ledges which have been poured to include an underneath ridge which prevents water from running back towards the wall.

So, right now, it looks like an almost standalone orange building. When it's painted in the same style, the overall effect should be of having one complete house, end to end. Oh yes.

Now that, is looking good .....

Meanwhile, the Brosteel Ultra 60 was taking a well earned rest enjoying a spot of fishing, and some general horsing around ....... ney worries!

The rest of September: The Roof

Sorry folks, this latest post has been a long time in the works. The waiting's over, the job is done - we bring you the Roof!

"Ehh"

Work started early and it wasn't long before the roofers were up and running (under strict supervision from Franco of course).

The Last Beam

The Two Towers, 'Fredo

The speed with which the guys worked was amazing, and it wasn't long before it all started to take shape.

Glad it's not me

Nosey Neighbour View

Close-Up 1

Bear in mind that there was no permanent flooring upstairs - just the beams (and of course the noggins) - so there were plenty of gaps and it's a long way down when you are standing on scaffolding .......

Close-Up 2

Close-Up 3

Lucia a lot taller than I remember

Hmm, nice soffits

The Porch bit

Proper arty that pic mate

Overall, the job is going well and we are making great progress, but the question still remains:

"what is it actually going to look like, especially when we have no plans and when Franco isn't letting on?" 

So .....we contacted Farah-from-across-the-road - a well respected local developer - and we asked for her professional opinion:

Artist's Impression

A few more windows than I was expecting, but it has a certain symmetry to it that I like ...... love the landscaping .....

The building Inspector was having a day off. True to form, only doing what he wants to do:

By the way, succumbing to popular demand, watch this space for more exclusive photos of our old favourite, the can of Brosteel Ultra 60 - locations and poses like you'd never thought possible, no expense spared, coming to a blogsite near you ....oh, and a few tiles too.