JULY:

CLADDING: Neville has joined us again to get a wiggle on with the cladding. We cut all the timber we need for the kitchen/balcony wall but we have to wait for the metal profiles to arrive before we can install.

Cutting was an interesting challenge. It had to be done as the sweet chestnut has dried like spaghetti and we need parallel sides. 3.6m lengths. Solved with the aid of another Makita miracle – a plunge saw and track. Not in the budget but essential.

We also discovered that simple spraying the planks with vinegar (inc. dissolved wire wool) would not do the job as the ferrous acetate would run when it rained and stain everything below with immovable rust. Instead, and to get a good, deep black, finish we need to ensure there’s enough tannin in the timber with 3 dips in tea then 2 dips in the vinegar/wire wool mix, then wash with bicarb to avoid reaction with the final 2 coats of OSMO UV protection oil to avoid fading…

NEW DRIVEWAY: So, onto finishing the driveway while we wait for the metal profiles:

Firstly, a new design as we realised the proposed access, like the current, requires 3 gates to give lorries enough room to get down the driveway to septic tanks etc. The new design makes access much easier for large vehicles, improves sight lines to Pound Lane and screening of the new build.

Unfortunately I forgot the need to get the green light from the Planners so Dave Glassock is putting in the revisions. Hopefully they are happy with the improvements. The neighbours are.

AUG: Continuing driveway and fencing new hedgerow. Still waiting for the metal profiles to allow us to start the cladding.

SEPT: The month we get the cladding on the kitchen wall done????