Week two

The rear roof of No2 (mine)

The work continues apace.  There was, I think, a slight delay last week in getting James' flat roof done but now things are moving on.  All four houses are having Veluxes added to the east facing elevations which will improve them no end.  The decision now is to find out if we can 'vault' the top bedrooms - No4 was done a long time ago but I think we need to get structural advice before going ahead.

The Velux conundrum

The Velux in place on James' house    

Both James and I have had Velux (conservation style) installed in our rear facing roofs.  They couldn't go where we had anticipated they would due to:

• The overhang of the roof
• The thickness of the walls
• The huge size and the purlin

As the Veluxes are going to have to be boxed in where they are the conundrum is whether we have the internal ceiling (currently flat) vaulted or not - I suspect we will need a structural engineer to advise but it seems a good idea to get someone to look whilst the rear roofs are off on Nos 3 and 4 next week.

In the meantime I have had a 2015 brick (with a 'cache' inside the brick) put into the front of the chimney to show the work done in 2015.  There's a 1915 brick but we don't know what the occasion was for putting such a brick in there.

And the roof work moves on

The roofers (Simon and Peter) have really been getting on with things so we are now at the stage of the two front roofs being 'complete' although there is still some pointing work to do on the chimney. Some difficulty was experienced with the two Velux windows due to the height of the purlin but that's now been overcome. The brick-shaped hole in the chimney is awaiting a new brick with 2015 engraved on it.  There are 1915 bricks in each of the three chimneys but no one can say what happened in 1915.  Simon and Peter, who are undertaking the work, have advised that the roof has not been replaced prior to their work this week.

New roof for next door already

My neighbour James, who is swanning in Melbourne!, has had his front roof taken off and replaced this morning despite the bitterly cold wind coming from the north west. The colours of the tiles, since they have been cleaned, is really quite amazing. There are shades of slate blue and grey which are really quite beautiful - Simon and Peter, who are doing the work, say it will look even better when it rains - it's bound to rain!  Images are here.

A 'new' roof

Scaffolding going up at the
rear of my house.

The opportunity arose a few weeks ago to join in with my neighbours and have the roof 'replaced'. Well not replaced exactly but rather the tiles taken off, cleaned and replaced; at the same time, replacing the laths which are seemingly about half the depth they should be in this day and age.  At the same time new insulation will be placed under the tiles and 300mm of insulation will be placed on the ceiling.  That should make the top bedroom warmer in winter; I don't mind it being a little chilly but also will welcome it being a little warmer.  Additionally James (who lives next door at No1) and I are having a 'conservation' velux window installed at the top of our stairways.  As that side of the roof faces east it will not be affected by any listing imposed upon the house, will provide additional light in the mornings and ventilation during the warmer months.  I have been taking a number of photos which can be found here. I shall update with new images as the work progresses during the week. Things started today (Friday 6-March-15) with the scaffolding being erected.

The late Jack James 'trindling' his mop
outside the Canalside cottages - clearly
showing the use of the garden at No2

One of the interesting things that has come up is that I don't, apparently, own my front garden.  It is owned by Canal & River Trust but the very thoughtful local Senior Waterway Manager, Neil Owen has kindly said that should I wish to ask for 'Adverse Possession' they will not oppose it; in fact they will support a transfer of ownership. The photo on the right is the property of David Blagrove (to whom I am indebted for allowing me to have a copy) and is dated Spring 1967.

A Red letter day for Blisworth Tunnel

L to R Dr Nigel Crowe, James Clifton (CRT)
Lady Judy and Sir William McAlpine
David Laing (LL of Northamptonshire)
Stuart Wilkinson (Chairman of the
Transport Trust) and Peter Stone
(Transport Trust)

The VIPs cutting the cake

Friday 22-August marked the 30th anniversary of the reopening of Blisworth tunnel following the repairs undertaken to fix the centre of the tunnel.  Friday 22-August was also the day (in 2014) when the Transport Trust awarded Blisworth tunnel a 'Red Wheel' in recognition of its historical importance and engineering excellence - it is, apparently only 1 metre out of 'straight'.

VIP guests were collected in Blisworth and brought through the tunnel courtesy of Stoke Bruerne Boat Company, to attended an unveiling presided over by the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, David Laing, the Hon Sir William McAlpine Bt (President of the Transport Trust) and Dr Nigel Crowe (CRT Head of Heritage).

A worthy recognition of the unbelievable achievements of those who built the tunnel some 209 years ago.  We were privileged to have, as our guests, three of those who were instrumental in rebuilding the tunnel 30 years ago.

The final bit of work

It is just 51 weeks since I moved in and I think things are now complete; today Clive delivered my victorian garden bench which was made to fit over the opening down to the kitchen window.

It wasn't cheap but it is, I think right for the location and will enable me to sit outside with a cup of tea and pontificate on the world and that which passes by!

A few pots of flowers will enhance the area a lot I think.

Life has taken a quiet turn over the last few days.  I have had a mark on my forehead for a number of years which was diagnosed, by my former GP, as a Solar Keritosis.  It started to bleed recently so I saw my GP (appointment within 20 minutes!) who referred me to a colleague of hers.  He told me it was not a Solar Keritosis but a Basal Cell Carcinoma (in simple terms skin cancer). On Friday of this last week I had an appointment with my GP for him to surgically remove the growth.  Not very pleasant but it had to be done. He removed a section of my forehead some 2 inches by ¾ inch in an elliptical form. Done under a local anaesthetic!  I am now waiting for it to heal enough to have the 12 stitches taken out! I find yawning quite difficult as it stretches the forehead muscles and laughing, whilst very good for you, can be a challenge!