SY Gondola Revisited

It's that time of year again when the Steam Yacht Gondola will be coming out of the water here at Coniston and we will be undertaking the annual maintenance work. The last sailing of the season will be Sunday 4 November 2012. In preparation, Bill and Russ have been replacing the keel blocks. 

                    

What is a keel block? you ask.  The above photographs show you that they are what the boat sits on as it comes out of the water.  These oak and metal ones are replacing the old ones that were made of larch.  More photographs to follow as work progresses.

"Hot Works" for Croft Farmhouse

This is to show the process of lead being welded to create the apron at the bottom of a chimney stack for Croft Farmhouse.  The work was carried out at Bowe Barn, Keswick and not on site as we are not allowed to use anything that can cause a fire in our properties so this reduces the risk of fire damage.  A permit needs to be obtained from the property's General Manager.  The process of lead welding has been developed instead of beating the lead into the shape required.  Oxygen and acetylene is used to get the lead up to the correct temperature to enable it to be shaped.

Congratulations...............

to Phill and his partner Sarah on the  birth of their son, Thomas David William born on 22 September.  Best wishes to all.  Here's hoping his plastering skills come in handy for the nappy changing!