Gondola refit continued

Winter seems a long time ago now, especially since we seem to have actually had some summer but Bill and Russ worked throughout the winter months to complete the refit on SY Gondola.  Below are some photographs with captions explaining the work they carried out.



This is the start of replacing the deck. Having previously machined the Iroko timber into decking planks Bill and Russ start to lay out and fit the cover boards to create the frame of the new aft deck. The staggered effect seen on the outside of the cover boards is known as "juggling".

Once the cover boards are in place, the decking planks are then fitted.

It's a busy work area as not only are Bill and Russ laying the new deck, but the Gondola crew were preparing the engine and boiler space for installation of a new prop shaft and bearings assisted by two of BAE's engineering apprentices.


Works in October and into November

At High Close Youth Hostel, our joiner has made an oak gate to their main entrance being partly funded by the hostel itself.

Our builders at present are working at High Ground farm relining a chimney flue so the tenant can install his multi-fuel stove but we found that the stone work to the three chimney stacks is perished and so we will have to rebuild the stacks with fresh stone acquired from Burlington quarries.

The stone comes with sawn edges so we have to dress the stone to make them look more in keeping with the age of the property - a labourious task.

The stack, with two flues, is beginning to take shape.  When we have completed this one, we move onto Slack Cottage at Wray to reline and fit a multi-fuel stove for the tenants.

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!

Just a quick update on Eric's Joss Naylor challenge.  Unfortunately due to the adverse weather conditions - well it is the Lake District - he was unable to do more than the first section.  Eric and Darren were due to meet Eric's wife in the car park at the Kirkstone Inn but they had difficulty in finding her.  For anyone reading this who doesn't know the car park, it is small.  They also had driving rain and strong winds to contend with so it is with regret that the whole project has been abandoned for this year.

Just about three months ago Eric, our clerk of works, was 60 and I think had a mid-life crisis. 

He has decided to run the Joss Naylor Challenge. This challenge involves climbing 30 hill tops, crossing some 48 miles of mountain terrain and ascending nearly 17000 feet.  The route starts in Pooley Bridge, Ullswater and finishes at Greendale Bridge, Wasdale.  Each age group has a specific time limit varying between 12 and 24 hours with different times for men and women.  There is no emphasis on record times and pacers are mandatory for safety reasons.  Eric needs to finish within 18 hours and he has been collecting sponsors with the monies raised going to the mountain rescue.  He is starting the run on Saturday 18 August at 4am and Darren Moore will be running with him.  I will update you next week as to how he has gone on.