Raindrops kept falling

It seems to have taken an eternity....

Rain delay after rain delay, and the need to cure hard plaster at each stage, has certainly caused a few issues.


But now the north wall west side has been coated and rounded off:
















 - and the columns -

Nearly done:

 and final stage:

Looking pretty impressive! Thanks to Andrew Teer, solid plastering!

Now the entrance way, steps, levelling pathways, painting, fencing and gates.
Then landscaping...

Column curing

After what seems like an interminable time (with lots of pesky rain), Andrew Teer our heritage hard plaster expert is on site and steadfastly recreating the columns of yesteryear.

Lots of measuring and templating and then finally visible changes!!

Following the engineering requirements for modern construction and the instructions to 'reinstate, with remnant railings remaining, new ones to be on the same line' things begin to take shape:

.

 (I must remember to take pictures from directly in front to give the real impression!)

















Closer up it's easier to see the work involved...and in case you are wondering about the title, it's to do with the plaster needing to cure.



This pic was taken just before the ritual watering of the columns over the first few days - and then a waiting period of a couple of weeks as they cure well, ready for the next stage of development!

A few weeks still to go. We can hardly wait for the wrought iron fencing and gates to be installed...and the celebratory removal of the security fencing!...then landscaping!

Don't fence me in

The final stage of the 'build'.

The columns and fencing...underway...

...the first column... 

and the wall to counter the slope of the land

They will look a little different when completed, and then we can landscape!

A short post as ... 'rain has stopped play'!!

Going, going...

It's the scaffolding...

 It's going...

It's gone from around the house...

It's going on the back of a truck...

and it's gone!!

and for the next trick - a skip to arrive, a clean up to do then the next stage...

It's looking magnificent.
People are stopping to stare and comment and congratulate.

Thanks GTS Construction.

We are proud!!

We have done Newcastle and the Heritage Council proud...

Back on deck

Back on deck (HA HA) after Christmas. more blustrading, more painting.

The balustrading went up to check the fit and do the cut and paste, then it went down - for rustproofing and painting, then it went up and was refitted - a rather large and heavy jigsaw puzzle.

and it was repainted. along with the columns...















but WOW...it's coming together!

....and then there was the key frieze to go through the whole process too....


The last piece of key frieze slots into place

Completed!!!

Looking good at least from this side.
From the other side - not so good yet - the scaffolding needs to go and the site needs to be tidied and then we can move onto the next stage!!!

Upper storey

The verandah is really taking shape as the second storey is constructed.


The leverage on that crane is rather large!








Slowly but surely the steel inners and then the upper columns are put into place:

           Very impressive

...and then the roof goes on and the columns get a coat of paint:

...leaving the gap for the key frieze

 

and the balustrading begins...

We are getting there!

All hands on deck

Forgive the almost nautical punny title...appropriate for a Sailors Home, but a bit of a 'dad joke'.
My apologies!


Efficiency, good humour and great workmanship are to the fore, and look what's happened in such a short time:

 These are the views from the 'living end' of the deck/balcony/upper storey of the 2 storey verandah.

The upstairs living area and kitchenette are at this end, so they form the natural entertaining area...it was designed that way and it's great to see it all working.

Can't wait for the family get togethers here.




Still looking east up Bond Street. There will be a privacy screen at the eastern end of the deck to provide a barrier between us and the balcony (hiding behind scaffolding) of number 14 next door. 

Heritage allowed one at that end because it does not block views of the now-nearly-fully-restored Coutts Sailors Home...and it won't block any views for us!

...and the view from outside the loo!!!...
from the eastern end looking towards the west/north west -

No privacy screening allowed at the western end - that would block the few remaining glimpses of Coutts from the Convict Lumber Yard area.



Should've taken photos of the 'underneath and edges' -  curves replicated based on the photos. Thanks guys you've done a great job.

SO next steps..the steel inners for the upper storey columns should (fingers crossed) be on site and maybe even on deck very soon, maybe even later this week.

Then back with the crane to lift the upper columns into position and time for a dummy fit of the balustrading before it goes off to the workshop to be spray painted.

May even be champagne on the deck for Christmas.