PROGRESS REPORT: May
(click on images for a bigger picture)
The goal for the first three
weeks of May was to get the roof stripped and ready for Nigel and Barney and the
roofing team. Ben proved equal to the task even though several days were lost
when his girlfriend fell very ill. Thankfully she's getting better.
The idea was to leave the
lantern located by a few rafters.
Massive fires, frequent trips to
the dump and an ever-growing heap of lead made a mockery of my waste-nothing life-style.
Seeing disappear the structure built so carefully, a story behind the aquisition
of every recycled bit, left a numbness and glumness which I realized I just had
to go through. At least the broken slates found a use as a path for the raised
beds! . . . We fetched the timber for the roof.
At last the roofing team arrived,
Nigel, Barney, Lina, Vlod and Bobby.
The windows had arrived and were
the first things to go up. Then the centre was established. We set up the Big
Tent in a nearby field by the river.
Work proceeded swiftly. Dave
Ray (Sylvan's boyfriend) came by twice to lend his expertise.
A cloudburst soaked everything.
After that work went on under tarps.
It was wonderful to leave everything
to the team. I still find working on the hexagon a bit overwhelming knowing how
much work remains to be done. My therapy is pottering in the garden. I planted
it out with seeds and seedlings and small plants.
When the team left the rafters were four fifths completed. I had arranged
for some local roofers to do the slating and they are confident they can complete
setting the remaining rafters too. When, in early December, Barney offered to
put a team together to replace the roof it was like having a rock to cling to.
It has driven the work leading to this stage. It has been a great gift.
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